What is the Yeti?

The Yeti is a mysterious creature shrouded in myth and legend, rumored to roam the icy Himalayan mountains of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. The creature is commonly referred to as the Abominable Snowman or the Himalayan Snowman and is considered by some to be a cryptid—a creature whose existence has been proposed but is not proven. Descriptions of the “Yeti” vary from tall, shaggy humanoids to bear-like creatures. While its existence continues to be debated, evidence and reports of sightings of the Yeti have been recorded over the last century.

History of the Yeti

The legend of the Yeti dates back to the 19th century, when the Western world began to explore the Himalayan region of Asia. Much of the mystery surrounding the Yeti comes from the various native accounts of the creature, which have lingered over the years. Described as a large, bipedal, humanoid creature, the Yeti was believed to have an ape-like face and thick fur. Reports of incredibly large footprints in the snow, attributed to the Yeti, also increased its intrigue.

Expeditions to Find the Yeti

Many questions and theories surrounding the existence of the Yeti have been proposed by scientists, adventurers, and anthropologists alike. A handful of expeditions were launched in the hopes of producing conclusive proof of the creature’s existence. While several individuals claimed to have seen one or tracks attributed to the Yeti, nothing was concretely proven. Even today, these stories are still used to entice snow-goers to the Himalayas in search of one of these mysterious creatures.

While expeditions haven’t yet been successful in validating the existence of the Yeti, it has remained a popular figure in folklore and popular culture. The creatures have featured in numerous books, movies, recipe boxes, and aesthetic merchandise like apparel, figurines, and home decorations. It’s almost certain that the Yeti will continue to remain an enigma, but its appeal and mystery have only grown since its original debut in the Himalayas.