Two dead in search for Sasquatch in Washington forest

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office reported that the men, aged 59 and 37, were last seen on 24 December

Two men from Portland, Oregon, tragically lost their lives while searching for Sasquatch during the Christmas week, authorities have confirmed.

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) reported that the men, aged 59 and 37, were last seen on 24 December. A family member contacted emergency services in the early hours of Christmas Day after the pair failed to return as planned.

Their vehicle was located through a licence plate reader near Oklahoma Road, close to Willard, Washington. This discovery prompted an extensive three-day search operation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, involving over 60 volunteers, search dogs, drones, ground teams, and a U.S. Coast Guard air unit.

"After a grueling, three-day search over difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, the 59-year-old male and 37-year-old male, both from Portland, Oregon, who were reported missing/endangered were located, deceased, in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest," the sheriff's office stated in a social media post.

The deaths were attributed to exposure, with authorities citing harsh weather conditions and inadequate preparation as contributing factors.

The SCSO expressed gratitude to the volunteers who braved freezing temperatures, heavy rainfall, high water levels, and challenging terrain during the search. "The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the loved ones lost in this tragic incident," the office added.

The men's identities have not been released, but their loss has left a lasting impact on the community.

The legacy of Sasquatch

Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is a creature rooted in North American folklore. Often described as a large, hairy, ape-like figure that walks upright, it is believed to inhabit remote forested regions, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

Washington has been dubbed the "world’s most active region" for Sasquatch sightings, according to a 2019 Travel Channel blog. Notably, the Blue Mountains and Okanogan County are considered hotspots, with reports of one of the most aggressive Bigfoot encounters ever recorded.

Despite the folklore, Sasquatch remains a mystery, with no conclusive evidence of its existence.