Rangers, Campers, and Hikers Confess the Creepiest Thing They Ever Saw Alone in the Woods
It's scary out there...
Published March 22, 2024
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1. Winter Has Come
Was solo backpacking to the Ancestral Yapachi Pueblo in the Bandelier National Wilderness near Los Alamos through a lesser travelled back route, turning it into a longer two day, one night hike. It had been a warm New Mexico Spring day, and as I set up my tent near the Yapachi Pueblo ruins (probably 400-500 yards away) it was probably in the low 60's. Forecast called for temps to dip into the high 40's. I hadn't seen anyone all day, and the night was cool and peaceful. Fast forward to the wee hours of the morning. I wake up shivering hard, in my 10 degree northface goose down bag, in my three season tent (I.E, WARM GEAR). My camelbak inside my backpack, inside my tent, is frozen. For you backpackers out there, you know this is really, really weird. Temps shouldn't get that low on a spring night in an occupied two man tent. Lastly, it was dead quiet. Like, nothing. No sound. Nothing. Me moving a toe in my sleeping bag sounded LOUD. It was the weirdest, quietest, coldest feeling I've ever experienced. I felt tense, and I didn't want to move for fear of making more noise. I hike with a weapon handgun, and not that it would have done me any good, but it made me feel a little better to hold it in my hand. I laid there shivering, trying not to move or make noise, for what felt like an eternity. I suppose I eventually drifted back to sleep because I woke up around 5AM in the pre-dawn twilight and everything was back to normal. Birds were chirping, wind was rustling bushes, etc. My camelbak was still frozen though. I got up and packed up my stuff, and then hiked through the Indian ruins, trying not to step on pottery fragments and scared to touch anything lest I upset whatever weird indian spirits must have visited me overnight. I asked the ranger back at the park station if they had experienced any abnormally low temps that night, and he said that it was a normal night with temps in the 40's. /EKS916/
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2. They Weren’t Skulls
I have a bunch of woods behind my house, and when I was younger my friend and I would go camping in them. We were like ~14. We went farther than we usually did one day and ended up coming out on a neighbor's property, so we just went back a little ways and started getting our shit set up. Friend leaves to go use the bathroom, and I hear him screaming and running back toward me. He's not making much sense, was just sort of blubbering about Barbie's and cat heads so I sort of force him to show me. We come out in a clearing next to the creek, and there's hundreds of Barbie dolls strung up in the tree's about eight feet off the ground, with dead fucking cat heads on them. As in, Barbie's head had been yanked off and replaced with them. Not cat skulls either. I want to say the dolls bodies were dipped in red paint (I know it wasn't blood because blood doesn't "stick" and stay that thick) but I don't know for sure what it really was. I started backing up toward our stuff, and my friend starts screaming again. He's off to my side, and had just discovered the huge pile of cat remains, with a bunch of Barbie doll heads thrown in with them. We both threw up. We packed our shit up and went back home. But it doesn't end there! That neighbor who's field we stumbled into? They were friends with my mom, and started telling her about a bunch of their barn cats going missing, but they hadn't thought anything of it since we have a lot of coyotes.(Still at that point hadn't told my mom about our discovery in the woods because I figured she'd never let me leave the yard.) Then two of their goats went missing, and coyote's wouldn't have opened the gate and shut it back after slaughtering their goats, and there'd be some kind of leftovers. Neighbor's husband heard someone fucking around in their yard one night, and saw some guy roaming around in their cow pasture. They sort of connected the pieces, realized someone was stealing their animals, so the husband went into 24/7 armed security mode. Week or so later, he sees the same guy go into his barn. Calls the cops. Turns out it's some 16 year old kid that lived on the other side of his property that had just moved in. Kid admits to stealing his cats, goats, and trying to take a cow, right? K, fair enough, return them, then. Kid lives in a mobile home. No where to keep all these animals he's been stealing. Kids dad ends up telling the cops that he knew his son was taking them and basically slaughtering them in the woods and doing weird shit with the bodies. The Barbie dolls? He stole them from his little sister. It wasn't until a year or so after that my mom actually told me what had happened, which is when I gave in and told her about my friend and I basically stumbling into his fucked up shit. AFAIK, they got the kid for animal cruelty and a whole bunch of other shit, and his family moved away not too long after it so I really don't know what happened with him. /J3NN4x/
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3. The Legend of Wayne Prunty
I use to live in Wells, Nevada, a tiny town. Really, the only things to do around there was camp, backpack, and hunt. Most of the time, it was a great time. However, one trip in particular stands out to me. I was naught but a wee lad, at the tender age of 14, when my father decided to take a trip out to Jarbidge. It's an absolutely beautiful area, and the trip out is stunning, with lots of old abandoned buildings to check out and explore. Tons of cool stuff to do. Anywho, we drove out, and decided to explore this building that had obviously been abandoned long ago. I had a 12 gauge with me, as well as my .44 strapped to my hip, just because I'm from a gun savvy family I suppose. This is important for the next part. We walked up to the door to the place, but I heard something incredibly odd...it sounded like someone was sawing on something, like a piece of wood. I tugged on my dad, and told him, but he just shrugged it off. Just after I told him, a voice came from inside telling us to come in. It was obviously from an older gentlemen, but nevertheless made us jump. My father is extremely outgoing however, and decides to go in despite my repeated attempts at doing the exact opposite. So, we went in, and the first thing the man says "You ain't gonna shoot me with that, now are ya son?" I quickly shook my head no, and gave a gentle laugh. I thought he was joking. My father introduces himself and I, as well as my younger brother. The man introduces himself as Wayne Prunty. He immediately tells us he is 127 years old (he couldn't have been older than 80), and that he'd been raised around here. What follows is, as far as I can remember, directly how the conversation went. It is as all over as it appears.
"Well, I was born into a home with just my ma and siblings, because father had gone out and froze himself to death in the harsh winters we got around here. It wasn't long after I was born that I followed in his footsteps and tried crawling out there into the snow. I about froze to death, but ma saved me by finding me out there in the snow and dragging me back inside, but she froze to death herself doing it. Did you bring me any potatoes? I tell ya, I was in Ireland during their famine, and I could really use some potatoes. In fact, my cousin served in WW2, but was killed and reincarnated as my brother. Anyway, I used to work down in Las Vegas, I built over 1000 hotels and homes. I built v this place here too, actually. I also built the Notre Dame, as I'm a very religious man, but God damn it, someone stole the doors right off the place."
At this point he looked at me and asked again "Are you gonna shoot me, boy?" I said no, and put my gun near the door to put him at ease. At this point, I can see behind him, and see that there's a table set with perfect china and proper silverware for 4. The exact number of us there. I return to my seat, and had an incredibly uneasy feeling. I've never felt that way before, and never since, but it was disturbing. I started telling my dad that we had to go, but before I could finish, we heard the sound of tires coming down the road. The old man leaped to his feet and was immediately disturbed. "What?!? Who's that?! Why is someone here?! No one was supposed to come!" He began walking towards the door, which is where I'd set my shotgun down. My dad also jumped up, and we quickly left. I've never felt so disturbed in my life. We let the other folks who'd pulled up know that it probably wasn't wise to go in, and we jumped in the truck and left. When we got home, of course I told everyone I could about it. A buddy did a bit of research and found out that the Prunty's were a local family with a long history of mental illness. Wayne Prunty was real, however, he had an obituary from 5 years prior to us meeting him. Now, I don't know if that was the same individual, but I do know that when we went a year later, there was no traces of anyone ever being there. Still spooks me to this day. /teufelshunde_usmc/
"Well, I was born into a home with just my ma and siblings, because father had gone out and froze himself to death in the harsh winters we got around here. It wasn't long after I was born that I followed in his footsteps and tried crawling out there into the snow. I about froze to death, but ma saved me by finding me out there in the snow and dragging me back inside, but she froze to death herself doing it. Did you bring me any potatoes? I tell ya, I was in Ireland during their famine, and I could really use some potatoes. In fact, my cousin served in WW2, but was killed and reincarnated as my brother. Anyway, I used to work down in Las Vegas, I built over 1000 hotels and homes. I built v this place here too, actually. I also built the Notre Dame, as I'm a very religious man, but God damn it, someone stole the doors right off the place."
At this point he looked at me and asked again "Are you gonna shoot me, boy?" I said no, and put my gun near the door to put him at ease. At this point, I can see behind him, and see that there's a table set with perfect china and proper silverware for 4. The exact number of us there. I return to my seat, and had an incredibly uneasy feeling. I've never felt that way before, and never since, but it was disturbing. I started telling my dad that we had to go, but before I could finish, we heard the sound of tires coming down the road. The old man leaped to his feet and was immediately disturbed. "What?!? Who's that?! Why is someone here?! No one was supposed to come!" He began walking towards the door, which is where I'd set my shotgun down. My dad also jumped up, and we quickly left. I've never felt so disturbed in my life. We let the other folks who'd pulled up know that it probably wasn't wise to go in, and we jumped in the truck and left. When we got home, of course I told everyone I could about it. A buddy did a bit of research and found out that the Prunty's were a local family with a long history of mental illness. Wayne Prunty was real, however, he had an obituary from 5 years prior to us meeting him. Now, I don't know if that was the same individual, but I do know that when we went a year later, there was no traces of anyone ever being there. Still spooks me to this day. /teufelshunde_usmc/
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4. It Open, ****ing Run!
When I was a young teen, there was a small forest fairly near our house. My neighbour and I would walk to it regularly to go build dens and play on the park near its edge. The land was clearly once part of an estate because it had an old 1900s-looking swimming pool and bits of stone path dotted amid the undergrowth.
We'd sometimes take other kids there and play chase games or pretend to be tribes people, sprinting through the thick foliage. It was a fun place to explore, especially after we discovered where the stash of crispy old woods porn was. It looked like it was from the seventies. Anyway, we'd been going there for about a year or so at weekends when we finally decided to take a big pair of garden shears to start clearing an area for our biggest den yet. We chose part of the forest that had always been blocked off to us because it was mostly surrounded by a thick wall of bamboo (overgrown from the places' time as an estate I think). The forest was a paradise just for us; we'd never ever seen anybody there other than us or people we brought. The porn and our dens were always exactly as we left them. But all the same, we figured cutting a secret way into the bamboo-walled area would give the best protected den from strangers and barbarians and ninjas. It took us most of the day to cut our way in. When we'd made an arch to crawl through, we went in to find that we were in a clearing with only clovers growing in it, no taller plants, just a soft blanket of clovers. Dotted throughout were these odd little knee-high statues of fairies sitting on stone mushrooms playing harps and other instruments. Every single one had its face smashed off. In the centre of the cramped clearing was a giant concrete-looking block. We kicked over one of the fairy statues on the way over to it, probably to demonstrate that we weren't scared. It was a giant rough-stone coffin. Some Ivy-like plant covered most of it, but it clearly had a well-defined lid and a worn, unreadable inscription on the side. Adrenaline-curious, we tried with all our might to lift the lid, but it must have weighed tons. The adrenaline wore off, we freaked out, and hurriedly walked back through to the play park where we sat and discussed our find for a bit. We decided the clearing was too den-perfect to pass up, so the next day we returned with some old metal sheeting and plywood boards to build our shelter. It wasn't raining, but the day was heavily dark and overcast, so the woods were about at the darkest they could be during day time. We got back into the clearing, started building, and got pretty far with it. After a little while my friend sort of yelped out an "oh Jesus fucking Christ". I turned to see him stood next to the coffin (it's giving me full body shivers just thinking about this) and it was open. The lid was slid off to one side just enough that a thin person could get through the gap. I ran over, stared into the gap, saw nothing but pitch dark, and whispered "fucking run". The wind rose and it started raining, so there was noise everywhere right at that moment. I've never experienced anything like it. We ran through the wood faster than we'd ever practiced in our tribe games. We never went back into those woods. /abercromby3/
We'd sometimes take other kids there and play chase games or pretend to be tribes people, sprinting through the thick foliage. It was a fun place to explore, especially after we discovered where the stash of crispy old woods porn was. It looked like it was from the seventies. Anyway, we'd been going there for about a year or so at weekends when we finally decided to take a big pair of garden shears to start clearing an area for our biggest den yet. We chose part of the forest that had always been blocked off to us because it was mostly surrounded by a thick wall of bamboo (overgrown from the places' time as an estate I think). The forest was a paradise just for us; we'd never ever seen anybody there other than us or people we brought. The porn and our dens were always exactly as we left them. But all the same, we figured cutting a secret way into the bamboo-walled area would give the best protected den from strangers and barbarians and ninjas. It took us most of the day to cut our way in. When we'd made an arch to crawl through, we went in to find that we were in a clearing with only clovers growing in it, no taller plants, just a soft blanket of clovers. Dotted throughout were these odd little knee-high statues of fairies sitting on stone mushrooms playing harps and other instruments. Every single one had its face smashed off. In the centre of the cramped clearing was a giant concrete-looking block. We kicked over one of the fairy statues on the way over to it, probably to demonstrate that we weren't scared. It was a giant rough-stone coffin. Some Ivy-like plant covered most of it, but it clearly had a well-defined lid and a worn, unreadable inscription on the side. Adrenaline-curious, we tried with all our might to lift the lid, but it must have weighed tons. The adrenaline wore off, we freaked out, and hurriedly walked back through to the play park where we sat and discussed our find for a bit. We decided the clearing was too den-perfect to pass up, so the next day we returned with some old metal sheeting and plywood boards to build our shelter. It wasn't raining, but the day was heavily dark and overcast, so the woods were about at the darkest they could be during day time. We got back into the clearing, started building, and got pretty far with it. After a little while my friend sort of yelped out an "oh Jesus fucking Christ". I turned to see him stood next to the coffin (it's giving me full body shivers just thinking about this) and it was open. The lid was slid off to one side just enough that a thin person could get through the gap. I ran over, stared into the gap, saw nothing but pitch dark, and whispered "fucking run". The wind rose and it started raining, so there was noise everywhere right at that moment. I've never experienced anything like it. We ran through the wood faster than we'd ever practiced in our tribe games. We never went back into those woods. /abercromby3/
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5. We Were the Hunted
I've been reading stories on here for awhile now and figured I'd post my own. I had to get my brother to help recount this as I was 12 at the time (and scared shitless as a result). This happened about 6 years ago, as stated I was about 12 and my brother was 26 at the time. My brother had been serving in the U.S. Army for several years when this happened and was deploying to the Middle East on his 2nd deployment if i remember correctly. Also of note was that he is a Green Beret and had recently (3 or 4 months prior to this trip) completed the Army Special Forces Qualification Course (Robin Sage and all that), and by then was an active duty SF Engineer Sergeant. Definitely not someone you'd want to fuck around with.
Given that we both grew up with a passion for the outdoors, he thought it would be nice to take me on a backpacking trip in northern Alabama (the Sipsey Wilderness for those familiar with the area) before he left for 9 months. The trip had gone smoothly up until the 3rd night we were camping out. Around 8pm we had our camp set up, eaten dinner and were sitting by the fire talking about typical boy shit- guns, girls, etc. For some reference, our spot was about 50 yards from a large stream, and about 50 yards downhill adjacent to the large path. Our camp, the stream, and the path formed a triangle of sorts. This was summertime in Alabama, so it wasn't quite dark yet when two guys, who looked to be in their late 20s wandered up and ask if we had seen any hogs while we were hiking around. Given that this is rural Alabama, we actually had seen some farther into the wilderness area and told them so. Even though they were relatively polite (my brother called them "good ole boys") I got a seriously creepy vibe from them-dirty clothes, greasy hair, scraggly facial hair, etc. I think they probably looked like they belonged in the movie "Deliverance." They kinda hung out for a few minutes, maybe a little longer than they should have- looking around, asking us questions like how long we had been out there, how long we were staying, and what looked like them kinda sizing us up. They then abruptly said goodbye and walked away. I didn't necessarily feel threatened by them, and I know for sure my brother didn't, but I still felt uneasy about the whole thing. Fast forward 3 or 4 hours. My brother and I had gone to sleep and were nestled in our tent when I woke to the sound of multiple dogs barking. I've always been a heavy sleeper and they sounded like they were only about 100 yards away. My heart immediately started pounding and I kicked my brother through my sleeping bag and asked if he was awake/had heard the dogs. He responded "I'm awake, they've been getting closer for the past hour or so, just lay still and don't make any sounds." Needless to say, 12 year old me was about to shit my pants. We would also hear sporadic shouts from several different sources but neither came any closer. A few minutes later my brother whispered, "They're just hunting for hogs, they use the dogs to pin them down and then they shoot them." This gave me some relief, but not much. Somehow I managed to fall back asleep. The fact that they were doing this at night was a huge red flag my brother later told me, but I think he was just trying to keep me calm. Fast forward what was probably another 3 hours, around 2am. I had managed to sleep pretty well after first hearing the hog hunters when I woke up to my brother squeezing my shoulder firmly, saying "wake up, put your shoes on quick and follow me, be as quiet as you can." My heart immediately went back to racing because I heard the dogs and voices in the distance, farther away than before but still distinct. Not asking any questions I did what he said and as soon as we were out of the tent he told me to get on his back (this was a breeze for him after rucking with God knows how much weight in the Army). We snuck about 50 yards into the woods towards the junction of the path and the stream and crawled into some bushes. It was up a hill so we had a pretty good elevated view of our campsite. I remember as we were laying there how loudly I was breathing and how quiet he was when I heard the very distinct sound of a pistol slide racking. I looked over and my brother had his pistol (a HK USP that he gave to me a few years after this story took place) and was watching the campsite and surrounding area. I started to whisper to him when he put his hand over my mouth and pointed at the campsite. The group of hunters had been steadily approaching our camp and by this time (30 or so minutes) had reached it. There were 5 of them and like 3 or 4 dogs. They all looked relatively young but two had either rifles or shotguns and the dogs were going crazy, obviously having smelled our scent. For those of you who are backpackers/campers, nobody who comes up on a random camp in the middle of the night with dogs and guns and has good intentions. I knew this, and my brother knew this. I was scared shitless. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but my brother later told me they were talking about us, although he hadn't heard any specifics either. They lingered for about 20 minutes shining flashlights around and talking to themselves when my brother put his mouth to my ear and said "If they come towards I want you to turn and run as quickly as you can, don't stop, don't look back, stay off the trail and look for the flashing lights" (I didn't know what he meant by this but that'll come later). I knew I could make it back because he had taught me 'land nav' pretty well. He then handed me a flashlight and told me not to take the red filter off. He told me later that the red filter helps preserve night vision and cuts down ambient light so it would be harder for someone to see from a distance. At this point I was so scared I almost started crying, but at the same time had a rush of adrenaline and what I think now was confidence that he thought I could handle myself. We laid there for awhile longer when out of nowhere they started screaming "WHERE YALL AT?!?!" and firing into the woods at random. My brother dragged me back behind the crest of the hill and threw himself on top of me. Thankfully our position on top of the hill we were protected from any gunfire. They shot maybe 5 or 6 more times and then started walking back the direction they had come. They got maybe 100 yards away when I heard a blaring siren and saw emergency lights flashing through the woods. Turns out my brother had called the Forest Service Office on a satellite phone my family has for emergencies while I was asleep and they had sent out Forest Service officers and game wardens to our area of the wilderness. The Sipsey Wilderness is about 25,000 acres in size so it took them awhile to get there on the dirt roads. When we saw the game warden truck my brother signalled them with the light and pointed them in the direction the hunters had gone and the guy sped off shining his spotlight through the woods. As soon as they were all gone we went back to our camp, packed up our shit and waited by the path for the game warden to come back, who then gave us a ride in his truck bed back to the main staging area. On the drive back my brother told me how brave I had been and that we would talk about it with our parents the next day if I wanted to. I asked him not to do that because I thought they might never let me go camp again. Creepy rednecks in the woods, lets not meet again, you might get shot next time.
/u/cmvr2256
Given that we both grew up with a passion for the outdoors, he thought it would be nice to take me on a backpacking trip in northern Alabama (the Sipsey Wilderness for those familiar with the area) before he left for 9 months. The trip had gone smoothly up until the 3rd night we were camping out. Around 8pm we had our camp set up, eaten dinner and were sitting by the fire talking about typical boy shit- guns, girls, etc. For some reference, our spot was about 50 yards from a large stream, and about 50 yards downhill adjacent to the large path. Our camp, the stream, and the path formed a triangle of sorts. This was summertime in Alabama, so it wasn't quite dark yet when two guys, who looked to be in their late 20s wandered up and ask if we had seen any hogs while we were hiking around. Given that this is rural Alabama, we actually had seen some farther into the wilderness area and told them so. Even though they were relatively polite (my brother called them "good ole boys") I got a seriously creepy vibe from them-dirty clothes, greasy hair, scraggly facial hair, etc. I think they probably looked like they belonged in the movie "Deliverance." They kinda hung out for a few minutes, maybe a little longer than they should have- looking around, asking us questions like how long we had been out there, how long we were staying, and what looked like them kinda sizing us up. They then abruptly said goodbye and walked away. I didn't necessarily feel threatened by them, and I know for sure my brother didn't, but I still felt uneasy about the whole thing. Fast forward 3 or 4 hours. My brother and I had gone to sleep and were nestled in our tent when I woke to the sound of multiple dogs barking. I've always been a heavy sleeper and they sounded like they were only about 100 yards away. My heart immediately started pounding and I kicked my brother through my sleeping bag and asked if he was awake/had heard the dogs. He responded "I'm awake, they've been getting closer for the past hour or so, just lay still and don't make any sounds." Needless to say, 12 year old me was about to shit my pants. We would also hear sporadic shouts from several different sources but neither came any closer. A few minutes later my brother whispered, "They're just hunting for hogs, they use the dogs to pin them down and then they shoot them." This gave me some relief, but not much. Somehow I managed to fall back asleep. The fact that they were doing this at night was a huge red flag my brother later told me, but I think he was just trying to keep me calm. Fast forward what was probably another 3 hours, around 2am. I had managed to sleep pretty well after first hearing the hog hunters when I woke up to my brother squeezing my shoulder firmly, saying "wake up, put your shoes on quick and follow me, be as quiet as you can." My heart immediately went back to racing because I heard the dogs and voices in the distance, farther away than before but still distinct. Not asking any questions I did what he said and as soon as we were out of the tent he told me to get on his back (this was a breeze for him after rucking with God knows how much weight in the Army). We snuck about 50 yards into the woods towards the junction of the path and the stream and crawled into some bushes. It was up a hill so we had a pretty good elevated view of our campsite. I remember as we were laying there how loudly I was breathing and how quiet he was when I heard the very distinct sound of a pistol slide racking. I looked over and my brother had his pistol (a HK USP that he gave to me a few years after this story took place) and was watching the campsite and surrounding area. I started to whisper to him when he put his hand over my mouth and pointed at the campsite. The group of hunters had been steadily approaching our camp and by this time (30 or so minutes) had reached it. There were 5 of them and like 3 or 4 dogs. They all looked relatively young but two had either rifles or shotguns and the dogs were going crazy, obviously having smelled our scent. For those of you who are backpackers/campers, nobody who comes up on a random camp in the middle of the night with dogs and guns and has good intentions. I knew this, and my brother knew this. I was scared shitless. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but my brother later told me they were talking about us, although he hadn't heard any specifics either. They lingered for about 20 minutes shining flashlights around and talking to themselves when my brother put his mouth to my ear and said "If they come towards I want you to turn and run as quickly as you can, don't stop, don't look back, stay off the trail and look for the flashing lights" (I didn't know what he meant by this but that'll come later). I knew I could make it back because he had taught me 'land nav' pretty well. He then handed me a flashlight and told me not to take the red filter off. He told me later that the red filter helps preserve night vision and cuts down ambient light so it would be harder for someone to see from a distance. At this point I was so scared I almost started crying, but at the same time had a rush of adrenaline and what I think now was confidence that he thought I could handle myself. We laid there for awhile longer when out of nowhere they started screaming "WHERE YALL AT?!?!" and firing into the woods at random. My brother dragged me back behind the crest of the hill and threw himself on top of me. Thankfully our position on top of the hill we were protected from any gunfire. They shot maybe 5 or 6 more times and then started walking back the direction they had come. They got maybe 100 yards away when I heard a blaring siren and saw emergency lights flashing through the woods. Turns out my brother had called the Forest Service Office on a satellite phone my family has for emergencies while I was asleep and they had sent out Forest Service officers and game wardens to our area of the wilderness. The Sipsey Wilderness is about 25,000 acres in size so it took them awhile to get there on the dirt roads. When we saw the game warden truck my brother signalled them with the light and pointed them in the direction the hunters had gone and the guy sped off shining his spotlight through the woods. As soon as they were all gone we went back to our camp, packed up our shit and waited by the path for the game warden to come back, who then gave us a ride in his truck bed back to the main staging area. On the drive back my brother told me how brave I had been and that we would talk about it with our parents the next day if I wanted to. I asked him not to do that because I thought they might never let me go camp again. Creepy rednecks in the woods, lets not meet again, you might get shot next time.
/u/cmvr2256
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6. It Whistled in the Night
This happened about two years ago. After a day of trout fishing the local creeks in Tionesta, Pa with my now ex girlfriend we stopped just a few miles from my camp on a bridge named Nebraska Bridge.
The bridge tends to be a local hotspot for fishing but, Its a rather small bridge and offten it's hard to even squeeze my truck passed everyone fishing off the bridge come the spring and summer months. It was after dark by the time we stopped there and no one was in sight. The water way running underneath the bridge is rather wide and thus a large, natural swath is cut through the heavily wooded hillsides on either side of the bridge. It's the perfect place to star gaze.
After we both got out of the truck, I lit a cigarette and began counting the shooting stars. It was a beautiful night and the sky was pitch black save for the millions of little twinkles overhead. One by one we counted aloud as the stars shot off before dissapearing into the void. My ex stood on one side of the bridge counting as I stood on the other, it was so dark I could barely even make out her figure in the abyss. The cherry on my cigarette aluminated my face and sidewalls of the bridge with each drag, the darkness amplifying it's weak glow to an almost candle like strength. The crickets rhythmic tunes seemed almost deafening on such a still night. "Woah there's another one" my ex whispered as I turned to see the faint trail of another star fading from sight. "Mmm hmm" I hummed an acknowledgment as I took in the magnificence. My content, comfortable feeling quickly dispersed as I heard the first whistle, the whistle carried an almost sort of tune, not the tune of a song, or ryme necessarily, also not the kind used to get someone's attention, just a soft whistle that carried and dipped a bit. My ex quickly walked over to my side and asked if I had heard it, I whispered back that I had and to be quiet a second. The whistle came from my side of the bridge on the hillside farthest away. Again we heard the whistle. I assumed someone must be fishing father down the creak along the bank, but it seemed too far up the hillside for that to be the case. The eery feeling crept in the second I realized that the crickets night noises had vanished. It seemed as though they too had quieted down to hear the whistle. My ex stood closer now and whispered, "I have a nervous feeling, like a bad feeling". I didn't want to scare her by confirming that I too didn't feel right anymore and the hair on my arms were now standing at attention. I just told her that I was armed and it was just a whistle. The night was too beautiful to be scared away by a spooky whistle. Every few seconds the whistle rose and dipped carrying through the ravine. Same location every time, same tone and same hillside. I lit another cigarette just as the whistle sounded again, this time on the complete opposite side of the creek, a different hillside entirely. It was the same tune, tone and as far as my ear could tell it was the same person, but the possibility of it being the same person would mean someone would have to run through the woods, cross the creak and climb to a rather high elevation to be where the whistle now was, all in a matter of seconds and without making any noise to do so.
That was enough for me as I took her hand and led her to the truck. Hearing the locks engage as we closed the doors was an amazing comfort. I started the truck up and pulled off. My ex broke the silence, "I felt like we were being watched the whole time", "I believe we were" I replied. /Gettingaboutthattime/
The bridge tends to be a local hotspot for fishing but, Its a rather small bridge and offten it's hard to even squeeze my truck passed everyone fishing off the bridge come the spring and summer months. It was after dark by the time we stopped there and no one was in sight. The water way running underneath the bridge is rather wide and thus a large, natural swath is cut through the heavily wooded hillsides on either side of the bridge. It's the perfect place to star gaze.
After we both got out of the truck, I lit a cigarette and began counting the shooting stars. It was a beautiful night and the sky was pitch black save for the millions of little twinkles overhead. One by one we counted aloud as the stars shot off before dissapearing into the void. My ex stood on one side of the bridge counting as I stood on the other, it was so dark I could barely even make out her figure in the abyss. The cherry on my cigarette aluminated my face and sidewalls of the bridge with each drag, the darkness amplifying it's weak glow to an almost candle like strength. The crickets rhythmic tunes seemed almost deafening on such a still night. "Woah there's another one" my ex whispered as I turned to see the faint trail of another star fading from sight. "Mmm hmm" I hummed an acknowledgment as I took in the magnificence. My content, comfortable feeling quickly dispersed as I heard the first whistle, the whistle carried an almost sort of tune, not the tune of a song, or ryme necessarily, also not the kind used to get someone's attention, just a soft whistle that carried and dipped a bit. My ex quickly walked over to my side and asked if I had heard it, I whispered back that I had and to be quiet a second. The whistle came from my side of the bridge on the hillside farthest away. Again we heard the whistle. I assumed someone must be fishing father down the creak along the bank, but it seemed too far up the hillside for that to be the case. The eery feeling crept in the second I realized that the crickets night noises had vanished. It seemed as though they too had quieted down to hear the whistle. My ex stood closer now and whispered, "I have a nervous feeling, like a bad feeling". I didn't want to scare her by confirming that I too didn't feel right anymore and the hair on my arms were now standing at attention. I just told her that I was armed and it was just a whistle. The night was too beautiful to be scared away by a spooky whistle. Every few seconds the whistle rose and dipped carrying through the ravine. Same location every time, same tone and same hillside. I lit another cigarette just as the whistle sounded again, this time on the complete opposite side of the creek, a different hillside entirely. It was the same tune, tone and as far as my ear could tell it was the same person, but the possibility of it being the same person would mean someone would have to run through the woods, cross the creak and climb to a rather high elevation to be where the whistle now was, all in a matter of seconds and without making any noise to do so.
That was enough for me as I took her hand and led her to the truck. Hearing the locks engage as we closed the doors was an amazing comfort. I started the truck up and pulled off. My ex broke the silence, "I felt like we were being watched the whole time", "I believe we were" I replied. /Gettingaboutthattime/
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7. Earth-Shattering Sound in the Woods
Not a camper or ranger, but an archeologist.
A few years back we were doing a massive survey in the middle of nowhere in the interior of British Columbia.
All the crew had gone home and it was just my boss and myself left for a few days to follow up and confirm some coordinates and finish some mapping.
We head out from the motel an hour or so into the bush, in the middle of nowhere along deactivated logging roads.
The closest town is miles and miles away. We hike out to this one area we had found a few weeks previously. For some reason the whole area just felt off.
So, we get down to business and about 15 minutes after being hunched over mapping, there is this weird deafening "WOMP" sound.
Like, I could feel pressure in my ears. I immediately looked at my boss about 20 feet away and he is white as a ghost staring back at me.
While standing there, it happens again "WOMP!" ear pressure and chest pressure like I was just squeezed.
Chills erupt all over my body and every hair is standing on end. My boss just looks at me and says, "let's go!"
We grab all of our stuff and speed hike back to the truck. We never discussed it.
No clue what it was but I have never been so freaked out in my life. 10 years later, I still get the chills.
Edit: There have been a lot of theories and sounds, but nothing like it.
The best I can describe: you know when a large bird or an eagle takes flight?
That initial woosh/whomp sounds of the wings pumping in the air? Kind of like that...but you would feel it and it was LOUD!
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8. Eaten by Carnivorous Horrors
I used to work as a guide / counselor for troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program. We would camp on the west side of the Sheeprock mountains in western, central Utah, a very barren and desolate area without too much wildlife, but plenty of Mormon crickets.
