1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 On the slopes of the world's tallest mountain 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,000 I can feel the effect of altitude setting in 3 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:09,000 My hunt for evidence of the legendary Yeti continues 4 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:10,000 Saw something? 5 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:12,000 Yeah, tall, he's tall and walk like this 6 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:14,000 Atalanche! 7 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,000 From black market artifacts 8 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,000 Whoa, what is that? 9 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,000 The search moves to a remote kingdom 10 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,000 Where eyewitness reports lead me deep into the forest 11 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:26,000 I think this is the likely place it would call home 12 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,000 And I get one step closer to the elusive Yeti 13 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,000 Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is this? 14 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:32,000 What the f*** is that? 15 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:33,000 It's big too 16 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:34,000 I mean this is a print for sure 17 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:35,000 No doubt 18 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,000 My name is Josh Gates 19 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Here we go! 20 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,000 I've traveled to more than a hundred countries 21 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,000 Exploring history's greatest legends 22 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,000 Look at that! 23 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,000 But there's one mystery that I've wanted to solve 24 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,000 Above all others 25 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:50,000 Are you a firm believer that the Yeti is real? 26 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:54,000 Now, I'm embarking on an epic adventure through the Himalayas 27 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:55,000 Whoa, whoa! 28 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:56,000 In search of the truth 29 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:59,000 Behind one of the world's most infamous creatures 30 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:00,000 What is that? 31 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:03,000 This is Expedition Unknown 32 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,000 Hunt for the Yeti 33 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,000 Before Bigfoot became a household name 34 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:10,000 There was the Yeti 35 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:14,000 The legendary abominable snowman of the Himalayas 36 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,000 He's been sighted for centuries 37 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,000 Many have claimed to find his tracks 38 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,000 Hear his roar 39 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,000 And even encounter the creature in the flesh 40 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:25,000 What is that? 41 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:26,000 That is so wild 42 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,000 And now, science is determined to find answers 43 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,000 In New York, geneticist Todd Disatell 44 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,000 Opened my eyes to a cutting-edge genetic study 45 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,000 Aimed at determining if the Yeti 46 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,000 Is truly an uncatalogued species 47 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,000 Or just a pillar of folklore 48 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,000 Do you think there's a chance that something like this 49 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:46,000 Could be out there? 50 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Absolutely 51 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,000 This notion that there's nothing left to find is ridiculous 52 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,000 It's really a lack of samples 53 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:57,000 I've flown to the Himalayas to join the search for DNA samples 54 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,000 Credible eyewitness accounts 55 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:03,000 And any evidence that could reveal the truth behind the legend 56 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,000 Working with field researchers in the Kumbu region of Nepal 57 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,000 We discovered our first candidates for genetic testing 58 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,000 A hair sample 59 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,000 That is a hair 60 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,000 And fecal matter 61 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,000 Mystery poop 62 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:17,000 Check 63 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,000 Deeper in the mountains, in a sacred monastery 64 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:25,000 I was given rare permission to view a venerated Yeti scalp 65 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,000 That is incredible 66 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,000 I photographed it for analysis 67 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:33,000 And for the first time ever, the monks allow a single hair to be tested 68 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,000 And we have a sample 69 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,000 And last night, a call to our local guide Mahendra 70 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:43,000 Alerted us to a fresh sighting in the most remote of places 71 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,000 Mount Everest 72 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,000 Okay, here we go 73 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:52,000 We scramble towards a helicopter that will take us to Everest Base Camp 74 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,000 Where climbers stage as they prepare to summit the tallest mountain on Earth 75 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:59,000 Alright, captain, you ready to fly? 76 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:00,000 I'm ready to fly 77 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,000 Let's go 78 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,000 Okay, Everest, here we come 79 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,000 Due to the rapid jump in altitude 80 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:18,000 We will land at Base Camp with a strict four-hour window to investigate 81 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:22,000 Any longer, and we face the risk of serious injury from lack of oxygen 82 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,000 That's Everest here 83 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,000 That's the summit, yeah? 84 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,000 Absolutely beautiful 85 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,000 Everest up close 86 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:38,000 It straddles the sky above, uniquely and utterly alone 87 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:42,000 Quietly daring us mere mortals to come ever closer 88 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,000 That's Base Camp there, a couple of ice walls 89 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:46,000 There's a couple of ice walls 90 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000 That is crazy 91 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,000 Look at that, Everest Base Camp 92 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:53,000 Top of the world, almost 93 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,000 Welcome to Base Camp 94 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:02,000 Thank you, sir 95 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:03,000 Welcome, sir 96 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,000 Everest is a powerful magnet 97 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,000 Drawing adventurers from all over the world 98 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,000 Their passion has created what feels like a lunar outpost 99 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,000 At the edge of the known universe 100 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:29,000 Morning 101 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,000 Morning 102 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,000 Morning 103 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:32,000 Morning 104 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:33,000 Morning 105 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:34,000 Morning 106 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:35,000 Morning 107 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:36,000 Morning 108 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:37,000 Morning 109 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,000 This guy's got the right idea 110 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,000 From tents to climbing gear to a mountain 111 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,000 From tents to climbing gear to groceries 112 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,000 If it's at Base Camp, someone dragged it up here 113 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:47,000 Look at this 114 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:49,000 Namaste, how are you? 115 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,000 It's like a diner in here, short order 116 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,000 Came all the way to Everest Base Camp 117 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,000 Of course I find the kitchen, it's my first stop 118 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,000 