YEAR: 1978

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

DATE: Saturday

STATE: Washington

COUNTY: Skamania County

NEAREST TOWN: Stevenson

NEAREST ROAD: Loop Road

OBSERVED: It was on a warm summer night in 1978, as I was watching television at about 11 pm, that my father and I heard some loud, high-pitched screams coming from the forest behind our house. The screams only went on for a minute or so, but what surprised me was that my father, who has lived in Stevenson his entire life and knows the woods and the local animals well, did not have any idea what was making that sound. I was 17 at the time, but just recently, my teen age daughter, who has an interest in such matters, played me the 1978 Snohomish County recording of
Bigfoot calls, and I have to admit I got a chill from hearing it, because it was, to my recollection, just what I heard on that summer night in August of '78. She urged me to file a report with the BFRO, even though it's "ancient history" by now. My father and I did go out on the porch and look around a bit upon hearing the screams, but did not leave the area of the house in the darkness.

OTHER WITNESSES: My father. We were in the house watching television, all windows open.

OTHER STORIES: I have since moved from the area, but my father still tells me of incidents of "heavy breathing" being heard from the woods surrounding the house on rare summer nights.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: About 11 pm in the evening, typical summer night in Skamania County, about 75-80 degrees, no clouds.

ENVIRONMENT: Incident occured in a cleared field where our home is located, which is surrounded by Douglas fir forest (2nd growth) climbing up to a ridge on the northern side. There is a creek bordering the western side.

A & G References: A and G Pg 24 C 1.5

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Jim Von Lossow:

I spoke with the witness by phone. He was able to add additional information. One vocalization was heard that night, beginning low in tone, gradually rising in volume and pitch, then ending abruptly . He stated it lasted three to four seconds and was extremely powerful and easily heard above the sound of the TV. The call came from the northeast, behind the house up on the ridgeline. The father and son looked at each other. "What the heck was that?" Both are familiar with all animal sounds in the area, and this was something they state unknown to them.

The home is located on the outskirts of town and has large acreage surrounding it. On the uphill ridgeline side of the home is a large field surrounded on three sides by timber. A good sized creek flanks one side, and the upper portions of the property were once orchards. Available fruit trees in season include, apple, pear, plum, cherry and walnut. The past 2 to 3 years in summer season a rhythmic, deep, repetitive breathing is heard certain evenings on the outdoor balcony. It is said to emanate from the tree line within 100 feet of the home. Night vision goggles are now in use to help identify the sounds "made by the Breathing Monster," so nicknamed by the residents. Possible seasonal gathering may occur in this area, and the family will continue to monitor activities.