Camp Monsters

Join us by the fire as we try to scare each other with stories about those things you hear pass too close to your tent late at night or what made that sudden rustle in the bushes as you walked by. Every part of the country has its own legends to explain what it was you thought you caught a glimpse of. We’ll be traveling the country telling stories of the things that live beyond the firelight.While you listen, remember that these stories are just that: stories. Sure, some of them are based on the testimony of people who claim to have seen these creatures, but it’s up to you how much you believe, and how to explain away what you don’t.Come closer to the fire and let’s hear this week’s legend.The first episode of Camp Monsters is coming to your ears Tuesday, October 1st.

After the blast of Mount Saint Helens, the area around the mountain was filled with ash and silence. And then something began to appear in this barren landscape. It always came at night and it was always accompanied by a terrible silence. This week’s tale is for all of those who have ventured into the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and felt the need to look over their shoulder because of that feeling that someone—or something—was following them.

When you go to Lake Tahoe, chances are you’ll see Tahoe Tessie. She’s a sea monster and a minor mascot for the area—pasted on the sides of buses, restaurant menus and adorning knick knacks in every gift shop.The problem is, if you look closely into the water you might see something that looks nothing like the charming and cheerful monster you’ve seen all over town. This episode is for those who love being out on the water... no matter what may lie beneath.

The mountains of Colorado have always been a quiet and rugged place but in the 1880s it drew a crowd with the promise of silver. Mining is dangerous work, but these men ran into more than the usual hazards. They stumbled upon something with fire-red eyes and a deep, dangerous rumble.

The Great Plains are known for their flat lands and big skies. There’s no place for a mysterious creature to hide in that great wide open … or so you thought. There’s something hiding in the flashing lightning and rumbling thunder at the very heart of the storm—the eyes and voice of the Thunderbird.

Down by a river in Loveland, Ohio you’ll find the typical things: birds, frogs, crickets and the smell of the evening air. And then you’ll get a whiff of something that doesn’t smell right—something sweet and dry and … not pleasant. Local rumors state that there’s something unnatural behind that smell and it’s best not to be down by the river at night. Just in case you run into him. Or it. Or whatever it is that lives down there.

Hiking through the Ozarks will lead to breathtaking views and comforting silence. But when the silence if broken by the eerie call of the Ozark Howler, you’ll find yourself running for safety. This story is for anyone who has caught sight of something out of the corner of their eye... and everything in them tells them to run.

In the 1700s the United States was full of mysterious creatures that kept people wary of dark woods and unexplored territories. And for good reason. In the woods of the North East there were rumors about a mysterious creature that was haunting the local residents. Some people thought that the monster was created to warn children about the consequences of bad behavior... but others weren’t so sure.

There are more than just birds and shadows in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. For centuries, legends have told of a cursed, winged creature that haunts the Barrens by night, terrifying visitors and residents alike.

We're back! Well sort of. Because we know monsters are an all year interest, we're bringing you our mini-monster series; a new story every month that'll keep you spooked until our new full-length season launches in September. This month's monster is something that calls the Scottish Highlands home. Something that makes a lonesome mountain in the mist of Scotland feel all the more ominous. Do you hear those footsteps behind you? 

Deep in the wilds of Zambia, Tanzania, and Congo, there are stories of a creature that exists beyond the furthest bounds of known science. First-person accounts trickle out of something fearsome, something prehistoric, that calls the skies over the rivers and swamps home. It must just be a local legend, a case of mistaken identity. Or is it? Sources:Genesis ParkOccultopedia Wikipedia - Kongamato

One of Camp Monsters biggest fan, a 4.5-year-old named Albie, was given the opportunity to record his version of season one's Batsquatch, a creature that was born from the ashes of the Mt. St. Helens explosion. While somewhat unintelligible, this version of a Camp Monsters classic is guaranteed to make you smile. Want more spooky stories that are a little easier to understand, albeit nowhere near as cute? Check out season one of Camp Monsters.

