From Ape to Bat: The Enigma of the Batsquatch

·53 min·4 clips

The Batsquatch is described as a nine-foot-tall creature with 50-foot wings, blending ape and bat features.

This episode explores the cryptid known as Batsquatch, a creature said to inhabit the forests around Mount St. Helens. Hosts of the show "Yeti Or Not, Here We Come!" record from a backyard, joking about their portable setup and proximity to the spiritual community linked to Ramtha. They frame the episode as a lighthearted investigation into local Pacific Northwest lore. The hosts read from an AI-generated summary stating Batsquatch is described as a hybrid with an ape-like body and bat-like wings, first reported after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. They recount the story of Brian Canfield, a teenager who in 1980 claimed his car stalled before a winged figure with glowing eyes landed on his hood. The name "Batsquatch" was reportedly coined by reporter C.R. Roberts in a 1994 article that brought international attention. Another account involves a liquor store owner and pilot named Butch Whitaker, who claimed to see a similar creature from his private plane. A 1998 report from an anonymous trucker in Northwest Oregon claimed he struck the creature with his long-haul vehicle. Descriptions from the summary say Batsquatch stands nine feet tall with a 50-foot wingspan, blue or silvery fur, and glowing yellow or reddish eyes. The hosts express skepticism about the wingspan's proportions, humorously calculating that a 50-foot wingspan would imply a much larger creature. They note reports that Batsquatch can interfere with machinery, like stalling car engines, adding a supernatural element. The creature is said to be primarily nocturnal and dwell in volcanic caves, with behavior described as elusive and capable of aerial maneuvers like backflips. The hosts compare the legend to other cryptids like Mothman and the Jersey Devil, and mention the Batsquatch Hazy IPA brewed by Oregon's Rogue Ales. They speculate that sightings could be misidentifications of large birds like eagles or vultures, possibly distorted by ash clouds from the volcanic eruption. One host shares a personal anecdote about a relative's "ghost truck" story to illustrate how memory and perception can shape supernatural tales. The tone is casual and comedic, filled with digressions, inside jokes, and self-deprecating humor about their unprofessional production. The style is a conversational ramble, weaving the cryptid narrative with tangents about local oddities, pop culture references, and personal stories. Listeners who enjoy amateur, humor-driven podcasts about cryptids and Pacific Northwest weirdness will appreciate the relaxed and silly vibe. Those seeking a serious, structured investigation into paranormal phenomena or who are annoyed by frequent off-topic banter might want to skip this episode.

As heard by us

A playful Batsquatch story that leans on banter and curiosity.

This episode keeps things loose with a backyard, battery-powered Batsquatch story and a lot of banter. The hosts do their best work when they treat the legend like a foil instead of a lecture, and that choice gives the conversation a lived-in, hanging-out feel.

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Why you'd press play

You want a Batsquatch yarn that treats disbelief like part of the joke.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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