For those of you unfamiliar with these horrible creatures they are about the unholiest of abominations on the planet. They can grow to roughly 3 inches in length and aren't much smaller around than the thumb of an adult man. They have large mandibles that look like an interconnected series of mechanical claws and jaws that was imagined by a demented orthodontist. And, above all else, they are unscrupulous and opportunistic predators / scavengers. We would often kill a handful of these (yes, I am aware of the conflict this presents given my name and ethics) beasts to leave several feet from our campsite as this would attract hoards of others to feast upon the corpses and further more who came to feast upon those feasting upon the corpses. I shit you not, killing a few of these and leaving them in a pile would result in a pile of dozens dead with more and more coming to cannibalize the devouring masses. I am telling you, these critters are hellspawn.Anyhow, as you might imagine, hours a day in the wilderness would, from time to time, yield a scrape or two. One day, while cutting a section of sage brush to be used for a spindle to start a fire, I cut my arm a bit more than a scratch. No medical attention was needed, but what I did need was to pay attention to my surroundings and the behaviors of the local wildlife.That night I woke up to a sharp pain where I had cut my arm earlier. I sat up quickly and swatted at my arm with my left hand to brush away whatever it was that had caused the pain. I grabbed for my flashlight and shone it at the area on the side of my sleeping bag where my arm had been resting. There was a small bit of blood, no more than the size of a silver dollar and about 5 of these godforsaken crickets who had been chewing at the open cut on my arm.Needless to say, my guilt in killing them to provide a distraction from our campsite was completely alleviated and I learned to err far greater on the side of caution when dressing a wound in the field. I woke up to find that I was being eaten by Mormon crickets. [redacted]
For those of you unfamiliar with these horrible creatures they are about the unholiest of abominations on the planet. They can grow to roughly 3 inches in length and aren't much smaller around than the thumb of an adult man. They have large mandibles that look like an interconnected series of mechanical claws and jaws that was imagined by a demented orthodontist. And, above all else, they are unscrupulous and opportunistic predators / scavengers. We would often kill a handful of these (yes, I am aware of the conflict this presents given my name and ethics) beasts to leave several feet from our campsite as this would attract hoards of others to feast upon the corpses and further more who came to feast upon those feasting upon the corpses. I shit you not, killing a few of these and leaving them in a pile would result in a pile of dozens dead with more and more coming to cannibalize the devouring masses. I am telling you, these critters are hellspawn.Anyhow, as you might imagine, hours a day in the wilderness would, from time to time, yield a scrape or two. One day, while cutting a section of sage brush to be used for a spindle to start a fire, I cut my arm a bit more than a scratch. No medical attention was needed, but what I did need was to pay attention to my surroundings and the behaviors of the local wildlife.That night I woke up to a sharp pain where I had cut my arm earlier. I sat up quickly and swatted at my arm with my left hand to brush away whatever it was that had caused the pain. I grabbed for my flashlight and shone it at the area on the side of my sleeping bag where my arm had been resting. There was a small bit of blood, no more than the size of a silver dollar and about 5 of these godforsaken crickets who had been chewing at the open cut on my arm.Needless to say, my guilt in killing them to provide a distraction from our campsite was completely alleviated and I learned to err far greater on the side of caution when dressing a wound in the field. I woke up to find that I was being eaten by Mormon crickets. [redacted]
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9. The Sniffer
Went on a group camping trip in the middle of nowhere Arizona only to awake and hear something sniffing the outside of our tent. My immediate reaction was that it was likely a bear or some animal that came across our site, and just maybe my dumbass friends didn’t tie up the garbage? Seconds later, I can hear the sniffing go to the tent next to ours and everyone in mine grabs one another quietly to acknowledge we all were awake and were aware of what’s happening outside.
Moments later, a friend in another tent popped out and started to scream and make noise (he had a gun too), hoping it would scare off whatever animal was in our site. Turns out, it wasn’t an animal. It was some guy who had gone through our coolers/food and also decided it’d be okay to sniff our tents.Our friend chased him off and we immediately packed our shit and left. A year after the above incident, my dumbass friends and I went back to the nearby area, thinking what we encountered was a one time incident.This time, we thought we'd outsmart any possible creepers and instead of camping in our tents, we all slept in the beds of our trucks and SUVs. Cause you know, they can't possible sniff a Toyota Tacoma? Anyways, it's the middle of the night, I'm passed out in the back of my suv when I suddenly feel a bright light on my face. Naturally, I would have woken up, cussed and asked who was doing that. However, I instantly knew to pretend to be asleep and not let the individual know I was awake. I laid there next to my girlfriend, hoping she would do the same as I and I kept an ear out for any unusual sounds (like sniffing). All I could hear was a friend snoring by the campfire.After the light left my car, I heard the person walk to the next truck and shine his light on my friends in there. I slowly looked up and it ended up being some older guy, just standing there staring at everyone while they slept. I waited until he left the campsite and I busted my ass out of that truck and woke up my friends, most of which had also been pretending to sleep and realized what was going on.
Don't camp outside of Tucson, Arizona unless you want a Hill Have Eyes Creature sniffing and staring at you while you sleep./minusthelela/
Moments later, a friend in another tent popped out and started to scream and make noise (he had a gun too), hoping it would scare off whatever animal was in our site. Turns out, it wasn’t an animal. It was some guy who had gone through our coolers/food and also decided it’d be okay to sniff our tents.Our friend chased him off and we immediately packed our shit and left. A year after the above incident, my dumbass friends and I went back to the nearby area, thinking what we encountered was a one time incident.This time, we thought we'd outsmart any possible creepers and instead of camping in our tents, we all slept in the beds of our trucks and SUVs. Cause you know, they can't possible sniff a Toyota Tacoma? Anyways, it's the middle of the night, I'm passed out in the back of my suv when I suddenly feel a bright light on my face. Naturally, I would have woken up, cussed and asked who was doing that. However, I instantly knew to pretend to be asleep and not let the individual know I was awake. I laid there next to my girlfriend, hoping she would do the same as I and I kept an ear out for any unusual sounds (like sniffing). All I could hear was a friend snoring by the campfire.After the light left my car, I heard the person walk to the next truck and shine his light on my friends in there. I slowly looked up and it ended up being some older guy, just standing there staring at everyone while they slept. I waited until he left the campsite and I busted my ass out of that truck and woke up my friends, most of which had also been pretending to sleep and realized what was going on.
Don't camp outside of Tucson, Arizona unless you want a Hill Have Eyes Creature sniffing and staring at you while you sleep./minusthelela/
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10. A Lifetime’s Worth of Skittles
Scariest was camping with my wife when a windstorm blew up. I am talking trees being blown over, branches falling, the works. In a forest full of jack pine. :(
The creepiest was camping with my best friend. We were in a semi remote camping area. Driveable usually to get to it but definitely only with a 4x4. It was a semi maintained camping area as in there were a couple of fire pits, a few rotten picnic tables and a run down out house. Parks checked this place once a year or so.So we get there and start setting up when buddy wanders over to the shitter and opens the door. He stands there for a second or two and then closes the door and goes to the 2nd one, goes in and comes out a few minutes later.He comes back to me and says go check out that first one. I assume someone shit on the floor or an animal got stuck in there and died or something.Nope. 3 full backpacks. And i am talking big bags. Like the bag i have that size i use for week long trips. So we are nosy. We open them up. They’re all full of Skittles. All three of them. Lots of Skittles.. Bulk bags. Small bags. Regular. Tropical. Sour. Every flavor and size of bag you can imagine. Just full of fucking skittles.Camped for 4 days. Never saw a soul. Bags still there when we left. We let the COs know when we got to civilization.Who left all that gear? Why did one person pack 300 litres of skittles? Dont know. But it was weird.
Oh. Another scary one. Dog and i were backpacking. Spur of the moment overnight trip. Wasnt far off the road or anything. So i just have a tarp up as a small shelter. Small little fire. Wasnt really hiding per say but wasnt being obvious. Just dozing off when i hear a truck rip up and a bunch of drunken voices. Then the shooting started.
Now they probably didnt know i was there. I was parked on a different road and hadnt realized i had walked as close as i had to the second one. But i atill dont like being in the area when a bunch of drunken yahoos are shooting off guns. Especially when i was fairly certain they were shooting in my direction (based on the lay of the land). So i put pupper on a tight leash and headed out asap.
The creepiest was camping with my best friend. We were in a semi remote camping area. Driveable usually to get to it but definitely only with a 4x4. It was a semi maintained camping area as in there were a couple of fire pits, a few rotten picnic tables and a run down out house. Parks checked this place once a year or so.So we get there and start setting up when buddy wanders over to the shitter and opens the door. He stands there for a second or two and then closes the door and goes to the 2nd one, goes in and comes out a few minutes later.He comes back to me and says go check out that first one. I assume someone shit on the floor or an animal got stuck in there and died or something.Nope. 3 full backpacks. And i am talking big bags. Like the bag i have that size i use for week long trips. So we are nosy. We open them up. They’re all full of Skittles. All three of them. Lots of Skittles.. Bulk bags. Small bags. Regular. Tropical. Sour. Every flavor and size of bag you can imagine. Just full of fucking skittles.Camped for 4 days. Never saw a soul. Bags still there when we left. We let the COs know when we got to civilization.Who left all that gear? Why did one person pack 300 litres of skittles? Dont know. But it was weird.
Oh. Another scary one. Dog and i were backpacking. Spur of the moment overnight trip. Wasnt far off the road or anything. So i just have a tarp up as a small shelter. Small little fire. Wasnt really hiding per say but wasnt being obvious. Just dozing off when i hear a truck rip up and a bunch of drunken voices. Then the shooting started.
Now they probably didnt know i was there. I was parked on a different road and hadnt realized i had walked as close as i had to the second one. But i atill dont like being in the area when a bunch of drunken yahoos are shooting off guns. Especially when i was fairly certain they were shooting in my direction (based on the lay of the land). So i put pupper on a tight leash and headed out asap.
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11. The Sky Tore Itself Apart
I used to go backpacking all the time in the mountains and have some good stories, but hands down the scariest things I’ve ever encountered is lightening.
First real experience was at Philmont in New Mexico. Great backpacking area, lots of fun if you’re a scout. Not fun when it storms. My group was eating dinner one night when lightning struck a tree about 50 feet from us. It was unexpected, there were dark clouds but the sun was shining through still. It just shredded the tree and all of us jumped. Dinner ended up in the dirt. We had a couple other close experiences during those two weeks, but that was the closest. Second and most terrifying experience was when We were in King’s canyon CA doing the Rae Lakes Trail. One of the camp sites was by a river. Now, it’s prone to rain in the Sierra Nevada’s and we were at the bottom of a tight granite valley that showed some signs of historical flooding. Not my ideal choice of a spot to sleep, but it was a NPS site and that was the end of our day. At about 2 am I was awoken by a flash of light so bright I swear I could see the tent through my eyelids. Before I could even think, the thunder roared so loudly I though the earth was tearing itself apart. It’s hard to accurately describe the sheer power and sound that comes from being right next to a lightening strike. The night didn’t end there either, we were directly under the storm and the lightning just kept coming. The thunder never ceased to roll and the rain was torrential. The lightning was so constant as well, you could almost see through the walls of the tent into the forest around us. It was light daylight out there. I thought I was going to die that night either from a lightning strike or a flood if the river rose. Third experience was in Switzerland. We were up in the alps and got caught in an open field/rocky area during a descent as a storm rolled in. Again, lightning strikes far too close for comfort and no place to shelter. Just squatting down and praying we wouldn’t get struck. Amazing trip, but that moment was not enjoyable. I love watching lightning and rain from inside a cabin or covered porch, but if I’m outside and a storm is coming I’ve almost an animalistic fear that screams at me to get indoors. Lightning scares the living shit out of me if I’m not covered. [redacted]
First real experience was at Philmont in New Mexico. Great backpacking area, lots of fun if you’re a scout. Not fun when it storms. My group was eating dinner one night when lightning struck a tree about 50 feet from us. It was unexpected, there were dark clouds but the sun was shining through still. It just shredded the tree and all of us jumped. Dinner ended up in the dirt. We had a couple other close experiences during those two weeks, but that was the closest. Second and most terrifying experience was when We were in King’s canyon CA doing the Rae Lakes Trail. One of the camp sites was by a river. Now, it’s prone to rain in the Sierra Nevada’s and we were at the bottom of a tight granite valley that showed some signs of historical flooding. Not my ideal choice of a spot to sleep, but it was a NPS site and that was the end of our day. At about 2 am I was awoken by a flash of light so bright I swear I could see the tent through my eyelids. Before I could even think, the thunder roared so loudly I though the earth was tearing itself apart. It’s hard to accurately describe the sheer power and sound that comes from being right next to a lightening strike. The night didn’t end there either, we were directly under the storm and the lightning just kept coming. The thunder never ceased to roll and the rain was torrential. The lightning was so constant as well, you could almost see through the walls of the tent into the forest around us. It was light daylight out there. I thought I was going to die that night either from a lightning strike or a flood if the river rose. Third experience was in Switzerland. We were up in the alps and got caught in an open field/rocky area during a descent as a storm rolled in. Again, lightning strikes far too close for comfort and no place to shelter. Just squatting down and praying we wouldn’t get struck. Amazing trip, but that moment was not enjoyable. I love watching lightning and rain from inside a cabin or covered porch, but if I’m outside and a storm is coming I’ve almost an animalistic fear that screams at me to get indoors. Lightning scares the living shit out of me if I’m not covered. [redacted]
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12. Don’t Look at Him, Run!
We basically lived in the woods during quarantine. We’d spend the days there storm or shine, drinking beers, pickin up trash, swimming, just goofing around. We also started doing something that sounds odd to say out loud but at the time kept us sane. We’d get to the woods, strip off our socks n shoes, and hike in silence to this lil lagoon we’d lay out at. It was insanely meditative and I absolutely loved just barefoot wandering, it felt so satisfying in this primal sorta way. Anyway, the more we roamed like that, the more “in-tune” we got with the woods around us. Without the chatter between us and the careless stompin of booted feet, we’d become part of the woods in this weird way. (Probably helped that I was stoned outta my gourd half the time.) We’d surprise people pretty often without meaning to, passing within a couple feet before they noticed us. It was like our guts started calling the shots. We could feel storms brewing; all the creatures seemed to stop minding us when we walked like that, so whenever the woods went silent we knew something was coming. It was one of those days, with thick skies and kinda electric air. It’d been stormy for a few days and the woods were pretty empty. We’d only seen maybe two other souls all day. Darkness had started to creep in, quicker than usual. We were headed outta the woods, barefoot and knockin back the dregs of some warm, shitty beer, chatting a bit about nothin. I remember we were coming up this hill and all of a sudden it was like I’d swallowed a snowball. I looked up at her and she was frozen mid-laugh. Something was wrong. The woods were... off. We were surrounded by murky shadows and dead fuckin silence. Heavy silence. Tense silence. Then we heard it. It was this metallic sorta sound. A kinda clanging we couldn’t really make out. Metal striking stone. Over and over. A bit further down the trail, squarely in between us and the way out. We stood like statues, tucked behind some trees, just listening. A shovel. Someone digging.
We crept closer. I remember how the sound made my palms itch. My friend’s face was flushed rose red. I told myself I was being stupid. In fact, I had in my backpack a little spade we used to plant flowers and dig up rocks and such. Who was I to judge this person? But then again, that was just a little garden spade. And as we got closer it became clear that this person had a full on shovel and was digging in the middle of the trail. I kept trying to explain it to myself. This person was just... digging! Sure, it was dusk and a lightning storm was hastening our way but, we all cope with quarantine differently. And sure, it’s odd to carry a big shovel this deep into the woods but maybe they’re burying a beloved pet. And sure, it makes no sense that they’d bury their pet in the middle of the trail but maybe they’re digging a bike jump! And yeah they don’t have a bike but... on and on like that, my mind churning out reasons and still, the knots in my gut wouldn’t loosen. We were almost on him now. I think it was a him, though they were wearing a hat, scarf, and heavy clothes. All black, bit odd for summer. But again, he might be in mourning for his sweet Fido, who had loved that spot, in the middle of the narrow dirt trail. With every step, my stomach hurt more. We were both shining in sweat. The sound of metal striking earth and stone seemed deafening.
It’s a primal sorta fear, isn’t it? Rooted deep in our guts, completely deaf to every excuse I was handing it. We were just waltzing along one minute, cracking jokes, slugging beer, and suddenly it was like every neuron was firing, every muscle tight enough to snap. My mind was racing. I was taking stock of everything. Two girls, barefoot, in swimsuits and overalls. Two empty beer cans. I had a bag of found trash and a backpack of random shit. My friend was holding our bucket of rocks, though we’d picked skinny flat stones for skipping, not self defense. I had a can of pepper spray buried somewhere in my bag but, much to my mother’s dismay I’d bet, couldn’t easily access it. And that stupid fuckin spade. It feels so insane looking back. I’ve never been in a fight, I never raise my voice, I spend most of my days talkin to toddlers bout emotional regulation. And yet, here I suddenly was, tallying up what I had on hand that could be used as a weapon, against a total stranger. But all those excuses I’d fashioned for him had fallen away and only one thought stuck. Maybe this gut feeling is wrong. Maybe he’s doing any one of a million things. Maybe he’d feel awkward or embarrassed, seeing us bolt away. But what if it’s right? What is the cost if it’s right? If we walk past and he swings the shovel, what then? What would the excuses cost us? Something shifted. I didn’t know what. It felt like such a high voltage situation, a single spark in a gas-choked room. My friend went white, said the first words we’d exchanged the whole time:
“Don’t look at him. Run.” We ran. Crashed down into the woods off the trail. Close to the water. We could jump in if he chased us. We sprinted, leaping over boulders, ducking under trees. Thorns and stones sticking into bare soles. I didn’t feel them, didn’t notice the blood on my feet, til we broke outta the tree line.
Later, we tried to piece it together. Tried to understand what had happened. We were cucumber-cool ordinarily, and definitely felt a sense of invincibility sneaking round the woods. It wasn’t til we were safe home, bandaging our feet that we figured it out, as far as we ever would. The spark had been silence. He had stopped shoveling. And, safe at home, I admitted that I’d looked back. Just a glance, just for a split second. He had stopped shoveling, and started walking towards us. /benjobeans/
We crept closer. I remember how the sound made my palms itch. My friend’s face was flushed rose red. I told myself I was being stupid. In fact, I had in my backpack a little spade we used to plant flowers and dig up rocks and such. Who was I to judge this person? But then again, that was just a little garden spade. And as we got closer it became clear that this person had a full on shovel and was digging in the middle of the trail. I kept trying to explain it to myself. This person was just... digging! Sure, it was dusk and a lightning storm was hastening our way but, we all cope with quarantine differently. And sure, it’s odd to carry a big shovel this deep into the woods but maybe they’re burying a beloved pet. And sure, it makes no sense that they’d bury their pet in the middle of the trail but maybe they’re digging a bike jump! And yeah they don’t have a bike but... on and on like that, my mind churning out reasons and still, the knots in my gut wouldn’t loosen. We were almost on him now. I think it was a him, though they were wearing a hat, scarf, and heavy clothes. All black, bit odd for summer. But again, he might be in mourning for his sweet Fido, who had loved that spot, in the middle of the narrow dirt trail. With every step, my stomach hurt more. We were both shining in sweat. The sound of metal striking earth and stone seemed deafening.
It’s a primal sorta fear, isn’t it? Rooted deep in our guts, completely deaf to every excuse I was handing it. We were just waltzing along one minute, cracking jokes, slugging beer, and suddenly it was like every neuron was firing, every muscle tight enough to snap. My mind was racing. I was taking stock of everything. Two girls, barefoot, in swimsuits and overalls. Two empty beer cans. I had a bag of found trash and a backpack of random shit. My friend was holding our bucket of rocks, though we’d picked skinny flat stones for skipping, not self defense. I had a can of pepper spray buried somewhere in my bag but, much to my mother’s dismay I’d bet, couldn’t easily access it. And that stupid fuckin spade. It feels so insane looking back. I’ve never been in a fight, I never raise my voice, I spend most of my days talkin to toddlers bout emotional regulation. And yet, here I suddenly was, tallying up what I had on hand that could be used as a weapon, against a total stranger. But all those excuses I’d fashioned for him had fallen away and only one thought stuck. Maybe this gut feeling is wrong. Maybe he’s doing any one of a million things. Maybe he’d feel awkward or embarrassed, seeing us bolt away. But what if it’s right? What is the cost if it’s right? If we walk past and he swings the shovel, what then? What would the excuses cost us? Something shifted. I didn’t know what. It felt like such a high voltage situation, a single spark in a gas-choked room. My friend went white, said the first words we’d exchanged the whole time:
“Don’t look at him. Run.” We ran. Crashed down into the woods off the trail. Close to the water. We could jump in if he chased us. We sprinted, leaping over boulders, ducking under trees. Thorns and stones sticking into bare soles. I didn’t feel them, didn’t notice the blood on my feet, til we broke outta the tree line.
Later, we tried to piece it together. Tried to understand what had happened. We were cucumber-cool ordinarily, and definitely felt a sense of invincibility sneaking round the woods. It wasn’t til we were safe home, bandaging our feet that we figured it out, as far as we ever would. The spark had been silence. He had stopped shoveling. And, safe at home, I admitted that I’d looked back. Just a glance, just for a split second. He had stopped shoveling, and started walking towards us. /benjobeans/
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13. An Indescribable Stench, and a Sound From Hell
I posted this on another thread back in August, but figured I’d share again. Of the countless hours I’ve spent in the woods, it’s the one time, the only few seconds, that I can’t explain. I distance hike when I can. Sometimes this means getting up early, or staying out late, to get as many miles in as possible. Sometimes, walking in the pitch dark with a low light headlamp gets spooky.
I grew up in the woods of this area. I’ve slept under our canopy of stars more nights than I can count. I’ve trekked thousands of miles of trail, river bank, lake shore, ridge, bottoms, bogs, and creeks. I’ve hunted the game. I’m establishing this because it’s important you understand I‘ve heard, seen, and smelt about all this region has to offer in the way of wilderness. My scariest experience though happened at about 0430 in the morning. It was late spring, so the first morning light wouldn’t be visible in the tree tops for another 30-45 minutes; another hour past that until sunrise. I was on mile five. I’m in a low bottom that’s wedged between two steep ridges. The trail I’m on was narrow, muddy, and completely hemmed in by thick underbrush, young maple, and old oak growth. I’m focused on the small light from my headlamp, just one step after the other, zoned out. Then I heard a loud CRACK! And I froze solid. This is the part I have trouble describing. 0430 in springtime means I’m the only thing making noise. No birds chirping, nothing. Dead quiet. Mid-step I froze. When fight or flight kicks in you have these immediate instinct thoughts. The thought that instantly flashed in my mind as I stood there balancing myself into silence was, “If I hear that again, I’m turning around, and I’m going back the way I came in a hurry.” Why? Because that sound was not a branch breaking. It wasn’t deadfall. It wasn’t a widow maker. I was damn sure I had just heard something intentional. Hearing it twice, well, that meant get outta here. To describe it as best I can, it sounded like a decent sized wooden stick being violently whacked against a smallish tree. More a fungo bat sized stick, than a baseball bat. The distinction in my head being that this sound was a crack, and not a thud or thump. And I have described it as, “explosive,” in the past because it was so sudden, and so terribly loud. I had the sense that it was about fifty yards directly in front of me, and it was loud, and clear. Now, as I stood there, completely spooked, I realized the soon-to-be worst part of my situation. I knew where the sound came from. And I knew where the trail went. In about thirty yards, I was going to come to a 180 degree turn and start up the ridge going away from the creek. This meant, as soon as I got the courage to move towards this noise, I was going to have to turn my back to it, and get up that ridge. This made me very nervous. My heads somewhere between meth fiend murder, and bigfoot bludgeoning. Minutes pass. I just breathe my foggy breath into my glasses, and listen. Nothing. Dead quiet. I’ve got about 20-30 minutes until first light. I crank up the headlamp, and start to slowly creep to the 180 turn. When you wear a headlamp in the woods at night, every tree branch in front of you casts a big black moving shadow on the trail. It didn’t help. I get to the turn, and quickly make the bend. I’m moving pretty fast at this point. Trying to be quiet. Taking tiny, shallow breathes so I can listen while humpin it up the trail. And then I smell it. A stench hits me that I can’t describe. I just imagined wet, rotten, death. I’ve actually worked scenes where humans have expired in a past life as a firefighter. This was like days old decomposition, but it just smelled, strange. I kept walking fast. By the time I made the top of that ridge, I was huffing, and the first light was showing. I didn’t stop moving until full light was out, and the birds were chirping. I’ve heard it all in our woods. I’ve smelled it all. I’m telling you, I don’t know what the hell that was. Deadfall, and especially leafed out branches, make a lot of noise on the way down. I’ve heard it many times. I don’t know. /N_o_B_o/
I grew up in the woods of this area. I’ve slept under our canopy of stars more nights than I can count. I’ve trekked thousands of miles of trail, river bank, lake shore, ridge, bottoms, bogs, and creeks. I’ve hunted the game. I’m establishing this because it’s important you understand I‘ve heard, seen, and smelt about all this region has to offer in the way of wilderness. My scariest experience though happened at about 0430 in the morning. It was late spring, so the first morning light wouldn’t be visible in the tree tops for another 30-45 minutes; another hour past that until sunrise. I was on mile five. I’m in a low bottom that’s wedged between two steep ridges. The trail I’m on was narrow, muddy, and completely hemmed in by thick underbrush, young maple, and old oak growth. I’m focused on the small light from my headlamp, just one step after the other, zoned out. Then I heard a loud CRACK! And I froze solid. This is the part I have trouble describing. 0430 in springtime means I’m the only thing making noise. No birds chirping, nothing. Dead quiet. Mid-step I froze. When fight or flight kicks in you have these immediate instinct thoughts. The thought that instantly flashed in my mind as I stood there balancing myself into silence was, “If I hear that again, I’m turning around, and I’m going back the way I came in a hurry.” Why? Because that sound was not a branch breaking. It wasn’t deadfall. It wasn’t a widow maker. I was damn sure I had just heard something intentional. Hearing it twice, well, that meant get outta here. To describe it as best I can, it sounded like a decent sized wooden stick being violently whacked against a smallish tree. More a fungo bat sized stick, than a baseball bat. The distinction in my head being that this sound was a crack, and not a thud or thump. And I have described it as, “explosive,” in the past because it was so sudden, and so terribly loud. I had the sense that it was about fifty yards directly in front of me, and it was loud, and clear. Now, as I stood there, completely spooked, I realized the soon-to-be worst part of my situation. I knew where the sound came from. And I knew where the trail went. In about thirty yards, I was going to come to a 180 degree turn and start up the ridge going away from the creek. This meant, as soon as I got the courage to move towards this noise, I was going to have to turn my back to it, and get up that ridge. This made me very nervous. My heads somewhere between meth fiend murder, and bigfoot bludgeoning. Minutes pass. I just breathe my foggy breath into my glasses, and listen. Nothing. Dead quiet. I’ve got about 20-30 minutes until first light. I crank up the headlamp, and start to slowly creep to the 180 turn. When you wear a headlamp in the woods at night, every tree branch in front of you casts a big black moving shadow on the trail. It didn’t help. I get to the turn, and quickly make the bend. I’m moving pretty fast at this point. Trying to be quiet. Taking tiny, shallow breathes so I can listen while humpin it up the trail. And then I smell it. A stench hits me that I can’t describe. I just imagined wet, rotten, death. I’ve actually worked scenes where humans have expired in a past life as a firefighter. This was like days old decomposition, but it just smelled, strange. I kept walking fast. By the time I made the top of that ridge, I was huffing, and the first light was showing. I didn’t stop moving until full light was out, and the birds were chirping. I’ve heard it all in our woods. I’ve smelled it all. I’m telling you, I don’t know what the hell that was. Deadfall, and especially leafed out branches, make a lot of noise on the way down. I’ve heard it many times. I don’t know. /N_o_B_o/
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14. The Satanists
This'll probably get burried as I'm late to the party but, man where do I even begin? I could write a book with all the weird shit that's happened to me and people I know in the woods/wilderness. Spirits at indian grave yards, being chased by things in the woods, close calls with wild life.. ect I live In BC so a pretty decent majority of my life has been spent in the woods.
One story in particular that sticks out happened last year. I was going to university in Squamish, and in my spare time a friend and I would go for hikes into the mountains which surrounded us in every direction. after exhausting all the mountains surrounding the university we decided to travel further, down older back roads... big mistake. It was a really nice sunny day out the first day we went out down the old back roads, the road we were going down was an old main road that turned into a dirt road and then much much further down, into a dead end (not that we ever went that far but that's what the signs said). Anyhow, as we're driving along this road we see tonnes of awesome cliffs to scale beside the road and make note of them for another time. On the other side of the road beside the river is a whole bunch of old overgrown cottages and properties. One in particular that stuck out to me was an abandoned cottage foundation in the middle of the clearing. So we parked the car up ahead at a pull out beside a bridge and my friend got out his fishing rod and went to go find a good fishing spot (the entire reason we had come out to this neck of the woods in the first place). Oh yea, and we hadn't seen anyone in at least an hour. so we split up and he goes down towards the river by the bridge and I decide to go check out that old cottage property because I love old abandoned shit. So instead of just walking in from the front gate in case it's still anyone's property I decide to come up beside it from the forest and parallel the river. not even 200 yards into the bush I get a eerie feeling and next thing I know I've stumbled upon an overgrown clearing with what looks like really old deer bones and spines nailed to the trees and in the middle of the clearing a large open pre dug human sized grave which looks like it's been there for at least ten years. At this point I'm pretty creeped out and get a feeling like I'm being watched and that I'm not welcome, but not wanting to chicken out I carry on. I get to the foundation of the cabin and it's like some one just pushed the walls off the foundation cleaned the debris and called it good.. OH yeah and did I mention the all the creepy solid stone carvings and obelisks all around? yea. so As I get to the cabin I notice stone obelisks around the clearing of the cabin. I go over to look at it and there's a fucking pentagram on it.
At this point I'm noping out pretty good but there's a giant stone bowl on a stone pedestal and multiple other obelisks scattered about that look interesting, as I'm treading through the bush to get to the other obelisks I look down in front of me and see branches on the ground laid over top of each other covering a big pit, just like something out of a movie. At that point I noped out of there and ran back along the main road only to meet my friend at the car who was equally freaked out after getting the same feeling of being watched and getting chased by a giant mangy dog which came out of no where. As if all this isn't bad enough, we went back to this same area another time and found two abandoned camp sites with sleeping bags and pots and pans and EVERYTHING still there in the same vicinity. creepy. /kanic/
One story in particular that sticks out happened last year. I was going to university in Squamish, and in my spare time a friend and I would go for hikes into the mountains which surrounded us in every direction. after exhausting all the mountains surrounding the university we decided to travel further, down older back roads... big mistake. It was a really nice sunny day out the first day we went out down the old back roads, the road we were going down was an old main road that turned into a dirt road and then much much further down, into a dead end (not that we ever went that far but that's what the signs said). Anyhow, as we're driving along this road we see tonnes of awesome cliffs to scale beside the road and make note of them for another time. On the other side of the road beside the river is a whole bunch of old overgrown cottages and properties. One in particular that stuck out to me was an abandoned cottage foundation in the middle of the clearing. So we parked the car up ahead at a pull out beside a bridge and my friend got out his fishing rod and went to go find a good fishing spot (the entire reason we had come out to this neck of the woods in the first place). Oh yea, and we hadn't seen anyone in at least an hour. so we split up and he goes down towards the river by the bridge and I decide to go check out that old cottage property because I love old abandoned shit. So instead of just walking in from the front gate in case it's still anyone's property I decide to come up beside it from the forest and parallel the river. not even 200 yards into the bush I get a eerie feeling and next thing I know I've stumbled upon an overgrown clearing with what looks like really old deer bones and spines nailed to the trees and in the middle of the clearing a large open pre dug human sized grave which looks like it's been there for at least ten years. At this point I'm pretty creeped out and get a feeling like I'm being watched and that I'm not welcome, but not wanting to chicken out I carry on. I get to the foundation of the cabin and it's like some one just pushed the walls off the foundation cleaned the debris and called it good.. OH yeah and did I mention the all the creepy solid stone carvings and obelisks all around? yea. so As I get to the cabin I notice stone obelisks around the clearing of the cabin. I go over to look at it and there's a fucking pentagram on it.
At this point I'm noping out pretty good but there's a giant stone bowl on a stone pedestal and multiple other obelisks scattered about that look interesting, as I'm treading through the bush to get to the other obelisks I look down in front of me and see branches on the ground laid over top of each other covering a big pit, just like something out of a movie. At that point I noped out of there and ran back along the main road only to meet my friend at the car who was equally freaked out after getting the same feeling of being watched and getting chased by a giant mangy dog which came out of no where. As if all this isn't bad enough, we went back to this same area another time and found two abandoned camp sites with sleeping bags and pots and pans and EVERYTHING still there in the same vicinity. creepy. /kanic/
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15. The Tree Cut Him in Half
I don't know if this counts, but I used to work for DNC in Yosemite National Park and I lived with my boyfriend at the time in one of the employee tent cabins by the stables. They don't like to put non-stable employees over there because the trees aren't maintained like they are in Huff or Boys Town and it's just a much smaller area. But we complained so much about the constant partying in Huff that they stuck us over there in tent 13B. 13B was a rebuild of tent 13, which had been crushed by a tree the year before. My boss at the Lodge told me this story about him being one of the first responders out there when it happened. During the evening, a TON of snow fell, piling up several feet in just an hour or two. Then during the night, the temperature raised, and all the snow began to melt, which doesn't sound like a problem, except that all the snow weighing down the branches of these huge trees starts cascading down and bringing other large branches with it.
Sometimes the weight will bring the entire tree down, since root systems are shallow. The kid who lived in tent 13 was sleeping during all this, and one of these weighted trees fell, crushing part of the employee kitchen, bathroom, and finally across the middle of his body as he was lying in bed. My boss told me when they came onto the scene, his body was purple and his eyes had popped out of their sockets. It cut him in half, effectively. That scene really haunted me, especially knowing we lived in that same spot. The kid was only 27 (like I was at the time), he hated working for DNC (like I did), and he was slated to leave the park for the high country the very next day before he was killed. On the Christmas eve, we were all packed up to leave the park the next day for good since we had both quit that shitty job. That evening, a TON of snow dumped into the valley. Several feet of snow accumulated in just an hour or two. Then at night, it warmed up, and branches started falling. My bf had drank himself into a coma and even slapping him in the face had no effect. Tent cabins are made of canvas and you can't see out, so the sound of huge branches breaking all around is extra terrifying. It sounded like actual bombs going off, hitting our roof and other cabins. If you've never heard a tree breaking and falling, don't worry, it's unmistakable. I didn't feel like going into the employee kitchen would be safer since that had been crushed last year, too. So I just lied in bed listening all night. At one point, right behind the tent, I heard a tree break at the base. I braced myself to be killed by this fucking tree since I could hear it about to fall. With this huge thud, it fell right behind our tent and ended up destroying one of the stable fences.