This month, we’re doing something a bit different. Our friends over at West Elm—you know, the ones with all the great furniture and home decor—reached out and asked us if we could find out more about a creature that washed up near their corporate headquarters in Brooklyn a few years ago. We did some digging and found enough to write about, and enough to make you a little nervous the next time you hear something scurry in the dark.Sources:Brooklyn Bridge Monster May Be Distant Relative of Long Island Montauk MonsterWhat The Heck is the Terrifying Creature Found Under the Brooklyn Bridge?Manhattan Monster

Summer is right around the corner which means it’s time for campfires, s’mores and spooky tales. Even if it’s just in your own backyard, there’s something very special about gathering around the fire to tell stories late into the night. And while our second season of Camp Monsters is still a couple of months away, we figured now was a good time to re-share the episode that started it all — The Batsquatch. This creature, born out of the explosion of Mt. Saint Helens 40 years ago, was known to roam the area called the dead zone.  Gather round and kick off your summer with season one of Camp Monsters. There are eight episodes that’ll keep you entertained long into the night with our new season coming to your ears in early September. You can find all of season one anywhere you listen to podcasts or at rei.com/camp-monsters. 

This month we are traveling to Europe, to tell the story of a creature that has haunted that continent for centuries.  Nowadays it is the stuff of legend, the kind of thing you see on old coats-of-arms or hear about in the colorful tales of local folklore.  But the further you go into the more remote, forgotten corners of the European countryside, the darker and more forceful the folklore gets. The harsher the stories, the starker the warnings.  Until the history of this most deadly of creatures begins to seem more immediate than history should be.  And you begin to wonder whether there is some fatal truth to the old tales… some hidden secret, surviving from times long past.Sources:Smithsonian MagazineFandomWikipedia 

We’re very excited to announce that YETI, known for their ridiculously strong and durable coolers, bottles, bags, chairs, and other much-needed outdoor gear, is this season’s sponsor.  To welcome YETI to our campfire, we naturally asked if they’d heard of any monsters prowling around their hometown of Austin, Texas.  They told us this story of a close encounter with a creature you’ve probably heard rumors about.  A nocturnal monster known to pick off livestock in a very vampiric way.  Do we believe the story?  Well, listen for yourself: do you?  Learn more about YETI. 

This season we'll go to the coast of the Carolinas and the cliff edges of California. From underground creatures lurking beneath New York City to a monster that sneaks up on you while you're fast asleep... it's a lineup you won't forget. Gather 'round the fire for the newest season of the Camp Monsters podcast, coming to your ears September 9th. This season's monster artwork was done by the talented Tyler Grobowsky. You can find his work on Instagram at @g_r_o_b_o. Season sponsor:Yeti 

There are certain places around the country where you can never feel sure. The central coast of California is one of those places — a desolate, rugged, beautiful area where there have long been whispers about something haunting the cliffs. An outline, a figure, watching you from above. A creature you can’t identify… but know you don’t want to meet.

You've probably heard the fairy tale about the troll under the bridge, but have you heard of the creature at Owl Creek? This monster is rumored to haunt an abandoned train track in the Kentucky wilderness. Series sponsor:YetiArtwork by Tyler Grobowsky. 

If you’re looking for a beautiful sunset, go to the Mogollon Rim in Arizona.  They call it the Rim because that’s what it is: the rim of the giant Colorado plateau, where it drops off into the pine forest lowlands below.  Most of the Rim is National Forest, so you can drive or hike or bike or even ride horseback to countless viewpoints where you can watch the descending sun turn everything a glowing red. But you know this episode isn’t about beautiful sunsets.  It’s about what has sometimes been seen along the Mogollon Rim after sunset. When it gets dark out. When the shadows start to lengthen and take on shapes ...People call it the Mogollon Monster, a Bigfoot like creature sneaking around in the wilderness out there.  But those who have seen it, they don’t like to describe it at all.  Because describing it takes them back out into the dark desert night, into an all-surrounding darkness ... a darkness that suddenly reaches out to grab them.Season sponsor:YetiSeries artwork by Tyler Grobowsky.