iNTO THE FRAY 553 | Bigfoot of Stanislaus
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In this gripping episode of *Into the Fray Radio*, host Shannon interviews author Chris Riley about his profound 2013 Bigfoot expedition in Stanislaus National Forest, a journey that left him with unforgettable experiences and a deepened belief in the existence of Sasquatch. Riley recounts two eerie nights of unexplained phenomena: a 15-second, deep, sustained scream heard from the high Sierras—confirmed by both his group and base camp over a mile away—and a second occurrence where the same howl seemed to emanate from the base camp itself. These events were accompanied by a mysterious footprint, 15.5 inches long and 5.5 inches wide, found in a remote alpine meadow with fresh grass growing inside it, suggesting it had been there for weeks. Riley also shares a chilling story from three hunter companions who claimed a creature had opened their ice chest, ripped open a sausage package, and left behind a muddy finger impression—though he remains skeptical of the story’s authenticity. Despite skepticism around the Patterson-Gimlin film, Riley remains convinced by the weight of personal experience and countless accounts. He reflects on how his novel *Went Missing* was inspired by real research, interviews with experts like Jeff Meldrum and Derek Randles, and his own expedition, weaving the supernatural into a gripping thriller. The episode closes with a meditation on fear, imagination, and the enduring mystery of Bigfoot, as Riley acknowledges that only a direct sighting would push him to 100% certainty.
A 15-second, deep scream heard from the high Sierras was confirmed by multiple groups over a mile away, suggesting a non-human origin.
A 15.5-inch footprint with fresh grass growing inside it was found in a remote alpine meadow, indicating it had been there for weeks.
Three hunters claimed a creature opened their ice chest and ripped open a sausage package, leaving a muddy finger impression—though the story remains unverified.
Chris Riley’s novel *Went Missing* incorporates real Bigfoot lore and his personal expedition, blending fiction with verified research.
Thermal imaging and audio analysis are critical tools to distinguish between natural wildlife sounds and potential paranormal phenomena.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Scream from the Mountains
“It was like this long, like a 15 second long scream that was deep and loud. And it just came down from the mountains above us. The grizzly bear hunter sitting right next to me, his eyes were like this big. You could see the terror in his eyes.”
The Expedition Begins: Stanislaus National Forest
Chris Riley recounts the setup of the 2013 Bigfoot research expedition in Stanislaus National Forest, located northwest of Yosemite. He describes the remote base camp, the team of 20 people, and the director Bill Brewer. The group begins with sound training using animal calls, setting the stage for the night’s events.
Night One: The Howl and the Silence
“It was like this long, like a 15 second long scream that was deep and loud. And it just came down from the mountains above us.”
The Hunters' Story: A Sausage Incident
The next morning, three experienced hunters arrive visibly shaken, claiming they had no sleep and were terrified by a presence at their camp. One shows a package of sausages with a cellophane wrapper ripped open, claiming a creature had reached into their ice chest and taken one sausage. Riley remains skeptical but acknowledges the story’s emotional impact.
Night Two: The Howl from the Base Camp
“The people sitting at the base camp by the fire, they're all sitting close. Right. And this one lady was saying, yeah, when that scream went off, they're all excited. She like literally points to the trees. That scream came from right there is what she said.”
“It was like this long, like a 15 second long scream that was deep and loud. And it just came down from the mountains above us. The grizzly bear hunter sitting right next to me, his eyes were like this big. You could see the terror in his eyes.”
“The spring has not become the summer. First there is summer, and then there is spring.”
“The people sitting at the base camp by the fire, they're all sitting close. Right. And this one lady was saying, yeah, when that scream went off, they're all excited. She like literally points to the trees. That scream came from right there is what she said.”
Host
Guest
Chris Riley
person
Shannon
person
Went Missing
book
Bill Brewer
person
Derek Randles
person
Bobo
person
Stanislaus National Forest
place
Jeff Meldrum
person
Patterson-Gimlin Film
media
BFRO
organization
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