This is a place that has long been associated with the Yeti legend 119 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:05,000 What we call Everest, the Nepali people call Sagramatha 120 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,000 It means the head of the sky 121 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:11,000 It's considered an incredibly sacred mountain 122 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:15,000 And beings like the Yeti are a part of that spirituality 123 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,000 So it's maybe no surprise that there's an eyewitness here 124 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,000 who's had a recent encounter 125 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,000 Now, we just need to find him 126 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,000 The clock ticks as we look for our eyewitness 127 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,000 Every second we're up here increases the risk of altitude sickness 128 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,000 The problem is that the camp is spread out 129 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:38,000 There are few permanent residences, no central road, and no maps 130 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,000 So finding one person takes time 131 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,000 The Hendricks thing is his friend, Pesang 132 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,000 He's near the medical tent on the far side of camp 133 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,000 So we're trying to get over there as quickly as possible now 134 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,000 Of course, quickly here is a relative term 135 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:58,000 Anything more than a brisk walk 136 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,000 And you all but black out 137 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,000 Careful guys, I see here 138 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:09,000 The Kumbu Icefall is at the base of a glacier hugging the side of Everest 139 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,000 And it's aptly named 140 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,000 The icefall frequently breaks apart and slides without warning 141 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:18,000 Making it one of the most dangerous parts of the hike to the summit 142 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:26,000 I mean, this is some Superman fortress of solitude right here 143 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:31,000 As we pass in front of the icefall, a low rumble sounds across base camp 144 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,000 Avalanche! 145 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,000 It's crazy, I mean, even here in sunny, calm weather 146 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,000 Just huge sections of glacier can just let go 147 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:58,000 A year ago, almost exactly a year ago 148 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,000 During the big earthquake, a big piece of the glacier back here let go 149 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,000 And swept through base camp killing 19 people 150 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:10,000 So even down here in base camp, far from the summit, it can be really dangerous 151 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:20,000 Once the snow settles, Mahendra rushes us over to meet the man who recently saw what he thought was a Yeti 152 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:26,000 Hsang Wang Chu, he's a Nepali native who assists foreign climbers who want to test their metal on Everest 153 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,000 Mahendra told me that he had a phone call from you 154 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,000 Yes sir, and I had a crazy experience 155 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,000 Here 156 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,000 I saw footprints of the Yetis 157 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,000 Saw footprints? 158 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:38,000 Yeah, footprints 159 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,000 Can you describe it? What did it look like? 160 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,000 How many footprints? 161 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:49,000 There are about ten steps, after that I couldn't walk because it's so deep snow 162 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,000 And where were you? 163 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:51,000 On the glacier 164 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,000 Anything else or just the prints? 165 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,000 I saw footprints in the black one 166 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:55,000 You saw something? 167 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,000 Yeah 168 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:57,000 What did it look like? Can you describe it? 169 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:01,000 Tall, he's tall and looks very dark and hairy one 170 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,000 And you don't walk like this 171 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,000 Is there any chance that what you saw was a climber? 172 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,000 No, no chance 173 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:09,000 No chance 174 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:10,000 Why? 175 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:11,000 Climber has a climbing gear 176 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:12,000 Right 177 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:15,000 But this, what I saw, that's something else 178 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,000 Something else? 179 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:19,000 I was just going to say, can you walk us down to the closest point where the ice fall begins 180 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:20,000 Yeah 181 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:21,000 And we'll try to send a camera up there 182 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:22,000 Alright 183 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,000 Let's get down there and take a look at it because our time is definitely ticking here 184 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:32,000 Time is now really of the essence, we've burned more than two hours since we've landed 185 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:36,000 And we're just now heading down to the location of Pesang Sighting 186 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,000 Everybody's still feeling good 187 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,000 We're just trying to work as quickly as possible 188 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:49,000 We follow Pesang until we're perched on the ever-cracking glacier 189 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:54,000 Try to get the drone out, Danny, let's get that set up, see if we can send it up and get eyes in there 190 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:59,000 And guys, be very careful where you walk, it's a glacier, there's hollow sections 191 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:03,000 My tech manager Danny has brought our drone to extend our vision 192 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:09,000 It can fly over where Pesang saw the purported Yeti and look for any evidence of its presence 193 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,000 Okay, let's launch it 194 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:12,000 Ready Pesang? 195 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:13,000 Here we go 196 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,000 Up and out 197 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,000 Okay, let's see what we got 198 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:34,000 Here we go 199 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,000 The battery is draining really fast 200 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:42,000 The battery is down to about 85% and we're coming up on the glacier 201 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,000 So Pesang, point out where you were 202 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:46,000 Higher what? 203 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:47,000 Uh-huh 204 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,000 Alright, going higher 205 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:56,000 So, I would say almost straight down at this point and just mow the lawn 206 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,000 See if you can find anything 207 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,000 There's not a lot of climbers up there, right? 208 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,000 No, they don't know the kind of climbers 209 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,000 Battery down to 75% 210 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,000 The motors are working a lot harder at this altitude 211 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:16,000 Only two days ago on this slope, Pesang spotted what he thinks is a Yeti 212 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:21,000 Now, Danny is systematically scanning the area for any signs of the animal 213 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:23,000 Oh, go back, go back, go back 214 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,000 There, you see that? 215 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:25,000 Yeah 216 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,000 Is that a print? 217 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,000 Yeah, that's a proof for you guys 218 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,000 What is that? 219 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,000 That's weird 220 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:30,000 Pesang, are those prints? 