There is only so far that studying the debates and evidence can take you in your hunt for Sasquatch.

Ultimately you will want to go out and look for yourself.

This page provides a few suggestions to get you underway.

Preparing to Search for Sasquatch
	The Lookback Frame from the 1967 Patterson film provides one of the best images of Sasquatch that has been captured to date. Part two of a three part series on Sasquatch; see also : 1.  All about Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest 2.  Preparing to Search for Sasquatch 3.  Some suggested Bigfoot touring around Seattle (not yet published)

For the curious traveler some of the key historical sites can be visited with relative ease, although the older sites are unlikely to still be in their original condition there is also the option of staying abreast of up-to-the minute reports of contacts of varying intensity through web sites such as Seattle’s Sasquatch Information Society and the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization.

BFRO also organize expeditions in search of the creature, in many different states at different times of year.  And if you are somewhat more adventurous, you may choose to create a trip of your own in the hope of encountering a Sasquatch.

More about the Sasquatch

It has been suggested by some researchers that Sasquatch is possibly a relative of the gigantic ape Gigantopithecus once found in Indochina and believed to have been extinct for at least 300,000 years. The Gigantopithecus blacki was the largest known ape, with fossil evidence showing that it stood up to 10 feet tall and weighed up to 1200 pounds. It is possible that the Sasquatch may be a surviving ancestor of this ape who crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Indochina into America.

If one is to set off in search of Sasquatch it would help to have some knowledge of where & how it lives. The problem is that much of what has been written is either speculation or has been deliberately constructed to account for shortcomings in the evidentiary record. It is a commonly held belief that Sasquatch is a nomadic wanderer in search of food – vegetation, fruits, berries, nuts, some roots and saplings, even insects. Meat is thought to be a secondary dietary supplement, probably mostly acquired opportunistically (for example when an animal is injured but not killed by a hunter).

Fish, on the other hand, appear to form a primary food source (indeed there have been unverified claims made regarding successful attempts to attract Sasquatch by using fish as bait). It may well be the allure of fish that accounts for the fact that typically, they reside or wander near rivers, lakes and small ponds. In fact, nearly all sightings and footprints have been located in close proximity to a water source. Not surprisingly, then, it is also believed that the Sasquatch can swim – with its flexible feet acting as flippers - and, given that there have been sightings or footprints on many of the coastal islands off Washington, British Columbia & Alaska, it is possible that it can even negotiate the open sea.

The general consensus appears to be that Sasquatch is highly intelligent – more intelligent than any of the great apes – and will generally go to great lengths to avoid contact with humans, even adopting a largely nocturnal lifestyle. It is likely that the entire population in the US is small, with typical estimates somewhere in the range of 2000.

Although thought to be mainly solitary creatures, there is a suspected breeding area in the territory known as “Indian Heaven Back Country” on the east side of Mount St Helens. This has been the source of many reports of apparent family groups, but, not surprisingly, this is a very remote area usually requiring access by horseback.

Suggestions for Starting your own Search

One of the great things about planning a search for Sasquatch in this part of the country is that, although your quest may take you to some isolated spots, you can still make the city of Seattle the base of operations. Head east on I90 & within 30-45 minutes you are already surrounded by territory that has a rich history of Sasquatch encounters, or head approximately 100 miles south to the equally intriguing territory around Mount St Helens. Alternatively, you may want to start your search from the picturesque town of Leavenworth or the natural hot springs resort of Sol Duc. Whichever option you choose, you can be sure that you will never be far from a potential encounter with the elusive Sasquatch.

No matter where you choose to stay, by following some simple basic principles your chances of an encounter will increase greatly. You may want to begin by checking one of the websites that provides data on recent sighting locations (such as this), although this can do little more than provide a rough guide of where to start your search. Wherever you begin looking, remember that you are dealing with a creature that is thought to go to great lengths to avoid human contact. The further you can get from even small population centers the better your chances will become.

For instance, try taking a few of the forest roads that bisect the forests in this region to get as far away from human activity as you can. As far as personal safety will allow, avoid searching along marked trails or down rivers that endure relatively heavy and consistent human traffic. Remember also that the vast majority of significant contacts occur close to water, so try to focus your search along river banks, lake shores and the like. Depending on how enthusiastic you are, you may also want to concentrate your search time from the early evening hours on, given the presumed nocturnal nature of your quarry.

As you search, stay alert at all times as a chance encounter is likely to be over within a few seconds – you might want to travel with camera in hand at all times, just in case. Also, be sure to make full use of all your senses: most accounts attribute an overwhelming smell to the Sasquatch; keep an ear out at all times for the sound of other creatures nearby, especially unusual calls; keep your eyes open for unusual tracks or structures in the forest.

Of course not even the most committed and knowledgeable searcher can be assured of success and luck will play an important role in any successful encounter. While we cannot guarantee that you will find any sign of the wild man of the woods, we are certain that undertaking such a search will give you the opportunity to enjoy some of the natural beauty to be found in this part of the country. Happy hunting!

Part two of a three part series on Sasquatch; see also :

1.  All about Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest

2.  Preparing to Search for Sasquatch

3.  Some suggested Bigfoot touring around Seattle (not yet published)

Related Articles, etc

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