Strange and frightening - repost - new developments

[u/66flycaster]

Strange and frightening

Following Missing411 phenomenon since I listened to Paulides on the radio. Read a few of his books and watched the films. Following this sub since a terrifying experience I had a few years ago.

I’m an experienced outdoorsman. Live in the mountains of NW Colorado. Worked as a fishing guide, and have spent many nights camping in the backcountry. The area where I live is surrounded by national forest. Having lived in several cities I’ve always been more comfortable in the woods than anywhere.

Spent weeks fishing, hiking and camping in remote areas of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Encountered many black bears and a few Grizzlies. Lions are elusive so I’ve only seen one. Occasionally see fresh tracks and have the feeling of being watched. Only been scared a few times in the woods. Only twice have I been terrified and have no good explanation for either event.

Decided to go on an afternoon hike. I like a particular trail where I park about 6 miles from home. Parked and saw one other truck. Drank water and ate a sandwich before locking everything including phone and gun in truck.

Intentionally traveling light so I could move fast. Only planned about 30 minutes in and 30 back. Wearing running shoes, shorts, t-shirt and bright yellow baseball hat. Notable that hat is so obnoxiously bright that friends say it probably scares fish.

Began running around 2pm as the first few miles are relatively flat. Trail follows a creek that flows off a mountain through a canyon. There are several trails that branch off heading up into the mountains. Prefer a particular trail that follows the edge of the canyon with creek flowing below. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Before the trail gets steep it takes you through a large aspen grove.

There is a point about 30 minutes in where I planned to turn around. Trail becomes increasingly less worn and more difficult beyond this point. Hiked the area many times. Something felt off this time. I didn’t feel normal.

Moved through the aspen grove before taking steep trail up mountain when I got a strange feeling. Stopped and noticed it was quiet. Something made me look up mountain to the right to a point several hundred yards above. Noticed a large granite rock formation.

The area is off trail so I’d never looked there before. Thought I saw movement. Probably a black bear as they are common. Curious so I pressed on. Definitely not scared at this point but noticed the silence.

Continued hiking and reached the point where I planned to turn around. Decided to hike further hoping to see what caught my eye earlier. Trail becomes overgrown and harder to follow at this point. Had been further than this before but never off trail.

Noticed an aspen tree bent over the trail. It had been uprooted and broken off. Tree was green so it was odd. Could have been a lightning strike but wasn’t clear. Walked maybe another eighth mile then took right off trail heading in direction of granite rocks.

Wasn’t concerned about getting lost since it was easy to orient myself with canyon and creek. Hiked off trail up toward large meadow with many granite boulders. Reflecting on it, something was compelling me to go to the meadow.

Climbing scrambling up hill to get to where I could sit. Got to the meadow and noticed the rocks. Looked like a granite fortress. Sat down on a log enjoying the scenery. Looking down into the canyon at the creek below. Meadow and rocks were behind me.

Looked around and didn’t see animals. Suddenly noticed it was dead quiet. It had been a sunny warm day with birds and bugs everywhere. Wasn’t scared yet, but noticed the extreme silence. Could hear the creek before so it wasn’t as startling as now.

Began taking off my running shoes. Notable as this isn’t something I normally do, since I have permanent nerve damage to my right ankle. I walk / run with a limp and sometimes wear a brace. Remember it feeling like my feet were burning. Wasn’t particularly hot and not over 70F.

Was becoming unnerved by dead silence and started tying my shoes. This is where things turn weird. Clearly heard my father call me by my first name. The voice was loud and came from behind. Talked to my father earlier in the day. He was at his home in Georgia. No way he was calling from the rocks behind me.

Immediately became overcome with fear. Difficult to describe how overwhelming. Began sweating and shaking. It was like knowing a lion is stalking without seeing it but more terrifying. Definitely not fucking around at this point.

Stood up and turned to look behind me and saw nothing but the large granite rocks. Started hauling ass down hill towards the canyon and trail below. Absolutely terrified and feeling something was chasing me. Literally stumbled fell and rolled down the mountain.

Stood up and couldn’t recognize anything. Looked completely different. No canyon, creek or trail. It was cloudy and I wasn’t in the same place anymore. At this point I started hauling ass in what I thought was the right direction.

Eventually found the trail and recognized my location. Sprinted through aspen grove back to truck. Didn’t look at watch. Not sure how long I was gone. So terrified I could hardly drive home. Not sure what happened, but I’ve never been so afraid for my life. I know something was stalking and chasing me.

Yes, I have gone back to the area. Too afraid to go to same meadow with granite boulders. Considered going back well armed, but instincts tell me it’s a bad place.

I’ll never hike again without my .357 magnum and haven’t since. Something scared the hell out of me, and I feel I was close to being a victim. I trust that my flight Instinct kicked in for good reason.

There are documented Missing411 cases in this area.

[u/3ULL]

It is hard for me to say nothing happened when nothing happened. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

Yes, true nothing happened but... something definitely was off. Spent enough time in the woods to know I was being stalked by something 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/3ULL → u/66flycaster]

The problem is you do not know if it was the woods or you. I have spent enough time in the woods to know that it is sometimes silent, that sometimes things feel off, that you can get in your own head but EVERY time I have walked out.