221 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:31,000 Yes 222 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,000 That, right there, looks like a footprint 223 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:48,000 On the edge of Mount Everest's Kumbu Glacier, my crew is scanning the snow and ice 224 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:53,000 Hoping to find evidence to back up a recent eyewitness sighting of a Yeti 225 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:55,000 Oh, go back, go back, go back 226 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,000 There, you see that? 227 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:58,000 Yeah 228 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,000 Is that a print? 229 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,000 Yeah, that's a proof for you guys 230 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,000 What is that? 231 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,000 That's weird 232 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,000 Pesang, are those prints? 233 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,000 Yes 234 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,000 I mean, that, right there, looks like a footprint 235 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,000 Yes 236 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,000 And it has that same big toe on the side, you see? 237 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,000 Yes 238 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,000 Pesang, I don't want to say I doubted you 239 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:16,000 But I kind of doubted you 240 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:21,000 We're celebrating our find, but significant questions remain 241 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,000 The only problem is I don't see a clean progression of them 242 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:27,000 Let's keep scanning, see if we can get a full track of them 243 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,000 Yep 244 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:35,000 The drone hovers over the prints and we snap high resolution photos for evidence 245 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:36,000 Pesang 246 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,000 Yes, sir 247 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,000 You think those are the same types of prints you saw? 248 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,000 Yes, sir 249 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:41,000 Well, that means maybe something's there 250 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:47,000 Indeed, the marks in the snow appear to be footprints on part of the glacier where no climber has tread 251 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:52,000 But to find the animal that left the tracks, we'd need to be closer 252 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,000 So, Pesang 253 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,000 Yes 254 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,000 What would it take to get my team and a camera up there? 255 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:58,000 A lot of planning 256 00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,000 A lot of planning 257 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,000 Maybe next season 258 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:01,000 Next season or next year 259 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,000 Okay, I'm going to hit the gym 260 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:04,000 Yeah 261 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,000 Okay? 262 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,000 All right 263 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,000 Ascending Everest requires intense planning 264 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:13,000 But thanks to our drone, we've snagged invaluable photos to add to our collection of evidence 265 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,000 Okay, guys, clock is ticking 266 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,000 We've got a long walk back to the helipad 267 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,000 Let's make our way back, yeah? 268 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:20,000 Yeah 269 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,000 Okay 270 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,000 Guys, we have well exceeded our time here 271 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,000 Let's get moving and get back up to the helipad 272 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,000 We were given four hours to investigate Everest 273 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:33,000 And now we find ourselves in extreme danger 274 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,000 I can feel the effective altitude setting in 275 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:40,000 The joints are starting to feel stiff 276 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:44,000 And kind of pressure in my temples 277 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:49,000 The hike back is long across rocky terrain that makes every step an effort 278 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:55,000 With our four-hour deadline long gone, it starts to feel like we're underwater 279 00:12:58,000 --> 00:12:59,000 No matter 280 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,000 I'm not the only one affected by these sudden changes 281 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:08,000 With her equilibrium shredded, my producer Nicole takes a nasty spill 282 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,000 You okay? 283 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,000 Yeah 284 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:11,000 Oh 285 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,000 It's okay, let's keep moving 286 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,000 Soon to follow is Joe 287 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,000 You okay? 288 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,000 Yeah 289 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,000 Just keep moving 290 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,000 We're dropping like flies all over base camp 291 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:28,000 But I get really concerned when Danny suddenly gets disorient 292 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,000 You okay? 293 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:33,000 No, I just feel dizzy all of a sudden, like, definitely queasy 294 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:37,000 Fortunately, our crew medic is there to attend to him with an oxygen mask 295 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,000 I'll put the oxygen mask around you 296 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,000 Okay 297 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,000 Mahendra? 298 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:42,000 Mahendra 299 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,000 Yes, sir 300 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:44,000 Where is this guy? 301 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:48,000 Mahendra radios the choppers to let them know we need an immediate evac from the mountain 302 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:56,000 We wait, gasping like goldfish until the sound of the choppers gives us a much needed shot of adrenaline 303 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,000 Okay, first chopper 304 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:04,000 Brian, Danny, Joe 305 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:06,000 We'll catch up to you 306 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:13,000 Just as we reach the landing site, our first chopper arrives 307 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:18,000 Our local team pushes us on board and we leave Everest over an hour past our deadline 308 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:28,000 The choppers whisk us out of danger and back to the oxygen-rich streets of Kathmandu 309 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:32,000 Where our ascent into the Himalayas began nearly two weeks ago 310 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,000 We'll soon say goodbye to Nepal 311 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:37,000 But we've been able to collect precious genetic samples 312 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:40,000 Received unprecedented access to a sacred relic 313 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:44,000 And photographed mysterious prints in both sand and snow 314 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:47,000 Not to mention had the adventure of a lifetime 315 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:51,000 Our expedition is now headed to the neighboring kingdom of Bhutan 316 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,000 But since our connecting flight doesn't depart until the morning 317 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:58,000 We head to a hotel for a much needed shower and a good night's sleep 318 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,000 Well, that was the idea anyway 319 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,000 Hello? 320 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,000 Sorry to wake you up. You're not going to leave it 321 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:06,000 But we just got this really crazy call from Tool Sharpa 322 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,000 Hold on, let me get a camera. Hold on 323 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,000 Yeah 324 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:11,000 Okay, what time is it? 325 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,000 It's about 4.30 in the morning 326 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:17,000 Okay, so who, Tool called? 327 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,000 Yeah, Tool called 328 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,000 He has a friend from a region in the west 329 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,000 He's from the west, he's from the west 330 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,000 He's from the west, he's from the west 331 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,000 He has a friend from a region in the west 332 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,000 And said that they have a supposed getty hand 333 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:38,000 I mean, okay 334 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,000 It all sounds like it 335 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,000 It's insane. Who's the guy? 336 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:44,000 I have no idea about who the guy is. Tool's just saying he's... 337 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:47,000 He heard what we're doing and he's happy to meet you 338 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:48,000 But he's willing to show it to me 339 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,000 Yeah, he's willing to show it with you 340 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,000 But we just have to keep his identity secret 341 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,000 So we gotta be wheels up in two hours? 