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Two men from Portland, Oregon, were found dead in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington state after a search for the legendary creature Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff's Office reported that the men, aged 37 and 59, died "due to exposure, based on weather conditions and ill-preparedness."
The men were reported missing by a family member early on Christmas Day (December 25) after they failed to return from their search on Christmas Eve. The three-day search involved over 60 volunteer search-and-rescue personnel, including canine, drone, and ground teams, as well as the Coast Guard, which used infrared technology to assist from the air. Their vehicle was located off Oklahoma Road near Willard, Washington, on the southern border of the national forest.
The search took place amid freezing temperatures, snow, and high water levels, which complicated the rescue efforts. The area had experienced rounds of snow and rain, with temperatures in the 30s leading up to the men's disappearance.
Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is a folkloric creature believed by some to inhabit the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Despite numerous reported sightings, its existence remains unproven. In Skamania County, harming Bigfoot is punishable by a fine and potential jail time, a law intended to protect the creature and prevent accidents.
The Skamania County Sheriff's Office expressed condolences to the families of the deceased men. Their names have not been released.