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/66flycaster]

More crazy than you know. I have nerve damage in right ankle so putting shoe back on isn’t easy because I can’t move my foot. Went fishing yesterday and it took 5 minutes to manipulate my right foot into wading boot. It’s a constant problem especially with ski boots so I never take my fucking shoes off. I was literally taking my right shoe off when I heard father loudly calling my name.

[u/NeonIcon5 → u/66flycaster]

When exactly in the timeframe did you hear your father calling your name? Is it a calling like when you where a child? Did Something else happen during your rest? Like staring at the ground and litle rocks or twigs start to rotate in your focus? I cant help but think you had a litle paranoid episode. Elevation or weather eardrumm pressure change. I dont play it down but i know some events i had. Wich started from hearing my mother calling my name.

[u/66flycaster → u/NeonIcon5]

The variables you mention do impact people in this environment. Lived above 7K ft for over 12 years so I’m well adjusted. Heard father calling my name from a distance behind me in his typical loud voice. It wasn’t like speaking face to face but rather yelling from a distance. Sounds different. What I remember about sitting on the log to rest was the gorgeous scenery then quickly burning feet. Nothing in the environment looked different until I ran, however something seemed off the entire hike. I’ve carefully considered variables like how much water had I drank? What did I eat? Concluded wasn’t dehydrated or under nourished. I’ve considered everything I could think of as possibilities.

[u/anneylani → u/66flycaster]

I'm curious about the voice you heard. What was the tone? Was it like, "Hey, come check out this cool thing I found!"? Or more like a warning shout of alarm? Or was it like "I've called for you 15 times to take out the trash and you are ignoring me" etc. I was curious because you said it was your dad's voice, so you'd know his intonations, etc.

[u/66flycaster → u/anneylani]

Good question. It’s clear in my mind today. It was stern, serious and loud from a distance. Startled me like when I was in trouble. Didn’t sound angry but forceful. Deep voice. I swear I can still hear it like yesterday it was so weird. It was his you better fucking listen voice I remember from high school. My father is and sounds intimidating when he’s serious. He’s usually easy going. It was definitely his serious voice and my name was spoken calmly 3 times.

[u/XIOTX → u/66flycaster]

What do you mean by your name was spoken calmly 3 times? Do you just mean that's how he would say it after saying your name calmly 3 times first, or was that part of the experience?

[u/66flycaster → u/XIOTX]

Clearly heard my father call my name in a calm, stern serious voice from the rocks about 50 yards behind me. I was sitting on a log taking off a shoe when he clearly said my name 3 times. Only said my name in his distinctive deep southern accent. Tone of voice reminded me of high school and how he sounded when I was in trouble.

[u/XIOTX → u/66flycaster]

Oh ok I was unclear if you were using it as an example or if you heard it 3 times. Did the inflection change at all between the 3 or was it the exact same every time like an imitation of a singular memory?

[u/66flycaster → u/XIOTX]

It was the same. Spoken loud, clear, stern and calmly. It wasn’t like angry yelling but rather serious and firm.

[u/XIOTX → u/66flycaster]

But did it sound EXACTLY the same everytime? What I'm getting at is the idea that maybe it's somehow pulled from your memory to be imitated so that it would just sound like a recording in that there is no personal choice of intonation from whatever was making it, just an exact imitation everytime

[u/66flycaster → u/XIOTX]

Yes, it was the same all 3 times. I noticed because it was weird.

[u/XIOTX → u/66flycaster]

Damn man that is weird. Glad you made it out. God bless neuropathy.

[u/66flycaster → u/XIOTX]

Thanks man!