Obviously we ended up ok, but I've never been more scared for my life. It was a night of absolute terror and knowing there was nothing I could do about it. Yosemite is a powerful, wonderful place and I'm glad I don't live there anymore! /bulletm/
Sometimes the weight will bring the entire tree down, since root systems are shallow. The kid who lived in tent 13 was sleeping during all this, and one of these weighted trees fell, crushing part of the employee kitchen, bathroom, and finally across the middle of his body as he was lying in bed. My boss told me when they came onto the scene, his body was purple and his eyes had popped out of their sockets. It cut him in half, effectively. That scene really haunted me, especially knowing we lived in that same spot. The kid was only 27 (like I was at the time), he hated working for DNC (like I did), and he was slated to leave the park for the high country the very next day before he was killed. On the Christmas eve, we were all packed up to leave the park the next day for good since we had both quit that shitty job. That evening, a TON of snow dumped into the valley. Several feet of snow accumulated in just an hour or two. Then at night, it warmed up, and branches started falling. My bf had drank himself into a coma and even slapping him in the face had no effect. Tent cabins are made of canvas and you can't see out, so the sound of huge branches breaking all around is extra terrifying. It sounded like actual bombs going off, hitting our roof and other cabins. If you've never heard a tree breaking and falling, don't worry, it's unmistakable. I didn't feel like going into the employee kitchen would be safer since that had been crushed last year, too. So I just lied in bed listening all night. At one point, right behind the tent, I heard a tree break at the base. I braced myself to be killed by this fucking tree since I could hear it about to fall. With this huge thud, it fell right behind our tent and ended up destroying one of the stable fences.
Obviously we ended up ok, but I've never been more scared for my life. It was a night of absolute terror and knowing there was nothing I could do about it. Yosemite is a powerful, wonderful place and I'm glad I don't live there anymore! /bulletm/
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16. The Dreaded Campsite
This story takes place in August of 2013, in the mountains of Southern Oregon. I am a USAF Security Forces Airman (military policeman). My girlfriend was at work, and as a swelteringly hot day began to turn into thunderstorms, my buddy Nick (another military cop) and I decided to go explore some back roads and get out of the heat in town. Southern Oregon is criss-crossed with logging roads, some actively used, and many totally forgotten and grown over. Nick and I spent many of our days off starting on roads that we knew, finding roads we didn't know, driving for hours into the mountains, eventually navigating back to paved roads. On this particular day, with storm clouds building over the mountains, we set off on a road we had never been on, and began the drive into the mountains. After driving for around an hour, we hadn't seen nor heard any signs of other people in the woods. We rounded a bend in the thick fir woods, and emerged in a meadow that was totally surrounded by thick aspen groves. The meadow was perfectly flat, and eerily still. We both noticed the strange stillness almost immediately; no birds, hardly any insect noise, no squirrels, and certainly no other people. On the far side of the meadow, right at the edge of the tree-line, there was a picnic table. The table was very odd, however. It was painted a bright orange, and was much larger than a typical picnic table in a park. Remarking on this, Nick drove through the meadow to get a closer look.
I remember being apprehensive as we approached. The whole scenario was exceptionally strange; the overall silence of the aspen grove was unsettling. Also, it was nearly impossible to see far into the trees as aspens grow extremely close together. When we parked by the table, I hopped out of the passenger seat of the truck to check it out. I'm not very tall, only about 5'5", regardless, the table was ridiculously oversized and practically unusable. The seats were nearly at chest level, meaning I would have to climb up to even sit on them. As I was looking at the table, Nick called me over to the truck, and I noticed he was looking back into the aspens. At first, I couldn't see what he was looking at, but then I noticed a splash of color that was completely out of place in the thick trees. A small one man tent was set back in the trees, about 50 feet from the strange table. I had an initial feeling of dread, and felt certain that there was someone in the tent, and if we could see the tent, they could see us. There were no campgrounds in this area; no people, no main roads for miles. Surely someone camping so remotely would be, at the very least, a strange person. However, as we observed the tent, we didn't see any movement or hear any sounds coming from it. Nick suggested I call out; I didn't want to, but I did. "Hey! Anyone in there?", I yelled. No reply. Feeling completely on edge, Nick and I thought about driving away and leaving this strange area. But we began to fear the worst; what if there was a body in the tent? What if somebody had gotten kidnapped? Foolish, I know, but we thought it, all the same. After some debate, we decided to have Nick turn the truck around to drive away from the camp; should we need to leave in a hurry, he would be waiting behind the wheel. With my heart pounding, I started walking through the trees towards the tent. I was totally keyed up with my senses on full alert. When I reached the "campsite", several things struck me as odd. Backpacks were scattered all over. No fire had been built, no wood collected. The tent... The tent was literally full of backpacks, and women's clothing. Full of dread, I turned to leave and tell Nick what I had seen. As I left, I heard Nick start yelling. "Let's go! Let's get the fuck out of here!" Not knowing why he was yelling, I ran back to the truck. When I broke out of the trees, I saw a beat up old Ford Taurus on the road, blocking us from leaving the meadow. I immediately leapt into the passenger seat, and Nick floored the gas pedal. The car was occupied by two men; a third person was laying against the window in the back. As we drove across the meadow, the driver attempted to block us from the road, but Nick drove around them and accelerated the way we had come from. I looked back and saw the car attempting to turn around on the narrow road. Nick drove like a mad man, and though I was honestly terrified that they would catch up, we hit the the highway without seeing the car again. I still do not know if the person in the back was male or female.
I called the State Police, and they promised to send a Trooper out to check out the scene. However, I received a call the next day from a Trooper stating that the campsite, the back packs, and the women's clothing was all gone, though he could tell people had been in the area. The strange table was still by the thick aspen grove. I have not returned to the area, and do not intend to. /randoliof/
I remember being apprehensive as we approached. The whole scenario was exceptionally strange; the overall silence of the aspen grove was unsettling. Also, it was nearly impossible to see far into the trees as aspens grow extremely close together. When we parked by the table, I hopped out of the passenger seat of the truck to check it out. I'm not very tall, only about 5'5", regardless, the table was ridiculously oversized and practically unusable. The seats were nearly at chest level, meaning I would have to climb up to even sit on them. As I was looking at the table, Nick called me over to the truck, and I noticed he was looking back into the aspens. At first, I couldn't see what he was looking at, but then I noticed a splash of color that was completely out of place in the thick trees. A small one man tent was set back in the trees, about 50 feet from the strange table. I had an initial feeling of dread, and felt certain that there was someone in the tent, and if we could see the tent, they could see us. There were no campgrounds in this area; no people, no main roads for miles. Surely someone camping so remotely would be, at the very least, a strange person. However, as we observed the tent, we didn't see any movement or hear any sounds coming from it. Nick suggested I call out; I didn't want to, but I did. "Hey! Anyone in there?", I yelled. No reply. Feeling completely on edge, Nick and I thought about driving away and leaving this strange area. But we began to fear the worst; what if there was a body in the tent? What if somebody had gotten kidnapped? Foolish, I know, but we thought it, all the same. After some debate, we decided to have Nick turn the truck around to drive away from the camp; should we need to leave in a hurry, he would be waiting behind the wheel. With my heart pounding, I started walking through the trees towards the tent. I was totally keyed up with my senses on full alert. When I reached the "campsite", several things struck me as odd. Backpacks were scattered all over. No fire had been built, no wood collected. The tent... The tent was literally full of backpacks, and women's clothing. Full of dread, I turned to leave and tell Nick what I had seen. As I left, I heard Nick start yelling. "Let's go! Let's get the fuck out of here!" Not knowing why he was yelling, I ran back to the truck. When I broke out of the trees, I saw a beat up old Ford Taurus on the road, blocking us from leaving the meadow. I immediately leapt into the passenger seat, and Nick floored the gas pedal. The car was occupied by two men; a third person was laying against the window in the back. As we drove across the meadow, the driver attempted to block us from the road, but Nick drove around them and accelerated the way we had come from. I looked back and saw the car attempting to turn around on the narrow road. Nick drove like a mad man, and though I was honestly terrified that they would catch up, we hit the the highway without seeing the car again. I still do not know if the person in the back was male or female.
I called the State Police, and they promised to send a Trooper out to check out the scene. However, I received a call the next day from a Trooper stating that the campsite, the back packs, and the women's clothing was all gone, though he could tell people had been in the area. The strange table was still by the thick aspen grove. I have not returned to the area, and do not intend to. /randoliof/
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17. Lights From Above
My Dad used to tell me a story from when he was a teenager hunting with my Grandpa. They used to live in Southern Idaho. One summer they had camped down in a valley and planned to hike up into the hills early the next morning. This was the kind of place where they didn't expect to see another human for miles.
Early morning came and they set out into the hills a few hours before sunrise. Neither used a flashlight cause their eyes had adjusted to the moonlight. As they were climbing the hill my Dad turned around to take a look at the valley of brush below them and their campsite in the distance. This is when he noticed several red lights moving quickly across the valley several feet off the ground heading towards their camp. At first, he thought it could be a plane, but there were dozens of them and they were randomly moving like a flock of birds and made no sound. (this was back in the '80s so drones aren't a thing)Dad was about to shout in alarm when my Grandpa barked at him to keep moving. Grandpa's not the kind of man you disobey so Dad kept moving. A few minutes later Grandpa stops and has the two of them crawl into a bush that provided a good covered position to look into the valley. Turns out, Gramps had seen the lights moving about way back when they were still at camp and wanted to get some distance between them. They pulled out some binoculars to try and get a better look but didn't come up with much. They moved faster than birds and seemed to be just glowing balls of red light with no discernable features. Over time it seemed obvious that they had been hanging out in the sky right above their campsite and continued to circle it for quite a while.
Dad and Grandpa stayed there watching them, not saying a word. Eventually, the sun began to rise over the horizon. And as it began to touch the valley floor. Dad's ears were blasted by an extremely loud and high pitched sound that seemed to have come from the flying objects. When the noise eventually stopped, the objects began to rise higher into the air and headed up into the mountains in the opposite direction from their hiding spot. After a while, they returned to camp and found it absolutely trashed. Nothing was stolen and it didn't seem like their food was eaten either so they don't think it was bandits or animals who did it. All they know is those lights scared the hell out of them and neither went back there again./Arcinbiblo12/
Early morning came and they set out into the hills a few hours before sunrise. Neither used a flashlight cause their eyes had adjusted to the moonlight. As they were climbing the hill my Dad turned around to take a look at the valley of brush below them and their campsite in the distance. This is when he noticed several red lights moving quickly across the valley several feet off the ground heading towards their camp. At first, he thought it could be a plane, but there were dozens of them and they were randomly moving like a flock of birds and made no sound. (this was back in the '80s so drones aren't a thing)Dad was about to shout in alarm when my Grandpa barked at him to keep moving. Grandpa's not the kind of man you disobey so Dad kept moving. A few minutes later Grandpa stops and has the two of them crawl into a bush that provided a good covered position to look into the valley. Turns out, Gramps had seen the lights moving about way back when they were still at camp and wanted to get some distance between them. They pulled out some binoculars to try and get a better look but didn't come up with much. They moved faster than birds and seemed to be just glowing balls of red light with no discernable features. Over time it seemed obvious that they had been hanging out in the sky right above their campsite and continued to circle it for quite a while.
Dad and Grandpa stayed there watching them, not saying a word. Eventually, the sun began to rise over the horizon. And as it began to touch the valley floor. Dad's ears were blasted by an extremely loud and high pitched sound that seemed to have come from the flying objects. When the noise eventually stopped, the objects began to rise higher into the air and headed up into the mountains in the opposite direction from their hiding spot. After a while, they returned to camp and found it absolutely trashed. Nothing was stolen and it didn't seem like their food was eaten either so they don't think it was bandits or animals who did it. All they know is those lights scared the hell out of them and neither went back there again./Arcinbiblo12/
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18. The Woods Don’t Want You Out There
Every year, my stepdad's family has a family reunion camping trip up in Northern California. My mom married him when I was 22, and I'm only 27 now, so I have only been to a few of them. I moved to Chicago two years ago, so I have missed out on the last couple reunions. The first one I went to right after their marriage. My little brother, mom, and stepdad threw all our camping gear into his truck and decided to make a road trip out of it, heading from Southern California to the camp grounds up north. It was about a 13 hour drive.
When we first stopped for gas just outside of Los Angeles, still about 11 hours from our destination, a very creepy guy who was pumping gas next to us looked at our gear in the back of the pickup and said "You ought not disturb nature this weekend. It won't be kind to you. The woods don't want you out there." We ignored him, finished pumping gas and left. We hit a rest stop several hours later. It was basically a preserve that was also a truck stop. It had a little informational wall that told us about he local wildlife. We all went to the bathroom and my little brother and I came out to read about the animals in the area. When we walked around to the other side, where it gave info about the plants, we noticed a piece of paper folded and taped to very middle. I unfolded it, and it read "Leave nature alone. You've already been warned." Immediately my brother and I are creeped out. First the guy at the gas station. Now, hundreds of miles north, we find a note that seems directed at us. Of course, my mom and stepdad don't seem too bothered by it so we pressed on and eventually arrived at the campgrounds. We all hop out of the car and stretch our stiff and cramped legs. We go and pick out the plot of land we intend to camp on and set up our tents. I set mine up a little further into the trees than the rest of them. My brother stayed closer to the fire pits and the trail. The campground even had cabins, but I didn't want glamorous camping. I wanted it to be as rugged as it could be for being on a campground like this.
Then we go to meet and greet the rest of the family. It was my first time meeting the extended family of my new stepdad, and I got along with them all quite nicely. My new cousins were really great people. They were a very welcoming family. After some activities for the day, we head back to the tents, and my mom and stepdad's tent has been deconstructed and has a dead woodpecker sitting right in front of it. My little brothers tent is still perfectly constructed, but it was then sitting in the back of the pickup truck. My tent was moved, into the middle of a clearing that the campground used as an archery range.We all have a mutual "WTF" moment, and we all get to work on putting our tents back. At this point, I moved my tent closer to my family's tents. After we finish up, we get in our tents and get to sleep. That night, we ALL heard footsteps outside our tents. Normally we would assume it was the people who owned the campgrounds, doing a walk through to make sure everyone had put their campfires out before going to bed. But these footsteps were running. Back and forth. When my stepdad or I would poke our heads out of our tents to see, nothing was there. Nobody really slept that night. The next morning we discussed our experience with the grounds owners and the rest of the family, and they all said they didn't know anything. We assumed maybe one of the younger kids was bored and playing a prank. But it didn't add up, given that we saw nobody out there and it just wasn't possible for anyone to hide that quickly. The second night, after we all went to our tents to sleep, we had an easier time. No footsteps. But I did hear my little brother reading out loud, which was weird. He didn't bring a book with him, so I had no idea what he could be reading. I assumed maybe he was borrowing one of the books I brought, but when I checked my bag, both the books I brought were still there. So I listened more closely, and he was reciting perfectly the stuff we had read on that informational wall back at the rest stop. When I woke up the next morning, my brother was already awake and he immediately asked me. "Did you hear mom reading last night?" I was a little stunned, but replied. "Uhhh. No. I heard you reading or reciting the stuff from the wall at the rest stop." He looked puzzled, and explained that's what he thought he heard our mom reading. "I heard your voice." I stated. And he replied "It was mom." I could tell he wasn't lying. He smiles when he tries to prank people. He's notoriously bad at keeping a straight face, so I believed him.We heard the same thing at the same time, but he heard our mom's voice, and I heard his. When we went to talk to my mom about it, she wasn't in her tent. But there was another dead woodpecker in front of the entrance. We found my mom up in the Rec Room, along with my stepdad. We explained to both of them, and they both seemed very concerned. We asked what was wrong, and they showed us a note. "Last warning." They had already seen the second dead woodpecker outside their tent, and had chosen not to clean it so they could tell the grounds owner and show him. We packed up our things and threw them in the back of the truck. We weren't ignoring it anymore. We decided to stay in a hotel in a nearby town, have one last breakfast with the family the next morning, and then head back to Southern California. So that's what we did. The next morning we went back to the campgrounds to meet up with everyone and have breakfast, say our goodbyes, and then head home. We pulled in, and parked at the Rec Room, ate, had some conversations, and then decided it was time to go. But when we got outside, everything we had packed in the truck was missing. We found it all set up, back at the spot we had been camping when we first arrived. Where all the creepy shit was happening. The Rec Room walls were almost completely made of floor to ceiling windows, and our truck was parked right in front. We had a perfect view of it, and we saw NOBODY touching our stuff. And nobody else seemed to have seen anything either. It somehow just appeared at our old camping spot. This time, we opened the tents, and each of us had a dead woodpecker inside, and notes that said "Safe Travels." The following year, everyone decided to have the reunion at a different campground, breaking a tradition of having it at the same grounds they've had it at for 25+ years before that. It wasn't just my mom, stepdad, brother, and I that were shaken by this. Even though we seemed to be the only ones being targeted, it inspired the whole family to find a new place for the reunions after that. Everyone was scared. The two reunions I went to the following year, at a new campground, were fine. Nothing creepy. /Atlas_Black/
When we first stopped for gas just outside of Los Angeles, still about 11 hours from our destination, a very creepy guy who was pumping gas next to us looked at our gear in the back of the pickup and said "You ought not disturb nature this weekend. It won't be kind to you. The woods don't want you out there." We ignored him, finished pumping gas and left. We hit a rest stop several hours later. It was basically a preserve that was also a truck stop. It had a little informational wall that told us about he local wildlife. We all went to the bathroom and my little brother and I came out to read about the animals in the area. When we walked around to the other side, where it gave info about the plants, we noticed a piece of paper folded and taped to very middle. I unfolded it, and it read "Leave nature alone. You've already been warned." Immediately my brother and I are creeped out. First the guy at the gas station. Now, hundreds of miles north, we find a note that seems directed at us. Of course, my mom and stepdad don't seem too bothered by it so we pressed on and eventually arrived at the campgrounds. We all hop out of the car and stretch our stiff and cramped legs. We go and pick out the plot of land we intend to camp on and set up our tents. I set mine up a little further into the trees than the rest of them. My brother stayed closer to the fire pits and the trail. The campground even had cabins, but I didn't want glamorous camping. I wanted it to be as rugged as it could be for being on a campground like this.
Then we go to meet and greet the rest of the family. It was my first time meeting the extended family of my new stepdad, and I got along with them all quite nicely. My new cousins were really great people. They were a very welcoming family. After some activities for the day, we head back to the tents, and my mom and stepdad's tent has been deconstructed and has a dead woodpecker sitting right in front of it. My little brothers tent is still perfectly constructed, but it was then sitting in the back of the pickup truck. My tent was moved, into the middle of a clearing that the campground used as an archery range.We all have a mutual "WTF" moment, and we all get to work on putting our tents back. At this point, I moved my tent closer to my family's tents. After we finish up, we get in our tents and get to sleep. That night, we ALL heard footsteps outside our tents. Normally we would assume it was the people who owned the campgrounds, doing a walk through to make sure everyone had put their campfires out before going to bed. But these footsteps were running. Back and forth. When my stepdad or I would poke our heads out of our tents to see, nothing was there. Nobody really slept that night. The next morning we discussed our experience with the grounds owners and the rest of the family, and they all said they didn't know anything. We assumed maybe one of the younger kids was bored and playing a prank. But it didn't add up, given that we saw nobody out there and it just wasn't possible for anyone to hide that quickly. The second night, after we all went to our tents to sleep, we had an easier time. No footsteps. But I did hear my little brother reading out loud, which was weird. He didn't bring a book with him, so I had no idea what he could be reading. I assumed maybe he was borrowing one of the books I brought, but when I checked my bag, both the books I brought were still there. So I listened more closely, and he was reciting perfectly the stuff we had read on that informational wall back at the rest stop. When I woke up the next morning, my brother was already awake and he immediately asked me. "Did you hear mom reading last night?" I was a little stunned, but replied. "Uhhh. No. I heard you reading or reciting the stuff from the wall at the rest stop." He looked puzzled, and explained that's what he thought he heard our mom reading. "I heard your voice." I stated. And he replied "It was mom." I could tell he wasn't lying. He smiles when he tries to prank people. He's notoriously bad at keeping a straight face, so I believed him.We heard the same thing at the same time, but he heard our mom's voice, and I heard his. When we went to talk to my mom about it, she wasn't in her tent. But there was another dead woodpecker in front of the entrance. We found my mom up in the Rec Room, along with my stepdad. We explained to both of them, and they both seemed very concerned. We asked what was wrong, and they showed us a note. "Last warning." They had already seen the second dead woodpecker outside their tent, and had chosen not to clean it so they could tell the grounds owner and show him. We packed up our things and threw them in the back of the truck. We weren't ignoring it anymore. We decided to stay in a hotel in a nearby town, have one last breakfast with the family the next morning, and then head back to Southern California. So that's what we did. The next morning we went back to the campgrounds to meet up with everyone and have breakfast, say our goodbyes, and then head home. We pulled in, and parked at the Rec Room, ate, had some conversations, and then decided it was time to go. But when we got outside, everything we had packed in the truck was missing. We found it all set up, back at the spot we had been camping when we first arrived. Where all the creepy shit was happening. The Rec Room walls were almost completely made of floor to ceiling windows, and our truck was parked right in front. We had a perfect view of it, and we saw NOBODY touching our stuff. And nobody else seemed to have seen anything either. It somehow just appeared at our old camping spot. This time, we opened the tents, and each of us had a dead woodpecker inside, and notes that said "Safe Travels." The following year, everyone decided to have the reunion at a different campground, breaking a tradition of having it at the same grounds they've had it at for 25+ years before that. It wasn't just my mom, stepdad, brother, and I that were shaken by this. Even though we seemed to be the only ones being targeted, it inspired the whole family to find a new place for the reunions after that. Everyone was scared. The two reunions I went to the following year, at a new campground, were fine. Nothing creepy. /Atlas_Black/
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19. First Date
It was a while ago, but someone had a story on here where they were on a first date and they ended up unknowingly walking into a Ted Bundy murder. He was there watching them, but they didn't know until he did an interview and he said two people almost caught him one night.
Here it is: It was near Halloween time when my friends and I were telling ghost stories. My friend said she was going to tell a story about her parents' first date. She said she didn't like telling the story, since it was actually true, but we prodded her on.To cut to the chase, the parents had spent a nice, if awkward first date, and around the time that they would have said "good night," the male in the situation--my friend's dad--suggested that they go for a midnight hike up Provo Canyon. He apparently knew the place, since he had done a fair amount of rock climbing in the area. So the two drove up the mouth of the canyon, got out of their cars and started hiking under just the light of the stars, since it was a new moon
.
At some point, the male starts getting a "bad feeling," since the pathway ahead, which would pass under some trees, would be dark, and because it was getting to be quite late. He ignores the feeling and presses on. In later rehearsings of the story, the female would say that she had felt the same feeling at what was probably the same time, though she didn't know the trail like he did. A minute later, the feeling came back to the male. He ignored it again, and started walking a bit of the way into the trees when his foot hit something "soft" in the middle of the path. Under the trees, it was too dark to see just what this soft thing was, and the feeling came back stronger than ever. Instead of finding out what his foot had bumped into, he and the female both agreed to hightail it out of there...Years later, after being married for some time, they were watching an interview with the serial killer, Ted Bundy. In response to a question asking him to describe the time that he felt the closest to being caught. He explained about the night that he lured a girl into Provo Canyon, and had just killed her when he heard some people coming up the trail. He explained how he hid in the trees just in time, only to watch some guy walk right into the body, and for some reason, just turn around and walk away. My friends parents stumbled onto a fresh corpse left by Ted Bundy on their first date./jefesignups/
Here it is: It was near Halloween time when my friends and I were telling ghost stories. My friend said she was going to tell a story about her parents' first date. She said she didn't like telling the story, since it was actually true, but we prodded her on.To cut to the chase, the parents had spent a nice, if awkward first date, and around the time that they would have said "good night," the male in the situation--my friend's dad--suggested that they go for a midnight hike up Provo Canyon. He apparently knew the place, since he had done a fair amount of rock climbing in the area. So the two drove up the mouth of the canyon, got out of their cars and started hiking under just the light of the stars, since it was a new moon
.
At some point, the male starts getting a "bad feeling," since the pathway ahead, which would pass under some trees, would be dark, and because it was getting to be quite late. He ignores the feeling and presses on. In later rehearsings of the story, the female would say that she had felt the same feeling at what was probably the same time, though she didn't know the trail like he did. A minute later, the feeling came back to the male. He ignored it again, and started walking a bit of the way into the trees when his foot hit something "soft" in the middle of the path. Under the trees, it was too dark to see just what this soft thing was, and the feeling came back stronger than ever. Instead of finding out what his foot had bumped into, he and the female both agreed to hightail it out of there...Years later, after being married for some time, they were watching an interview with the serial killer, Ted Bundy. In response to a question asking him to describe the time that he felt the closest to being caught. He explained about the night that he lured a girl into Provo Canyon, and had just killed her when he heard some people coming up the trail. He explained how he hid in the trees just in time, only to watch some guy walk right into the body, and for some reason, just turn around and walk away. My friends parents stumbled onto a fresh corpse left by Ted Bundy on their first date./jefesignups/
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20. This Guy is Responsible For the Dead
I was traveling with my sister in the Rio Beni area of Bolivia. This is the lowland part of Bolivia, the next larger place is Rurrenabaque. We then hired a local guide who went with us into the jungle on a boat. Of course, we carried good shoes, water. The jungle is overwhelming, tons of insects, spiders, leafcutter ants, spines, lianas, animals, puddles everywhere and a false step can result in serious injury. Also, the jungle is really confusing. You can go as little as one hundred steps off the paths and would never find your way back. This is why you need a guide.
We spent the night in a small guesthouse in the jungle and I tell you, the jungle is fucking loud at night. There was a cat living at the guesthouse and we asked whether it would hunt in the jungle. And our hosts answered: "Hell no! It would be quickly eaten by the pumas".After some days, we went in our boat to a huge cliff from sandstone, which was a mile or so from the river. And in this cliff, thousands of macaws were living, It was a marvelous sight when they flew along in pairs and cried. Then, our guide went with us along a steep path to the top of the cliff - some 50 or 70 meters above the river. We were extra careful after the guide explained us that some trees had toxic spines and that we must not touch them.We got to the top and rested. Here's a random picture from the web which shows the place, I believe, its name is Macaw mirador There was a cross right beneath the edge of the cliff. It carried two names. We asked our guide what had happened here. He explained:"Well, sometimes young people come from Israel after they have done their military service because the place is mentioned in a book written by some Israeli. These were two Israelis who went here, and they tried to climb down the cliff. And they fell, every help was too late." We shuddered a bit at considering what had happened at this beautiful place. Meanwhile, a group of other tourists arrived in another boat. Something was strange, they jumped right into the river and behaved quite loud and rather careless.We then went down to return to our boat. At descending, we met the other group and could not believe our eyes. These guys were basically naked, apart from being painted with war paint. No shoes. Nothing to protect from the spines or the sun. They were singing and shouting and were apparently a bit drugged. Apparently, they had hired a New Age tour with warranted enlightenment. They had a guide, too, and our guide frowned when he saw him. After that other group had passed, he turned to us and said: "This was the guide who led the Israeli couple. This guy is responsible for their dead."/DrunkRaven/
We spent the night in a small guesthouse in the jungle and I tell you, the jungle is fucking loud at night. There was a cat living at the guesthouse and we asked whether it would hunt in the jungle. And our hosts answered: "Hell no! It would be quickly eaten by the pumas".After some days, we went in our boat to a huge cliff from sandstone, which was a mile or so from the river. And in this cliff, thousands of macaws were living, It was a marvelous sight when they flew along in pairs and cried. Then, our guide went with us along a steep path to the top of the cliff - some 50 or 70 meters above the river. We were extra careful after the guide explained us that some trees had toxic spines and that we must not touch them.We got to the top and rested. Here's a random picture from the web which shows the place, I believe, its name is Macaw mirador There was a cross right beneath the edge of the cliff. It carried two names. We asked our guide what had happened here. He explained:"Well, sometimes young people come from Israel after they have done their military service because the place is mentioned in a book written by some Israeli. These were two Israelis who went here, and they tried to climb down the cliff. And they fell, every help was too late." We shuddered a bit at considering what had happened at this beautiful place. Meanwhile, a group of other tourists arrived in another boat. Something was strange, they jumped right into the river and behaved quite loud and rather careless.We then went down to return to our boat. At descending, we met the other group and could not believe our eyes. These guys were basically naked, apart from being painted with war paint. No shoes. Nothing to protect from the spines or the sun. They were singing and shouting and were apparently a bit drugged. Apparently, they had hired a New Age tour with warranted enlightenment. They had a guide, too, and our guide frowned when he saw him. After that other group had passed, he turned to us and said: "This was the guide who led the Israeli couple. This guy is responsible for their dead."/DrunkRaven/
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21. Not Really Into “Supernatural” Garbage
Not in the wilderness but this one kind of fits in. I've never told this to anyone but my friends and obviously those that were with me. It was like 20 years ago but I can still picture the scene.
Me and some friends had snuck out late at night. I lived in a huge subdivision with swim and tennis and all that jazz. All the teens used to sneak out and meet up at the rock (this huge recliner shaped rock we used to lay on) then go walking or make out (if chicks came) etc. Teen stuff. No drugs or anything real bad.So one night me and 2 of my friends were walking down near the tennis courts at like 1am.
There were many houses still being built. We went into one across from the clubhouse and were telling jokes just chilling. I was standing in the foyer. The house had plywood walls up but that was as far finished as it was yet. My two friends were sitting on the stairs going to the 2nd story. I was facing them and beyond them I could see straight out the front door to the road. As my friend was telling his joke I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. I thought it might have been a flashlight as it was bright. I looked and noticed an orange glowing ball about the size of a basketball in the window behind my friends. (this just gave me chill bumps typing this 20 years later). It moved to the right (my right) slowly then just zipped away. I thought maybe I was just tired and seeing the reflection of a weird flash light or something as I am not really into "supernatural" garbage.Either way it freaked me out and I interrupted my friends and said "run!" which was not too uncommon like if you saw a car coming or something. So we ran out of the house and across the street by the clubhouse. We laid low for a minute as is protocol if you see a car coming lol. My friends whispered asking me what happened and I just said I saw some light moving and thought someone was coming. After the coast was clear we decided to start walking home. No further conversation about the weird flash light I thought I saw. We were passing the tennis courts (we were up on the curb and the courts are down a steep hill below us to the left) when one of my friends said "SHIT!" and started running like Freddy Kreuger was behind him. Naturally we all run with him thinking a dog is chasing us or something.We run for like half a mile never slowing down. My friend finally slows up and we catch our breath. We both ask him WTF? He says "I don't know what it was. All I know is I looked over to my left and saw this orange glowing ball floating up above the courts just slowing floating along following us!"
I never told them what I saw in that house, and he described it perfectly. More chill bumps typing this[redacted]
Me and some friends had snuck out late at night. I lived in a huge subdivision with swim and tennis and all that jazz. All the teens used to sneak out and meet up at the rock (this huge recliner shaped rock we used to lay on) then go walking or make out (if chicks came) etc. Teen stuff. No drugs or anything real bad.So one night me and 2 of my friends were walking down near the tennis courts at like 1am.
There were many houses still being built. We went into one across from the clubhouse and were telling jokes just chilling. I was standing in the foyer. The house had plywood walls up but that was as far finished as it was yet. My two friends were sitting on the stairs going to the 2nd story. I was facing them and beyond them I could see straight out the front door to the road. As my friend was telling his joke I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. I thought it might have been a flashlight as it was bright. I looked and noticed an orange glowing ball about the size of a basketball in the window behind my friends. (this just gave me chill bumps typing this 20 years later). It moved to the right (my right) slowly then just zipped away. I thought maybe I was just tired and seeing the reflection of a weird flash light or something as I am not really into "supernatural" garbage.Either way it freaked me out and I interrupted my friends and said "run!" which was not too uncommon like if you saw a car coming or something. So we ran out of the house and across the street by the clubhouse. We laid low for a minute as is protocol if you see a car coming lol. My friends whispered asking me what happened and I just said I saw some light moving and thought someone was coming. After the coast was clear we decided to start walking home. No further conversation about the weird flash light I thought I saw. We were passing the tennis courts (we were up on the curb and the courts are down a steep hill below us to the left) when one of my friends said "SHIT!" and started running like Freddy Kreuger was behind him. Naturally we all run with him thinking a dog is chasing us or something.We run for like half a mile never slowing down. My friend finally slows up and we catch our breath. We both ask him WTF? He says "I don't know what it was. All I know is I looked over to my left and saw this orange glowing ball floating up above the courts just slowing floating along following us!"