342 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:55,000 We have two hours 343 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,000 Can we get over here with it? 344 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000 He can come to the hotel right now 345 00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,000 Yeah, tell him to get over here 346 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:00,000 And let's have Mahendra meet him in the lobby 347 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,000 And we'll bring him up to one of the rooms 348 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:03,000 Okay, sounds good 349 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,000 Alright, I'll be there in like five 350 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,000 Okay 351 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,000 Bye 352 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,000 In the history of weird middle-of-the-night phone calls 353 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,000 This takes the cake 354 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,000 I have no idea how this guy got wind of our expedition 355 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,000 But at this point, I don't care 356 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,000 I'm not in the business of buying unsourced antiquities 357 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,000 But I sure as hell want to get a look at what he's got 358 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,000 Quick question though, how does one dress for this kind of meeting? 359 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,000 I quickly opt for adventure casual 360 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:29,000 And rush downstairs to my producer Nicole's hotel room 361 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,000 Which for the next half an hour 362 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:34,000 Will technically be a black market 363 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:40,000 I'm here 364 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,000 Okay, so 365 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,000 This is one of life's moments where you kind of don't know how you got there 366 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,000 And you really don't know what to expect next 367 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:55,000 Okay 368 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,000 Yeah 369 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,000 Then our local Sherpa's friend enters 370 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,000 Wearing a mask to protect his identity 371 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,000 So yeah, if you guys want to have a seat 372 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:09,000 He looks exactly like what a shady Yeti parts dealer is supposed to look like 373 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,000 Can I ask where did it come from? 374 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,000 I found it in Dolpa 375 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:16,000 In Dolpa, so that's in the west, right? 376 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:17,000 Yes 377 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,000 What did you find? Just the hand? 378 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,000 Yeah, just the hand 379 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,000 Have you seen it? 380 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:22,000 No 381 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,000 Is it possible for us to take a look at it? 382 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:26,000 Sure 383 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,000 Yeah? 384 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:28,000 Sure 385 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,000 Please 386 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,000 The alleged Yeti hand has been stored in an ornate box 387 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:40,000 But for how long it's been there is another mystery 388 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:44,000 Before opening it, I glove up to protect the artifact, whatever it is 389 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,000 From further genetic contamination 390 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,000 It's okay to open? 391 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:49,000 Sure 392 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,000 And now, the moment of truth 393 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,000 Whoa 394 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,000 Whoa 395 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,000 What is that? 396 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,000 It's 5.30 a.m. in Kathmandu 397 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,000 In two hours I'm supposed to be on a plane going to Bhutan 398 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:16,000 But instead of munching on a Toblerone at the airport 399 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,000 I'm in a meeting with a black market dealer 400 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:23,000 Being presented with what he says is an actual dismembered hand of a Yeti 401 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:24,000 Whoa 402 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,000 What is that? 403 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:30,000 It only has four digits 404 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,000 But it also looks like part of it's missing 405 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,000 Whatever it is, it's definitely real 406 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,000 This is from something 407 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,000 Still actually some flesh 408 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:43,000 There's a couple of hairs embedded here as well 409 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:47,000 If this is a hand, it would be considerably larger than a human hand 410 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,000 I have absolutely no idea what this is from 411 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:54,000 Of course this guy isn't just here for an early morning show and tell 412 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:59,000 What he's really after is a serious buyer for what he believes is a valuable relic 413 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,000 In terms of selling this 414 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:05,000 Give me a number, what are you hoping to sell it for? 415 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:06,000 Ten million 416 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:07,000 Ten million rupees? 417 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,000 No, no, not rupees, dollar 418 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,000 Ten million U.S. dollars? 419 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:12,000 Yeah 420 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,000 Sir 421 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,000 Ten million dollars 422 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,000 I don't know whether to call the cops or set up a Kickstarter page 423 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:24,000 That's a very steep price, very expensive 424 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,000 Yeah, lights are everything 425 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,000 So you're confident though this is a Yeti hand 426 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,000 So worth the money 427 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:33,000 Okay, so ten million dollars 428 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,000 If it is a genuine Yeti hand 429 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,000 Would probably be a fair price, right? 430 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,000 But we have to know that first 431 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,000 So what I'd like to do is to photograph it 432 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:46,000 And maybe take a small sample 433 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,000 Um 434 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:49,000 I'll just take a sample of it 435 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,000 And then I'll take a sample of it 436 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,000 And then I'll take a sample of it 437 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,000 Yeah, it's okay? 438 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:55,000 Okay 439 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:03,000 My producer Nicole takes multiple high resolution photos for future expert analysis 440 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:08,000 And I collect multiple specimens to add to our collection for DNA testing 441 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:11,000 Thank you for being willing to come here today 442 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,000 I don't know what this is 443 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,000 It is something organic 444 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:17,000 It is something real 445 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:18,000 I don't know what 446 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,000 So we'll try to find out 447 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:21,000 It's a Yeti hand 448 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:22,000 It's a Yeti hand 449 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:23,000 We will see 450 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,000 Okay 451 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,000 Thank you very much 452 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,000 Let's put this back in 453 