Monster Monday: Sasquatch

Of all the beasties in the world, I probably believe in the Sasquatch - or Bigfoot - the most.

Maybe it's because I grew up in the British Columbia Kootenays or the fact that my first taste of beer was from a bottle of Kokanee, for which the Sasquatch has become the brand's mascot.

In a world crawling with perceived cooler paranorms, Bigfoot tends to get shuffled aside, its existence often rationalized by a combination of folklore, misidentification, and hoax.

But it isn't just a handful of monster hunters that believe these hairy cryptids walk the earth - real scientists like Jane Goodall and Jeffrey Meldrum have expressed interest in the creature and agree the evidence warrants further testing.

Described as a large, hairy ape-like creature, standing 6-10 feet tall and weighing more than 500 pounds, the Bigfoot is named for for its enormous footprints, some measuring as large as 24 inches long and 8 inches wide. If you don't hear the creature coming by its thunderous walk, perhaps you'll be tipped off by its infamous strong, unpleasant smell. Phew.

Still, as my family and I traveled through BC last week, I couldn't help but hope for a glimpse of one of these hairy creatures. Alas, we found only a 4-foot tall bronze statue, in which someone had cleverly placed a Kokanee box in its hands. Empty, of course.

Survival Tip: Most Bigfoot sightings are reported at night, and the beast is believed to be an omnivore (and maybe a bit of an alcoholic), so chances are, you're safe. But if you're camping in the forest and you hear its thunderous footsteps, you might want to get out of the way.