I never told them what I saw in that house, and he described it perfectly. More chill bumps typing this[redacted]
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22. The Man on the Mountain
Story time. I lived in a small town in a pretty rural county in the south. On the county boarder there are two parks/trails and both touch the river at some point. These parks were great because no one ever drove the 40+ minutes from the nearest city to hike or camp. I could let my dog off the leash and not have to worry about him bothering other people or running to far off (severe separation anxiety, he will seriously lay down and wait to be found if he doesn't see me or my SO). My dog and I would hit one of these two parks almost every other day during the summer when I was still in college.
One day we were close to their river and we stopped at one of the few "authorized" camping spots. Someone had been there sometime before but ok didn't think anything of it. I started reading while my dog chewed on a stick or something. He got up at one point which alerted me but he was just staring into the tree line. My back was to the river and the tree line started about 30-40 yards away. It was sunny but I couldn't see anything but overgrowth. My dog didn't move, he didn't grow, he just starred. First and only time he has ever done this. I could focus so I put the book away and started down the path and my dog followed but would turn and look back for about 100 yards
He growled so I knew he saw something. I turned and didn't see anything but ever few steps I would glacé back. Finally, I catch some movement all the way back at that campsite but I was too far away at this point to make out what it was. Whatever it was had crossed the path heading toward the river but a hedge obstructed the view. I thought it was a deer or maybe a stray dog. This part of the path is the straightest and most well-kept but also the furthest away from the main road (unless you want to swim across the river). As we approach the bend that will lead us back to the road I stopped and looked back down the path. I could see movement at the campsite but by this point I wouldn't be able to tell if it was animal or human. Didn't matter because while I stood there whatever it was entered the tree line again. This whole time my dog is alert and looking at the same thing I was. I'm spooked by this point even in the daylight. We hit the bend and start heading toward the road. A roughly 40 minute walk if you choose the shortest path at the upcoming split which I took. This route doesn't take you back toward the campsite but it does cross a path that goes from that campsite to an old barn which a lot of people use as a campsite also. I think it was used by the boy scouts at one point based on all the carvings in the wood and random items scattered around. I'm alert as we approach the crossing, I hear some movement and my dog runs right into the intersection of the two paths and stops. He lifts one paw (never seen him do that before and not since) and growls. I walk into the crossing and see nothing. The movement stopped and my dog held his posture and the growl. I'm combing the tree line and then I see him. About 20 feet away is a man standing on this small wooded mound looking right at me. I'm tense at this point but I'm more worried about my dog doing something forcing me to have to respond so I grab onto his collar but I try to keep my composure. I asked if he was coming from the campsite. He didn't respond. We stared at each other for a few moments. He was wearing this dirty white t-shirt, so dirty it was almost completely brown. His beard was pretty well groomed and so was his hair but his face looked tired. I leashed my dog while keeping eye contact and I gave my dog two soft tugs and we left the intersection. I kept looking back and I never saw him cross the path but I never heard him move either. I picked up the pace and me and my dog made it back and got the hell out of there.
We went to the other park for a few weeks and didn't return to that park until fall so I could have a better view of the wooded areas. I don't go down to that campsite anymore. I try to avoid that whole section of the park now. /iJakeuJake/
One day we were close to their river and we stopped at one of the few "authorized" camping spots. Someone had been there sometime before but ok didn't think anything of it. I started reading while my dog chewed on a stick or something. He got up at one point which alerted me but he was just staring into the tree line. My back was to the river and the tree line started about 30-40 yards away. It was sunny but I couldn't see anything but overgrowth. My dog didn't move, he didn't grow, he just starred. First and only time he has ever done this. I could focus so I put the book away and started down the path and my dog followed but would turn and look back for about 100 yards
He growled so I knew he saw something. I turned and didn't see anything but ever few steps I would glacé back. Finally, I catch some movement all the way back at that campsite but I was too far away at this point to make out what it was. Whatever it was had crossed the path heading toward the river but a hedge obstructed the view. I thought it was a deer or maybe a stray dog. This part of the path is the straightest and most well-kept but also the furthest away from the main road (unless you want to swim across the river). As we approach the bend that will lead us back to the road I stopped and looked back down the path. I could see movement at the campsite but by this point I wouldn't be able to tell if it was animal or human. Didn't matter because while I stood there whatever it was entered the tree line again. This whole time my dog is alert and looking at the same thing I was. I'm spooked by this point even in the daylight. We hit the bend and start heading toward the road. A roughly 40 minute walk if you choose the shortest path at the upcoming split which I took. This route doesn't take you back toward the campsite but it does cross a path that goes from that campsite to an old barn which a lot of people use as a campsite also. I think it was used by the boy scouts at one point based on all the carvings in the wood and random items scattered around. I'm alert as we approach the crossing, I hear some movement and my dog runs right into the intersection of the two paths and stops. He lifts one paw (never seen him do that before and not since) and growls. I walk into the crossing and see nothing. The movement stopped and my dog held his posture and the growl. I'm combing the tree line and then I see him. About 20 feet away is a man standing on this small wooded mound looking right at me. I'm tense at this point but I'm more worried about my dog doing something forcing me to have to respond so I grab onto his collar but I try to keep my composure. I asked if he was coming from the campsite. He didn't respond. We stared at each other for a few moments. He was wearing this dirty white t-shirt, so dirty it was almost completely brown. His beard was pretty well groomed and so was his hair but his face looked tired. I leashed my dog while keeping eye contact and I gave my dog two soft tugs and we left the intersection. I kept looking back and I never saw him cross the path but I never heard him move either. I picked up the pace and me and my dog made it back and got the hell out of there.
We went to the other park for a few weeks and didn't return to that park until fall so I could have a better view of the wooded areas. I don't go down to that campsite anymore. I try to avoid that whole section of the park now. /iJakeuJake/
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23. Dad. Dad! DAD! HELP!
This would have been about seven years ago when I was sixteen. I was bear hunting with my Dad and brother in the Allegany National Forrest near Tionesta, Pa. the area we were hunting was one I had camped in with my family since the time I could walk. Because of the experience I had in the woods up there I was allowed to hunt by myself.
I remember it was getting later in the day, just about time to turn and hike back to camp, there were maybe 4 inches of snow covering the ground and judging by the sky more would fall soon. The light had just started to fade in the heavy foliage as I slowly hiked along a ridge line stopping every few minutes to look and listen. As I was making my way towards camp I heard a small child's voice off in the distance "Dad!" The voice sounded like it belonged to a little boy and I froze trying to pinpoint his location. "Dad!" the voice cried again, this time it was frantic. Finally, "Dad help", then "help, help, help!". My emediate thought was that the boy had been split from his father and was realizing how dark it was starting to get out in the big woods, but he sounded so young I couldn't imagine how he could have been left alone. The way his whimpering voice cut through the stillness of the snow covered trees still gives me chills when I think about it, it stopped me dead in my tracks and my heart automatically started pounding. I took my rifle off of my shoulder to hold it in one hand so that it would flail about as I started racing over the snowy terrain towards the voice. I stopped in a clearing to listen again as his little voice cried out again "Dad Help"! I bellowed out "I'm coming for you, keep yelling". His message didnt change as if to alert me that he had heard me, still just "Dad help". I knew that he was on the lower side of the main road that splits the Forrest and most likely near a little water way known as Lamentation Creek. My brother was hunting down there and I knew he must have been hearing the cries for help as well. I dropped off the snowy hillside almost sliding down until I got onto the road. I listened to the voice still crying out as I caught my breath on the roadway. I decended the steep ravine and started racing towards the creek. I thought I must be getting close, so I called out to let him know I'm coming for him.... a few moments go by and no response. I start walking briskly instead of running so I can hear him if he cries out again. Then, everything in my body said "stop". The hair on my arms started to raise under my wool shirt and I froze in place. The darkness was creeping steadily into the enclosed hollow, my senses became fine tuned, I could hear every snowflake falling into place through the already snowed cover limbs above, my eyes instinctively scanned the expanse searching for movement, color, light. "Hel' hello" My voice cracked as I yelled out into the darkening silence. No answer, again I yelled out in the direction of that small voice, but again I received no reply. Not from him, or any other of the few dozen hunters I had seen earlier that day. My voice carried through the heaviness of the silence and yet no one replied. I knew damn well my brother had to have heard me, but nothing. That voice inside that said "stop" now said "leave", but I couldn't bring myself to just turn and run, I stood there another 15, or 20 minutes calling out to the voice in 2 minute intervals... never hearing a response. I walked through those woods slowly and alert as I've ever been in my life, constantly checking my six and scanning for signs of life that were never there. When I got back to the camp I asked my Dad and Brother if they had heard the small voice and neither of them did, then I asked if they heard my voice and again they hadn't. My voice carried and echoed through those woods I know it did and yet they hadn't heard a thing. We talked to some guys who were camping close to the creek if they had a small child with them, or knew of someone missing a kid and no one had at all. I don't think there ever was a kid now... /Gettingaboutthattime/
I remember it was getting later in the day, just about time to turn and hike back to camp, there were maybe 4 inches of snow covering the ground and judging by the sky more would fall soon. The light had just started to fade in the heavy foliage as I slowly hiked along a ridge line stopping every few minutes to look and listen. As I was making my way towards camp I heard a small child's voice off in the distance "Dad!" The voice sounded like it belonged to a little boy and I froze trying to pinpoint his location. "Dad!" the voice cried again, this time it was frantic. Finally, "Dad help", then "help, help, help!". My emediate thought was that the boy had been split from his father and was realizing how dark it was starting to get out in the big woods, but he sounded so young I couldn't imagine how he could have been left alone. The way his whimpering voice cut through the stillness of the snow covered trees still gives me chills when I think about it, it stopped me dead in my tracks and my heart automatically started pounding. I took my rifle off of my shoulder to hold it in one hand so that it would flail about as I started racing over the snowy terrain towards the voice. I stopped in a clearing to listen again as his little voice cried out again "Dad Help"! I bellowed out "I'm coming for you, keep yelling". His message didnt change as if to alert me that he had heard me, still just "Dad help". I knew that he was on the lower side of the main road that splits the Forrest and most likely near a little water way known as Lamentation Creek. My brother was hunting down there and I knew he must have been hearing the cries for help as well. I dropped off the snowy hillside almost sliding down until I got onto the road. I listened to the voice still crying out as I caught my breath on the roadway. I decended the steep ravine and started racing towards the creek. I thought I must be getting close, so I called out to let him know I'm coming for him.... a few moments go by and no response. I start walking briskly instead of running so I can hear him if he cries out again. Then, everything in my body said "stop". The hair on my arms started to raise under my wool shirt and I froze in place. The darkness was creeping steadily into the enclosed hollow, my senses became fine tuned, I could hear every snowflake falling into place through the already snowed cover limbs above, my eyes instinctively scanned the expanse searching for movement, color, light. "Hel' hello" My voice cracked as I yelled out into the darkening silence. No answer, again I yelled out in the direction of that small voice, but again I received no reply. Not from him, or any other of the few dozen hunters I had seen earlier that day. My voice carried through the heaviness of the silence and yet no one replied. I knew damn well my brother had to have heard me, but nothing. That voice inside that said "stop" now said "leave", but I couldn't bring myself to just turn and run, I stood there another 15, or 20 minutes calling out to the voice in 2 minute intervals... never hearing a response. I walked through those woods slowly and alert as I've ever been in my life, constantly checking my six and scanning for signs of life that were never there. When I got back to the camp I asked my Dad and Brother if they had heard the small voice and neither of them did, then I asked if they heard my voice and again they hadn't. My voice carried and echoed through those woods I know it did and yet they hadn't heard a thing. We talked to some guys who were camping close to the creek if they had a small child with them, or knew of someone missing a kid and no one had at all. I don't think there ever was a kid now... /Gettingaboutthattime/
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24. The Fly
No one is probably going to see this. This happened in Sylmar (California). So, my friends (7 of us all together) grab some tents and drove up a nearby mountain. The road ended halfway up so i parked it on the side and we hiked for what seemed like a few miles. It was getting dark and we were hungry etc etc. I'm a just skip to the creepy part.
So it was 7 of us split into three tents. I was in the bigger one with two other people. At about 2:30ish I woke up because I kept hearing someone/something walking around and moving stuff around. I was about to call out and ask if they needed help finding something when I heard a growl. There's a bunch of Bunny's, coyotes and raccoons and the occasional stray dog around there so I didn't want too call out in case there was a hungry coyote out there that would attack if scared. I laid there listening to the sounds when I saw a flash of light. As if someone took a picture and then the sound stopped. I reached over and covered my friends mouth and shook him awake. I whispered don't talk and did the same with my other friend. I tell them what I heard and they start going on about how it's probably just one of our friends trying to freak us out. We open the tent and get out and our campsite is a mess. Everything is thrown around. And that's when we saw it. There was a flash of light like 40 meters away and it lit up this creature looking thing. Like a person that had been starved. Just pure flesh stretched over bone but it was covered in a black fuzz. Kind of like the fuzz on a bee. It's face was like a mix between a fly and a human. It had some massive looking insect eyes. It was really dark that night so after the quick flash, we couldn't see it anymore. We fucken yelled and woke up our other friend and ran to the SUV and locked ourselves in. As I'm driving away, at the end of the road where the SUV was parked there was another flash and there it was, staring at us driving away. I never went back.
There wasn't any alcohol or drugs consumed that night. None of us were drunk or high. I did see it one more time but I don't know if that was just me freaking out. I was at home and the porch light was flickering. As I go walk by the door to turn the light switch off, it appeared, it's face just inches away from mine, separated only by a glass panel. I yell and launch myself away from the door. I scramble away to the living room and when I look back a the door. It isn't there anymore. My other friend claims to have seen it under a flickering light at work. It been a little over six years now. Haven't seen it again. Writing this made me scared, though hahaah. I don't think I can sleep anymore. /Whereabouts-Unknown/
So it was 7 of us split into three tents. I was in the bigger one with two other people. At about 2:30ish I woke up because I kept hearing someone/something walking around and moving stuff around. I was about to call out and ask if they needed help finding something when I heard a growl. There's a bunch of Bunny's, coyotes and raccoons and the occasional stray dog around there so I didn't want too call out in case there was a hungry coyote out there that would attack if scared. I laid there listening to the sounds when I saw a flash of light. As if someone took a picture and then the sound stopped. I reached over and covered my friends mouth and shook him awake. I whispered don't talk and did the same with my other friend. I tell them what I heard and they start going on about how it's probably just one of our friends trying to freak us out. We open the tent and get out and our campsite is a mess. Everything is thrown around. And that's when we saw it. There was a flash of light like 40 meters away and it lit up this creature looking thing. Like a person that had been starved. Just pure flesh stretched over bone but it was covered in a black fuzz. Kind of like the fuzz on a bee. It's face was like a mix between a fly and a human. It had some massive looking insect eyes. It was really dark that night so after the quick flash, we couldn't see it anymore. We fucken yelled and woke up our other friend and ran to the SUV and locked ourselves in. As I'm driving away, at the end of the road where the SUV was parked there was another flash and there it was, staring at us driving away. I never went back.
There wasn't any alcohol or drugs consumed that night. None of us were drunk or high. I did see it one more time but I don't know if that was just me freaking out. I was at home and the porch light was flickering. As I go walk by the door to turn the light switch off, it appeared, it's face just inches away from mine, separated only by a glass panel. I yell and launch myself away from the door. I scramble away to the living room and when I look back a the door. It isn't there anymore. My other friend claims to have seen it under a flickering light at work. It been a little over six years now. Haven't seen it again. Writing this made me scared, though hahaah. I don't think I can sleep anymore. /Whereabouts-Unknown/
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25. It Was Like it Didn’t Exist...
I grew up on a mountain in the PNW so I spent quite a bit of time exploring the local forests and memorizing the trails. As I got older I wanted to show my friends some of the old trails I had wandered around as a kid. These places were pretty cool because people long ago had built stuff deep into the woods and forgotten about it so I knew of quite a few rope swings, tree forts and ruins of old buildings.
I attempted to find a specific trail for over a year. Turns out the original entry had long been grown over so it took a while to find another way to access it. Once I figured out where it connected we hiked down the mountain and explored it. This is where it gets weird...As I'm going around a corner, I notice way deep into the woods (~200 feet?) is a small log cabin. It's definitely nowhere near this trail and seemed out of place. We kept hiking, but I couldn't stop thinking about that cabin. It looked pretty old, but I had never seen it as a kid (and I took those trails almost daily during the summer). I went home and immediately shared the pictures with my more adventurous group of friends. I finally convinced them to return to the trail and help me find a way to get to the cabin. A few weeks later we hiked down the old trail (a group of 4 people). The cabin had no main trail access so we ended up trudging through the bushes, dirt, leaves, and across logs. The mountain is really uneven with lots of gullys and dried stream beds that make it difficult to walk. Finally, we make it to the cabin and instantly I'm set on edge. As we approach, the first thing I see is ripped up white stuff (later found out it was pieces of a mattress) that was covered in blood and dirt. We're walking slowly now, all of us wanting to peek into this small log cabin, but unsure of what we'd find. I convinced our guy friends to go first.The cabin was very simple, with no door and so small you had to duck to enter. Inside empty cans and food containers laid across the wooden floor, along with ripped up clothing. There was a very small bed on the side that had been used quite a bit and was caked in dirt. I peeked inside for about a minute, then did a 180 and jumped back out. As I walk around the outside (everyone's looking inside still) I see lots of human feces (some fairly fresh) and get immediately creeped out. Even people who squat and live in the woods know you bury your waste. Seeing it 3 feet from a cabin entrance was unsettling. I call everyone to leave and we follow a flatter path back to the trail. The entire way we see pieces of that ripped up mattress, more feces and random pieces of what I assume was clothing. When I returned home, I decided to look up the cabin online. I figured it might be a historical landmark that squatters had taken over. The weirdest thing? There was absolutley no history, information or pictures of it online. It was like it didn't exist. I've been wanting to go back and explore around it, but now I'm too afraid I'd run into whoever was hanging out/ living/ destroying stuff out there.../glitterpeach/
I attempted to find a specific trail for over a year. Turns out the original entry had long been grown over so it took a while to find another way to access it. Once I figured out where it connected we hiked down the mountain and explored it. This is where it gets weird...As I'm going around a corner, I notice way deep into the woods (~200 feet?) is a small log cabin. It's definitely nowhere near this trail and seemed out of place. We kept hiking, but I couldn't stop thinking about that cabin. It looked pretty old, but I had never seen it as a kid (and I took those trails almost daily during the summer). I went home and immediately shared the pictures with my more adventurous group of friends. I finally convinced them to return to the trail and help me find a way to get to the cabin. A few weeks later we hiked down the old trail (a group of 4 people). The cabin had no main trail access so we ended up trudging through the bushes, dirt, leaves, and across logs. The mountain is really uneven with lots of gullys and dried stream beds that make it difficult to walk. Finally, we make it to the cabin and instantly I'm set on edge. As we approach, the first thing I see is ripped up white stuff (later found out it was pieces of a mattress) that was covered in blood and dirt. We're walking slowly now, all of us wanting to peek into this small log cabin, but unsure of what we'd find. I convinced our guy friends to go first.The cabin was very simple, with no door and so small you had to duck to enter. Inside empty cans and food containers laid across the wooden floor, along with ripped up clothing. There was a very small bed on the side that had been used quite a bit and was caked in dirt. I peeked inside for about a minute, then did a 180 and jumped back out. As I walk around the outside (everyone's looking inside still) I see lots of human feces (some fairly fresh) and get immediately creeped out. Even people who squat and live in the woods know you bury your waste. Seeing it 3 feet from a cabin entrance was unsettling. I call everyone to leave and we follow a flatter path back to the trail. The entire way we see pieces of that ripped up mattress, more feces and random pieces of what I assume was clothing. When I returned home, I decided to look up the cabin online. I figured it might be a historical landmark that squatters had taken over. The weirdest thing? There was absolutley no history, information or pictures of it online. It was like it didn't exist. I've been wanting to go back and explore around it, but now I'm too afraid I'd run into whoever was hanging out/ living/ destroying stuff out there.../glitterpeach/
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26. Tents, Sleeping Bags, and a Roll of Duct Tape
When I was about 15 years old I went backpacking in the Ramapo mountains with my brother and two neighborhood friends. We had tents but we could see a storm blowing in so instead of setting up camp in the woods we decided to hike an extra mile or two and utilize one of the constructed shelters on the trail. We expected at least a few other hikers to be using the spot but when we arrived it was empty. It was pretty much a cinderblock 3 wall shelter with a fire pit at the entrance. At first glance, we knew the rangers hadn't been there lately. There was a good amount of scattered trash. Which was weird, because the trail had been immaculate and most campers religiously "pack out, what they pack in." There were empty liquor bottles, broken glass, food bags, etc." We set about collecting wood and getting the pit ready for the fire. Immediately I remember seeing a fair amount of hot embers as the ash was turned over. So we knew some one had been there in the last several hours. Got the fire going as the storm brewed and then set up our bags in the shelter. My brother Stuart was against the back wall and he said "Look what I found, someone left a roll of duct tape!" We didn't think too much about it duct tape makes great repair material for packs. tents and sleeping bags in a pinch.
Everything was fine until my friend Andy went around the back of the shelter looking for some larger pieces of fuel. He came back, visibly shook up and said "Take a look at what's behind the building." He walked back with us and simply just pointed to a small pile of discarded clothing. We walked over and discovered a pair of small jeans, a t-shirt with a puppy on it and a pink pair of underwear. Even from our standing position you could see the panties were small, badly torn up and worst of all splattered with what appeared to be blood. We were freaked out as first drizzle fell and then a driving rain. We headed into the shelter to watch our fire smolder and then get soaked. Of course we began to think about what may have happened and our concern turned into fear, which in time did not abate. As the storm continued it got darker.We chose to light a small fire in the front of the structure, just enough light to comfort us. I didn't sleep a wink that night and everyone else in the morning reported very restless sleep and a lot of imagined scenarios. In the morning we broke camp quickly and headed back down the trail. The upshot was when we were picked up by my parents, we quickly told them about our discovery and they thought it best if we went to the local police and file a report. So instead of the diner breakfast I was envisioning, we spent an hour with the cops. They took our names and phone numbers, but there was never a follow-up. So, no idea what happened in the woods except what our active and spooked imaginations naturally filled in./Just1morefix/
Everything was fine until my friend Andy went around the back of the shelter looking for some larger pieces of fuel. He came back, visibly shook up and said "Take a look at what's behind the building." He walked back with us and simply just pointed to a small pile of discarded clothing. We walked over and discovered a pair of small jeans, a t-shirt with a puppy on it and a pink pair of underwear. Even from our standing position you could see the panties were small, badly torn up and worst of all splattered with what appeared to be blood. We were freaked out as first drizzle fell and then a driving rain. We headed into the shelter to watch our fire smolder and then get soaked. Of course we began to think about what may have happened and our concern turned into fear, which in time did not abate. As the storm continued it got darker.We chose to light a small fire in the front of the structure, just enough light to comfort us. I didn't sleep a wink that night and everyone else in the morning reported very restless sleep and a lot of imagined scenarios. In the morning we broke camp quickly and headed back down the trail. The upshot was when we were picked up by my parents, we quickly told them about our discovery and they thought it best if we went to the local police and file a report. So instead of the diner breakfast I was envisioning, we spent an hour with the cops. They took our names and phone numbers, but there was never a follow-up. So, no idea what happened in the woods except what our active and spooked imaginations naturally filled in./Just1morefix/
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27. The Biggest I Have Ever Seen
This happened actually just last week in CO (up in the Collegiate Peaks range). I'm from the Midwest and had never been to CO, but grew up in New Hampshire and as a result, I am fairly accustomed to black bears. (I think NH has the highest concentration of black bears per square mile than any other state). Knowing that there are plenty of bears in the mountains and that we were camping with no way to hang bear bags (group of eight people, tons of food that needed to be stored in a cooler).
Anyway, we put the food in the car which bears can easily smell. Additionally, other campers are notoriously bad at simply heading the warnings of the dozens of signs all over the place and end up leaving their coolers out, giving bears consistently easy meals. I was moderately concerned about bears and so I brought a rifle (which I got some shit for but held true because large apex predators happen to frighten me a bit and I always feel safer when I can take matters into my own hands).To set up a visual - our site was gigantic. It was next to two important things: a large hill headed straight into the wilderness and the dumpsters for the campground. You can probably see where I'm going with this. In my mental preparation for a bear, I always imagined one scenario playing out: a bear attacking a tent. I was never concerned about hiking encounters given that there were seven other people with me and that's always enough.On the first day that we were there, the CO Parks officers came by and warned us about an unusual amount of bears in the area. We took extra precautions and made sure that NOTHING even resembling food outside of the car (including in our tents). The first night went completely without incident or even real fear.The second night, however, was a bit full of fuckery. I went to sleep just fine but woke up by my blankets being tugged by my fiancé (it was just the two of us in the tent). Thinking she was just being the usual blanket hog, I pulled them back a bit. That's when I heard a very soft "babe." I turned around to see the tent completely collapsed in on top of her with only her face poking out and when I looked up, there was a large face through the tent fabric about an inch away from mine. Although this woman was terrified of camping just a year ago, she simply went "psssssssst" (like you would to a cat) and bopped it on the nose. It ran off into the woods and she told me that she had a bit of pain on her thigh. When I looked at it, there were several decent puncture marks surrounded by a rapidly growing, dark bruise. It had literally been standing on her with its claws in her leg.As you do when a bear stands on you, we immediately left the ten to go pee. I put on my headlamp (it was still pitch-black out) and grabbed my rifle, shivering my way to the bathrooms to guard her. Even though the headlamp gave me about 50ft of light, it didn't feel like enough knowing that there was a giant super-raccoon lurking nearby.To shorten things up, we were able to laugh it off by comparing it to a large dog who simply doesn't know its weight and hurts people accidentally. After a Xanax and some nausea, we managed to fall back asleep within a half hour/hour. Just as we fell asleep, the bear charged down the hill we were at the base of and jumped on our tent, tearing a hole in it. I shouted as deeply as possible and heard it scamper off. When I got out of the tent, though, it was maybe 5ft away from me and was not running away. Instead, it was swaggering away extremely slowly while looking back at me. I was about ready to shoot it but decided against it given where we were and the fact that it was no longer actively attacking us/nobody was seriously injured. The thing was giant. I have seen a few of them in my life but this was easily the biggest I have ever seen./sitsgep/
Anyway, we put the food in the car which bears can easily smell. Additionally, other campers are notoriously bad at simply heading the warnings of the dozens of signs all over the place and end up leaving their coolers out, giving bears consistently easy meals. I was moderately concerned about bears and so I brought a rifle (which I got some shit for but held true because large apex predators happen to frighten me a bit and I always feel safer when I can take matters into my own hands).To set up a visual - our site was gigantic. It was next to two important things: a large hill headed straight into the wilderness and the dumpsters for the campground. You can probably see where I'm going with this. In my mental preparation for a bear, I always imagined one scenario playing out: a bear attacking a tent. I was never concerned about hiking encounters given that there were seven other people with me and that's always enough.On the first day that we were there, the CO Parks officers came by and warned us about an unusual amount of bears in the area. We took extra precautions and made sure that NOTHING even resembling food outside of the car (including in our tents). The first night went completely without incident or even real fear.The second night, however, was a bit full of fuckery. I went to sleep just fine but woke up by my blankets being tugged by my fiancé (it was just the two of us in the tent). Thinking she was just being the usual blanket hog, I pulled them back a bit. That's when I heard a very soft "babe." I turned around to see the tent completely collapsed in on top of her with only her face poking out and when I looked up, there was a large face through the tent fabric about an inch away from mine. Although this woman was terrified of camping just a year ago, she simply went "psssssssst" (like you would to a cat) and bopped it on the nose. It ran off into the woods and she told me that she had a bit of pain on her thigh. When I looked at it, there were several decent puncture marks surrounded by a rapidly growing, dark bruise. It had literally been standing on her with its claws in her leg.As you do when a bear stands on you, we immediately left the ten to go pee. I put on my headlamp (it was still pitch-black out) and grabbed my rifle, shivering my way to the bathrooms to guard her. Even though the headlamp gave me about 50ft of light, it didn't feel like enough knowing that there was a giant super-raccoon lurking nearby.To shorten things up, we were able to laugh it off by comparing it to a large dog who simply doesn't know its weight and hurts people accidentally. After a Xanax and some nausea, we managed to fall back asleep within a half hour/hour. Just as we fell asleep, the bear charged down the hill we were at the base of and jumped on our tent, tearing a hole in it. I shouted as deeply as possible and heard it scamper off. When I got out of the tent, though, it was maybe 5ft away from me and was not running away. Instead, it was swaggering away extremely slowly while looking back at me. I was about ready to shoot it but decided against it given where we were and the fact that it was no longer actively attacking us/nobody was seriously injured. The thing was giant. I have seen a few of them in my life but this was easily the biggest I have ever seen./sitsgep/
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28. Meteors and M*rder
Live nearby a very large (3sq mi) public park that's open 24/7 to let traffic through. My so and I often go walking there at night (the main thoroughfare is well lit and even if we stray from it it never feels dangerous) and a few months ago decided to go view the Perseid meteor shower from a specific spot in the park, near the dead center where we'd have to walk through a wooded area to get to it.
Now, there had been a violent homophobic attack in the park the night before so were a little on edge (despite being a straight couple) but didn't really worry too much. We got to the wooded area fine and noticed cars moving about. Didn't think too much of this, just figured maybe other people had had the same idea as us.Get closer, see the area is being set up for a marathon taking place a couple of days late. Cool, so we guess the cars driving around are actually security then. Walk closer. Someone in a car shines a light directly at us and someone with a torch starts waving it in our direction. We panic and freeze but they don't call out so we figure it's safe to keep moving and head on to our destination. We hang out for about 45 minutes, but it's cloudy so we don't see anything and it's starting to rain a bit so we decide to head back.We take a slightly different route to stay out of the rain and have to circle the fenced off area where all the marathon stuff is. The place now looks deserted apart from a single car in the fenced off area. As we walk past in front of the car its headlights suddenly come on. We nearly shit ourselves but keep walking. We get clear of the fenced area when the torch appears again, but now it's obvious that it's coming from the woods, right next to where we just walked. Next thing the car starts up and swings around, heading in our direction. We brick it, cutting through the woods where I trip and fall and briefly contemplate just lying there and hoping they don't find me before getting up and carrying on. We run past the road where the car was about to drive and onto a footpath crossing diagonally and closed off to cars. We're now completely in the open and the car slows down as it passes the start of the footpath but keeps moving. As we walk back towards the main road we see the car turn onto the road and stop a couple of hundred metres down, in the direction we have to head if we want to get away. We walk slowly and eventually the car drove away but needless to saw we were scared shitless for the rest of the hour or so walk home. Went out to watch meteors, maybe almost got murdered/billindathen/
Now, there had been a violent homophobic attack in the park the night before so were a little on edge (despite being a straight couple) but didn't really worry too much. We got to the wooded area fine and noticed cars moving about. Didn't think too much of this, just figured maybe other people had had the same idea as us.Get closer, see the area is being set up for a marathon taking place a couple of days late. Cool, so we guess the cars driving around are actually security then. Walk closer. Someone in a car shines a light directly at us and someone with a torch starts waving it in our direction. We panic and freeze but they don't call out so we figure it's safe to keep moving and head on to our destination. We hang out for about 45 minutes, but it's cloudy so we don't see anything and it's starting to rain a bit so we decide to head back.We take a slightly different route to stay out of the rain and have to circle the fenced off area where all the marathon stuff is. The place now looks deserted apart from a single car in the fenced off area. As we walk past in front of the car its headlights suddenly come on. We nearly shit ourselves but keep walking. We get clear of the fenced area when the torch appears again, but now it's obvious that it's coming from the woods, right next to where we just walked. Next thing the car starts up and swings around, heading in our direction. We brick it, cutting through the woods where I trip and fall and briefly contemplate just lying there and hoping they don't find me before getting up and carrying on. We run past the road where the car was about to drive and onto a footpath crossing diagonally and closed off to cars. We're now completely in the open and the car slows down as it passes the start of the footpath but keeps moving. As we walk back towards the main road we see the car turn onto the road and stop a couple of hundred metres down, in the direction we have to head if we want to get away. We walk slowly and eventually the car drove away but needless to saw we were scared shitless for the rest of the hour or so walk home. Went out to watch meteors, maybe almost got murdered/billindathen/
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29. Flesh, Blood, and Teeth
Not necessarily in the woods, but in a dense brush area in southern AZ-- my younger brothers and I figured we'd do some coyote hunting in an area where we had previously found coyote remains (skull, some other bones) on a previous outing. We we running two 9mm, a .22 scoped rifle, a .357 with a scope (hilarious looking), and a 12 gauge. A lot of fire power, for what, I have no idea. Naturally we also had some machetes and knives.
