The hunt begins at nightfall, when the brave young hunters are loaded onto a modified snow cat for a slow, lumbering ride to the Sasquatch Headquarters next to Shavers Lake at Snowshoe.

Rest assured, the hunt is guided by Kailey Gibson of Marlinton, and mock rifle in hand, she herds the group of courageous explorers into a dimly lit cabin for a safety briefing, s'mores and hot cocoa. The interior of the headquarters is covered in camouflage netting and the walls are adorned with newspaper clippings and articles from all over the country about Big Foot and other Sasquatch sightings.

The term Sasquatch is Native American for "wild man" and they purportedly inhabit the remote, forested regions of North America.

Flashlights are handed out and the adventurous troop heads outside into the wild to search the wind swept slopes and snowy trails for some sign of the bashful mammal.

Nathan Price, of Charleston, has been working at the Adventure Center at Snowshoe for three seasons and he said he really likes participating in the hunts.

"This is our first season with the Sasquatch hunts. So far it's been a real success. Everybody will go down and have s'mores, then they'll go out in the woods looking for him, trying to track him down. He might make an appearance coming across the slope, he's usually seen on every tour," laughed Price. "I enjoy it, we have a lot of fun with the people that come out for it."

The 'squatch hunts aren't for the faint of heart, only the most fearless young hunters will get the opportunity to see the reclusive bi-ped.

"Some of the younger kids get intimidated; they don't want to go out in the woods at night. Then we have some kids that absolutely love it. A few weeks ago I had one kid; he sat up here and rode back to the top with me and he was telling me how big he was and the way he walked and everything. I think he had a real good time," said Price.

Tours are held every night of the week at 6:15, 7:15, and 8:15 p.m. To schedule a tour, contact the Snowshoe Adventure Center at 304-572-5477.

Angelo Jiordano can be reached by e-mail at amjiordano@pocahontastimes.com

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