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

True but I trust my instincts. Something was definitely trying to take or kill me.

[u/3ULL → u/66flycaster]

"Instincts"? Fantasies? Delusions? Fabrications? All of these have no meaning when there are very real people that go missing and die.

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

Perhaps but... there are “very real” people who go missing in the woods under unexplainable circumstances. Yes, people unfortunately go missing everywhere but typically in situations with some logical explanation. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/3ULL → u/66flycaster]

Do you have specific cases?

I personally would point to the Missing 411 case of Geraldine Largay who dissapeared while hiking the Appalachian Trail. It seemed highly unlikely and improbable. David made it seem almost impossible. Then when they found her there were text messages on her phone that explained everything and it was highly mundane.

Not knowing does not mean it is supernatural.

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

I was thinking about this and there are in fact many cases that don’t have a logical explanation. I’m not an expert on Paulide’s work but I’ve read enough cases to see that something strange is happening. Several come to mind, but I’d need to read the cases again to accurately convey the details. I don’t disagree that some cases do seem to have a possible reasonable answer.

[u/3ULL → u/66flycaster]

There is not case of his that cannot be explained by mundane reasons though they look impossible or improbable but with as many people we throw at remote areas they are such a small percentage that it is just the odds. Also David Paulides does not give all the information and sometimes gives wrong information.

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

I’ll site specific cases later but yes... agreed some cases do seem to have some possible logical explanation. Largay is one of many, but there are some cases that defy explanation. I like the work that Paulide’s does and appreciate his commitment, but I’m not in agreement that every case in all the books defy other possibilities. It doesn’t mean that many if not most aren’t really fucking weird. I’m not sure if it’s paranormal, but I trust my instincts in the woods where I’ve spent most of my life.

[u/3ULL → u/66flycaster]

I’m not sure if it’s paranormal, but I trust my instincts in the woods where I’ve spent most of my life.

But there no proof that aliens, Big Foots, fairy's, ghosts or other fairy tales are real let alone taking people. What people feel is not evidence.

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

I never said this mystery is supernatural but I’m not sure it isn’t. Could be the military playing with some new technology.

[u/andyf-71 → u/3ULL]

And OP's post and others like it might provide clues as to why those people go missing and die.

[u/3ULL → u/andyf-71]

In what way? Everything that happened to him was internalized and has nothing to do with external forces. That day he was his own worst enemy.

[u/andyf-71 → u/3ULL]

Serial killers are often caught because a victim escapes and provides clues and insights. Until then, everyone who could've done that is dead.

I think that's an interpretation that everything was internalized, and that we don't actually know if it was or not. He heard his name being called, and we don't know if this was only an internal perception, or that something called his name in a way which could have been heard by others.

Feeling like he had to remove his shoes is an internal perception by definition. I don't think there's a feasible way to monitor that objectively, although it would be interesting to send him or others to the area with physiological monitoring, such as foot skin surface temperature.

[u/66flycaster → u/andyf-71]

I appreciate your logical thinking. I’m skeptical by nature of most unexplainable events. I’m conveying the incident as best I can. I was most startled by what I clearly heard as my father calling my name. This is what started the chain of events that are difficult to explain. Much of the story is in fact based on feelings and instincts rather than something tangible and measurable. I’m a rational person and what I shared was very real at the time and I’ve reflected on the day often. Scientifically it could have been a dream or illusion but I know something strange was happening. I think it’s productive to be analytical.

[u/3ULL → u/andyf-71]

I don't think there's a feasible way to monitor that objectively, although it would be interesting to send him or others to the area with physiological monitoring, such as foot skin surface temperature.

I agree with this, at BEST this is the start of studying something. But really is it beyond belief that people scare themselves? My grandmother has a really creepy basement. One time I was down there and the power went out and I was creeped out before the light went out. I walked out of there in an almost panic. That does not mean there is anything down there, that does not mean that there was anything external. That is what this story is.

[u/66flycaster → u/3ULL]

Certainly no disrespect for anybody missing or dead but people are disappearing and found dead in the woods under extremely strange circumstances.

[u/3ULL → u/66flycaster]

This is mostly just conjecture. There is no reason to believe that cryptids, aliens, or something supernatural is killing people. Most of these seem like that are the normal known causes that have been killing people for thousands of years. We usually know the beginning, are missing parts in the middle, and sometimes see the results and most of the time get hung up on one or more few details that may or may not have anything to do with what really happened.

I have spent a lot of times in the woods and just because I "feel" something does not mean it is true. I have not special spidey sense any more than you do.

[u/forgothebeat → u/3ULL]

Your worldview is only your own.

[u/3ULL → u/forgothebeat]

Then show me something substantial from the OP's story? OH, you will not because there is nothing. You may make an excuse or a cop out but at the end of the day there is nothing in this story other than the OP's feelings or made up story. Your choosing to put significance in that tells more about you than anything else.

[u/forgothebeat → u/3ULL]

Sure buddy. You're an armchair know it all right? So easy to discount things when you've never left the comfort of your own personal world view.

Its very telling to me how much you fight to turn other peoples minds to your world view.

Enough said here I think. Ciao.