I'm not much of a hunter and just was around to make sure my younger brothers didn't kill themselves on accident. For some reason, we decided that going out about two hours before sun-down would be a good call, considering we could get in position by the time when coyotes in that area seemed to be quite active. My younger brother had just bought a coyote call that mimicked a dying rabbit. Great idea.So an hour and some of walking, using this call and camping out for 15-20 mins at a time to see if we got any interest from the coyote population, we weren't having any luck. It was getting dark pretty fast, as we had descended down into a "wash." (a dried up stream area common in the Sonoran desert) We really didn't bring adequate lighting or equipment to camp out, I suggested we start heading back to my suv since we're not having any luck. My brothers agreed and as we turn around to begin the 30-40 min trek back to the vehicle. However, we quickly realized that getting back to the vehicle as fast as we had gotten to our location would take quite a bit longer considering we could no longer see the shit tons of cholla, cactus, and other prickly bastard plants in our path. At this point we started to hear coyote's calling out in the distance.A few minutes in, I'm leading the way with a light to guide our steps and clear a path, I lose my footing and step flat on a sharp af cholla barb. This barb jams itself straight into my foot through my shoe. Stopping to remove the barb in a slight clearing, I bend down as my one of my brothers tries to light the area for me. It's well into dusk at this point, and we hear another several coyote calls out in the distance, coming from our 12 and 3 o'clock.Moving forward, we still have some light, but it's getting to the point where all you can really see are shadows, and we find ourselves in a downward angled wash--but I didn't recall covering any terrain like this. No sooner than I start to tell my brothers I think we took a wrong path, we hear the howls of a coyote pack far closer than the previous calls earlier... then a second group behind us, a third group to our 9 o clock, and a 4th group to our right We were fucking surrounded. The noise was deafening. It was unnatural and creepy and awful at the same time.It had been a while since we had last used that damn call, but we realized at that point that the coyotes had been following us for quite some time, and this group was far larger than we anticipated we'd run into. Terrified as all hell, we make sure we're good on ammo, shoot off a few rounds into the air and keep moving.All around us we could hear coyotes yipping, communicating with one another as they worked circles around us. By this time it's pitch black, and it's somewhat overcast. We can't get a view on any of the dogs at this point other than for a few fleeting moments of eye-glare through the dense brush every so often. Not enough to justify a shot as we couldn't see what was past the brush. The puppies weren't howling any more, which was a relief, but that relief came with the creeping sensation of being watched by a shit ton of eyes that would light up from the movement of a flashlight.We finally are able to see the shadow of a hill in front of us, and we know that we need to make it up quickly to get a better vantage point on our vehicles location and to get out of the dense brush. As we start making it up the hill, the coyotes get a little more adventurous and start getting closer to us as they circle. My youngest brother gets eyes on one behind a bush a little distance away, and shoots a slug into its direction. Heard a thud, but don't know if that was a slug nailing a stump, or the coyote losing its head. We spent the next hour and a half on that hill, taking shots at the coyotes that would get too close for comfort. It felt like there were 25+ of them, but I only knew them to group in packs of 6 before that day.We eventually made it back down the hill and to our vehicle, and were a lot wiser after the experience. Getting back to my vehicle, we were all covered in thorns, barbs, blood, and probably a little piss. Coyotes are fucking terrifying, don't mess with them in groups, especially not at night./TemplarOfRage/
I'm not much of a hunter and just was around to make sure my younger brothers didn't kill themselves on accident. For some reason, we decided that going out about two hours before sun-down would be a good call, considering we could get in position by the time when coyotes in that area seemed to be quite active. My younger brother had just bought a coyote call that mimicked a dying rabbit. Great idea.So an hour and some of walking, using this call and camping out for 15-20 mins at a time to see if we got any interest from the coyote population, we weren't having any luck. It was getting dark pretty fast, as we had descended down into a "wash." (a dried up stream area common in the Sonoran desert) We really didn't bring adequate lighting or equipment to camp out, I suggested we start heading back to my suv since we're not having any luck. My brothers agreed and as we turn around to begin the 30-40 min trek back to the vehicle. However, we quickly realized that getting back to the vehicle as fast as we had gotten to our location would take quite a bit longer considering we could no longer see the shit tons of cholla, cactus, and other prickly bastard plants in our path. At this point we started to hear coyote's calling out in the distance.A few minutes in, I'm leading the way with a light to guide our steps and clear a path, I lose my footing and step flat on a sharp af cholla barb. This barb jams itself straight into my foot through my shoe. Stopping to remove the barb in a slight clearing, I bend down as my one of my brothers tries to light the area for me. It's well into dusk at this point, and we hear another several coyote calls out in the distance, coming from our 12 and 3 o'clock.Moving forward, we still have some light, but it's getting to the point where all you can really see are shadows, and we find ourselves in a downward angled wash--but I didn't recall covering any terrain like this. No sooner than I start to tell my brothers I think we took a wrong path, we hear the howls of a coyote pack far closer than the previous calls earlier... then a second group behind us, a third group to our 9 o clock, and a 4th group to our right We were fucking surrounded. The noise was deafening. It was unnatural and creepy and awful at the same time.It had been a while since we had last used that damn call, but we realized at that point that the coyotes had been following us for quite some time, and this group was far larger than we anticipated we'd run into. Terrified as all hell, we make sure we're good on ammo, shoot off a few rounds into the air and keep moving.All around us we could hear coyotes yipping, communicating with one another as they worked circles around us. By this time it's pitch black, and it's somewhat overcast. We can't get a view on any of the dogs at this point other than for a few fleeting moments of eye-glare through the dense brush every so often. Not enough to justify a shot as we couldn't see what was past the brush. The puppies weren't howling any more, which was a relief, but that relief came with the creeping sensation of being watched by a shit ton of eyes that would light up from the movement of a flashlight.We finally are able to see the shadow of a hill in front of us, and we know that we need to make it up quickly to get a better vantage point on our vehicles location and to get out of the dense brush. As we start making it up the hill, the coyotes get a little more adventurous and start getting closer to us as they circle. My youngest brother gets eyes on one behind a bush a little distance away, and shoots a slug into its direction. Heard a thud, but don't know if that was a slug nailing a stump, or the coyote losing its head. We spent the next hour and a half on that hill, taking shots at the coyotes that would get too close for comfort. It felt like there were 25+ of them, but I only knew them to group in packs of 6 before that day.We eventually made it back down the hill and to our vehicle, and were a lot wiser after the experience. Getting back to my vehicle, we were all covered in thorns, barbs, blood, and probably a little piss. Coyotes are fucking terrifying, don't mess with them in groups, especially not at night./TemplarOfRage/
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30. A Scream of Pure Fear
I grew up in a small coastal Oregon town... Nothing ever happens and it's always quiet. From my childhood home you could look one direction and see nothing but ocean in the distance and the other forest covered mountains. You would hear stories from old people sitting around campfires after a few beers had loosened their tongues about the stuff they seen on the ocean or out in the deep woods... Loggers would frequently tell about Sasquatch and footprints the size of a mans chest or the howl that sounded like nothing else a seasoned hunter had ever heard. I was a hard kid.. Hard life and a hard attitude.. I trusted nobody and didn't believe shit people said unless I saw it myself so none of the tales really did anything for me other than give me a chuckle.I was pretty poor as a child nothing but hand me downs and government foods and stuff so I learned like many folks in the area to supplement our food by foraging and hunting. I was probably around 12 or so and I was on foot after about a 3hour hike into old growth forest with just my dog and I going up to our chanterelle mushroom patch to pick for the day. Being that deep was not uncommon for a boy my age as that was just what you did.. No big deal. I was deep enough that the only trails were made by deer and elk and I only knew how to get there by following a trail of surveyor ribbon I had left on branches and trees. Deep enough that the moss and brush ate up all the sounds even your footsteps to the point a birdcall would echo like a siren. We were in the patch for a while picking and stacking the mushrooms just me and rowdy my German Shepard/wolf hybrid and I had a good stack with no slug marks or mushy spots. Rowdy usually slept the whole time I picked but this time he was pacing about but I didn't pay much attention because sometimes he got a wild hair and just did stuff differently as was his nature. All of a sudden while I was packing up he ran up to me and whined like he did when he needed to pee in the mornings and started circling me.. And that's when I felt it..
You know that feeling when something is definitely watching you but you can't tell from where or what it is.. The hair on my neck stood up and my skin started tingling and that "flight reaction" in my gut told me to run but I didn't.. I listened. I didn't hear anything except rowdy whining for a few seconds and went back to filling my pack.. A bit quicker now as I had seen cougar spoor and bear scat in the area before and bears will eat mushrooms. By this time rowdy was visibly freaking out and it was freaking me out but I was determined to get home with my harvest. All of a sudden rowdy just took off and left me.. He'd never done such a thing.. And then I heard a branch break behind me.. Not a twig a fucking branch.. Then another.. I ran as fast as a white boy alone in the woods could and the thing was pacing me.. I could hear it off to my right then behind me again then my left .. I knew there was a clearing up ahead where I could follow the power lines down and ran even harder. When I got to the clearing rowdy was there with his hackles raised and growling and he started barking and snarling like he should have awhile back.. Then it screamed.. It wasn't like an elk or a coyote or any other thing I ever heard before and it was so loud and gutteral and close I screamed back out of pure fear and nearly pissed myself on the spot. The dog and I started running again and I didn't hear it following this time. We made it home and I told my parents and they laughed at me for being a bitch.. Said it was probably an elk or something and to quit being stupid so I dropped it and only told a few people that shared similar stories with me. We went back up a few months later and the whole patch had been rooted up like elk got into it with their racks so maybe it was just that... Idk.. /yelosnow/
You know that feeling when something is definitely watching you but you can't tell from where or what it is.. The hair on my neck stood up and my skin started tingling and that "flight reaction" in my gut told me to run but I didn't.. I listened. I didn't hear anything except rowdy whining for a few seconds and went back to filling my pack.. A bit quicker now as I had seen cougar spoor and bear scat in the area before and bears will eat mushrooms. By this time rowdy was visibly freaking out and it was freaking me out but I was determined to get home with my harvest. All of a sudden rowdy just took off and left me.. He'd never done such a thing.. And then I heard a branch break behind me.. Not a twig a fucking branch.. Then another.. I ran as fast as a white boy alone in the woods could and the thing was pacing me.. I could hear it off to my right then behind me again then my left .. I knew there was a clearing up ahead where I could follow the power lines down and ran even harder. When I got to the clearing rowdy was there with his hackles raised and growling and he started barking and snarling like he should have awhile back.. Then it screamed.. It wasn't like an elk or a coyote or any other thing I ever heard before and it was so loud and gutteral and close I screamed back out of pure fear and nearly pissed myself on the spot. The dog and I started running again and I didn't hear it following this time. We made it home and I told my parents and they laughed at me for being a bitch.. Said it was probably an elk or something and to quit being stupid so I dropped it and only told a few people that shared similar stories with me. We went back up a few months later and the whole patch had been rooted up like elk got into it with their racks so maybe it was just that... Idk.. /yelosnow/
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31. Indiana Jones and the Cave of Pure Terror
I made an account just to tell this story. I was hiking the hills in Butterfly Valley, Rhodes with my parents on my tenth birthday. We were having a lovely day following butterflies, enjoying the scenery etc. As anyone who has been to Butterfly Valley will know, at some point on the trail there’s a pitch black tunnel filled to your ankles with water that’s popular with tourists- you can walk from one end to the other (it’s about a 10-15 minute walk if I’m remembering correctly) or escape up a ladder through an opening half way if you’re feeling uncomfortable- it really is pitch black, very spooky and isn’t claustrophobics friendly. I’m ashamed to say I’ve forgotten the history surrounding it, but it’s about 6 foot high and just wide enough for an adult and small child to squeeze through alongside each other.
Anyway, we are about to brave the tunnel with a big group of people when my mums nopes out big style, saying it’s too much for her claustrophobia with people both in front and flanking her in the dark, confined space. She takes the above-ground trail with a group of other people to meet us at the other side. Dad and I thoroughly enjoy the thrill of the tunnel walk, people’s frightened cries, screams and echoes included (it’s just the kind of people we are).It was a very cool experience, especially for a kid.Far from scaring me, it definitely de-sensitised me to spooky tunnels, helping pave the way for the frightening event later. We meet mum on the other side and continue our exploration along the main trail (that leads to a monastery atop the mountain), describing our tunnel experience to her along the way. Eventually, and I don’t remember why, (possibly to follow a pretty looking butterfly) we veer off the main trail into the denser forest and after a few minutes notice a cave-like opening on a slope to our left. It has lots of jagged rocks and thick bushes surrounding it, suggesting it’s not supposed to be accessed by tourists, but since dad and I are feeling more ‘Indiana Jones’ than usual after our tunnel trip, we decide we want to enter the cave and see what’s inside/what it leads to, if anything. In hindsight; a very stupid idea.Dad takes my hand, pushes the bushes aside and we step in, leaving mum at the entrance. We realise this cave tunnel also has a stream running through it, much like the first, just over ankle-deep. As we carelessly traipse along the uneven path in our already soaked sandals we are chatting away loudly and not minding that the cave is growing ever darker and we can’t see where we are stepping. We walk for less than a minute or so. I don’t know exactly what made my dad fall suddenly silent (and neither does he) but as he did, in the now almost pitch black and echoey space, we both realised with a horrified jolt that we could hear the sound of falling water right in front of us. I mean, directly in front of our feet. And it sounded like a long drop.At that moment I realise I can feel a breeze against my legs, lifting the edges of my skirt- exactly like the up-draught you get from waterfalls, cliff edges etc. I’ve never squeezed my dad’s hand so tightly in my life. After a stunned silence that couldn’t have lasted more than a tenth of a second my dad grabs me, lifts me up and proceeds to carry me at a desperate half run back to the entrance. He told me years later that he’s never been more scared in his life.The more I tell this story the more I think how ridiculous our decision to explore the cave was, and how easily we could have slipped over the edge and been injured, become trapped or even fallen to our deaths. Remembering the sound of the falling water and the sensation of the air rushing against my legs still chills my blood to this day. What made the whole thing worse was seeing my dad so panicked- the only other time I’d known him act that way was when I choked on a sweet when I was little. The look he had on his face during both these events is one I’ve only ever seen when he’s fearing for my life.On a lighter note we made it to the monastery atop the mountain and ordered bowls of Greek yoghurt and honey from the monastery café to cheer us up and celebrate my birthday. It was delightful. I still haven’t found out anything about that interior of that cave, if anyone has any information about caves in Butterfly Valley I’d love to hear it./aureliaeve/
Anyway, we are about to brave the tunnel with a big group of people when my mums nopes out big style, saying it’s too much for her claustrophobia with people both in front and flanking her in the dark, confined space. She takes the above-ground trail with a group of other people to meet us at the other side. Dad and I thoroughly enjoy the thrill of the tunnel walk, people’s frightened cries, screams and echoes included (it’s just the kind of people we are).It was a very cool experience, especially for a kid.Far from scaring me, it definitely de-sensitised me to spooky tunnels, helping pave the way for the frightening event later. We meet mum on the other side and continue our exploration along the main trail (that leads to a monastery atop the mountain), describing our tunnel experience to her along the way. Eventually, and I don’t remember why, (possibly to follow a pretty looking butterfly) we veer off the main trail into the denser forest and after a few minutes notice a cave-like opening on a slope to our left. It has lots of jagged rocks and thick bushes surrounding it, suggesting it’s not supposed to be accessed by tourists, but since dad and I are feeling more ‘Indiana Jones’ than usual after our tunnel trip, we decide we want to enter the cave and see what’s inside/what it leads to, if anything. In hindsight; a very stupid idea.Dad takes my hand, pushes the bushes aside and we step in, leaving mum at the entrance. We realise this cave tunnel also has a stream running through it, much like the first, just over ankle-deep. As we carelessly traipse along the uneven path in our already soaked sandals we are chatting away loudly and not minding that the cave is growing ever darker and we can’t see where we are stepping. We walk for less than a minute or so. I don’t know exactly what made my dad fall suddenly silent (and neither does he) but as he did, in the now almost pitch black and echoey space, we both realised with a horrified jolt that we could hear the sound of falling water right in front of us. I mean, directly in front of our feet. And it sounded like a long drop.At that moment I realise I can feel a breeze against my legs, lifting the edges of my skirt- exactly like the up-draught you get from waterfalls, cliff edges etc. I’ve never squeezed my dad’s hand so tightly in my life. After a stunned silence that couldn’t have lasted more than a tenth of a second my dad grabs me, lifts me up and proceeds to carry me at a desperate half run back to the entrance. He told me years later that he’s never been more scared in his life.The more I tell this story the more I think how ridiculous our decision to explore the cave was, and how easily we could have slipped over the edge and been injured, become trapped or even fallen to our deaths. Remembering the sound of the falling water and the sensation of the air rushing against my legs still chills my blood to this day. What made the whole thing worse was seeing my dad so panicked- the only other time I’d known him act that way was when I choked on a sweet when I was little. The look he had on his face during both these events is one I’ve only ever seen when he’s fearing for my life.On a lighter note we made it to the monastery atop the mountain and ordered bowls of Greek yoghurt and honey from the monastery café to cheer us up and celebrate my birthday. It was delightful. I still haven’t found out anything about that interior of that cave, if anyone has any information about caves in Butterfly Valley I’d love to hear it./aureliaeve/
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32. The Whispering Trees
Hey Reddit, I'm a park ranger, and I've seen my fair share of weird stuff in the woods, but there's this one incident that still gives me the chills. It happened a few years ago, in a remote part of the park that's not frequented by many hikers.I was doing my usual rounds, checking for any signs of illegal camping or poaching. It was a perfectly normal day until I reached a particular section of the woods. Everything suddenly went quiet – no birds, no insects, nothing. It was like stepping into a different world.I continued walking, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. Then I heard it – a faint whispering. At first, I thought it was just the wind, but the air was completely still. The whispers seemed to come from all around, unintelligible, but definitely human voices.I radioed back to base, asking if there were any other rangers or hikers in the area, but the answer was no. I was completely alone. That's when the panic started to set in. I felt like I was being watched, and the whispers seemed to grow louder.I picked up my pace, aiming to get out of that area as quickly as possible. But no matter how fast I walked, the whispers seemed to follow, always just at the edge of my hearing, impossible to understand.Then I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks. In a small clearing, there was a circle of stones, and in the middle, a single, old doll with one eye missing. It was facing me, and for a moment, I swear it looked like it was alive.I know it sounds crazy, but at that moment, the whispers became clear. They were saying my name, over and over, in a haunting melody. It felt like they were trying to lure me closer to the doll.I backed away slowly, not taking my eyes off the doll. The whispers turned into angry hisses, and I felt a sharp pain on my arm. I looked down to see a scratch, as if someone, or something, had clawed me.I ran. I ran as fast as I could, not stopping until I reached the main trail. The whispers and the feeling of being watched disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared.Back at the ranger station, I tried to make sense of what happened. I had a deep, unshakable feeling that something out there did not want me in those woods.I reported the incident, but there was nothing there when a team went back to check – no doll, no stone circle, nothing. They thought I was overworked and imagining things.But I know what I saw and heard. I never went back to that part of the park again, and I always warn new rangers about it. Some believe me, others don't. But I know the truth.Since then, I've heard stories from other rangers and hikers about similar experiences in those woods. Whispers, being watched, strange objects appearing and disappearing. It's like that part of the forest is alive, and not in a good way.So, that's my story. Believe it or not, but I know what I experienced, and it was the creepiest thing I've ever encountered in the woods. Stay safe out there. - RangerWhispers23
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33. The Lost Hiker
Hi Reddit, I'm a regular hiker and have always been drawn to the serenity of the woods. But there's one experience I had that was anything but serene. It happened in a forest I've hiked countless times, but this one trip was different.I set out early in the morning, planning to cover a good distance before setting up camp for the night. The weather was perfect, and the trail was familiar. But as the day progressed, I began to feel like I was being followed.Every so often, I'd hear a twig snap or leaves rustle behind me. I'd stop and look back, but there was never anyone there. I tried to brush it off as forest animals or just my imagination, but the feeling persisted.As dusk approached, I found a spot to set up camp. That's when I noticed something odd – a set of footprints circling my campsite. They were fresh and looked human, but were strangely elongated, like nothing I'd ever seen.Unnerved, I decided not to camp and instead head back. But as I started walking, the forest seemed unfamiliar. The trails looked different, and landmarks I knew were nowhere to be seen. It was like the forest had rearranged itself.I tried to keep calm and find my way back, but it was useless. The more I walked, the more lost I became. And then the whispers started, just like in the previous story. Quiet at first, then growing louder, calling my name.Night fell, and I was hopelessly lost. The whispers were now accompanied by laughter, and the feeling of being watched was overwhelming. I felt a sense of dread I've never experienced before.I kept walking, hoping to find a way out. That's when I saw it – a figure standing in the distance. It was tall, unnaturally so, and seemed to be watching me. I called out, but it didn't move or respond.I approached cautiously, but as I got closer, the figure vanished. In its place was a tree, just an ordinary tree. I was sure it hadn't been there before.Exhausted and terrified, I spent the night huddled against a tree, jumping at every sound. By morning, I was no closer to finding my way out. I was dehydrated and starting to panic.Then, just as suddenly as I'd become lost, I stumbled onto a familiar trail. I followed it and finally made it out of the forest. I was dirty, hungry, and shaken, but alive.I reported my experience to the local ranger station, but they couldn't explain it. They said they'd never heard of anything like it in that forest.I've been back to that forest since, always with a group and never straying far from the marked trails. I haven't had another experience like that night, but I can't shake the feeling that something in those woods didn't want me there.That's my story. It still haunts me, and I can't explain what happened. But I know it was real, and it was the most terrifying night of my life. - LostHiker87
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34. The Camper's Shadow
Hey Reddit, I'm not a superstitious person, but I had an encounter while camping that I just can't explain. I've camped alone in many places, but this one time, things took a turn for the bizarre.I had set up my tent in a secluded spot, deep in the woods. It was peaceful, with only the sounds of nature around me. As night fell, I built a fire and settled in, feeling completely at ease.A few hours after midnight, I woke up to the sound of rustling outside my tent. Thinking it was just an animal, I ignored it at first. But the rustling grew louder and was soon accompanied by a faint whispering sound.I unzipped my tent and peeked out. The fire had died down to embers, casting eerie shadows around the campsite. That's when I noticed a shadow that didn't belong. It was shaped like a person, but there was no one around to cast it.I watched, frozen, as the shadow moved. It was like it had a life of its own, independent of any light source. It seemed to be searching for something, moving erratically around my campsite.Heart racing, I zipped up the tent and tried to convince myself it was just a trick of the light. But then the shadow stopped right outside my tent, as if it knew I was inside.I could hear a low murmuring, like someone whispering a language I couldn't understand. The shadow began to circle the tent, and I felt an overwhelming sense of dread.Suddenly, the shadow disappeared. I waited, hardly daring to breathe, but it didn't return. After what felt like hours, I mustered the courage to look outside again. The campsite was normal, with no sign of the shadow.I didn't sleep for the rest of the night, and as soon as the sun rose, I packed up and left. The whole way back, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.Once home, I did some research and found that others had experienced similar things in those woods. Stories of shadows that moved on their own, whispers in the night, feelings of being watched.I don't know what to make of it. Maybe there's a logical explanation, maybe there isn't. All I know is that I felt a presence that night, something unseen and unsettling.I've camped since then, but never alone and never in those woods. That experience left me with more questions than answers, and a deep respect for the unknown.So, that's my story. Make of it what you will. I'm just glad to have made it out unharmed, but I'll always wonder what was behind that shadow.I may never know the truth, but it's something I'll never forget. Stay safe out there, fellow campers. - SolitaryCamper99
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35. The Ranger's Disappearance
Hi everyone, I'm a former ranger, and I want to share a story that's troubled me for years. It's about my colleague, who I'll call Jake, and his mysterious disappearance in the woods.Jake was an experienced ranger, known for his survival skills and knowledge of the forest. One day, he went out on a routine patrol in an area he knew well but never returned. A massive search operation was launched.I was part of the search team. We scoured the area for days, but found no trace of Jake. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. The strangest part was that his radio and GPS tracker were left behind at the ranger station.On the fifth day of the search, I found something unsettling. Deep in the woods, in a place rarely visited by hikers, I stumbled upon a clearing that felt... off. The air was colder, and I had the sense of being watched.In the middle of the clearing was a circle of stones, similar to what was described in the first story. Inside the circle, I found a piece of Jake's uniform and a notebook. The notebook was open to a page with a disturbing message.The message read, "They are watching. Don't look or it takes you." The handwriting was shaky, almost frantic. It was unlike Jake to write something like this. It sent chills down my spine.I reported my find, but it only deepened the mystery. There were no other clues, and no sign of Jake. The search continued, but hope was fading.One night, as we camped during the search, I woke to whispers outside my tent. Remembering Jake's note, I didn't dare to look outside. The whispers grew louder, saying things I couldn't quite understand.The next morning, I found footprints around the camp, too large to be human. They circled each tent, then disappeared into the woods. It was unnerving, and several members of the search team refused to continue.We never found Jake. The official report said he likely got lost and succumbed to the elements, but I don't believe that. There was something more, something unexplainable in those woods.Since then, I've left the ranger service. The experience shook me deeply, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched whenever I entered the forest.I still think about Jake and that clearing. What did he see? What happened to him? These questions haunt me, and I doubt I'll ever find answers.I share this story as a warning. The woods hold mysteries we may never understand, and sometimes they claim those who wander too deep.So, that's my story. It's not just a campfire tale; it's a real-life mystery that cost a man his life. Stay safe, and respect the unknown. - HauntedRanger88
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36. The Hiker's Frightful Encounter
Hi Reddit, I'm an avid hiker and have explored many trails, but there's one experience that stands out as the most terrifying. It happened on a trail I had hiked many times before, but this particular day was different.The hike started off normally. The weather was clear, and the trail was quiet, with only the occasional bird song. As I ventured deeper into the woods, I noticed an eerie silence settling in, much like the ranger described in his story.As I continued, I felt a growing sense of unease. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Then, out of nowhere, a dense fog rolled in, reducing my visibility to just a few feet.I slowed my pace, trying to navigate through the fog. That's when I heard it – a soft, melodic humming. It sounded like a woman's voice, and it seemed to be coming from just ahead of me.Intrigued and a bit unnerved, I followed the sound. It led me off the trail and into an unmarked part of the forest. The humming grew louder, and I felt an inexplicable pull towards it.I finally came upon a small clearing, and there, in the center, was a woman. She was dressed in white, her back to me, still humming. I called out to her, but she didn't respond.As I stepped closer, she suddenly stopped humming and turned around. Her face was pale, almost translucent, and her eyes were pitch black. I felt a wave of terror wash over me.I stumbled back, but she moved towards me with unnatural speed. Her mouth opened wide, wider than any human could, and she let out a piercing scream.I turned and ran, not daring to look back. I could hear her following me, her footsteps light but fast. The fog seemed to swirl around me, disorienting me further.I don't know how, but I eventually found my way back to the trail and out of the woods. I didn't stop running until I reached my car, and even then, I felt like she might be right behind me.I drove home in a state of shock, trying to process what I had seen. I couldn't explain it, and part of me didn't want to believe it was real.Since that day, I haven't gone back to those woods, and I'm not sure I ever will. I can't shake the image of that woman and her black eyes. It's like she's imprinted in my mind.I've heard of legends and ghost stories about the woods, but I always thought they were just that – stories. Now, I'm not so sure. There's something out there, something that defies explanation.So, that's my story. Take it as you will, but it changed me. Be careful when you're out in the woods; you never know what you might encounter. - TrailTerror101
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37. The Enigmatic Fog
Hello Reddit, I'm a seasoned camper and I've got a story that still baffles me. It happened on a solo camping trip in a remote part of the forest known for its natural beauty.Everything was normal on the first day. I set up camp near a small lake, the water calm and the surrounding woods peaceful. As night fell, I cooked some dinner and then settled into my tent.Sometime in the middle of the night, I awoke to a thick fog rolling in. It was so dense that I could barely see my hand in front of my face. I thought it was strange because the weather forecast hadn't mentioned fog.I stepped out of my tent to get a better look. The fog was unnaturally still, and there was a strange metallic smell in the air. It was eerily silent - no crickets, no rustling leaves, nothing.As I stood there, trying to make sense of it, I saw lights moving in the fog. They were bright and blue, unlike any flashlight or lantern. They seemed to be floating, moving slowly around my campsite.I called out, thinking maybe it was another camper or a ranger, but there was no response. The lights just kept moving, forming patterns that I couldn't understand. It was mesmerizing and unsettling at the same time.Suddenly, the lights vanished, and the fog began to move. It swirled around me, cold and damp, and I heard whispers. They were soft, but they grew louder, voices speaking a language I didn't recognize.I retreated to my tent, zipping it up tightly. The whispers continued, and I felt a growing sense of dread. It felt like something was out there, watching me from the fog.I didn't sleep at all that night. The fog remained until dawn, and then it lifted as quickly as it had appeared. The lights and the whispers were gone, and the forest was normal again.I packed up my gear, eager to leave. As I did, I noticed something odd - all the plant life around my tent was dead, as if the fog had killed it. The ground was also scorched in strange patterns.I reported what happened to the local ranger station, but they were skeptical. They said they'd never heard of anything like it and suggested it might have been a dream or a reaction to stress.But I know what I experienced. It wasn't a dream, and it wasn't normal. I've camped in many places, but I've never encountered anything like that fog and those lights.Since then, I've done some research and found that other campers have experienced similar phenomena in those woods. None of us can explain it, but we all agree that there's something strange happening there.So, that's my story. Whether you believe it or not, it's something I'll never forget. It changed the way I see the woods. Stay safe out there. - MysteriousFogCamper
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38. The Echoing Steps
Hey Reddit, I'm an avid hiker and I want to share a bizarre experience that happened to me in the mountains. It was during a solo hike on a trail I'd been on many times before.The day was clear and sunny, perfect for hiking. I was enjoying the solitude and the beauty of nature, making good progress along the trail. That's when I first heard the footsteps.They were faint, but definitely there. It sounded like someone was following me, but whenever I stopped to listen, the footsteps would stop too. I looked back several times, but there was no one there.I tried to brush it off as an echo or maybe an animal, but the footsteps were unmistakably human. They had a rhythmic pattern, like someone walking with a purpose.As the day went on, the footsteps seemed to get closer. I could almost feel the presence of someone or something behind me. It was unnerving, to say the least.I quickened my pace, hoping to reach the end of the trail before dark. But the faster I walked, the faster the footsteps seemed to follow. It was like they were keeping pace with me.Then, as the sun began to set, something even stranger happened. The footsteps suddenly changed direction. Instead of coming from behind, they were now coming from in front of me.I stopped dead in my tracks, heart pounding. There was no one on the trail ahead of me, yet the footsteps continued, moving towards me. I could hear them clearly, but I couldn't see anyone.Panic set in, and I turned around, heading back the way I came. The footsteps followed, still ahead of me somehow. It was as if whatever was making them was leading me.I don't know how long I walked, but it felt like hours. The footsteps never stopped, always just out of sight. Eventually, I saw the lights of a ranger station and practically ran towards it.I told the rangers what happened, but they seemed skeptical. They said they'd check the trail, but they doubted they'd find anything. They thought I was just tired and imagining things.But I know what I heard. Those footsteps were real, and they followed me for miles. I've never experienced anything like it, and I haven't been back to that trail since.I've heard stories of haunted trails and ghostly hikers, but I never believed them. Now, I'm not so sure. There's something out there, something unexplainable.That's my story. Take it for what it's worth, but be careful when you're out there alone. You never know what might be walking with you. - EchoingStepsHiker
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39. The Vanishing Campsite
Hi Reddit, I'm a lifelong camper and I have a story that still puzzles me to this day. It happened during a weekend camping trip in a well-known national park.I arrived at the park on a Friday afternoon, set up my campsite, and spent the evening relaxing by the fire. Everything was normal, and I went to bed looking forward to a weekend in nature.But when I woke up the next morning, my campsite was gone. My tent, my gear, everything. I was lying on the bare ground in a different part of the forest, with no idea how I got there.I thought maybe I had sleepwalked, but I had never done that before, and my gear was too heavy to carry in my sleep. Plus, the area where I woke up was several miles from where I had set up camp.I searched the area, hoping to find my campsite or any sign of what had happened, but there was nothing. It was as if I had been picked up and moved in the middle of the night, along with all my gear.Confused and a little scared, I made my way back to where my campsite should have been. When I got there, everything was as I had left it the night before. It was like I had never left.I checked my watch and realized that several hours had passed since I woke up, yet it felt like only minutes. Time seemed to have slipped away from me, and I couldn't account for it.I packed up and left the park, feeling uneasy. On my way out, I stopped at the ranger station to report what happened, but they were baffled. They said they had never heard of anything like it.Since then, I've tried to come up with a logical explanation for what happened, but nothing makes sense. I wasn't on any medication, I hadn't been drinking, and I was in good health.I've heard of time slips and other paranormal phenomena, but I never believed in them. Now, I'm not so sure. What happened to me doesn't have a rational explanation.I still go camping, but I haven't been back to that park. The experience left me with more questions than answers, and a sense of unease whenever I'm in the woods.I've shared my story with other campers, and a few have had similar experiences or know someone who has. It's like there are places in the woods where the normal rules don't apply.So, that's my story. It might sound unbelievable, but it happened. The woods can be a strange and mysterious place, and sometimes they remind us of that in unsettling ways.Whether you believe it or not, be careful out there. Nature has its mysteries, and sometimes they find us. - VanishingCamper
