The Crater Mountain Sasquatch Legend

By Robert A. Hunt

High upon the peak of Crater Mountain lives a Legend. Something lurks in the wild. It's large and hairy, walking on two legs like a man, but definitely not a man. It's a savage creature... A Sasquatch!
Re-trace the steps of one of history’s mightiest legends, the Sasquatch. Standing a monstrous, fourteen feet tall and weighing nine hundred pounds, Gurchukk finds himself with the responsibility of raising a four year old girl.
At the foot of Crater Mountain, in the little town of Seaton Portage, a new comer, Trevor, with his heart full of hopes and dreams for a new and prosperous life, soon finds himself ensnared in a world of terror and discovery as he fights to survive the mysterious creature of Crater Mountain.
Share the lives and perspectives of some very earthly characters, along with some not so earthly. Immerse yourself in the Sasquatch mythology with the first installment of this incredible tale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert A. Hunt
• Release date: Feb 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301040704

Robert A. Hunt

Robert A. Hunt resides in British Columbia, Canada with his wife and five children. He is the author of the thirteen published titles, including the Genation series, Jasper series and Sasquatch stand alone Legend series and a fun short story. He enjoys writing adventurous tales like science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction They remain unpredictable with new perspectives and clever story twists that distinguish, Robert A. Hunt as an author.

Book preview

Prologue

THE FOLLOWING STORY is a culmination of many short stories, folktale legends, urban myths and local native Sasquatch reported sightings that I’ve personally heard. They originate from the surrounding area where I live (British Columbia Canada). Though the stories haven’t been told together to complete one narrative before, as you’ll read here, they’re no less fascinating and rouse much thought-provoking discussions.

Where is the evidence you ask? Consider the countless tracks and casts found all over the planet. These tracks show striking similarities on every continent which go back centuries. Numerous eyewitness reports have been documented and many are classified. The government has gone to great lengths to cover up crime scenes involving these creatures. If an official government protection policy exists for these living beings, then a Sasquatch must also exist. (The government hasn’t developed a protection policy for unicorns.)

Dr. Grover Krantz of Washington State University detected anatomical features of an injured primate foot in a cast.

Finger print expert; Jimmy Chilcutt from Texas, discovered distinct dermal ridges (finger prints) in some very old casts. These microscopic details revealed healed scar patterns that further confirmed authenticity for the specific tracks that were examined.

The Patterson - Gimlin film is regarded as one of the strongest pieces of evidence for the existence of Sasquatch.

Most native tribes across North America are rich with a history of stories concerning giant hairy folks.

Recordings of sounds (screams and roars, wood knocks and hoots.) have been attributed to Sasquatch. These sounds are distinctly not of any known animals.

Essentially, Sasquatch is described as standing upwards between six to eight feet tall with a large forehead and pronounced brow and a sloping head like a gorilla’s. Covered in brown, blonde, red or black hair it has large padded feet like his namesake and there are rare reports of this creature measuring as tall as fourteen feet.

Stories of Sasquatch existed among the Native Americans long before any European colonists moved in. Versions of Sasquatch ranged from harmless giants, to cannibalistic monsters living on mountain peaks. These stories varied from tribe to tribe and even from family to family, which means the Sasquatch could have gone by many other names.

I enjoyed researching this subject to such a measure, it became an addictive journey. Talking to people in my area alone has proven very rewarding. You can’t tell what stories people carry around until you ask.

Once, a truck driver from the U.S. delivered a truckload of straw to where I worked at the time. He was very upset and pale. While in quite a state of shock he reported seeing a Sasquatch run across the road ahead of him. He said, I didn’t know you actually had these things up here. I thought they were just stories people made up. Look, I don’t expect any of you to believe me. Just know this, I quit! As of right now you’ll never see me haul another truck load of anything to Canada ever again! I’m done!

I continue to be surprised again and again by the legends and old tales. They stir my imagination and speak to a very primal curiosity I have that goes all the way back to my childhood. There is such a rich well-spring of information to tap into and many people are willing to head out in search of evidence to substantiate the existence of Sasquatch.

With so much evidence coming to bear around the world from foot casts, hair, blood and waste samples, it begs the question, What is really going on out there? Is it possible there’s already been proof, like a body, only such similar claims are quickly being covered up before reaching the public? Why? Could something so large exist without being recognized culturally? Is a Sasquatch an undiscovered lifeform?

I hope after you read this book you’ll be encouraged to follow the footprints of your own legend. Who knows what you might unearth for yourself.