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:28,000 I've got to hand it to this guy 454 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:30,000 I'm definitely intrigued 455 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,000 But my team and I have a plane and a Yeti to catch 456 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,000 Up to this point 457 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,000 My expedition has taken me across the Himalayas 458 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,000 And to the very root of the world 459 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:45,000 But the hunt is just getting started 460 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:50,000 And that's because Nepal isn't the only country that lays claim to the Yeti legend 461 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:54,000 In the nearby Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan 462 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,000 I'm tracking down a renowned naturalist 463 00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:00,000 Who's hot on the trail of one of the world's most recent Yeti reports 464 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:04,000 Sensational photos of fresh footprints 465 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:07,000 Taken in an area where no humans have ever walked 466 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:11,000 To investigate, I'm flying 250 miles to Bhutan city of Paro 467 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,000 That is, if our plane sticks the landing 468 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:19,000 The approach into Paro is not for the faint of heart 469 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:23,000 This is considered one of the most technical commercial runways in the world 470 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:27,000 In fact, only about a dozen pilots are rated to land here 471 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:28,000 The reason? 472 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,000 The runway is about a mile and a half above sea level 473 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,000 And yet it's relatively short 474 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,000 But what makes it a huge challenge 475 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,000 Is that the whole thing is surrounded by some very serious mountains 476 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:43,000 Outside the wings of our jet come perilously close to the walls of the valley 477 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,000 And we make a steep bank toward the short runway 478 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,000 Nice work, boys! 479 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:57,000 Wheels down in the land of the Thunder Dragon 480 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:02,000 Bhutan 481 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,000 One of the most isolated nations on earth 482 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:08,000 Deeply Buddhist, passionately traditional 483 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:11,000 A place close to tourists until about 40 years ago 484 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:15,000 Television signals didn't even make it here until 1999 485 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:18,000 This is a country that worries less about its GDP 486 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:23,000 And instead, actually measures its citizens' gross national happiness 487 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:27,000 But in the capital city of Tempu, it's hard to ignore that change is in the air 488 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:31,000 These streets of Tempu can be a confusing place to explore 489 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:35,000 You know, as recently as 10 years ago, this was a really sleepy town 490 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:38,000 Not much going on here, not too many cars on the road 491 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:40,000 Kutsa today, it is a boom town 492 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,000 And seems to be bursting at the seams 493 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,000 There is this cultural tug of war 494 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:48,000 On one side, centuries of custom and culture 495 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:50,000 And on the other, the rest of the world 496 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,000 Tempu is one of the last capital cities on earth 497 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:59,000 Where you'll find most of the population clad in traditional attire 498 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:03,000 Getting fitted for clothes here is a very hands-on experience 499 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:04,000 So what's first? 500 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:05,000 We're gonna take off this shirt 501 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:06,000 Take this off, jeez 502 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:07,000 Yeah 503 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:08,000 Buy a guy a drink first, will you? 504 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:09,000 Come on 505 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,000 This feels like pirate dinner theater a little bit 506 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,000 Put off your band 507 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,000 Okay 508 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,000 Band, okay 509 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,000 Here we go 510 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,000 Okay, the pants are off 511 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:23,000 Alright 512 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:24,000 Now what? 513 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:25,000 This goes on now? 514 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:27,000 This is called a go 515 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:29,000 A rap that's reminiscent of a kimono 516 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:32,000 On me, it's reminiscent of a circus tent 517 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,000 Oh, my God 518 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:36,000 Guys, it's not a corset 519 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,000 Does it need to be that tight? 520 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:39,000 Hi 521 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:41,000 Hello, what do you think? 522 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,000 Okay, so what do you think? Good? 523 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:44,000 Yeah 524 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,000 Bootenese? 525 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:46,000 Bootenese 526 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:47,000 Alright, here we go 527 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:48,000 Thanks, buddy 528 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,000 Appreciate it 529 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:54,000 Now in the appropriate attire, I make my way through town 530 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,000 Stopping off for a quick bite to eat 531 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,000 Benjamin, I want a staple of the Himalayas 532 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:04,000 Super good 533 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:05,000 A little spicy 534 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:06,000 Woo 535 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,000 Ma'am, how about a warning on that? 536 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,000 It's us next time 537 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:10,000 Chili, hot 538 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,000 Yes, yes, now you tell me 539 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,000 Yes, I could use that 540 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:14,000 I'm gonna go get some more 541 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,000 I'm gonna go get some more 542 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,000 Chili, hot 543 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,000 Yes, yes, now you tell me 544 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:19,000 Yes, I could use that 545 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,000 Warning, about 10 seconds ago, ma'am 546 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,000 I literally can't feel any of the teeth in my mouth 547 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,000 Is that normal? 548 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,000 God, it burns 549 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:30,000 At the nearby 169-foot-tall Buddha statue 550 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,000 I find a full-on celebration is getting underway 551 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:45,000 People in Bhutan love festivals 552 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,000 There are hundreds of them throughout the year 553 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:50,000 And all these intricate dances that you see 554 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,000 Express Buddhist holy texts 555 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,000 Through choreography and movement 556 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,000 And they also show the relationship 557 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,000 Between the physical world and the spiritual 558 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:01,000 And the Yeti is very much a part of that tradition 559 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,000 Some people here in Bhutan, this is simply an animal 560 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:06,000 To other people, it's more like a deity 561 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:07,000 Or a spirit 562 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:10,000 For many people, it exists somewhere in between 563 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,000 The Yeti is deeply ingrained in the culture here 564 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,000 A sacred monster 565 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,000 