Does the yeti really exist?

May 14th, 2010  | Comments: 1
Posted in: Fauna, Nature

Yeti Scalp in a box?

(Yeti, meh-teh, “man bear;” ban-manche, “forest-men;” rachyyas, “demons”)

While the greater scientific community largely discounts claims of the Yeti or “abominable snowman’s” existence, the extent of the myth, legends, and accounts of the Yeti abound across the himalaya along the Tibetan border. Many believe that the Yeti is really the himalayan brown bear, which can stand upright and walk like a person. Others suggest that yeti’s are really the large langur monkeys that can be found at high altitudes. Some argue that Yetis are really holy men from Tibet or India living mendicant lives naked in the snow and are mistaken as wild forest men. Scepticism and speculations aside, there have been many reported sighting by locals and climbers alike, and there is a strong oral history surrounding their existence.

Cultural depictions

Tales surrounding the yeti abound in villages across the Great Himalaya Trail. Some Sherpa even tell tails of wars with the yeti when they first came down from the mountains to settle in Nepal. They are often referred to as wild forest dwellers and occasionally as demons, plaguing villagers by stealing or destroying their crops. Paintings and depictions of yetis can be found in many monasteries, and the Khumjung monastery in the Everest region is in possession of what lamas believe to be the scalp of a yeti (see picture).

Will I see a yeti during my trekking holiday?

Maybe!

Found: All across the himalayas in all destinations

Tags: Fauna, Khumjung, scalp, Sherpa