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40. The Unseen Companion
Hey Reddit, I'm a trail runner and I've had my share of weird experiences, but there's one that stands out. It happened on a trail I've run many times, but this particular day was different.It was a typical morning run, the trail was familiar, and I was in my usual rhythm. About halfway through, I started feeling like I wasn't alone. It was a sensation I couldn't shake off.I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting to see another runner or maybe an animal, but there was nothing. The feeling of being accompanied persisted, growing stronger with each step.Then, I heard breathing – not my own, but as if someone was running right beside me. I stopped, and the breathing stopped. I looked around, but I was definitely alone.I resumed running, trying to dismiss it as my imagination. But the breathing started again, this time accompanied by the sound of footsteps, keeping pace with mine.I increased my speed, a mix of fear and curiosity driving me. The unseen presence matched my pace perfectly, its breathing and footsteps synchronizing with my own.At this point, I was both intrigued and terrified. I shouted, "Who's there?" but the only response was an echo of my own voice. The forest around me felt alive, aware of my presence and that of my unseen companion.As I neared the end of the trail, the sensation suddenly vanished. The breathing, the footsteps – gone. I stopped, catching my breath, and looked back. The trail was empty.I finished my run, but the experience stayed with me. I couldn't explain it. It wasn't like any animal I knew, and I doubted another runner could have remained so perfectly hidden.I've run that trail many times since, but it never happened again. I've told a few fellow runners about it, and while most are skeptical, a couple have admitted to having similar experiences.Some suggest it could be a ghost or a spirit, others think it might be some kind of natural phenomenon. I don't know what to believe.But I do know that the woods can be mysterious, and sometimes they reveal things we can't understand. That day, I felt a connection to something unseen, something that shared my path for a while.So, that's my story. It's not something I can easily explain, and maybe I'm not meant to. But it's an experience I'll never forget.Whatever it was, it made me realize that we're never truly alone in the wilderness. There's always something else out there, seen or unseen. - TrailGhostRunner
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41. The Watcher in the Woods
Hello Reddit, I'm a nature photographer and I've spent countless hours in various forests. But there's one experience that still haunts me. It occurred during a photography trip in a secluded forest.I had set up my gear for some early morning shots. The forest was shrouded in mist, creating a perfect, ethereal backdrop. Everything was peaceful, almost surreal.As I was focusing on capturing the landscape, I noticed something odd in the viewfinder. There was a figure standing in the distance, partially obscured by the trees.I lowered my camera and looked with my own eyes, but I couldn't see anyone. When I looked through the camera again, the figure was still there, a blurry silhouette watching me.Intrigued, I decided to approach the spot. As I got closer, the figure became clearer in my camera – it was a person, or so it seemed, standing perfectly still, staring in my direction.When I reached the place, there was no one there. I looked around, confused. There were no footprints, no signs of anyone having been there. But in my camera, the figure was still visible.I snapped a few photos, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. The figure in the images was dark, almost shadow-like, with no discernible features.Feeling uneasy, I decided to leave. As I packed up, I felt the unmistakable sensation of being watched. I hurriedly left the area, glancing back frequently, but I didn't see the figure again.Back home, I examined the photos. The figure was in every shot, always in the same place, always watching. It sent chills down my spine.I showed the photos to a few friends, but no one could explain it. Some suggested it was a trick of the light or a problem with the camera, but I couldn't replicate it in any other photos.Since then, I've been back to that forest several times, but I've never seen the figure again, neither with my camera nor with my naked eyes.The experience has left me with a lingering sense of unease whenever I'm in the woods. I can't shake the feeling that something is watching me, hidden just out of sight.So, that's my story. It's not just a ghost story or an urban legend; it's something I experienced firsthand. It's changed the way I view the woods and my photography.Whether it was something supernatural or just a strange anomaly, I'll probably never know. But it's a reminder that the natural world has mysteries we may never understand. - ForestWatcherPhoto
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42. The Forest's Echo
Hey Reddit, I'm a seasoned hiker and have had my fair share of odd experiences in the woods, but there's one that I can't get out of my mind. It happened in a dense forest known for its serene beauty.I was deep into my hike, enjoying the solitude when I started hearing my name being called. It was faint, echoing through the trees. I stopped, thinking I was imagining things, but it continued.The voice calling my name sounded exactly like my brother's, who had passed away a few years ago. This shook me because there was no way it could be him. Yet, the voice was unmistakable.I followed the sound, my heart racing. The deeper I went, the louder it got. It seemed to be leading me somewhere. I was torn between fear and a desperate need to find the source.Finally, I reached a small clearing, and the voice stopped. There was a sense of calm there, but also of profound sadness. I called out, but there was no response, just the echo of my own voice.As I stood there, the air grew colder, and I saw a brief, misty figure in the distance. It looked like my brother, but as I blinked, it vanished.I left the clearing feeling unsettled and confused. The hike back was a blur. I couldn't shake the feeling that what I experienced was real, not just my imagination.Back at home, I researched the forest and found stories of others hearing voices of loved ones. Some say the forest holds memories, replaying them like echoes.I've been back to the forest since, but never heard the voice again. It remains the most haunting experience I've had, leaving me with more questions than answers.So, that's my story. Whether it was a supernatural encounter or just my mind playing tricks, it's something I'll never forget. - EchoHiker
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43. The Invisible Force
Hi Reddit, I'm a wilderness guide, and I've seen weird things in the woods, but one incident stands out. It happened while guiding a group through a remote trail.We were halfway through the hike when a sudden gust of wind knocked us off our feet. It was strange because the day had been calm, and there wasn't a breeze before or after that.After the gust, one of the hikers started acting strange, claiming they felt someone pushing them, though no one was near. This unnerved the group, and I tried to calm everyone down.As we proceeded, the same hiker screamed, saying an invisible force was holding them back. We all saw them struggling, as if caught by unseen hands.I approached to help, but as I got closer, I felt a strong resistance, like pushing through a heavy curtain. It was cold and sent shivers down my spine.Suddenly, the invisible force released, and the hiker fell forward. We quickly gathered and decided to turn back, the atmosphere heavy with fear.As we left, I looked back to see a shadowy figure standing at the edge of the path, watching us. When I blinked, it was gone.We made it back safely, but the experience left us all shaken. The hiker had bruises on their arms, as if they'd been held by force.Since then, I've heard stories of an old legend about a guardian spirit in those woods. Some believe it protects the land, sometimes aggressively.I don't know what to believe, but I'm more cautious in those woods now. There are things in nature we can't explain. - WildernessGuide77
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44. The Vanishing Trail Part 2
Hello Reddit, I'm a nature enthusiast and frequent solo hiker. I want to share a bewildering experience I had on a trail I've hiked for years.It was a clear, sunny day, perfect for hiking. The trail was familiar, winding through dense forests and over gentle hills. But halfway through, something strange happened.I reached a section of the trail I knew well, but it... disappeared. Right before my eyes, the path just ended. In its place was dense, untrodden forest, as if the trail had never been there.Confused, I checked my map and compass. According to them, I was on the right path, but there was no trail. I walked around, trying to find where it continued, but there was nothing.I decided to backtrack, thinking I'd taken a wrong turn. But as I returned to where I came from, the trail behind me had also vanished. I was surrounded by uncharted wilderness.Panic set in. I was well-prepared but being lost in an unfamiliar part of the forest was unnerving. I tried calling for help, but there was no signal.As I tried to find my way out, I noticed something eerie – the forest was silent. No birds, no insects, nothing. It was like stepping into another world.After hours of wandering, I somehow stumbled back onto the trail. It appeared as suddenly as it had disappeared, in an area I had passed several times.Exhausted and bewildered, I hurried back to my starting point. The trail was normal again, as if nothing had happened.I later learned that there are legends about that forest – stories of paths that appear and disappear, leading travelers astray. Some say it's the work of protective spirits.I still hike, but I avoid that trail now. That experience showed me there are things in nature we can't understand or control. - LostHiker98
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45. The Crying Child
Hi Reddit, I'm a park ranger and I've encountered many strange things, but one incident stands out. It happened during a routine patrol in a remote area of the park.As I was walking, I heard what sounded like a child crying. It was faint, but clear. Concerned that a child was lost in the woods, I followed the sound.The crying led me to a dense part of the forest, far from any trails. As I got closer, the crying became louder, more distressed.When I reached the spot, I found nothing. No child, no signs of anyone having been there. The crying had stopped, leaving only silence.I searched the area, calling out and listening for any response. There was none. It was as if the child had vanished, but the sound was too real to be imagined.As I left, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and unease. The forest seemed to mourn, the trees whispering in the wind.Back at the station, I reported the incident. We conducted a search, but found no evidence of a child ever being there.Some of my colleagues believe it was the spirit of a child who got lost in the woods years ago. Their body was never found, and their cries are still heard.I don't know what to believe, but I can't forget the sound of that crying. It haunts me, a reminder of the mysteries hidden in the wilderness. - RangerSoul
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46. The Whispering Winds
Hey there Reddit, I'm an outdoor enthusiast and I've had my fair share of adventures, but there's one experience that still gives me chills. It happened on a solo camping trip in a secluded mountain area.Everything was perfect – clear skies, a gentle breeze, and a breathtaking view. I set up camp near the edge of a cliff, looking forward to a peaceful night under the stars.As the sun set, a strange wind picked up. It wasn't cold or harsh, but it carried whispers. At first, I thought it was just the sound of the wind through the trees.But then I realized the whispers were forming words, though I couldn't understand them. They seemed to be calling out to me, beckoning me towards the edge of the cliff.I felt a strange compulsion to walk closer to the edge. The whispers grew louder, more insistent. I had to use all my willpower to resist the urge.Frightened, I retreated to my tent, but the whispering winds surrounded me, enveloping my tent in an eerie cacophony of unintelligible voices.I barely slept that night, the whispers haunting me. They seemed to be trying to communicate something, but I couldn't decipher their message.As dawn broke, the wind died down and the whispers stopped. The world was peaceful again, as if nothing had happened.I packed up quickly and left. On my way back, I met an old local who told me about the 'Whispering Winds.' According to legend, they carry the voices of those lost in the mountains.He said that sometimes, they try to lure the living to join them. It was a chilling thought, one that made my experience even more unsettling.Since then, I've been careful about where I camp. The mountains hold many secrets, some of which are better left alone.I still love the outdoors, but that night taught me to respect the forces of nature, seen and unseen. - MountainWhispers
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47. The Forgotten Cabin
Hi Reddit, I'm an avid explorer of old structures, and I stumbled upon something bizarre in the woods. It was an old, seemingly forgotten cabin.The cabin was hidden deep in the forest, off any beaten path. Its aged wood and moss-covered roof suggested it had been abandoned for decades.As I approached, an uneasy feeling washed over me. The air felt heavier, and a faint, unplaceable odor lingered around the cabin.Inside, the cabin was remarkably preserved. Dust-covered furniture, old photographs on the walls, and a table set as if waiting for its occupants to return.What struck me most was a journal on the table. It belonged to someone named Elias, dated back to the early 1900s. The entries were normal at first, but then they changed.Elias wrote about seeing figures in the forest, shadowy apparitions that watched the cabin. His writing became frantic, filled with fear and paranoia.The last entry was the most disturbing. It read, "They're not shadows. They're real. And they're coming for me." The writing ended abruptly.As I read, the cabin's atmosphere shifted. The air grew colder, and I felt like I was being watched. I heard faint whispers, though I was alone.I decided to leave, but as I turned to go, I saw movement outside the window. A fleeting shadow, too quick to be real, but it chilled me to the bone.I left the cabin in a hurry, the feeling of being watched persisting until I was well away from it. Looking back, the cabin seemed to vanish, obscured by the dense forest.I've tried to find the cabin again, but it's as if it disappeared. No map marks its location, and no local lore speaks of it.That experience haunts me. The cabin's sudden appearance and disappearance, the journal's chilling entries, and the shadows I can't explain.It's a mystery I doubt I'll ever solve. But it's a stark reminder that some places are best left undiscovered, holding secrets not meant for the living.So, that's my story. Believe it or not, but be careful when you explore the unknown. You might find more than you bargained for. - CabinExplorer
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48. The Circle of Stones
Hey Reddit, I'm a geology student and hobbyist hiker. I encountered something on a hike that I can't quite explain. It was a circle of stones in a remote part of the woods.The circle was large, with each stone standing taller than a person. They were arranged perfectly, and the ground inside the circle was bare, contrasting the surrounding vegetation.As a geology enthusiast, I was intrigued. The stones didn't match the geological profile of the area. They seemed... out of place, almost alien.I decided to step inside the circle. As soon as I did, the air felt different, static-like. My skin prickled, and a sense of unease washed over me.In the center of the circle, I found a small, weathered statue. It was crudely carved, resembling a figure with no distinct features. Its presence felt ominous.Suddenly, the wind picked up, swirling around the circle. The leaves outside the stones rustled violently, but inside the circle, it was eerily calm.I heard whispers, like many voices speaking at once. I couldn't make out any words, but it felt like they were beckoning me, urging me to stay.Frightened, I stepped out of the circle. Instantly, the wind stopped, and the whispers ceased. The normal sounds of the forest returned, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted.I looked back at the circle and saw shadows moving between the stones. I blinked, and they were gone. It was as if the forest itself was warning me away.I hurried back to the trail, glancing over my shoulder. The circle seemed to watch me leave, the stones like silent sentinels guarding a forbidden secret.Researching later, I found no records or mentions of such a structure in the area. It was as if I was the first, or perhaps the only, person to have found it.I've been back to those woods, but I've never found the circle again. It's like it vanished, or perhaps it was never meant to be found again.That experience left me with many questions and a newfound respect for the mysteries of nature. There are ancient things in this world, hidden and powerful.So, that's my story. A geologist's encounter with the unexplainable. The woods hold secrets, and some are not meant to be uncovered. - StoneCircleHiker
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49. The Shadow Deer
Hi Reddit, I'm a wildlife photographer. I've captured many animals in their natural habitats, but there's one encounter that stands apart. It was with a deer, or so I thought at first.I was in a secluded forest, known for its diverse wildlife. As I was setting up my camera, I saw a deer in the distance. It was a magnificent creature, but there was something off about it.Its coat was darker than any deer I'd ever seen, almost absorbing the light around it. Its eyes were a deep, glowing red, unlike any animal's.Intrigued, I began to take photos. The deer seemed aware of me but unafraid. It moved with an unnatural grace, almost like it was gliding.As I followed it with my lens, it suddenly stopped and looked directly at me. A chill ran down my spine. It felt like it was peering into my soul.The forest around us grew unnaturally quiet. The deer's gaze never wavered, its red eyes glowing more intensely. I felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the deer vanished. One moment it was there, and the next, it was gone, as if it had melted into the shadows.I looked through the photos I had taken, but the deer wasn't in any of them. It was as if it had never been there, yet I knew what I had seen.I asked around in the nearby town, and an old local told me about the 'shadow deer,' a creature of legend said to be a guardian of the forest.According to him, it appears only to those it deems worthy, or to those it warns away. Its presence is a sign that the forest is alive, watching.I've returned to that forest many times, hoping to see the shadow deer again, but it remains my one and only encounter.That experience changed how I view wildlife and nature. It reminded me that there are mysteries out there, beyond our understanding.So, that's my story. It's something that I still think about, a reminder that the natural world holds wonders and enigmas.Whether it was a trick of light or something more, I can't say. But in the depths of the forest, I encountered a mystery that defies explanation. - ShadowDeerPhotographer
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50. The Timeless Camp
Hello Reddit, I'm a history buff and amateur archaeologist. I had an encounter in the woods that I still can't fully explain. It involved an old campsite.I was exploring a forest known for historical remnants from the colonial era. Deep in the woods, I stumbled upon a campsite. It looked centuries old but strangely preserved.The campsite had a fire pit with charred wood that looked recent. Old-fashioned cooking utensils and a rusted musket lay nearby. It was like stepping back in time.As I examined the items, I felt a strange sensation, as if the air around me was vibrating. The forest became eerily silent, and a dense fog began to roll in.Through the fog, I saw figures moving around the campsite. They were dressed in colonial attire, going about tasks as if living in a different era.I hid behind a tree, watching in disbelief. The figures seemed oblivious to my presence. It was like watching a scene from the past, playing out in front of me.Then, one of the figures, a man, turned and looked directly at me. Our eyes met, and he seemed just as surprised to see me as I was to see him.In that moment, the fog thickened, obscuring my view. When it cleared, the campsite was gone, replaced by undisturbed forest floor.I searched the area but found no trace of the campsite or the figures. It was as if they had vanished into thin air.Confused, I returned to the town and researched the history. I discovered that a militia group had camped in that forest during a battle in the 1700s.The locals had legends about the forest, tales of time slips and ghostly sightings. They believed the forest held onto moments from the past.I've been back to the forest many times, trying to find the campsite again, but it's never reappeared. That experience has left me questioning the nature of time and history.So, that's my story. It's a historical puzzle that I encountered firsthand, blurring the lines between past and present.Whether it was a glimpse through time or a figment of my imagination, I can't say. But in those woods, I touched a piece of history that felt all too real. - TimeTravelerCamping
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51. The Lantern Light
Hey there Reddit, I'm an avid night hiker, and I've got a tale that still sends shivers down my spine. It's about an encounter with a mysterious lantern light in the woods.I was hiking a familiar trail one night under a new moon. The darkness was almost complete, save for my headlamp and the stars above.As I walked, I noticed a light in the distance. It was a soft, glowing lantern, moving slowly through the trees. It was odd, as it was late and not a popular time for hikers.Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to follow the light. As I got closer, it seemed to move away, always staying just out of clear view.I followed the light for what seemed like hours. It led me deeper into the forest, away from any known trail. The deeper I went, the more I felt like I was being drawn in by the light.Suddenly, the light stopped. I approached cautiously, finding an old lantern on the ground, its light flickering. There was no one around, no footprints or signs of someone having been there.As I reached for the lantern, a chill ran through me. The forest around me felt alive, watching. The air was still, heavy with anticipation.I picked up the lantern, and at that moment, the light went out. Darkness enveloped me, and I felt a presence, as if someone was standing right beside me.I turned on my headlamp, but it flickered and died. In the darkness, I heard whispers, unintelligible but distinctly human.Panicked, I dropped the lantern and fumbled for my spare light. When it turned on, the forest was normal again. The lantern was gone, and the oppressive feeling had lifted.I hurried back to the trail and made my way home, constantly looking over my shoulder. The experience left me rattled.Researching later, I found stories of a lantern-carrying ghost in those woods, a lost traveler who guides or misleads hikers.I've hiked at night since then, but never on that trail. That night made me realize that some things in the woods are beyond our understanding.So, that's my story. It's a chilling reminder that the woods at night hold mysteries that might be best left alone. - NightHikerTales
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52. The Whispering Grove
Hello Reddit, I'm a nature enthusiast with a penchant for quiet, secluded spots. I discovered a place in the woods, which I've come to call the Whispering Grove.This grove was deep in a forest rarely tread by hikers. The trees were ancient, their branches forming a canopy that seemed to absorb sound.The first time I entered the grove, the air changed. It was cooler, and there was a soft, almost inaudible whispering coming from all around.Intrigued, I visited the grove several times. Each visit, the whispers grew slightly louder, a chorus of indecipherable murmurs.One day, the whispers became clear enough to understand. They spoke of old times, secrets the forest held, tales of love, tragedy, and ancient history.I began to record these whispers, trying to piece together the stories. They spoke of a time long before the forest was known to our maps.One particular story caught my attention. the tale of a lost traveler who found solace in the grove but could never leave, bound by some unseen force.The more I listened, the more uneasy I became. The whispers seemed aware of me, their tone shifting to something more pleading, almost warning.I realized the grove wasn't just a place; it was an entity, a guardian of memories, holding onto the spirits that had passed through its realm.The last time I visited, the whispers grew intense, urging me to leave and never return. It felt like a protective gesture, not a threat.As I left, I looked back to see the grove's trees swaying without wind, their leaves whispering a soft farewell. I knew then I wouldn't come back.I've since researched the area but found nothing about the grove in history books or local legends. It's as if it exists in its own time, unseen by most.That experience has stayed with me. I often think about the stories shared in those whispers, a library of lives lived and lost.So, that's the story of the Whispering Grove. A reminder that nature holds more mysteries than we can fathom, and some are best left undiscovered. - NatureWhisperer
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53. The Fading Campfire
Hi Reddit, I'm a solo camper, and I've had my share of eerie experiences. But one stands out. the story of a fading campfire I came across deep in the woods.I was setting up camp one evening when I noticed a faint glow beyond the trees. Curious, I decided to investigate, thinking perhaps another camper was nearby.As I approached, I saw an old, weathered campsite with a fire that seemed to burn low, yet never extinguish. It was surrounded by abandoned camping gear.The scene was unsettling – the gear was old, possibly decades old, and the fire burned with an unnatural, bluish hue. There was no sign of whoever set up the camp.I called out, but the only response was the echo of my voice. The air around the campsite was cold, and a sense of melancholy hung heavy.Drawn in by curiosity, I sat near the fire. Its warmth felt surreal, like it was radiating from another time.As I sat there, the flames flickered and images appeared within them – scenes of people sitting around the fire, laughing, telling stories, but their faces were blurred, their voices hushed.I reached out to the fire, and as I did, the images vanished, and the fire dimmed to embers, then died completely, plunging the area into darkness.I hurried back to my campsite, feeling like I had intruded on something sacred, a remnant of a past unknown.The next morning, I returned to the spot, but there was nothing there. No fire pit, no gear, just undisturbed forest floor.I've since tried to find that campsite again, but it's as if it never existed. No one I've spoken to has ever seen or heard of it.I believe I stumbled upon a moment frozen in time, a snapshot of joy and companionship long gone, replaying its final moments.That night changed my perception of the wilderness. It's a reminder of the fleeting nature of our existence and the enduring memories we leave behind.So, that's my story of the fading campfire. A ghostly reminder that in the woods, you might cross paths with echoes of the past. - LoneCamper
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54. The Lost Melody
Hey Reddit, I'm a musician and nature lover. I want to share a mysterious experience I had in the woods, involving a haunting melody.I was on a solo hike, enjoying the solitude, when I heard a faint music. It sounded like a violin, playing a melody both beautiful and sad.Intrigued, I followed the sound, which led me deeper into the forest. The melody grew louder, more captivating with each step.Eventually, I came upon a small clearing. The music was louder here, but I couldn't see anyone playing. The sound seemed to come from the trees themselves.I sat down, mesmerized by the melody. It was as if the music was telling a story, a tale of loss and longing, resonating with the soul of the forest.As I listened, the world around me faded away. I was lost in the music, feeling a connection to something ancient and timeless.But suddenly, the melody stopped, and I was jolted back to reality. The forest was silent, the magic gone. I felt a profound sense of loss.I searched the clearing, hoping to find the source of the music, but there was nothing – no instrument, no sign of anyone having been there.I returned to that spot many times, hoping to hear the melody again, but it never returned. It was as if the forest had shared a secret with me, a fleeting gift.I later learned from locals about a legend of a musician who got lost in those woods long ago. It's said their spirit still plays, mourning their unfulfilled dreams.Whether it was a ghost, the forest's spirit, or just my imagination, that melody has stayed with me. It inspired some of my music, capturing the emotions it evoked.That experience deepened my connection with nature. It was a reminder of the unseen depths and mysteries that lie in the wild.So, that's my story of the lost melody in the woods. A haunting encounter that blurred the lines between reality and the mystical.It's a memory I cherish, a reminder of the beauty and sadness intertwined in nature's song. - MelodicHiker
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55. The Guardian of the Glen
Hello Reddit, I'm a botanist and an avid hiker. My story is about an encounter in a secluded glen that I still can't fully explain.I was studying rare plant species in a remote area, known for its pristine natural beauty. Deep in the woods, I found a hidden glen, surrounded by towering trees.The glen was vibrant, full of life. But as I stepped into it, I felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. It was as if I had entered a different realm.The air was tinged with a subtle, electric charge. The plants and flowers seemed more vivid, almost glowing. It was unnervingly beautiful.In the heart of the glen stood a massive oak tree. Its presence was commanding, and it felt ancient, like a sentinel watching over the land.As I approached the tree, I felt a resonating energy, a sense of being observed. The forest around me was eerily silent, as if waiting for something.Then, I saw it – a figure, or what seemed like one, manifesting beside the oak. It was made of light and shadows, indistinct yet unmistakably humanoid.The figure radiated a powerful aura, neither threatening nor welcoming. It felt like a guardian, protecting something sacred.I stood there, mesmerized. The figure seemed to communicate without words, imparting a sense of ancient wisdom and a warning to tread lightly.After a moment that felt like an eternity, the figure faded away, and the glen returned to normal, the spell broken.I left the glen with a profound sense of respect and awe. I had entered as a scientist but left feeling like a pilgrim who had witnessed something divine.I've visited the glen several times since, but the guardian never reappeared. However, the sense of magic and mystery remains.That encounter has changed the way I view nature. It's a reminder that there are forces and entities beyond our understanding, guardians of the natural world.So, that's the story of the Guardian of the Glen. A glimpse into the unseen world that exists alongside ours, in the heart of the wild. - BotanistExplorer
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56. The Bridge to Nowhere
Hey Reddit, I'm an urban explorer with a love for finding hidden places. I want to tell you about a bridge I found in the woods, a bridge that led to nowhere.I was exploring an old forest trail when I came across an old, ornate bridge spanning a dry riverbed. It was out of place in the wilderness, forgotten by time.The bridge was covered in ivy and moss, its stone carvings worn by the elements. Curious, I decided to cross it, wondering where it might lead.As I walked across, a dense fog rolled in, enveloping the bridge. It was disorienting, and the air turned cold.Halfway across, I heard a sound behind me. Turning around, I saw that the entrance to the bridge had disappeared, shrouded in fog.Feeling a rising sense of panic, I hurried to the other side, only to find it led to a dense thicket, impassable and wild.The fog seemed to thicken, and in it, I saw shapes moving, shadows that danced just beyond my sight, whispering in a language I couldn't understand.I retraced my steps, hoping to find the way back. But the bridge seemed to stretch on endlessly, the exit always just out of reach.Just when I thought I was lost, the fog lifted. I was standing at the entrance of the bridge, the path behind me clear.I looked back at the bridge, and it seemed ordinary again, just an old structure in the woods. But the feeling of otherworldliness lingered.I've been back to that forest, but I've never found the bridge again. It's as if it existed only for that moment, a portal to a place beyond.That experience left me with a sense of wonder and unease. It's a reminder that there are mysteries hidden in our world, bridges to the unknown.So, that's my story of the Bridge to Nowhere. A journey to a place that defied logic, a reminder that reality is stranger than we think.Whether it was a trick of the mind or something more, I can't say. But in those woods, I found a path to the extraordinary. - UrbanExplorerMystic
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57. The Echoing Cliff
Hi Reddit, I'm an avid climber, and I've scaled many cliffs, but there's one that stands out. I call it the Echoing Cliff, a place that defies explanation.It's a sheer cliff in a remote area, known for its challenging ascent. The first time I climbed it, everything was normal. But as I reached the top, things changed.At the summit, I heard my name being called. It was a faint echo, coming from the cliff itself. I was alone, so hearing my name was startling.The voice sounded like my late father's. I was taken aback, as he had taught me climbing. It felt like he was there, guiding me.The next few times I climbed, the same thing happened. But the voice began to share advice, words of encouragement, and warnings.Once, the voice warned me of a loose rock. I heeded the warning, and it likely saved me from a bad fall. It was as if the cliff was watching over me.I started to research the cliff's history and found stories about climbers who heard voices. Some believed the cliff was haunted, others thought it was a guardian.The local legend spoke of a climber who fell to his death, his spirit bound to the cliff, watching over climbers and guiding them.I'm a skeptic, but I can't deny what I experienced. Each climb felt like a communion with something beyond the physical world.The last time I climbed the Echoing Cliff, the voice said goodbye. It was a peaceful, final farewell. Since then, I've never heard it again.Climbing the cliff now feels different. It's quieter, more solemn. I miss the voice, but I feel grateful for the guidance it provided.The Echoing Cliff remains a mystery. Whether it was my mind playing tricks, a ghost, or something else, it left a profound impact on me.That cliff taught me that there are things in this world we can't explain. It's a reminder to listen, not just to the world around us but also to what lies within.So, that's my story. It's more than just a climbing tale; it's an experience that blurred the lines between reality and the supernatural. - CliffEchoClimber
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58. The Lantern Festival
Hey Reddit, I'm a cultural enthusiast and love participating in local traditions. I want to share an experience I had with a mysterious lantern festival in the woods.I was visiting a small village known for its annual lantern festival. Locals spoke of a special night when lanterns lit up a path in the forest, leading to an ancient celebration site.Intrigued, I joined the festival. As night fell, hundreds of lanterns illuminated a trail into the woods. It was mesmerizing, like walking into a fairy tale.The deeper we went into the forest, the more surreal it became. The trees seemed to move, their branches swaying rhythmically to an unheard melody.We reached a clearing where the lanterns formed a spiral pattern. In the center, there was a stone altar, covered in more lanterns and old symbols.The villagers began a dance around the altar, their movements synchronized and almost hypnotic. I felt compelled to join, drawn in by the energy.As we danced, the lanterns' light grew brighter, and the forest seemed to come alive. The air was filled with the scent of old pines and a sound like distant chimes.Suddenly, the lanterns soared into the sky, creating a whirlwind of lights. The sight was breathtaking, like witnessing a celestial event.But as quickly as it began, the lanterns extinguished, plunging us into darkness. A profound silence fell over the clearing.When light returned, the forest was normal again, the stone altar empty. The villagers acted as if nothing unusual had happened, but I couldn't shake the feeling of awe.I asked about the significance of the ritual, but answers were vague. It was a tradition, they said, as old as the village itself, a way to honor the spirits of the forest.I've attended many festivals since, but none compare to the lantern festival in the woods. It was a blend of culture, mystery, and something inexplicably magical.That night stays with me, a vivid memory of dancing under a sky of lanterns, surrounded by the ancient whispers of the forest.So, that's my story of the lantern festival. A night when the boundary between our world and something else grew thin, revealing wonders beyond imagination. - CulturalWanderer
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59. The Midnight Orchard
Hello Reddit, I'm a hobbyist astronomer and often venture into the woods at night for clearer skies. I want to share a peculiar experience involving a hidden orchard I found.One clear night, I ventured deeper into the forest than usual. The trees thinned, and I stumbled upon an old orchard, its existence unknown to me before.The orchard was eerie in the moonlight, with rows of gnarled apple trees and a sweet, intoxicating aroma. It felt untouched by time, a secret haven.I set up my telescope among the trees. The night sky was breathtaking from the orchard, with stars and constellations vividly visible.As I observed the stars, a soft melody filled the air. It was a gentle, haunting tune, coming from within the orchard. I couldn't find its source.The melody had a hypnotic quality. I found myself wandering between the apple trees, drawn by the music, my telescope forgotten.I reached the center of the orchard, where an ancient tree stood, its branches heavy with luminous, golden apples unlike any I'd seen.The music was louder here, and the tree seemed to pulse with a soft glow. I felt compelled to pick an apple, the fruit warm in my hand.As I bit into the apple, the world around me shifted. The night sky exploded into a kaleidoscope of colors, the stars dancing in unison to the melody.I don't know how long I was in that trance-like state. When I came to, it was dawn, and the orchard was just a normal grove in daylight.I returned to the spot many times, but the golden apples and the haunting melody were gone. It was as if that night was a fleeting glimpse into another world.I still ponder that experience. Was it a dream? A hidden magic in the forest? Or perhaps a convergence of some unknown cosmic energy?That night in the Midnight Orchard changed how I see the night sky. It's a canvas for not just celestial beauty but also for the mysteries of our world.So, that's my story. A reminder that sometimes, in our pursuit of the stars, we find enchantment in the shadows of the earth. - StarryNightWanderer
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60. The Stone Sentinel