-Robert A. Hunt-

Chapter 1

Gurchukk and Tiarrow

HIGH UPON CRATER MOUNTAIN, dislodging rocks and hurtling them down the steep slope, came an eighteen hundred pound Sasquatch. Making his way along a ridge with quick wide strides, his long massive arms swung. At his speed, the chill gentle wind penetrated the long hair covering his body. Such majestic hair was dark brown and silver tipped. With the momentum of his stride, his lengthy hair and beard kept rhythm.

Stumbling for just a moment, he almost over compensated for his top heavy musculature. Husky shoulders measuring six feet across shook the frost free with each powerful step. The muscles at the back of his neck were so developed; it appeared as though he didn’t have a neck at all. Outclassing any human weight-lifter in history, his muscle mass and agility were of a whole other inhuman level.

Stopping quickly, his huge feet dug into the loose rock.

The breeze flowing up the slope carried the scent of evergreens, fresh water, and – something else. Raising his sensitive flat, broad nose, he turned an ear to the wind. Listening, he sniffed.

Yes. His large lips stretched into a grimace. He was close now. Peering down at the valley below, he knew he’d finally catch up with his lifelong enemy, Scabwelt.

Gurchukk looked down at the scars he carried from many previous fierce battles with the wicked grizzly bear. One great scar on his hind leg still acted up every time he thought of the old bear. It had crippled him for many weeks. Most of which was all but impossible to see for it’s hidden under his long dark hair.

Now, it had returned to his kind and ransacked their community. Gurchukk was regarded as the strongest, wisest and most courageous of the clan. ‘Scabwelt thinks he can come and go as he pleases? And just take whatever he wishes? Does he believe himself to be the king of the mountain? Perhaps invincible?’ Gurchukk was no coward when challenged and he was determined to make this, the final battle.

Dark emotions plowed over the tall, hairy hominoid in a wave of red anger.

Sneaking up on the old grizzly, the Sasquatch peered through his long bangs and the bushes with sharp calculating eyes. He saw Scabwelt rear up. It stood twelve feet tall and the shambles of its dark fur had grey patches. Balding stripes streaked its shoulders and head where it was scarred from a long history of trouble making. Through Scabwelt’s unusually long life, he fought enemies of every kind. Usually he won his battles too.

This massive alpha bear carved his mark deep into the bark of an evergreen with four of its eight inch talons. Stopping for just a skeptical moment, it stuck its nose in the air and sniffed. It must’ve caught a hint of the Sasquatch for at that instant it turned and ambled further down the steep slope into the woods.

King of the mountain; Gurchukk, the mighty and bold Sasquatch, snorted.

Slipping down to the flat where Scabwelt’s fresh mark in the trees was, he inspected it. The claws of the old bear were truly sharp and the marks were deep. The tree would bleed its sap from this mark and die before the winter season was through. The first thing the Sasquatch did was scrape the bear’s claw marks from the tree. While using the sharp edge of a rock to obliterate the grizzly’s brand, Gurchukk glanced at his shadow. Dusk was falling and it was time to end this.

Entering the thicker forest of coniferous trees, Gurchukk felt a lucky feeling wash over him. He straightened as much as his curved back would allow. Yes, today was the day. He’d finally be rid of the mischievous old grizzly. Empowered with confidence, he leaped over low bent trees and landed his full eighteen hundred pound body with sharp impacts. Feet thundering down the mountain, he let gravity pull him closer to his long awaited victory. Tramping through the trees to a long waterfall at the edge of a cliff, Gurchukk jumped across. He cleared a twelve foot expanse as the river cascaded to the rocks below. As the Sasquatch soared through the air, he imagined returning to his clan with a hero’s welcome. Chuckling at his own exuberant thought, the wind stroked through his long body hair. Gurchukk felt a keen sense, not only of freedom, but of the spiritual connection between him and the expanse of land around him. The ground shook where he landed on the far side. With a deep huff, he swung his powerful arms and regained his balance.

This was Sasquatch country.

Continuing downhill, slowing his stride and working his way quietly through the bush, the burly creature sniffed the air again. The scent was growing stronger. Looking over a ridge of rock, he found old Scabwelt chewing on the branches of a Saskatoon bush, though it was not yet time for the bush to produce its fruit.

Taking hold of a large rock within the great mitt of his hand, Gurchukk hurtled it through the air like the stone had been launched from a catapult. The rock knocked Scabwelt’s head right to the ground.

Getting up on all fours, shaking dust from his furry head and shoulders, Scabwelt raised his head and noticed the set of angry Sasquatch eyes boring into him. Turning away from making any further eye contact with his fierce attacker, the bear began to amble away but paused with a second thought. He knew what was to happen next, and how unavoidable it would be.

