If you have the hiccups, you’re in luck: these jump scares are sure to cure ‘em! This week your Phriendly Neigh(boo)rhood Outing Club brings you nature tales of the spooky and supernatural variety. Come sit around our metaphorical campfire, and get ready to warm your feet and chill your soul…
“There’s stories about trolls living in the Wind River Range (in the Rockies) that steal shoes and tent poles. Like, the tent poles will disappear while you’re sleeping, and you wake up to the tent falling on you. Google it.”
-KH
“I used to do a Halloween walk in Kindergarten called “All Hallows Eve.” It was quite the time with scary monsters, trolls, and spooky ghosts. The creatures would jump out at you from behind trees and dark areas off-trail. As a wee little kid it made me feel the magical powers of the dark woodland.”
-SM
“The summer after freshman year, I took a month-long road trip out west to Utah and the surrounding area. One night we were camping just outside Moab, alongside the Colorado River. We had eaten dinner and were settled into our tents, about to doze off when we heard a strange groaning noise coming from the brush a few hundred yards away. I asked my friend if they heard it too; they had, and they looked spooked. We got out of the tent with our headlamps to investigate. We walked over to the bushes. Peeking behind the bush, we found the source of the noise! The mysteriously haunting noise was coming from your mom, crouched behind the bush on all fours! Not really. Really, we got into our tents and fell asleep. At 2 a.m. a truck pulled up and someone crept around our tents. I heard them brush up against mine. No talking – it was dead quiet. Then they just got in the truck and left. I don’t think I slept after that.”
-RH
“One afternoon this past fall I really believed the ducks were hunting me. I rounded the marsh on the Kip Trail and was overcome by an uneasy feeling. I felt as if I, the Hunter, had become the hunted, and the waterfowl were set on my demise…My vision blurred as those beady eyes peered down from their V-formation, and I ran. I turned in my hunting license the next day.”
-HC, transcribed by AM
“One time I was hiking and accidentally spooked some turkeys. They chased me and I really thought that was going to be the end of me. We’re talkin’ flying turkeys at my head.”
-HF
Phew! You made it to the end of the scary stories. That’s pretty crazy stuff. Have a safe & fun Halloweekend, and don’t forget to show up to the OC sidelawn on Friday at 2pm! Why? The First Ever Annual Spooky Halloween 5k Fun Run Event for Inclusivity in the Outdoors! We will be running/walking approximately 5k (3 miles) in costume to raise money for Outdoor Afro, an organization that supports black leadership in the outdoors. We hope to see you there!