Hi Reddit, I'm an amateur geologist and I've always been fascinated by rock formations. I encountered something in the woods that still puzzles me. a stone sentinel.On a hiking trip, I discovered a towering stone structure deep in the forest. It was unlike any natural formation I'd seen, almost resembling a humanoid figure.The stone sentinel stood in a small clearing, its surface weathered by time. It had an imposing presence, as if guarding the forest.Each time I visited, I noticed different carvings on its surface – symbols that appeared ancient, possibly of a lost civilization or unknown culture.One evening, I decided to observe the sentinel during sunset. As the light faded, the carvings seemed to shift, creating different patterns.The forest grew silent, and the air around the sentinel became charged with energy. It felt like the stone was alive, resonating with an unseen force.Suddenly, the ground trembled lightly, and a soft, low hum emanated from the sentinel. The carvings glowed faintly, illuminating the clearing.I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to the earth, as if the sentinel was communicating through vibrations and light.As quickly as it began, the phenomenon ceased. The sentinel returned to its inert state, the carvings no longer glowing.I've researched extensively but found no records or legends about the sentinel. It remains a mystery, a silent guardian of forgotten stories.I continue to visit, hoping to witness the strange event again. The stone sentinel has become a symbol of the untold history that lies hidden in nature.That experience has deepened my appreciation for the mysteries of the natural world. It's a reminder that there are wonders beyond our understanding.So, that's the tale of the Stone Sentinel. A journey into the heart of the forest that uncovered a connection to something ancient and profound.Whether it's a natural phenomenon or something more mystical, the sentinel stands as a testament to the mysteries that our world holds. - RockWhisperer
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61. The Forgotten Trail
Hey Reddit, I'm an outdoor enthusiast who loves exploring unknown trails. I found a trail that vanished as mysteriously as it appeared, which I call the Forgotten Trail.This trail was hidden behind dense foliage, seemingly untouched. Intrigued, I followed it, the path winding deeper into the woods.The trail was beautiful, flanked by vibrant wildflowers and ancient trees. But as I walked, a feeling of being out of place washed over me.I came across relics along the path – old camping gear, a rusted bicycle, items that looked like they'd been there for ages, yet the trail seemed new.The deeper I ventured, the more relics I found. It was like walking through different eras, a timeline of forgotten journeys.Eventually, the trail led to a clearing with a small, derelict cabin. It looked as if it had been abandoned for decades, a snapshot of a bygone era.Inside the cabin, everything was preserved – an open book on a table, a jacket on a chair, a life suddenly halted and left behind.As I explored, the air grew colder, and I felt a presence, as if someone or something was watching me from the shadows.I decided to head back, but when I turned to leave, the trail was gone. In its place was dense, impassable undergrowth.Panicked, I tried to retrace my steps, but everything looked different. The relics, the cabin, the trail itself had vanished.After hours of wandering, I finally found my way back to familiar territory. But the experience left me shaken.I've tried to find the Forgotten Trail again, but it's as if it never existed. No map marks it, and no local legends speak of it.That journey made me realize that some paths are not meant to be followed, harboring secrets of times and stories best left undisturbed.So, that's my story of the Forgotten Trail. A reminder that in the heart of the wilderness, there are mysteries that defy explanation and paths that lead to the unknown. - TrailSeeker
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62. The Vanishing Cabin
Hi Reddit, I'm an adventure blogger, and I've come across many oddities in my travels. But there's one experience that still baffles me. the vanishing cabin.Deep in a remote forest, I found a rustic cabin. It looked old but well-maintained, hidden away as if forgotten by time.As I approached, the cabin had an inviting warmth. Smoke rose from the chimney, and light glowed from the windows. It seemed lived in.I knocked, but there was no answer. Curious, I opened the door. The cabin was cozy inside, with a fire burning in the fireplace and dinner set on the table.There were no signs of inhabitants, though. It was as if they had just stepped out. Personal belongings were scattered around, adding to the mystery.I explored the cabin, finding old photographs and journals. They told stories of a family who lived here decades ago, but there was nothing recent.As night fell, I decided to stay, unsettled by the idea of leaving the warm cabin for the dark, cold forest.That night, I heard sounds – footsteps, laughter, the clinking of dishes. It was as if the cabin came alive, echoing with the lives of its past occupants.In the morning, everything changed. The cabin looked abandoned and dilapidated, cobwebs everywhere, no sign of last night's warmth.Confused, I stepped outside, and when I turned back, the cabin was gone. In its place was just an overgrown clearing.I searched the area, but there was no trace of the cabin. It was as if it had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the memories of its existence.I've tried to find it again on several trips, but it's like searching for a ghost. The vanishing cabin remains one of my unsolved mysteries.That experience haunts me. It's a reminder that some places are more than they seem, perhaps bridging the gap between the past and the present.So, that's my story. Whether it was a trick of the mind or something more, I'll never know. But in those woods, I found a place out of time. - AdventureBlogger42
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63. The Moonlit River
Hello Reddit, I'm an amateur astronomer and a lover of night skies. I want to share a surreal experience I had by a river in the woods, under the light of a full moon.I was in a secluded area, perfect for stargazing. A river ran through the forest, its waters glimmering under the moonlight, creating a serene atmosphere.As I set up my telescope, I noticed something unusual. The river seemed to flow in an unnatural pattern, swirling in ways that defied the current.Intrigued, I walked along the riverbank. The air was filled with a faint, melodious sound, like the river was singing.The further I walked, the more luminous the river became. It was as if the moonlight was concentrated on its surface, bathing everything in a silver glow.I reached a bend in the river where the water formed a whirlpool. In the center, a misty figure seemed to emerge, made of water and light.The figure was ethereal, a woman made of moonlit water. She danced in the whirlpool, her movements graceful and fluid.I was mesmerized by the sight. The figure seemed aware of me, her dance an invitation to join her under the moon.As I stepped closer, the figure reached out to me. I hesitated, and at that moment, the spell was broken. The figure dissipated into mist.The river returned to normal, its luminous quality gone. The night was silent again, the magical melody faded away.I've returned to that spot many times, hoping to see the moonlit figure again. But the river has remained just a river, beautiful but ordinary.That experience by the moonlit river was a glimpse into the extraordinary. It made me wonder about the mysteries hidden in nature, waiting to be revealed.So, that's my story. A night of wonder and mystery, a reminder that sometimes, the most magical moments are fleeting and unexplained.Whether it was a trick of the light or something more, that night by the river stays with me, a magical memory in the moonlight. - StarryRiverWatcher
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64. The Whispering Woods
Hey Reddit, I'm an avid hiker and have explored many trails. But there's one forest I call the Whispering Woods, where I had an experience that still mystifies me.The woods were known for their dense foliage and eerie silence. The first time I walked through them, I noticed a faint whispering sound.At first, I thought it was just the wind. But as I continued, the whispering became clearer. It sounded like multiple voices, softly speaking in a language I couldn't understand.The further I went, the louder the whispers grew. They seemed to be coming from the trees themselves, echoing around me.I reached a clearing, and the whispering stopped abruptly. The silence was overwhelming. I felt like I was being watched.As I stood there, the air grew colder, and a dense fog rolled in. Shapes began to form in the fog, like shadowy figures moving around me.I felt a touch on my shoulder and spun around, but there was nothing there. The sense of an unseen presence was unnerving.I hurried back towards the path, but the forest seemed to have changed. I was disoriented, the familiar trail now unfamiliar.Eventually, I found my way out of the forest. When I looked back, the fog was gone, and the woods seemed normal again.I've returned to the Whispering Woods several times, but the whispering has never occurred again. It's as if the forest revealed a secret to me, just once.I did some research and found old legends about the forest. They spoke of spirits that guarded the woods, communicating with those who ventured deep enough.That experience has stayed with me. It's a reminder that there are mysteries in nature that we may never fully understand.So, that's my story. Whether it was my imagination or something more, the Whispering Woods showed me a hidden side of nature.It's a tale I often recount, a reminder of the enigmatic and mystical elements that exist in the wilderness. - HikingSoul
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65. The Shadow in the Glade
Hello Reddit, I'm a wildlife enthusiast with a passion for remote, natural settings. My story revolves around a chilling encounter in a secluded glade.I often venture into a particular forest for wildlife photography. One day, deep within, I found a hidden glade that seemed untouched by time.The glade was eerily beautiful, with a small pond reflecting the sunlight through the canopy. The air was still, the environment serene.As I set up my camera, I noticed a dark figure watching me from the opposite side of the glade. It was obscured by shadows, making it hard to identify.Curiosity piqued, I tried to get a closer look. However, as I approached, the figure receded, blending seamlessly into the shadows.I returned to my spot, feeling a bit unnerved. The forest, usually alive with the sounds of wildlife, was unusually quiet, adding to the eeriness.Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the shadow again, closer this time. It was a human-like form, but its edges were blurry, almost smoke-like.I pointed my camera at it, but when I looked through the lens, there was nothing there. Yet, when I looked directly, the shadowy figure was clearly visible.Feeling a mix of fear and fascination, I decided to wait and observe. The figure remained still, just beyond the tree line, watching me.As the sun began to set, the figure faded with the diminishing light. The normal sounds of the forest returned, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted.I packed up and left, glancing back only to see the glade bathed in the last light of the day, the figure gone.I've revisited the glade several times but never saw the figure again. It's as if it was a guardian of the glade, a transient shadow in the woods.That encounter in the glade was both unsettling and intriguing. It's a reminder that the natural world holds more mysteries than we realize.So, that's my tale of the shadow in the glade. A brief glimpse into the unknown that lingers in the back of my mind on every hike. - NatureMystic
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66. The Frozen Lake
Hi Reddit, I'm an outdoor explorer and I've had my fair share of strange experiences, but one that stands out is the time I found a frozen lake in the middle of summer.I was hiking in a mountainous region known for its hot summers. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a lake completely frozen over.The lake was surrounded by a dense forest, and the air around it was noticeably colder. It was an unnatural phenomenon given the season.Intrigued, I approached the lake. The ice was clear and solid, and I could see fish suspended motionlessly beneath the surface.As I walked around the lake, I noticed strange symbols etched into the ice. They formed a circle around the lake, like a protective barrier.I reached out to touch the ice, and as I did, a cold gust of wind swept across the lake, creating a haunting, melodic sound.The symbols on the ice started to glow faintly. I felt a sense of unease, as if I was disturbing something sacred.Suddenly, the air warmed, and the ice began to crack and melt rapidly. Within minutes, the lake transformed from a frozen wonder to its natural summer state.As the last of the ice melted, the symbols disappeared, and the wind died down. The lake looked as if it had never been frozen.I sat by the lake for a while, trying to make sense of what I'd witnessed. It was as if the lake had briefly shown me a glimpse of another time or reality.I've returned to the area since, but the lake has always been as it should be in summer. unfrozen and teeming with life.The experience at the frozen lake left me with more questions than answers. It was a reminder of the unexplained phenomena that exist in our world.So, that's my story of the frozen lake. A moment where the natural order was upended, leaving a lasting impression on me.Whether it was an environmental anomaly or something more mystical, I'll probably never know. But it's an experience I'll never forget. - FrozenLakeExplorer
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67. The Enchanted Grove
Hi Reddit, I'm a botany student and an avid nature lover. I want to share a story about an enchanted grove I discovered during my field research.Deep in a dense forest, I stumbled upon a small grove. It was distinct, with vibrant flowers and a variety of exotic plants that shouldn't have been able to coexist.The grove had a surreal beauty. The air shimmered with a subtle glow, and the scent of flowers was almost intoxicating.Intrigued, I decided to study the grove more closely. The plants seemed to thrive in harmony, creating an ecosystem unlike anything I'd seen.During my visits, I noticed that the grove seemed to change slightly each time. New flowers would appear, and the arrangement of plants would subtly shift.One evening, as the sun set, the grove began to glow more brightly. It was as if the plants were emitting light, bathing the grove in a soft luminescence.As I marveled at the sight, I heard a faint melody. It seemed to come from the heart of the grove, a harmonious blend of sounds that was both calming and eerie.I ventured deeper, drawn by the melody. The center of the grove was a clearing with a small pond, its waters reflecting the glowing light.The melody grew louder near the pond. I saw ripples form patterns on the water's surface, aligning with the rhythm of the music.Overwhelmed by the beauty, I sat by the pond for hours, entranced. The grove felt alive, almost conscious, and I felt a deep connection to it.As dawn approached, the glow faded, and the melody ceased. The grove returned to its daytime state, still beautiful but lacking the nocturnal magic.I've returned many times, but that night's phenomena never repeated. The grove remains a place of mystery and wonder.That experience in the enchanted grove has stayed with me. It's a reminder of the unseen magic in nature, hidden away from the ordinary world.So, that's my story. Whether it was a rare natural phenomenon or something more mystical, the enchanted grove was a glimpse into nature's hidden beauty. - BotanyWanderer
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68. The Forgotten Orchard
Hello Reddit, I'm a landscape photographer with a love for discovering hidden natural beauties. I want to share my encounter with a forgotten orchard deep in the forest.While exploring a rarely visited part of the woods, I stumbled upon an old orchard. It was overgrown and seemed untouched for years, a relic of a bygone era.The trees were heavy with fruit, yet there was a sense of desolation. The orchard felt like it was waiting, frozen in time.Intrigued, I set up my camera. The light filtering through the trees cast an ethereal glow on the fruit-laden branches.As I photographed, I noticed something peculiar. The trees seemed to move ever so slightly, not from the wind but as if they were breathing.The air in the orchard was heavy with an unspoken narrative. It felt like the trees were trying to communicate, whispering secrets of the past.In the center of the orchard was an ancient tree, larger than the rest. Its bark was etched with symbols that looked centuries old.I approached the tree, and the atmosphere changed. The light dimmed, and the air grew colder. A feeling of melancholy washed over me.I touched the tree, and images flooded my mind – visions of people gathering in the orchard, laughter, music, and then abandonment and solitude.Overwhelmed, I stepped back. The visions faded, and the orchard returned to its serene state. But the feeling of sadness lingered.I packed up my equipment and left, feeling like I had intruded on a private, sacred space. The orchard's mystery stayed with me.I've tried to find the orchard again, but it seems to have vanished, as if it only existed for that brief moment in time.The experience in the forgotten orchard was haunting. It was a reminder of the transient nature of life and the enduring memories of places.So, that's my tale of the forgotten orchard. A hauntingly beautiful place that revealed its past and then slipped away, like a ghost in the forest. - LensOfTheWild
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69. The Misty Trail
Hi Reddit, I'm an outdoor guide, and I've hiked many trails. But there's one trail, shrouded in mist, that holds a mysterious allure.This trail winds through a dense forest, often enveloped in a thick, white mist that seems to appear out of nowhere.The first time I walked this trail, the mist felt alive, moving and swirling around me as if it had a mind of its own.As I ventured deeper, the mist thickened, obscuring the path. The forest became a labyrinth, trees and paths shifting and changing.The sounds of the forest were muted, replaced by a soft, echoing chorus that seemed to come from the mist itself.I felt disoriented but strangely calm. The mist guided me, leading me through the forest with gentle nudges and whispers.Eventually, I emerged into a clearing, where the mist formed shapes and figures, dancing and twisting in a silent ballet.I watched, fascinated. The figures seemed to tell a story, a tale of the forest and its ancient history, revealed through the mist.As quickly as it appeared, the mist dissipated, leaving the clearing bathed in sunlight, the figures gone as if they were never there.I tried to retrace my steps, but the trail was different now, changed by the mist's passage.I've walked the misty trail many times since, each journey unique. The mist never behaves the same way twice.I've come to see the mist as a guardian of the forest, a mystical entity that protects its secrets and guides those who respect its power.So, that's my story of the misty trail. It's a path of wonder and mystery, where the forest reveals its magic to those who walk with care.Whether it's a natural phenomenon or something more, the misty trail is a reminder of the enchantment that lies in the wild, waiting to be discovered. - TrailMystic
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70. The Singing Stones
Hey Reddit, I'm an amateur geologist with a fascination for unique rock formations. I encountered something extraordinary in the mountains. the singing stones.In a secluded mountain range, I found a circle of large stones. They were arranged in a precise pattern, each stone towering over me.The stones were unlike any geological formations I'd seen. They had a smooth, almost polished surface, with faint, intricate carvings.As I examined them, I noticed a low, harmonic humming coming from the stones. It was a subtle vibration, but it resonated through the ground.Intrigued, I touched one of the stones. The humming intensified, and the stone felt warm, pulsating with energy.I moved from stone to stone, and each emitted a different tone. Together, they created a symphony, a melody that seemed ancient and significant.The sound filled the air, echoing off the mountains. It was mesmerizing, and I felt as if the stones were communicating with each other – and with me.As the sun began to set, the stones glowed faintly, their carvings shimmering in the twilight. The humming grew louder, more profound.I sat among them, enveloped in the music. It felt like a sacred ritual, a connection to something timeless.Eventually, the humming faded, and the stones grew cold. The magic of the moment was gone, leaving me in silent awe.I've returned to the singing stones many times, but they've never hummed again. It's as if they chose to reveal their secret to me just once.The experience with the singing stones has deepened my appreciation for the mysteries of nature. It was a reminder of the unseen forces that shape our world.So, that's my story. Whether it was a geological anomaly or something more mystical, the singing stones were a marvel that defies explanation.The memory of their melody stays with me, a haunting reminder of the wonders hidden in the natural world. - RockHarmonySeeker
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71. The Timeless River
Hi Reddit, I'm an environmental scientist, and I've studied many ecosystems. But one river I found in the deep woods left me questioning everything I know about nature.This river was hidden away, flowing through a dense, ancient forest. Its waters were crystal clear, reflecting the surrounding flora with perfect clarity.As I conducted my research, I noticed something peculiar. The river seemed to flow both forwards and backwards simultaneously.The water's movement was hypnotic, defying the laws of physics. Fish swam in both directions, unperturbed by the river's strange behavior.I collected water samples, but the tests showed nothing unusual. The river's composition was normal, yet its flow was anything but.One day, while observing the river, I saw images in the water. They were like reflections of different times – past, present, and future – all converging in the river.The images showed people and animals I'd never seen, scenes of life and history that seemed to belong to another world.As I reached out to touch the water, the images vanished. The river returned to its normal state, its mystical quality gone.I've spent countless hours trying to understand the phenomenon. Was it a trick of light and reflection, or something more profound?The timeless river challenged my scientific beliefs. It was a natural wonder that defied explanation, a mystery wrapped in the flow of water.I continue to visit the river, hoping to glimpse its secrets again. But it remains a normal river, its moment of magic a fleeting memory.That experience has stayed with me, a reminder that there are things in nature we may never fully understand.So, that's my tale of the timeless river. A journey into the heart of the woods that revealed a river flowing through time.Whether it was an environmental anomaly or something more mystical, the river was a testament to the mysteries that lie hidden in our world. - EcoMystic
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72. The Invisible Bridge
Hi Reddit, I'm an adventure seeker always on the lookout for hidden gems. My story is about an invisible bridge I encountered deep in the forest.While trekking through a dense forest, I stumbled upon a wide chasm. According to my map, there should have been a bridge, but it was nowhere to be seen.As I pondered the discrepancy, I noticed subtle distortions in the air across the chasm. It was as if heatwaves were rising from an invisible surface.Intrigued, I threw a small rock towards where the bridge should have been. To my astonishment, the rock bounced off an unseen structure.Gingerly, I extended my foot over the chasm, finding solid ground where it seemed there should be none. The bridge was there, but completely invisible.Heart racing, I stepped onto the bridge. Each step felt surreal, walking on what appeared to be thin air high above the forest floor.Halfway across, I paused, looking down through my transparent path. Below, the forest stretched out, a tapestry of green untouched by this anomaly.Reaching the other side, I looked back. The bridge remained invisible, its presence only hinted at by the disturbance in the air.I spent hours examining the area, trying to understand the phenomenon. Was it a trick of light, a natural cloaking effect, or something more?Despite numerous return visits, I never again experienced the bridge in its invisible state. It was as if the forest had momentarily revealed a secret, then concealed it again.This encounter has haunted me. It challenges my understanding of reality and the mysteries hidden in nature.I've shared my story with fellow hikers, but few believe it. To them, it's a fantasy, but to me, it's a vivid memory of an unexplainable experience.So, that's the tale of the invisible bridge. A bridge that was there, yet not there, a paradox lying in the heart of the wilderness.Whether it was a natural wonder or a glimpse into something supernatural, it remains one of my most profound outdoor experiences. - PhantomPathfinder
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73. The Secret Garden
Hello Reddit, I'm an amateur historian with a love for exploring old, forgotten places. My story is about a secret garden I discovered hidden in the ruins of an ancient estate.While researching the history of a centuries-old estate, I found a reference to a garden that was said to hold rare and exotic plants, a personal retreat for the estate's owners.Intrigued, I ventured to the remains of the estate. Most of it was in ruins, overtaken by the forest, but as I explored, I stumbled upon a hidden pathway.The path led me through a dense thicket, and to my surprise, it opened into a secluded garden. The garden was overgrown but still held traces of its former glory.Statues, partially covered in moss and vines, lined the garden, and despite the overgrowth, the layout was still discernible – a labyrinth of plants and flowers.Walking through the garden, I felt as though I had stepped back in time. The air was filled with the fragrance of old roses and herbs, a whisper of the past.In the center of the garden was a fountain, dry now, but once the centerpiece. Around it, the plants seemed to grow more densely, as if guarding something.As the sun began to set, the garden took on a magical quality. Shadows played among the statues, and the air grew cooler, almost as if the garden was coming to life.I sat by the fountain, surrounded by this hidden piece of history. The garden felt like a secret kept from the world, a private sanctuary lost in time.Night fell, and with it came a serene peace. The garden under the moonlight was a sight to behold, ethereal and otherworldly.I left the garden reluctantly, marking the path so I could return. But when I tried to find it again, the path had vanished, as if the garden had closed its doors to me.The secret garden remains a mystery. I've searched for it since, but it's as if it only existed for that one evening, a fleeting glimpse into a forgotten world.That experience has stayed with me. It was a reminder of the hidden beauty and secrets that lie waiting to be discovered in our world.So, that's my story of the secret garden. A place of beauty and mystery, a hidden gem lost to time but found for a moment in the ruins. - HistoryExplorer
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74. The Cursed Woods
Hi Reddit, I'm a local folklore enthusiast, and I've always been drawn to the tales of the supernatural. One such tale is of the Cursed Woods near my hometown.The woods have a reputation for strange occurrences. People talk of eerie sounds, sudden fogs, and an unsettling feeling of being watched.Despite the warnings, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to venture into these woods to see for myself.As I walked through the dense forest, the atmosphere felt oppressive. The deeper I went, the more disorienting the woods became.The trees seemed to twist and turn, creating labyrinthine paths. It wasn't long before I realized I was lost, with no sense of direction.I heard whispers around me, voices that seemed to come from the trees. They were unintelligible, but their tone was menacing.The air grew colder, and a thick mist began to envelop me. Shapes moved in the fog, just beyond my line of sight, elusive and shadowy.Panic set in. I tried to retrace my steps, but the landscape seemed to change, constantly shifting and leading me further astray.Night fell, and the woods grew even more sinister. The whispering intensified, and I felt a presence, as if something malevolent was lurking in the shadows.In a stroke of luck or perhaps a brief lifting of the curse, I found my way back to the edge of the woods. Relief washed over me as I stepped out of the forest.Looking back, the woods appeared normal, but the feeling of dread lingered. It was as if the forest itself was alive, aware of my presence.Since that night, I've stayed clear of the Cursed Woods. The experience was too unsettling, a brush with something beyond the realm of the normal.That journey into the Cursed Woods was a stark reminder of the power of folklore and the mysteries that can hide in plain sight.So, that's my tale. Whether it was just my imagination fueled by local legends or something truly supernatural, the Cursed Woods left an indelible mark on me. - FolkloreFanatic
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75. The Whispering River
Hello Reddit, I'm a kayaker and nature enthusiast. I encountered something extraordinary on a river that locals call the Whispering River.This river was known for its calm waters and scenic beauty. But as I paddled down it, I began to hear faint whispers echoing over the water.The whispers seemed to be coming from the river itself. They were soft and rhythmic, blending with the sound of the flowing water.Intrigued, I stopped paddling and just listened. The whispers grew clearer, almost as if the river was speaking to me in a language I couldn't comprehend.As I drifted, the scenery around me began to change subtly. The trees seemed older, the air fresher, as if I had paddled into the past.I reached a bend where the whispers were the strongest. Here, the river glowed faintly, illuminated by an unknown source.The water around my kayak swirled gently, forming patterns that resonated with the whispers. It was mesmerizing and slightly unnerving.I felt a connection to the river, a sense of ancient stories and secrets flowing with its waters.But as I rounded the bend, the whispering stopped, and the river returned to normal. The magical glow disappeared, leaving me in the quiet of the present.I paddled back, trying to make sense of what I'd experienced. Was it a natural phenomenon or something more mystical?Since that day, I've returned to the Whispering River many times, but it's never whispered to me again. It remains a normal, beautiful river.That encounter has stayed with me, a reminder of the mysteries that can lie beneath the surface of the natural world.So, that's my story of the Whispering River. A journey on tranquil waters that whispered the echoes of an unseen world.Whether it was a trick of my imagination or a glimpse into something profound, it's an experience I'll always remember. - KayakWhisperer
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76. The Lantern Woods
Hi Reddit, I'm an avid night hiker and a lover of all things mysterious. I want to share an experience I had in a place I call the Lantern Woods.These woods are known for their nocturnal beauty. One night, while hiking, I noticed something unusual. lanterns hanging from the trees.The lanterns were old-fashioned, emitting a soft, warm glow that lit up the path. It was as if they were guiding me deeper into the woods.I followed the lantern-lit path, captivated by the surreal beauty. The light created shadows that danced on the forest floor.The deeper I went, the more lanterns appeared. They varied in size and shape, each adding to the enchanting ambiance.In the heart of the woods, I found a clearing. Here, the lanterns gathered, forming a canopy of light above a small pond.The scene was magical, like something out of a fairy tale. The pond's surface reflected the lanterns, creating a mirror image of the glowing sky.I sat by the pond, basking in the tranquil atmosphere. The lanterns swayed gently, casting a mesmerizing spell of light and shadow.After a while, I noticed the lanterns beginning to dim, one by one. The magic of the moment was fading.As the last lantern went out, the woods were plunged into darkness. The enchanting atmosphere was replaced by the stillness of the night.I used my flashlight to find my way back. The path seemed different now, less inviting without the lanterns' glow.I've revisited the Lantern Woods many times since, but the lanterns never reappeared. It was as if that night was a singular event, a fleeting glimpse into a mystical world.That experience in the Lantern Woods was enchanting. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most magical moments are those that are unexpected and ephemeral.So, that's my tale of the Lantern Woods. A night hike that led me to a hidden spectacle of light, a memory that continues to illuminate my adventures. - NocturnalHiker
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77. The Whispering Willows
Hi Reddit, I'm an avid birdwatcher and nature lover. My story is about the Whispering Willows, a mysterious section of the woods known for its eerie atmosphere.The Whispering Willows were a grove of tall, slender willow trees. Their branches swayed gracefully, even when there was no wind.The first time I entered the grove, I heard soft whispers. It was like the trees were speaking to each other, their leaves rustling with secrets.Each visit to the grove heightened the experience. The whispers grew clearer, though I could never quite understand what was being said.One evening, the whispers led me to a hidden clearing within the grove. In the center was an old stone well, overgrown with vines.I approached the well and peered inside. The whispers seemed to emanate from its depths, echoing up in a chorus of hushed voices.As I listened, the air around me grew colder, and the willows seemed to lean in closer, as if urging me to listen.I felt a gentle tug at my sleeve, like a child's touch, but when I looked, there was nothing there. The sensation was unsettling yet oddly comforting.The next time I visited, I brought a recorder to capture the whispers. But upon playback, there was only silence, as if the willows refused to share their secrets.I continued my visits, drawn by the mystery. Each time, the grove revealed something new—a hidden bird's nest, an unknown flower, a fleeting glimpse of woodland creatures.One day, I found the well sealed with a stone slab. The whispers were gone, and the willows stood silent, their magic seemingly vanished.Since then, the Whispering Willows have been just another quiet part of the forest. But the memory of their whispers lingers with me.My experience in the Whispering Willows was a reminder of the subtle magic hidden in nature, often overlooked but always present.So, that's the story of the Whispering Willows. A place where nature spoke in hushed tones, a secret kept by the willows. - BirdsongListener
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78. The Enigmatic Meadow
Hello Reddit, I'm a landscape painter with a deep appreciation for nature's beauty. I want to share my experience with an enigmatic meadow that seemed to exist out of time.On a painting excursion, I stumbled upon a secluded meadow. It was surrounded by dense forest, and the sunlight there had a surreal, almost ethereal quality.The meadow was filled with wildflowers of vibrant colors, some of which I had never seen before. It was like stepping into a living canvas.As I set up my easel, I noticed something unusual. The shadows cast by the trees moved independently of the sun, creating a dynamic landscape that changed by the minute.Intrigued, I began to paint, trying to capture the meadow's unique essence. But my paintings couldn't capture the surreal atmosphere; the colors seemed to shift on the canvas.The air in the meadow felt charged, humming with an energy that I couldn't explain. It was both invigorating and unnerving.At the center of the meadow was an ancient oak tree. Its presence was commanding, and it seemed to be the source of the meadow's unusual energy.I approached the tree, feeling a magnetic pull. The ground around it vibrated softly, and the air shimmered with a faint, golden light.Touching the tree, I felt a rush of emotions and images, as if the tree was sharing its centuries of existence with me in a fleeting moment.Overwhelmed, I stepped back. The meadow returned to normal, the shadows aligning with the sun, the colors stabilizing.I left the meadow with an unfinished painting, but the experience stayed with me, a haunting reminder of nature's mysteries.I've tried to find the meadow again, but it seems to have vanished, as elusive as the shifting shadows I witnessed.The enigmatic meadow was a glimpse into the unknown, a place where nature defied the rules, leaving a lasting impression on my artist's soul.So, that's the story of my encounter with the enigmatic meadow. A place of surreal beauty and mystery, forever captured in my memories, but lost to the canvas. - PainterOfShadows
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79. The Hidden Waterfall
Hey Reddit, I'm a nature blogger who loves exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. My story is about a hidden waterfall I discovered in a remote part of the forest.I had heard rumors of a waterfall that wasn't on any map, said to be the most beautiful and secluded in the region.After days of trekking through dense woods, I found it. Tucked away in a narrow valley, the waterfall was a breathtaking sight, cascading into a crystal-clear pool.The area around the waterfall was like a small paradise, with lush vegetation and vibrant flowers. The sound of the water was soothing, a natural melody.As I approached the pool, I noticed that the water had a unique luminescence. It shimmered with colors that changed from blue to green to silver.I dipped my hand in the water. It was surprisingly warm and had a strange, almost electric feeling to it.Sitting by the waterfall, I felt a profound sense of peace. It was as if this place was cut off from the rest of the world, a hidden sanctuary.I spent hours there, entranced by the beauty and serenity. The waterfall seemed to have a timeless quality, untouched by the outside world.As the sun began to set, the waterfall glowed with a golden light. The sight was magical, like something out of a fairy tale.Reluctantly, I left the waterfall as darkness fell. Finding my way back through the forest in the night was challenging, but the memory of the waterfall guided me.I've tried to find the waterfall again, but it's as if it disappeared. No paths lead to it, and the dense forest keeps its secrets well.The hidden waterfall remains one of my most cherished discoveries. It's a reminder of the wonders that lie waiting in the wild.So, that's my story of the hidden waterfall. A place of enchanting beauty and tranquility, a treasure concealed by nature itself.Whether it was a trick of the light or a fleeting glimpse into a hidden world, that waterfall was a moment of pure wonder and awe. - NatureNomad
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80. The Echoing Mountain
Hello Reddit, I'm an avid mountaineer with a fascination for the mysteries of nature. My story is about the Echoing Mountain, a place where sound behaves in an extraordinary way.Located in a remote region, this mountain is known for its unique acoustic phenomena. Sounds here echo with unusual clarity and can be heard over great distances.On my ascent, I experienced this first-hand. My footsteps and breathing echoed back to me as if amplified, creating an eerie symphony of sounds.The higher I climbed, the more intense the echoes became. It felt like the mountain was alive, responding to my every move.At the summit, the effect was astonishing. I shouted, and my voice echoed back from multiple directions, creating a cascading wall of sound.I spent hours experimenting with different sounds. The mountain seemed to play with the echoes, altering their pitch and intensity.As the sun set, the echoes took on a haunting quality. The mountain whispered back my words, transforming them into something otherworldly.That night, under the stars, the Echoing Mountain was a concert hall of natural sound. It was both beautiful and unsettling.The descent the next day was a quiet, reflective journey. The echoes faded as I left the summit, but their memory lingered.I've climbed many mountains since, but none have matched the mysterious allure of the Echoing Mountain. It's a place where nature's voice is amplified.Some say the mountain is sacred, a place where the earth speaks. Others believe it's a natural wonder, a quirk of the landscape.To me, the Echoing Mountain is a reminder of the awe-inspiring power of nature, a place where sound bridges the gap between the earthly and the ethereal.So, that's my tale of the Echoing Mountain. A journey into a world where sound takes on a life of its own, echoing the mysteries of the wild.Whether it's a natural phenomenon or something more mystical, the mountain's echoes are a symphony of nature's grandeur. - MountainEchoExplorer
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81. The Valley of Shadows