Gurchukk whistled triumphantly. Then he bellowed to make no mistake the danger the grizzly was in.

Wheeling, the old wild bear growled a warning of his own in an angered daze, before he broke into a futile run from Gurchukk.

The bear was very fast, but Gurchukk was faster. Bursting through the thick bush, he pursued Scabwelt as the old bear skirted the edge of a lake that today, is known as Red Bridge Lake.

Moving through the air silently, the Sasquatch cleared the rocky ridge, landing on the flat ground below with a terrible thud.

In the past, he had scared Scabwelt away by chasing after him, but this time it wouldn’t end with mercy. Through the mottled patches of moonlight under the puzzled casted shadows of the forest, Gurchukk gained on Scabwelt. Their blurred reflections mirrored in the clear surface of the lake.

On the far side of the freshwater, bright fires glowed as the delicious aroma of cooked meat wafted over them through the breeze.

Both of the wild adversaries slowed to sniff at the air. Their hungry bellies longed to investigate the source, but neither could forget; they were at war.

When the Sasquatch lunged at Scabwelt, the bear rolled and bucked the hairy behemoth off. The Sasquatch landed on his back and screamed with unbridled rage at the grizzly’s fangs as they flashed above him.

The scene was a primitive battle of wild beasts, recreated from millions of years ago.

The moonlight presented a ghostly scene that was lit in its haunting glow, as the little people pounded their drums, stomped their feet and howled at the evil in their midst. They always performed this way to frighten off any wild animals that lurked in their vicinity. There was no difference between predators of the wild and evil spirits.

Gurchukk rolled onto his haunches and heaved himself upright to face his enemy. Ignoring the crack of a rifle and the sting of arrows, the two exchanged powerful blows. The grizzly relied on his sharp claws mostly, but Gurchukk’s long powerful arms were his advantage. Swinging prevailing punches, Scabwelt wheeled and charged right into the indigenous encampment.

Women and children ran screaming, but the brave men attacked Scabwelt in earnest.

Gurchukk remained behind in the concealment of thick foliage. The fury hide of the great bear collected arrows quickly.

Chaos filled the camp. The women were busy rounding up the children into their huts. One small child ran unaccounted for. The frightened child searched through the chaos of stampeding feet for a place of safety.

Four years of age, this toddler ran right into Gurchukk’s shin. She fell backwards onto her bottom. Blinking her large glossy dark eyes, she strained to see through the night. Looking up at the towering trees, with curiosity and amazement, fear suddenly gripped her as the sway of something larger than the world moved before her. It had life, hairy limbs and piercing red eyes.

In the distance, Gurchukk saw the shadow of a native man thrust a long spear through Scabwelt’s heart, but no one noticed the Sasquatch’s presence, nor the little girl who was with him.

Unable to breathe, the child couldn’t even scream.

Gurchukk was about to back away out of sight when he caught the scent of the child. The aroma filled his sinuses and his mind formulated that the child was female. His nose; finely tuned in the wild, was sensitive to such scents.

Though it was indeed dark, the Sasquatch’s nocturnal eyes could see the little girl perfectly. She had ageless and smooth cinnamon skin with a sensitive, non-threatening innocence in her big brown lucid eyes. At the sides of her head, was jet black hair braided down over her little shoulders. Colourful beads decorated her clothing of skins and furs.

With a swoop of his great arm, Gurchukk snatched up the child and disappeared into the woods. It was more a moment of spontaneity than a choice. Before Gurchukk could process another thought, or make his next decision, the little feminine child was in his arms and he was moving more swiftly than the wind through the deciduous forest of trees.

* * *

The mother of the child came out of her hut calling the little girl’s name. Her appearance was every bit like that of her daughter’s only in adult form. Tiarrow! Tiarrow! Intuitively she knew she’d seen the last of her daughter. Screaming out her daughter’s name, she finally broke down and wept. Gazing into the dark shadows of the forest, all it gave back was silence. Listening more intently, a distant sound, barely discernable, was carried on the wind.

Trees cracked and earth thundered, then the faint scream of her baby girl faded out to the whistling of the wind. Then all grew quiet in her heart… deathly quiet.

* * *

Gurchukk’s heart pounded as loud as a native drum. Carrying the small body of the girl cub in the palms of his hands, the Sasquatch traveled swiftly believing the defensive men of the village were behind him; hunting him. Over the thick wooded lands and through a deep river, the forest giant motored his way up the steep mountainside of Crater Mountain.