I speak to several locals who describe 566 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,000 Their own encounters with the creature 567 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,000 The Yeti is no myth 568 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,000 I have seen his footprints in the central forest 569 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,000 It could only be from this creature 570 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:34,000 In this same area, a sensational set of photos 571 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:37,000 Of purported Yeti tracks just made headline news 572 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,000 So I'm headed east to investigate 573 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,000 My plan is to head from Tempu to the city of Bhuntang 574 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,000 Which is in the vicinity of the recent reports 575 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:50,000 After acquiring a 4x4, I leave the capital 576 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:52,000 And head into the heart of the kingdom 577 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:11,000 Once you get outside the city, it's unlike anything 578 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:13,000 You've ever seen before 579 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,000 It's not just rural, it's not just undeveloped 580 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:18,000 It's almost like another time 581 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:21,000 This is no gimmick, this is a choice 582 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:24,000 The so-called modern world? 583 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,000 Thanks, but no thanks 584 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:29,000 People of Bhutan are doing just fine without it 585 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,000 It's stunning out here 586 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,000 But I wouldn't mind a few modern world amenities 587 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,000 Like, say, asphalt 588 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:39,000 Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah 589 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,000 That's nice, that's nice 590 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:43,000 Okay, look at that 591 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:47,000 Yeah, everything hurts 592 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,000 Everything in my body is broke 593 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,000 Say one thing 594 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:55,000 There better be some good chiropractors in central Bhutan 595 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,000 I have a lot of road ahead of me 596 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:03,000 But I've heard rumors about a monastery 597 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:06,000 With a highly guarded relic that I can't pass up 598 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,000 This is the Gankdeet Monastery 599 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:12,000 One of the most sacred shrines in central Bhutan 600 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:15,000 Parts of this building are more than 400 years old 601 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:20,000 And rumor has it that inside are the mummified remains of a yeti 602 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,000 The Ornate Entryway opens up to a central courtyard 603 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:28,000 Surrounded by prayer wheels, temples and meditation rooms 604 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:33,000 I make my way toward the first monk I see 605 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:36,000 To ask about the monastery's mysterious relic 606 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:37,000 Hello 607 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:38,000 Hello, hi 608 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:40,000 Josh, yeah, I'm Pema 609 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:41,000 Nice to meet you Pema 610 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:42,000 Hello 611 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:43,000 Yeah, good to meet you 612 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:48,000 I understand that there's a sacred artifact here 613 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:50,000 Like a hide from a yeti 614 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:51,000 You know what I mean? 615 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:52,000 Like from yeti 616 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,000 Yeah, yeah, yeti 617 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:54,000 Is that here? 618 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,000 And what was the word that you used? 619 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:11,000 The word that you used to call a yeti 620 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:12,000 Yeah, it's like a small yeti 621 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:14,000 And is it possible for me to see it? 622 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,000 You can go and see, but you cannot take your camera 623 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:19,000 You can take pictures in your mind 624 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:20,000 That's good enough, I'll take it 625 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:21,000 Yeah 626 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:22,000 Okay, so camera's down out here 627 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,000 Yeah, yeah, okay 628 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:29,000 With no cameras allowed 629 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:32,000 You're about to hear what expedition unknown would sound like 630 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:33,000 As a podcast 631 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,000 Okay, so no camera allowed 632 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:40,000 I still have a microphone on 633 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:45,000 Going up a really steep ladder into a super dark chamber 634 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,000 Really, really dark 635 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,000 Okay, here we go, he's got a key 636 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:52,000 He's got a key to a room that he's opening 637 00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:59,000 Ah, there it is 638 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:01,000 Oh my god 639 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:12,000 That's me reacting to what is purported to be a mummified yeti 640 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:15,000 But because cameras aren't allowed in this bootnese monastery 641 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:18,000 You're gonna have to trust me when I tell you that this thing is 642 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:19,000 Well, freaky 643 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,000 Almost like a mummified yeti 644 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:26,000 I'm not sure if you can see it 645 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,000 But I'm not sure if you can see it 646 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:29,000 I'm not sure 647 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:30,000 I'm not sure 648 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:31,000 I'm not sure 649 00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:32,000 I'm not sure 650 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:33,000 I'm not sure 651 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:34,000 I'm not sure 652 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:35,000 I'm not sure 653 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:36,000 I'm not sure 654 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:39,000 It's almost like a mummified corpse 655 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,000 And you can actually see the face 656 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,000 And then the skin of the body to hide 657 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,000 Hands and feet 658 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:48,000 Probably only about three or four feet tall 659 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:49,000 Hard to tell 660 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:51,000 But what it is, I can't say 661 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,000 How long has it been here for? 662 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:55,000 More than 400 years 663 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,000 More than 400 years, wow 664 00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,000 As wild as this yeti mummy is 665 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:01,000 I really miss being on camera 666 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,000 Time to step out 667 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,000 That is really amazing 668 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:09,000 And really weird in there 669 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:12,000 I don't know what that is in there 670 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:15,000 It's clearly been there for a very long time 671 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:17,000 Is it a yeti? Who knows 672 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:20,000 And so for today, maybe for always 673 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:22,000 This particular yeti sample 674 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,000 Is gonna have to remain a mystery 675 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:29,000 Leaving the monastery, I'm back on the road 676 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:31,000 Which is getting sketchier by the kilometer 677 00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:34,000 To make matters worse, we've now climbed high enough 678 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,000 That we're literally entering the clouds 679 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,000 Zero visibility 680 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:45,000 We're basically