Hi Reddit, I'm an outdoor enthusiast and a lover of all things mysterious. I want to share an experience I had in the Valley of Shadows, a place that seems to defy reality.The valley is nestled between two towering cliffs. It's always shrouded in a thick mist that obscures visibility and gives it a ghostly appearance.I ventured into the valley on a foggy morning. The mist was so dense that it felt like walking through a cloud.As I walked, I noticed that my shadow was behaving strangely. It moved independently, stretching and twisting in unnatural ways.The deeper I went into the valley, the more disorienting it became. Sounds were muffled, and my sense of direction was skewed.I saw other shadows moving in the mist, detached from any source. They glided silently, sometimes merging with my own.The atmosphere was surreal, like being in another dimension. The mist seemed to play tricks with the light, creating illusions and phantoms.I found myself in a clearing where the mist thinned. Here, the shadows danced around me, forming patterns on the ground.I reached out to touch one, and it felt cold, almost tangible. It was a sensation I couldn't explain, as if the shadow had substance.As I left the clearing, the mist enveloped me again. The shadows faded back into the fog, their silent ballet ending.Exiting the valley, the world returned to normal. The mist dissipated, and my shadow returned to its usual behavior.The Valley of Shadows left an indelible impression on me. It's a place where the boundaries of reality seem blurred, a realm of silent watchers.So, that's my story of the Valley of Shadows. A journey into a world where shadows live and dance, a testament to the mysteries hidden in nature.Whether it was a trick of the mist or something more profound, the valley was a place of enigma and wonder, a whisper of the unknown. - ShadowValleyWanderer
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82. The Lost Grove of Time
Hi Reddit, I'm an environmental scientist with a fascination for unexplained natural phenomena. My story is about the Lost Grove of Time, a place I encountered deep in the wilderness.I stumbled upon this grove while conducting a field study. It was a small, secluded area, surrounded by ancient trees and dense underbrush.The atmosphere in the grove was peculiar. Time seemed to move differently there, with the light changing as if hours were passing in minutes.Intrigued, I set up some equipment to monitor environmental conditions. But the data was erratic, showing fluctuations that defied logical explanation.As I observed the grove, I noticed that plants and flowers would bloom and wither at an accelerated rate, cycles of life and death unfolding rapidly.One evening, the grove's air shimmered with a strange energy. The trees swayed without wind, and the ground vibrated with a low hum.I felt a sense of disorientation, as if I was losing my grip on the present. The grove seemed to exist in a state of temporal flux.That night, under the stars, the grove was ethereal. Shadows moved independently, and the sounds of the forest were distorted, as if coming from another time.I continued my study, fascinated by this anomaly. The grove was like a window to another dimension, a nexus of unexplained temporal phenomena.One day, I arrived to find the grove gone. In its place was just a clearing, no different from the rest of the forest.I searched for any trace of the Lost Grove of Time, but it was as if it had never existed. My equipment showed no record of the strange data previously collected.The experience has haunted me. It was a reminder of how little we understand about the natural world and the mysteries it holds.So, that's my story of the Lost Grove of Time. A place where the boundaries of time seemed blurred, a natural enigma that defies explanation.Whether it was a trick of perception or a true anomaly, the grove remains one of the most intriguing mysteries I've ever encountered. - TimelessNature
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83. The Midnight Orchard Part 2
Hello Reddit, I'm a folklore researcher with a keen interest in local legends. My story is about the Midnight Orchard, a place steeped in mystery and old tales.The Midnight Orchard was said to appear only on moonless nights, hidden deep within an ancient forest. It was rumored to be enchanted, bearing fruits that granted strange visions.One moonless night, driven by curiosity and my love for folklore, I ventured into the forest, guided by the old stories passed down through generations.After hours of wandering, I stumbled upon an orchard. The trees were gnarled and twisted, their branches heavy with luminous, otherworldly fruit.The air was thick with a sweet, intoxicating aroma. The fruits glowed faintly, illuminating the orchard in a ghostly light.I picked a fruit, its skin cool to the touch. Hesitantly, I tasted it. The flavor was indescribable, a blend of sweet and bitter, like nothing I had ever experienced.Suddenly, the orchard shifted around me. Visions flooded my senses – scenes of ancient rituals, forgotten celebrations, and faces long lost to time.I wandered through the orchard, each step revealing more of its secrets. The trees seemed to whisper old tales, their leaves rustling with the voices of the past.The experience was overwhelming, a journey through time and memory. The orchard was alive, a guardian of history and legend.As dawn approached, the orchard began to fade. The trees, the fruits, the whispers – all slowly vanished, leaving me alone in the clearing.I left the forest with more questions than answers. The Midnight Orchard was a riddle, wrapped in the mysteries of folklore and legend.I've returned to the forest many times since, but the orchard remains elusive, appearing only to those it chooses.So, that's my tale of the Midnight Orchard. A place where folklore and reality merge, a hidden corner of the world where legends come alive.Whether it was a dream, a vision, or something more tangible, the Midnight Orchard is a testament to the enduring power of stories and myths. - LegendSeeker
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84. The Crystal Cavern
Hi Reddit, I'm an amateur spelunker and geology enthusiast. I want to share my discovery of the Crystal Cavern, a hidden gem beneath the earth's surface.Deep in the mountains, I found an uncharted cave. Inside, it opened into a vast cavern, illuminated by thousands of glowing crystals.The crystals varied in color and size, casting a kaleidoscope of light on the cavern walls. It was like stepping into a world made of stars.As I explored further, I noticed that the crystals hummed with a gentle vibration. The sound was harmonious, almost musical.The air inside the cavern was crisp and energizing. Each breath felt rejuvenating, as if the crystals were purifying the air.In the heart of the cavern, I found a crystal-clear pool. Its waters reflected the dazzling light show above, creating an otherworldly ambiance.I sat by the pool, mesmerized by the beauty around me. The cavern felt alive, its crystals pulsating with an unseen energy.I stayed for hours, lost in the tranquility of the Crystal Cavern. It was a place of peace and wonder, untouched by the outside world.When I finally left, I felt a profound sense of connection to the earth. The cavern was a natural marvel, a hidden treasure beneath our feet.I've kept the location of the Crystal Cavern a secret, fearing its beauty might be spoiled by the outside world.The memory of the cavern stays with me, a reminder of the earth's hidden wonders and the mysteries that lie below the surface.So, that's my story of the Crystal Cavern. A subterranean wonderland of glowing crystals and harmonious sounds, a hidden sanctuary of natural beauty.Whether it was a geological anomaly or something more mystical, the cavern was a magical escape from the ordinary, a glimpse into the earth's hidden heart.The Crystal Cavern remains one of my most cherished discoveries, a secret world of beauty and serenity, a testament to the earth's unexplored mysteries. - CavernExplorer
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85. The Phantom Meadow
Hello Reddit, I'm a conservationist and nature writer. I want to tell you about the Phantom Meadow, a mysterious place that I encountered in the highlands.The Phantom Meadow was rumored to appear only at dawn during the summer solstice. It was said to be a place of otherworldly beauty.Driven by curiosity, I camped near the supposed location on the eve of the solstice. As dawn approached, a mist descended over the highlands.As the sun rose, the mist cleared, revealing a stunning meadow filled with rare wildflowers. It was a riot of colors, a spectacle of nature's artistry.The meadow was serene, with a gentle breeze carrying the sweet scent of flowers. It felt otherworldly, a hidden paradise in the midst of the wild.I walked through the meadow, marveling at its beauty. The flowers seemed to have a luminous quality, glowing softly in the morning light.As I explored, I noticed that the meadow's layout changed subtly. Paths would appear and disappear, and flower patches would shift places.I felt a sense of timelessness in the Phantom Meadow. It was as if the meadow existed in a realm of its own, untouched by the outside world.As the sun rose higher, the meadow began to fade. The colors dulled, and the flowers wilted, vanishing before my eyes.By mid-morning, the Phantom Meadow was gone, leaving behind the rugged, ordinary highland terrain.The experience was surreal, like witnessing a natural miracle. The meadow was a fleeting glimpse into a hidden world of beauty.I've returned to the highlands every solstice since, but the Phantom Meadow has never reappeared. It remains a beautiful enigma, a memory etched in my mind.So, that's my story of the Phantom Meadow. A place of ephemeral beauty, a natural wonder that appeared for a brief moment in time.Whether it was a trick of light and mist or something more magical, the Phantom Meadow was a reminder of the fleeting yet profound beauty of nature. - HighlandWanderer
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86. The Twilight Grove
Hi Reddit, I'm a nocturnal photographer with a passion for capturing nature's nightscapes. I want to share my experience in the Twilight Grove, a place where night and day seem to converge.The Twilight Grove was hidden deep in a dense forest. It was known among locals for its strange, perpetual twilight, regardless of the actual time of day.As I entered the grove, the light shifted. It was neither day nor night, but a perpetual dusk that bathed everything in a soft, purple hue.The trees in the grove were tall and slender, their leaves shimmering in shades of indigo and violet. It was as if the grove existed in a permanent state of sunset.I set up my camera to capture this unique phenomenon. The colors in the grove were surreal, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.The air was still, and the usual sounds of wildlife were absent. The silence was profound, amplifying the otherworldly atmosphere.As I explored further, I noticed delicate flowers that glowed faintly, illuminating the undergrowth with a gentle luminescence.The deeper I went, the more the twilight deepened. It felt like walking through a dream, a space where time had no meaning.I found a clearing where the twilight was brightest. The light seemed to emanate from the ground, casting an ethereal glow on the surrounding trees.Capturing the Twilight Grove on camera was challenging. The light constantly shifted, blurring the line between day and night.Eventually, I had to leave, but the grove stayed with me. It was a hauntingly beautiful place, a sliver of twilight trapped in the heart of the forest.I've tried to find the Twilight Grove again, but it seems to have vanished, as elusive as the twilight it harbored.So, that's my story of the Twilight Grove. A place where night and day merged into an endless dusk, a hidden jewel of the forest.Whether it was a natural anomaly or something more mystical, the Twilight Grove was a photographer's dream, a fleeting glimpse into a world of perpetual twilight. - NightLens
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87. The Reflection Lake
Hello Reddit, I'm a travel writer specializing in hidden natural wonders. My story is about Reflection Lake, a mysterious body of water with a remarkable property.Nestled in a secluded valley, Reflection Lake was known to very few. Its surface was like a perfect mirror, reflecting the surrounding landscape with stunning clarity.I came upon the lake during a hiking trip. The reflection was so clear it was hard to tell where the water began and the landscape ended.The lake was tranquil, its waters undisturbed. As I walked around it, the reflection changed, revealing different aspects of the valley.I noticed something extraordinary. the reflections in the lake showed not just the present but also fleeting glimpses of the past.Images of ancient trees, long gone, and glimpses of wildlife that had not roamed these lands for centuries appeared on the water's surface.I spent hours watching the reflections, each one a window into a different time. It was like watching the history of the valley unfold.As the sun set, the reflections began to fade. The lake's surface darkened, turning into an ordinary body of water under the night sky.I camped by the lake, hoping to see the phenomenon again. But in the morning, the reflections were normal, showing only the present landscape.Reflection Lake remains one of the most intriguing places I've ever visited. Its ability to reveal the past was both mesmerizing and mysterious.I've written about many natural wonders, but the lake holds a special place in my work. It's a reminder of the mysteries that nature still holds.So, that's my tale of Reflection Lake. A place where the waters held the memory of time, a mirror to the past and present.Whether it was an optical illusion or something more profound, the lake was a unique spectacle, a testament to the wonders of the natural world.The lake left me with more questions than answers, but it was a remarkable experience, a glimpse into the depths of time reflected on the water. - WanderingWordsmith
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88. The Singing Forest
Hi Reddit, I'm a sound engineer with a keen interest in natural acoustics. I'd like to share my experience in the Singing Forest, a place where the trees create music.Nestled in a remote valley, the Singing Forest was known amongst locals for its musical phenomena. The trees here produced sounds that resembled a symphony.Intrigued, I set out with my recording equipment to capture this natural concert. As I entered the forest, a gentle melody greeted me, as if the trees were welcoming a guest.The sound was harmonious, a blend of soft whistles and hums, seemingly coming from the trees themselves. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard.I discovered that the music changed with the wind. Each breeze brought a new melody, the trees swaying in a rhythmic dance.The deeper I ventured, the more complex the symphony became. It was as if each part of the forest had its own tune, contributing to the overall harmony.At the heart of the forest, the melody reached a crescendo. The trees here were older, their sounds deeper and more resonant.I spent hours recording, captivated by the forest's song. It was a natural orchestra, each tree a musician playing its part.As night fell, the melody softened, turning into a lullaby that echoed under the starlit sky. It was a serene, almost spiritual experience.The next morning, I played back my recordings, but they captured only a fraction of the forest's magic. The music was best experienced in its natural setting.The Singing Forest left a lasting impression on me. It was a place where nature spoke through melody, a rare harmony between the wind and the trees.I've shared the recordings with fellow sound enthusiasts, but the true essence of the forest's music remains elusive, preserved only in memory.So, that's my story of the Singing Forest. A place where the trees create music, a symphony of nature that defies explanation.Whether it was an acoustic marvel or something more mystical, the forest's song was a reminder of the wonders that lie hidden in the natural world. - EchoesOfNature
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89. The Moonlit Glade
Hello Reddit, I'm a nature guide and a moonlight enthusiast. My story is about the Moonlit Glade, a mysterious clearing I discovered in the heart of an ancient forest.Known among locals for its mystical properties, the Moonlit Glade was said to be illuminated every full moon night with an unearthly glow.Driven by curiosity, I ventured into the forest on a full moon night. After hours of hiking, I stumbled upon the glade, bathed in a silvery light.The light didn't seem to come from the moon but emanated from the glade itself. The ground was covered in a carpet of luminescent moss and flowers.As I walked through the glade, my footsteps left glowing trails. The plants seemed to respond to my presence, their light intensifying with each step.The air was filled with a soft, melodic hum, adding to the surreal atmosphere. It felt like stepping into a realm of fantasy.In the center of the glade, a small pond reflected the moon and stars, creating a mirror image of the night sky on earth.I sat by the pond, entranced by the beauty around me. Time seemed to stand still in the Moonlit Glade, the outside world a distant memory.As the night progressed, the light began to fade, signaling the approach of dawn. The glade's magic waned, the luminescence dimming with each passing moment.Reluctantly, I left the glade as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the trees. The glade returned to its daytime appearance, an ordinary clearing in the forest.I've returned to the glade many times, but its nocturnal transformation occurs only on full moon nights, a fleeting spectacle of natural wonder.The Moonlit Glade remains one of the most magical places I've ever seen. It's a reminder of the enchanting beauty that nature holds.So, that's my story of the Moonlit Glade. A place where the forest celebrates the full moon, a hidden gem of luminescent beauty.Whether it's a natural phenomenon or something more mystical, the glade under the moonlight was a breathtaking experience, a glimpse into a magical world. - MoonlightWanderer
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90. The Vanishing Trail
Hi Reddit, I'm an adventure writer who specializes in exploring the unknown. My story is about the Vanishing Trail, a path in the woods that has a mind of its own.The trail was rumored to appear and disappear without warning, leading hikers through parts of the forest unseen on any map.One misty morning, I set out to find this elusive trail. After hours of hiking, I came across a narrow, winding path not marked on my map.As I followed the trail, the scenery began to change dramatically. The trees grew taller, and the air felt older, untouched by time.I noticed the path shifting subtly. Landmarks I passed earlier seemed to relocate themselves, making it impossible to backtrack.The further I went, the more disoriented I became. The forest around me felt alive, constantly changing and reshaping the trail.Eventually, the path led me to a clearing with a large, ancient tree at its center. The tree was massive, its branches sprawling across the sky.As I approached the tree, the trail behind me vanished. I was in a part of the forest completely alien to me, isolated and serene.I decided to wait, hoping the trail would reappear. Hours passed, and with them, the forest seemed to breathe and shift.As night fell, the trail reemerged, leading in a new direction. I followed it, emerging hours later in a familiar part of the forest.The experience was surreal, like walking through a living maze. The Vanishing Trail had guided me through a hidden world within the woods.I've tried to find the Vanishing Trail again, but it remains elusive, appearing only to those it chooses and when it chooses.So, that's my story of the Vanishing Trail. A path that defies logic, offering a glimpse into the forest's secret heart.Whether it was a natural anomaly or something more mystical, the trail was an adventure into the unknown, a reminder of the mysteries that lie in the wild. - PathlessTraveler
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91. The Firefly Grove
Hello Reddit, I'm an entomologist with a love for the smaller creatures of nature. My story is about the Firefly Grove, a place where fireflies create a spectacle unlike any other.Located in a remote part of the forest, the grove was famous among locals for its extraordinary firefly displays during certain times of the year.I visited the grove one summer evening. As dusk fell, the air came alive with thousands of fireflies, their lights blinking in a synchronized rhythm.The spectacle was mesmerizing. The fireflies lit up the grove like a constellation, creating patterns of light that danced through the trees.I observed the fireflies closely. Their synchronized flashing was a rare phenomenon, a complex form of communication in the insect world.The light show intensified as the night deepened. It was as if the fireflies were telling a story, each flash a word in their luminous language.The grove was transformed into a magical realm, each firefly a tiny beacon leading into a world of wonder and mystery.As a scientist, I was fascinated by the biological aspect of this display, but as a spectator, I was simply awestruck by its beauty.The performance lasted for hours, a natural orchestra of light and life. It was a reminder of the intricate and beautiful ways of nature.Eventually, the display waned, and the fireflies dispersed, leaving the grove in darkness once more, its brief moment of magic over.I left the grove with a newfound appreciation for these tiny creatures and the remarkable ways they interact with their environment.The Firefly Grove remains one of my most memorable experiences. It's a place where nature's simplicity meets its complexity, creating a spectacle of beauty.So, that's my story of the Firefly Grove. A night where fireflies turned a simple grove into a stage for one of nature's most enchanting shows.Whether it was a unique ecological phenomenon or something more, the grove under the stars was a testament to the wonder of the natural world. - BugLover
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92. The Forgotten Valley
Hi Reddit, I'm an archaeologist with a penchant for exploring lost civilizations. I'd like to share the tale of the Forgotten Valley, a mysterious place I discovered deep in the jungle.Legends spoke of a valley hidden by dense foliage, where the remnants of an ancient civilization lay untouched by time.Driven by these legends, I embarked on an expedition. After days of trekking, I found the valley, shrouded in mist and an eerie silence.The valley was a surreal sight. Overgrown ruins peeked through the vegetation, their architecture unlike any known civilization.As I explored, I encountered intricate carvings on the stone structures. They depicted scenes of daily life, but with a strange, almost otherworldly quality.The deeper I ventured, the more fascinating the discoveries. I found artifacts and relics, preserved perfectly by the valley's isolation.One particular ruin, a temple-like structure, held an air of mystery. Its walls were adorned with symbols that suggested a deep knowledge of astronomy.I spent days documenting the site. The valley seemed frozen in time, a snapshot of a long-forgotten era.Each night, the valley transformed. The ruins glowed faintly under the moonlight, casting long, haunting shadows.My time in the valley felt surreal, like walking through a dream. It was a place out of legend, a forgotten chapter in human history.Eventually, I had to leave, but the valley remained etched in my memory. It was a discovery that challenged our understanding of the past.I've shared my findings with fellow archaeologists, but the valley's exact location remains a closely guarded secret, to protect its untouched beauty.So, that's my story of the Forgotten Valley. A hidden treasure of the jungle, a testament to a lost civilization.Whether it was a mere archaeological site or something more mystical, the valley was a reminder of the mysteries that our world holds. - AncientExplorer
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93. The Enchanted Peak
Hello Reddit, I'm an avid climber and seeker of natural wonders. I want to share my experience with the Enchanted Peak, a mountain with a mystical allure.The Enchanted Peak was known among local climbers for its peculiar phenomena. Climbers spoke of strange lights and unexplained sounds near its summit.Driven by curiosity, I embarked on a journey to conquer the peak. As I ascended, the environment changed dramatically, almost as if entering another realm.At higher altitudes, I began to notice the oddities. The air shimmered with a faint luminescence, and the sounds of the mountain echoed in unnatural ways.The closer I got to the summit, the more intense the phenomena became. The rocks seemed to glow softly, and the wind carried melodic whispers.On reaching the summit, I witnessed a breathtaking sight. The sky above the peak was alive with swirling auroras, casting an ethereal glow on the landscape.The summit was like a place out of time. I felt a deep sense of tranquility, surrounded by the mountain's enigmatic beauty.As night fell, the auroras intensified. I camped there, under a canopy of dancing lights, feeling a profound connection to the natural world.The following morning, the enchantment had vanished. The peak returned to its normal state, the wonders of the night before a distant memory.Descending the mountain, I was left with more questions than answers. The Enchanted Peak was a riddle, wrapped in the mysteries of nature.I've shared my story with fellow climbers, but the peak seems to reveal its secrets only to a few, a guardian of its own enigma.The Enchanted Peak remains one of my most mystical experiences. It was a journey into the unknown, a glimpse into the mountain's hidden heart.So, that's my tale of the Enchanted Peak. A mountain that whispered its secrets under the stars, a symbol of nature's untold wonders.Whether it was a natural spectacle or something more magical, the peak was a reminder of the beauty and mystery that lie in the wild. - SummitMystic
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94. The Mirage Lake
Hi Reddit, I'm an environmental biologist with an interest in unique ecosystems. My story is about the Mirage Lake, a body of water with extraordinary properties.Located in a remote desert, the Mirage Lake was said to appear only during certain times of the year, revealing a hidden oasis amidst the barren landscape.Intrigued, I traveled to the desert, timing my visit to coincide with the rumored appearance of the lake. As I journeyed, the harsh desert seemed unyielding.But, as predicted, a lake emerged on the horizon. It was surreal, a vast expanse of water in the middle of the desert, teeming with life.The lake was crystal clear, with aquatic plants and fish visible from the surface. It was an unexpected burst of life in an otherwise lifeless environment.As I conducted my studies, I noticed something peculiar. The lake had an unusual reflective quality, mirroring the sky and surrounding dunes perfectly.I also observed that the wildlife around the lake was unique. Species here adapted to the lake's sporadic nature, thriving in its brief existence.The most intriguing aspect was the lake's transience. Within a few days, it began to shrink, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.I collected samples and data, hoping to understand this phenomenon. The Mirage Lake was a natural marvel, a fleeting glimpse into an ephemeral ecosystem.As the lake vanished, it left behind a rich, moist soil, a testament to its temporary presence in the arid desert.The Mirage Lake challenged my understanding of desert ecosystems. It was a reminder of nature's resilience and adaptability.I've published my findings, but the lake's mystery remains largely unsolved, a puzzle in the heart of the desert.So, that's my story of the Mirage Lake. A place where water defies the desert, a fleeting oasis that brings life to the barren.Whether it's a rare geological occurrence or something more, the lake was a reminder of the hidden wonders waiting to be discovered in our natural world. - DesertBiologist
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95. The Glowing Grove
Hello Reddit, I'm a horticulturist with a love for rare flora. Let me tell you about the Glowing Grove, a place where plants emit their own light.I stumbled upon this grove while researching bioluminescent plants. Nestled in a secluded forest, the grove was alive with a soft, natural glow.The plants here were extraordinary. At night, they lit up the grove with a spectrum of colors, creating a living, luminous landscape.Each plant had a different hue – blues, greens, purples, and yellows. It was like walking through a botanical aurora.I spent nights documenting these plants, fascinated by their biology. They seemed to communicate through light, a silent language of luminescence.The air in the grove was warm and fragrant. The light from the plants cast surreal shadows, adding to the mystical ambiance.In the heart of the grove was a clearing where the light converged, creating a radiant focal point. It felt like the epicenter of this natural phenomenon.I took samples to study, hoping to unlock the secrets of their glow. The grove was a botanical mystery, a haven of natural light.Each visit revealed new aspects of the grove. The patterns of light changed, suggesting a cycle or rhythm to their glow.The Glowing Grove became a place of wonder for me, a source of endless fascination and inspiration in my botanical research.I've shared my discovery with a few trusted colleagues, but the grove's location remains a closely guarded secret to protect its delicate ecosystem.The grove is a reminder of nature's endless creativity, a showcase of evolutionary ingenuity in the plant kingdom.So, that's the story of the Glowing Grove. A natural wonder where plants shed light in the darkness, a spectacle of living luminescence.Whether it's a marvel of biology or a quirk of nature, the grove is a testament to the beauty and mystery of the natural world. - GreenGlowSeeker
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96. The Whispering Sands
Hi Reddit, I'm an environmental geographer with a deep interest in unique landscapes. My story is about the Whispering Sands, a desert area known for its mysterious acoustic properties.Located in a remote, arid region, the Whispering Sands were said to produce strange, whisper-like sounds that seemed to come from the sand itself.Intrigued by this phenomenon, I set out on an expedition to the desert. The landscape was stark yet beautiful, with endless dunes stretching to the horizon.As I traversed the sands, I began to hear it – a soft murmuring, like hushed conversations carried by the wind.The whispers seemed to surround me, changing in intensity and pitch as I moved. It felt as though the desert was alive, speaking in hushed tones.I conducted various tests, trying to determine the source of the sounds. Theories ranged from the movement of sand grains to echoes of distant winds.The more time I spent in the Whispering Sands, the more the sounds seemed to take on a rhythmic quality, almost like a form of music.At night, the whispers grew louder, creating a haunting soundscape under the starlit sky. The desert felt otherworldly, a vast expanse speaking in a language of its own.I camped in the desert, recording the sounds each night. The experience was mesmerizing, listening to the desert's nocturnal symphony.Despite my research, the true nature of the Whispering Sands remained elusive. It was a mystery wrapped in the silence of the desert.My time in the Whispering Sands changed my perception of deserts. They were no longer just barren landscapes, but places of hidden depth and mystery.I've shared my findings, but the Whispering Sands continue to be a topic of intrigue and speculation among scientists and enthusiasts alike.So, that's my story of the Whispering Sands. A place where the desert seems to speak, a testament to the mysteries that lie in the most unexpected of places.Whether a natural phenomenon or something more, the sands' whispers are a reminder of the unexplored mysteries of our planet. - DesertWhispers
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97. The Eternal Spring
Hello Reddit, I'm a hydrologist with a passion for studying unique water sources. Let me tell you about the Eternal Spring, a spring with seemingly magical properties.Hidden in a dense forest, the Eternal Spring was rumored to flow year-round, regardless of the season, never freezing or drying up.I discovered the spring during a field study. It was a small, crystal-clear pool, fed by a steady stream of water that seemed to come from nowhere.The water was remarkably pure and had a constant temperature, unaffected by the external climate. It was a hydrological anomaly.Surrounding the spring was a vibrant ecosystem. Plants and animals thrived here, drawn to the water's life-sustaining properties.I conducted tests and found the water's composition to be ordinary, yet its source and consistent flow remained a mystery.The locals revered the spring, believing it to be a source of healing and vitality. Its presence had been a constant in their history.I spent days observing and documenting the spring. Its serene beauty and unexplained nature were captivating.The Eternal Spring seemed to have a calming effect on those who visited. Its waters rippled gently, reflecting the surrounding forest in its depths.My research into the spring's properties led to more questions than answers. It was a natural enigma, a source of wonder and speculation.I've returned to the spring many times since, each visit renewing my fascination with this unique water source.The Eternal Spring is a reminder of the mysteries hidden in nature, of wonders that defy our understanding.So, that's my tale of the Eternal Spring. A place where water defies the norms, a symbol of nature's enduring mysteries.Whether a geological marvel or something more mystical, the spring is a testament to the enduring wonders of the natural world. - WaterMystic
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98. The Shadowed Glens
Hi Reddit, I'm a nature photographer with a fondness for capturing the unseen. I'd like to share my experience in the Shadowed Glens, a series of valleys known for their peculiar light phenomena.Nestled in a remote mountain range, the Shadowed Glens were said to be places where shadows behaved in unusual ways, defying the natural laws of light.Intrigued by this phenomenon, I journeyed to the glens with my camera. The scenery was breathtaking, with each valley having its own unique landscape.As I explored the first glen, I noticed the anomaly. Shadows cast by trees and rocks stretched and morphed in ways that seemed impossible.The deeper I ventured into the glens, the more pronounced the phenomena became. Shadows moved independently of their sources, creating a surreal, dreamlike environment.In one valley, the shadows appeared to dance, swaying and twisting in a silent ballet. It was a mesmerizing spectacle, unlike anything I'd ever witnessed.I set up my equipment to capture these shadow plays. The camera lens seemed to reveal even more intricacies in the movement of the shadows.The light in the glens seemed to have a life of its own. At times, it created vivid patterns on the valley floors, like nature's own artwork.As the sun moved across the sky, the character of each glen changed. The interplay of light and shadow transformed the landscapes into ever-changing canvases.I stayed in the glens for several days, each day presenting new wonders. The valleys were like hidden worlds, each with its own secret.My photographs of the Shadowed Glens garnered interest and curiosity. The images captured a phenomenon that many struggled to believe.The glens remain one of my most extraordinary subjects. They challenged my perception of reality and the beauty of the natural world.So, that's my story of the Shadowed Glens. Valleys where shadows and light play by their own rules, creating scenes of unparalleled beauty.Whether a trick of light or something more mystical, the glens were a photographer's dream, a place where the ordinary became extraordinary. - LensOfShadows
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99. The Garden of Whispers
Hello Reddit, I'm a botanist with a deep appreciation for unusual plant life. Let me tell you about the Garden of Whispers, a hidden garden where plants seem to communicate.Located in a secluded spot within a dense forest, the Garden of Whispers was a botanical marvel, filled with a variety of exotic plants and flowers.According to local folklore, the garden was enchanted. The plants within it were believed to whisper to each other, creating a symphony of subtle sounds.As I entered the garden, the air was alive with soft rustling and murmuring. It felt like stepping into a living, breathing entity.The plants in the garden were diverse, some with vibrant colors, others with unique shapes. Each seemed to contribute to the garden's chorus.I spent hours recording and studying the sounds. The whispers varied in pitch and tone, as if each plant had its own voice.In the center of the garden was an ancient tree, its branches sprawling overhead. The whispers seemed to emanate from it, a central conductor to the garden's orchestra.The more time I spent in the garden, the more I felt a connection to it. It was as if the plants were sharing their secrets with me, a silent communication.At night, the garden transformed. The whispers grew louder, and some plants emitted a faint glow, adding to the garden's mystique.I left the garden with samples and recordings, hoping to unlock the mystery of this natural phenomenon.The Garden of Whispers remains a place of intrigue and wonder. It challenges our understanding of plant communication and interaction.I've shared my findings with fellow botanists, but the true nature of the garden's whispers continues to be a subject of speculation and awe.So, that's my tale of the Garden of Whispers. A hidden enclave where plants seem to speak, a testament to the mysteries of the natural world.Whether a natural occurrence or something more, the garden was a reminder of the unexplored wonders and the hidden language of plants. - BotanicalListener
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100. The Frostbound Forest
Hi Reddit, I'm a climatologist with a fascination for extreme weather conditions. My story is about the Frostbound Forest, a woodland area where winter never ends.Located in a region known for its harsh climates, the Frostbound Forest stood out for its perpetual state of winter. Snow and ice covered the landscape year-round.Intrigued by this anomaly, I embarked on an expedition to study the forest. As I entered, a wall of cold hit me, the air crisp and biting.The trees were encased in ice, their branches glistening like crystal sculptures. The snow underfoot was thick, untouched by any signs of spring or summer.I set up instruments to measure temperature and atmospheric conditions. The data was baffling – the forest's microclimate was drastically colder than its surroundings.Exploring further, I found a frozen lake at the heart of the forest. Its surface was smooth and unbroken, reflecting the icy trees like a mirror.Nightfall in the Frostbound Forest was surreal. The moonlight on the snow created a landscape of ethereal beauty, a frozen world locked in time.The extreme cold posed a challenge, but it was worth enduring for the unique phenomena I witnessed. The forest was a living example of nature's adaptability.As I concluded my research, the mystery of the Frostbound Forest deepened. It defied conventional understanding of climate and seasonal change.I left the forest with a sense of awe and countless questions. It was a place where winter reigned supreme, a natural wonder in a world of constant flux.The Frostbound Forest remains a focus of my studies. It's a reminder of the diverse and extraordinary environments that exist on our planet.I've shared my findings with the scientific community, but the forest continues to intrigue and puzzle experts in various fields.So, that's my story of the Frostbound Forest. A place where winter never yields, a testament to the enduring and extreme aspects of nature.Whether it's a unique meteorological occurrence or something more, the forest is a reminder of the endless mysteries and wonders of the natural world. - IceboundExplorer
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101. The Echoing Cliffs
Hello Reddit, I'm a sound artist with an interest in natural acoustics. I'd like to share my experience with the Echoing Cliffs, a coastal area known for its extraordinary echo phenomena.The Echoing Cliffs were located along a rugged coastline. The cliffs were towering and majestic, facing the vast expanse of the ocean.According to local lore, the cliffs could echo sounds in a way that transformed them, creating a chorus of haunting melodies.Armed with recording equipment, I visited the cliffs to capture this acoustic marvel. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was already mesmerizing.As I experimented with different sounds, the cliffs' echo effect became evident. My voice and the noises I made were thrown back in altered forms, creating a symphony of echoes.The most striking phenomenon occurred at sunset. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the echoes intensified, resonating with a clarity that was almost supernatural.The cliffs seemed to sing with the sounds of the ocean, the wind, and my own contributions. It was as if they were alive, responding to the environment.I spent several days recording the cliffs' acoustic wonders. Each day brought new sounds, new variations of the echoing chorus.Listening to the playback of my recordings, I was struck by the beauty and complexity of the cliffs' natural acoustics. It was a symphony crafted by nature itself.The experience at the Echoing Cliffs inspired new sound art projects for me. The cliffs were a source of natural creativity, a muse of sound and echoes.I've shared my recordings with fellow artists and scientists, but experiencing the cliffs firsthand remains unparalleled.The Echoing Cliffs continue to be a place of fascination for me. They're a reminder of the powerful and often overlooked acoustic wonders of nature.So, that's my story of the Echoing Cliffs. A place where nature plays its own music, where sound takes on a life of its own.Whether it's a unique geological feature or something more, the cliffs are a testament to the captivating and mysterious aspects of the natural world. - SoundsofNature
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