For many long hours he journeyed, until finally, at daybreak, they found themselves far up in the hills of the mountains walking on the deep soft moss. Bright yellow flowers were springing up around the few remaining white patches of snow. Little streams of ice melt trickled into the ravines. The wind was so calming and the birds happily sang their morning songs. These things added to the Sasquatch’s comfort. This was his world. He leaned out over the edge of a high cliff and listened for signs of the native’s pursuit, but there was none.

The little girl was frightened and delirious with exhaustion as Gurchukk was. Holding her close to his chest, he gently wrapped his enormous hairy arms around her. It was not long before the little girl was fast asleep in the warmth of the Sasquatch’s body heat and soft hair. He searched the area for a moment before discovering a patch of clover. Here, he made a bed and fell asleep with the girl cub nestled in his massive arms.

* * *

The sun was high in the heavens as they lay basking drowsily in its warmth, until hunger beckoned them to get up. The warm hairy body had left the little girl and a cool breeze swept over her. Awakening, she shivered and to her horror, she saw the colossal Sasquatch squatting a short distance away under a tall evergreen tree. It was staring at her.

It sought shelter from the sun. The face of it was both man-like, and ape-like. Though the Sasquatch had caring eyes, he was horribly hideous and menacingly scary to the little girl. She began to cry and scream for her parents to come and save her. The overbearing presence of the creature felt like it was pressing down on her. Through all of her drama, the Sasquatch just sat and glared at her. In her vulnerability, she froze with fear. All hope of being saved from the massive creature left her.

Finally, after most of the day had passed, the girl was exhausted from stress and fear. Settling down, she still took little infrequent gasps of air. Just looking at one another in a silent moment, the girl wiped the tears from her dirty face. While her eyes never left the monster of monsters, she came to the grim realization; her nightmares had been made real.

More time passed. The aroma of wild lilies in full bloom dispersed their fragrance in the gentle breeze.

The girl sat shivering.

Gurchukk even hungrier now, moved his long, hairy commanding arms.

The girl began to scream and cry

Reviews for The Crater Mountain Sasquatch Legend

[rodraglin · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The Crater Mountain Sasquatch typifies the problem with free and easy self-publishing - anyone can publish anythingI would like to thank Robert A. Hunt for the hard work and commitment he put into this worthy endeavor.This story begins with a sasquatch named Gurchukk doing to battle with a grizzly bear named Skurtchotte to see who will be king of the mountain.The bear and sasquatch begin to fight on the edge of and Indian village. The Indians begin shooting arrows and rifles at them. Skurtchotte is losing and runs into the Indian camp to escape Gurchukk. While the “little people” are killing the bear the Sasquatch in “a moment of spontaneity” before he “could process another thought, or make his next decision” kidnaps a four year old girl.Is this a YA novel? Evidently not. Is the writer a YA? Nope, Robert A. Hunt doesn’t look like a young adult to me though his writing is certainly juvenile.The girl is adopted by the Sasquatch who find “at the very least, she would make a very nice pet.” Chapter two skips ahead fourteen years and introduces a veteran, Trevor McKinnon. He’s read an article in an 1865 newspaper and has come looking for a good spot “to start a prosperous life”. He purchases a homestead, goes hunting and stumbles upon Gurchukk, his wife, baby and “pet” Indian girl in a cave. Gurchukk holds him prisoner. Gradually Trevor becomes a friend of the family.Then the aliens arrive. I got to chapter five before I quit. I kept reading because I couldn’t believe this book could continue to get worse. It did.The Crater Mountain Sasquatch is hardly worthy of a review. As far as suggestions for improvement it would be difficult to know where to start except to say author Robert Hunter needs a great deal of work developing his skills as writer and a storyteller. This is the problem with free and easy self-publishing – anyone can publish anything.What makes this travesty a tragedy is it’s next to impossible to differentiate works like The Crater Mountain Sasquatch from other undiscovered but excellent novels like Not Lost for Lookin’ by Lexi Boeger, War in a Beautiful Country by Patricia Ryan and The Last Bad Job by Colin Dodds.Hopefully, reviews like this one will help.Like anyone else, Hunt could still learn to write better. Writing’s a craft and like any craft it takes lots of practice to get good at it. It’s more than a bit presumptuous to think the first thing you knock off is good enough to publish.Prior to publishing his next work, and I hope he does, I would strongly suggest Hunter take some courses and join an objective critique group. I’d be surprised if he showed The Crater Mountain Sasquatch to any other writers or objective readers for comment before rushing to publish it. By objective I mean persons not in a position of conflict of interest meaning not your family, not your friends.