up in the clouds at this point 681 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:47,000 We're at around 9,000 feet 682 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:49,000 And we're just totally socked in 683 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,000 So already dangerous road 684 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:54,000 And now almost impassable 685 00:30:58,000 --> 00:31:00,000 The road finally descends out of the mist 686 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:02,000 And reveals the Boom Tang Valley 687 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:04,000 It's here that I'm meeting 688 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:06,000 Wildlife expert Casey Anderson 689 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,000 Who's already found the only thing in Bhutan 690 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:10,000 Rarer than a yeti 691 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:12,000 A helicopter 692 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:13,000 Casey 693 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:14,000 Hey Josh 694 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:15,000 How are you man, nice to meet you 695 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:16,000 Yeah, good to meet you 696 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:17,000 Sweet ride 697 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:18,000 The only helly in all of Bhutan 698 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:19,000 Really, the only one? 699 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:20,000 Yeah 700 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:21,000 Amazing 701 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:22,000 We're just getting geared up 702 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:23,000 Hop in and keep going 703 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:24,000 You kidding me? 704 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:25,000 Let's do it 705 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:33,000 1023, ready to lift now 706 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:34,000 Bar-Wheel-Tanga 707 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:35,000 Here we go 708 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:57,000 So tell me about this story that's developing here 709 00:31:57,000 --> 00:31:59,000 British mountaineer named Speedberry 710 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,000 Was hiking on Gankarpunasum 711 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:03,000 He was about 18,000 feet up 712 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:05,000 On this 25,000 foot mountain 713 00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:07,000 And came across these tracks 714 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:10,000 Oh wow, look at that 715 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:12,000 And obviously they're good sized tracks 716 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:13,000 Going through snow 717 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,000 And wasn't a straight line 718 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:17,000 The region of Bhutan where these photos were snapped 719 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:19,000 And where we're now flying toward 720 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:20,000 Isn't just remote 721 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:23,000 It's entirely uninhabited by people 722 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:25,000 The British climber who snapped these photos 723 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:27,000 Did so from across a ravine 724 00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:30,000 In a place where no human has ever set foot 725 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:31,000 Which begs the question 726 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:33,000 What left these massive prints? 727 00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:35,000 What else is really interesting about them 728 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:37,000 Is it doesn't look like a four-legged animal 729 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,000 The tracks are very close together 730 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:41,000 But really, really large prints too 731 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:42,000 Huge prints, you know? 732 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:44,000 So you're looking at something that is more on the scale 733 00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:46,000 Of a human or a bear 734 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,000 Right 735 00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:49,000 But no human or bear 736 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:51,000 Would ever be in this neck of the woods 737 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:53,000 From your perspective, what do you think? 738 00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:54,000 Do you think there's an easy answer to this? 739 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:57,000 You know, for me to even come up with an idea 740 00:32:57,000 --> 00:32:59,000 Is to get up here, look around 741 00:32:59,000 --> 00:33:02,000 See if this area is suitable habitat for other animals 742 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:04,000 If there's a place on the planet that could harbor 743 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:07,000 An unknown species, this is the place 744 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:08,000 This is it? 745 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:09,000 Yep 746 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:11,000 Alright, well, let's see what we can see 747 00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:15,000 As we make our way toward Gankar Punsa 748 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:18,000 I scan the surrounding mountains with binoculars 749 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:20,000 While Casey pulls out a FLIR thermal imager 750 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:23,000 Which will highlight heat signatures below 751 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:27,000 We're just passing through 14,000 feet now, gentlemen 752 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,000 So if you start to feel any effects of lack of oxygen 753 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:31,000 Please put the mask on 754 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:32,000 Copy that, Captain 755 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:35,000 We're rising fast into wilderness that has only been seen 756 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:38,000 By a few daring pilots and mountaineers 757 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:41,000 We're now less than a mile from the border of Tibet 758 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:43,000 And fast approaching the coordinates of the site 759 00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:45,000 Look at this place 760 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:48,000 Why would anything want to live out here? 761 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:49,000 How could anything live up here? 762 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:51,000 You know, once you get up above that vegetation zone 763 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:52,000 There's nothing 764 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,000 Okay, Josh, we're coming up on Gankar Punsa 765 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:55,000 Right now 766 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:00,000 This is Gankar Punsa 767 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:03,000 Peaking at 24,840 feet 768 00:34:03,000 --> 00:34:06,000 It is the highest unsummited mountain in the world 769 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,000 Incredible 770 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:12,000 We're actually getting right in the zone 771 00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:16,000 That Mr. Berry saw these tracks right up here on this snow field 772 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:20,000 Approaching the impressive mountainside 773 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:24,000 We begin to scan the hills for similar tracks to those seen in the photos 774 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:27,000 Man, it is outer space up here 775 00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:31,000 Okay, guys, we're actually coming up to 17,000 776 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:33,000 But you have oxygen on now, please 777 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:37,000 We don our oxygen masks and continue scanning the area for signs of life 778 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:42,000 Finally, the FLIR camera reveals a ray of hope on the desolate mountainside 779 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:45,000 Okay, Josh, I got something right here 780 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:47,000 Got a heat signature 781 00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:49,000 You see something, what do you see? 782 00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:51,000 Wow, hard to say what that is 783 00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:01,000 Hovering above the holiest mountain in Bhutan 784 00:35:01,000 --> 00:35:03,000 Naturalist Casey Anderson and I 785 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:07,000 Are following up on recent reports of a Yeti sighting by a British climber 786 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:12,000 Now, our heat-seeking FLIR camera may have just spotted something 787 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:14,000 Okay, Josh, I got something right here 788 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:16,000 Got a heat signature 789 00:35:16,000 --> 00:35:18,000 I see something, what do you see? 790 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:20,000 Wow, hard to say what that is 791 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:23,000 Not real big 792 00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:24,000 What does it look like? 793 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:28,000 Not a lot of heat, could be a yak, could be a blue sheep 794 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:30,000 Well, it's gone now 795 00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:34,000 I think it was probably just a blue sheep hanging out on the cliff there 796 00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:35,000 Copy that 797 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:41,000 No signs of tracks up here or anything, I mean it is just blank, it's a snow 798 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:45,000 Do you think it's possible that whatever left those prints is actually living up at this altitude? 