The Yeti: Abominable Snowman

The Yeti, known in the West as the Abominable Snowman, is a legendary ape-like creature said to inhabit the Himalayan mountains of Nepal and Tibet. Integral to Sherpa culture and the subject of numerous expeditions, the Yeti remains one of cryptozoology’s most famous subjects.

Description

The Yeti is typically described as a large, bipedal primate covered in brown or white fur. Heights range from six to ten feet. It lives at high altitudes, leaving large footprints in snow.

Sherpa names for the creature include “Meh-Teh” (man-bear) and “Dzu-Teh” (cattle-bear), suggesting different types of creatures.

Western Interest

Western fascination began in 1921 when British mountaineers reported seeing dark figures crossing a high snowfield. In 1951, Eric Shipton photographed large footprints that sparked worldwide interest.

Numerous expeditions have searched for the Yeti, including one funded by the Daily Mail in 1954. Edmund Hillary and Marlin Perkins led later expeditions. None produced definitive evidence.

Evidence

Claimed evidence includes:

• Footprints in snow (many documented)
• Hair and feces samples (usually identified as known animals)
• Scalps preserved in monasteries (likely from known animals)
• Eyewitness accounts (numerous but unverifiable)

DNA analysis of alleged Yeti samples has typically identified them as bears or other known animals.

Assessment

The Yeti remains possible if improbable. The Himalayas’ remoteness and harsh conditions could theoretically shelter unknown animals. However, decades of searching have produced no conclusive evidence.