799 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:47,000 No, right, nothing can live up here 800 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:54,000 I really believe that whatever made those tracks was going from one part of the mountain where they can live to another part of the mountain 801 00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:55,000 Going over to the past 802 00:35:55,000 --> 00:36:00,000 What we want to do now is go right down to the next best spot, right below where the tracks are 803 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:02,000 Right where they were probably going to 804 00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:05,000 We'll go to that area, see what's living there 805 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:07,000 I want to get our boots on the ground and investigate in here 806 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:08,000 Got it 807 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:12,000 Hey captain, if you can find a field or something to land in this zone here 808 00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:14,000 I think that's what we want to bail out 809 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:19,000 Okay, no problems at all, I'll just circle here now and just find somewhere suitable, I'll have you on the ground in about two minutes 810 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:26,000 Casey is convinced that whatever left the tracks probably lives in the forest right below the snow line 811 00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:32,000 In fact, in the valley below the peak there have been recent reports of Yeti sightings by rural villagers 812 00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:36,000 So we search for a nearby clearing where we can land the chopper 813 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:51,000 Back on Terrafermo, we strike out into the forest above a small village 814 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:06,000 Beautiful, very beautiful 815 00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:09,000 Come up into what you think is the middle of nowhere 816 00:37:09,000 --> 00:37:11,000 Find a shrine like this, it's incredible 817 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:13,000 Yeah, it's really beautiful 818 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:16,000 It's a beautiful place 819 00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:26,000 Alright, so our mountain where the tracks were is back there, yeah? 820 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:28,000 Right, just above the tree line 821 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:33,000 And if that animal was cruising from one area where there's food source to another 822 00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:36,000 I think this is the likely place it would call home 823 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:38,000 So this is your target area? 824 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:39,000 Definitely the target area 825 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:42,000 Okay, well let's get in there and see what we find 826 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:49,000 The hike into the forest is like entering Jurassic Park 827 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:54,000 Here, you're entirely swallowed up by nature in its most primordial form 828 00:37:54,000 --> 00:37:57,000 Totally unspoiled by the presence of man 829 00:37:58,000 --> 00:38:00,000 This is amazing 830 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:06,000 It takes hours to move even a short distance 831 00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:08,000 Partially because of the rough terrain 832 00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:11,000 And also because I keep stopping to take in the view 833 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:19,000 We have a little farther to go until we reach Casey's target zone 834 00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:22,000 But when we find a small clearing, we decide to stake a claim 835 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:25,000 Good flat spot for camp right here? 836 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:26,000 Yeah, nice and level 837 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,000 I'll go here, you go there 838 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:30,000 Alright, let's get it set up 839 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:33,000 We want to set up camp now during daylight 840 00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:36,000 So we don't have to worry about building tents after dark 841 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:41,000 Let's talk general plan of attack here 842 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:42,000 What's our move? 843 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:45,000 Let's get on the ground, move through here 844 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:48,000 Look at the game trails, look for tracks, any sort of sign 845 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:50,000 And then also get a bunch of camera traps out here 846 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:51,000 Let them do a bunch of work 847 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:54,000 But in order to really see if there's anything out there 848 00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:55,000 We're gonna have to get out there and look around 849 00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:56,000 Right 850 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:59,000 There's a lot of animals in here we probably don't want to run into 851 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:02,000 We gotta make sure it's just quiet and slow 852 00:39:02,000 --> 00:39:06,000 In terms of the Yeti, we don't even exactly know what it is, right? 853 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:08,000 This animal is what these people have been seeing 854 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:12,000 Six feet tall, bipedal 855 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:14,000 If it's out here, it's gonna leave sign 856 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:16,000 We just gotta go look 857 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:17,000 Alright, well, I'm right behind you 858 00:39:17,000 --> 00:39:18,000 Let's do it 859 00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:23,000 There are bears and even tigers in this part of Bhutan 860 00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:26,000 So as we set off to roam the slopes of this holy mountain 861 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:31,000 I can't help but wonder, are we the hunters or the hunted? 862 00:39:39,000 --> 00:39:42,000 In the forests of Bhutan 863 00:39:42,000 --> 00:39:46,000 Wildlife expert Casey Anderson and I are exploring a holy mountain 864 00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:49,000 That's also renowned for its numerous Yeti sightings 865 00:39:56,000 --> 00:39:58,000 Lots of mud here, which is good, right? 866 00:39:58,000 --> 00:39:59,000 It's great 867 00:39:59,000 --> 00:40:02,000 This is the fresh canvas for anything that's moved through here 868 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:03,000 Right 869 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:05,000 In terms of tracks, what are we really looking for? 870 00:40:05,000 --> 00:40:08,000 When it comes to the big animals, not the big mammals 871 00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:10,000 You're gonna have animals that have hooves 872 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:15,000 The prey species, the deer, even the little wild boar that run around here 873 00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:17,000 And then there's gonna be your animal with toes 874 00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:18,000 And that's what we're gonna be looking for 875 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:20,000 And big toes, 5-6 feet tall 876 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:21,000 Right 877 00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:24,000 So you're looking for something like a thumbprint, you know? 878 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:27,000 You can even see that, that thumbprint like that 879 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:29,000 This is a giveaway 880 00:40:29,000 --> 00:40:31,000 We're looking for toes 881 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:41,000 The forest is vast and our trek takes us through miles of dense vegetation 882 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:45,000 Still, maybe I've built up some good karma because before long 883 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:47,000 Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is this? 884 00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:48,000 That's something 885 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:50,000 What the f*** is that? 886 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:51,000 It's big too 887 00:40:51,000 --> 00:40:52,000 I mean, this is a print for sure, right? 888 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:53,000 No doubt 889 00:40:53,000 --> 00:41:04,000 Next time on Expedition Unknown, Hunt for the Yeti 890 00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:10,000 My quest for evidence brings me face to face with a fearsome creature 891 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:17,000 Look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look 892 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:23,000 And I take to the water to reach the most remote forests on Earth 893 00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:27,000 Here we go, all back, I should stay all back 894 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:31,000 In my final push to unravel the mystery of the Yeti 895 00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:33,000 There's something down in there 896 00:41:33,000 --> 00:41:35,000 Look, look, print 897 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:41,000 When all of the evidence is finally analyzed, what will the ultimate verdict be?