CAVES OF MISERY & BIG FOOT PRINT REVISITED, Searching for Christopher CH 13

CAVES OF MISERY & BIG FOOT PRINT REVISITED
Searching for Christopher, Chapter 13
ABOUT THIS VIDEO
In 2013, Kristopher Zitzewitz and a budy were looking for a lava cave in the Big Lava Bed, part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The two men went into some trees, not more than 30 feet apart, just as a big rain storm turned to snow. That's the last time they saw each other.
Some folks will tell you that there aren't many caves in the Big Lava Bed, of Skamania County, Washington. Others will say there are thousands of caves in the Big Lava Bed. Most will tell you, don't go into the Big Lava bed because you may not come out. This video shows you what it's really like.
We also look at some additional pictures of that big foot print I found earlier on this trip. My search partner and I disagree on whether it's a bigfoot print or not, but we both agree that it is unusual. What do you think?
Watch my search for Kristopher Zitzewitz from the beginning:
• Searching for Kristoph...
RELATED VIDEOS
Here's the video where from the first half of this trip where we first found the large foot print:
• Search for Missing Cav...
Sasquatch Stories (Playlist):
• Sasquatch Stories
My Camp Cooking Fails:
• My Camp Cook Fails
INTRODUCTION TO RAT AND CAT
Hi, I'm Nikia. Here on Rat and Cat, we search for people who have gone missing, learn how to survive and explore boldly.
I once got a cat to take care of a rat in our barn, but then I coyote got the cat. Wilderness living isn't always easy and there are often risks that hit you from your blind side. You might say Rat and Cat explores the darker side to country living, so that we can be better prepared.
With that in mind, when I heard people in my own county had gone missing in the wilderness without a trace, I decided to look for some of them. Knowing I likely would never find any of them in the vast forests of Washington States, I at least wanted to look at what might have went wrong. What was their blind side? What could others do to avoid a similar fate? What if talking about this could save lives?
Should these dangers stop us from us exploring? Heck no! Lets get out there and explore boldly!
OTHER INFO
Patreon.com/ratandcat
/ therealratandcat
Cameras on this production:
Sony a6300
Mavic Pro

[@carolynfrederick6760]

Such beautiful country!! I'm going to visit my daughter in CO. In a month. This Fl girl has never seen huge mountains! Very excited! I'm not in good health so hiking days are over. But I enjoy watching your hikes and seeing country I've never gotten to see! Thank you! But selfishness aside, I commend the work you and others are doing to search for those missing! Prayers that Angels protect and guide you!!

[@RatandCat]

Thanks. And that's awesome that your are going to CO! Hope your able to take some drives over mountain passes or through some big parks!

[@reccerat4446]

Re the emergency shelter and fire, he could have built a reflecting wall opposing his shelter to bounce the heat going away from him back towards the shelter, helps tremendously!

[@RatandCat]

Recce Rat, that's great advice. I think I remember him mentioning that, but that he wasn't going to this time for some reason.

[@reccerat4446]

Rat and Cat no worries mate, I was taught in the British military, it works well for extra heat. Great cinematography 👍

[@Artari]

Nice seeing you continue these searches....aloha Nikia

[@ladeene06]

Hi there! I just stumbled across a ten month old video...and one other prior to that one! KZbin must've been hiding your channel! This is awesome stuff here. 😊 seems I've got some binging to do, just wanted to say hey. Interesting work. Very interesting. Thank you for sharing it.🍃

[@squatchhappens5761]

100% Bigfoot print ! , Great videos as always , Nikia , what is your email i can send the screenshots too ? thanks

[@RatandCat]

Sorry Squatch Happens, i just happened across your comment. KZbin doesn't show all new comments in my feed for some reason. My email is man at ratandcat.com.

[@squatchhappens5761]

@@RatandCat no worries man! I understand. ....i will send you some screen shots ...thanks again man

[@NatureShy]

Great video! I've got your channel on my notification list (via the bell icon). Keep up the good work! These search and rescue videos are my favorite. A thought: probably very unlikely, but I wonder if he could have actually crossed the road unknowingly during the snowstorm, and is somewhere on the other side. I don't remember if that area to the northeast of the road has been searched before, though. I'm from the area, too. The GPNF around that area feels like my own backyard, even though I am from the PDX area. I've hiked and traveled those roads and trails so many times. At the beginning of the video, where your search partner was downing standing deadwood for firewood, I can't lie- I was rather uncomfortable with, haha. I've always been raised with the Leave No Trace principles ingrained into me, so I have always heard never to cut down standing deadwood, or gather firewood larger around than your wrist (or larger than you can break with your hands). I know that this isn't technically in a wilderness area (where gathering standing deadwood is illegal), but still, I am not used to the notion, haha. I don't mean that as a critique, but just something I thought I'd mention. I always assumed that type of stuff are typically frowned upon, so I try to avoid doing things like that, lol. I am a Bigfoot skeptic. Maybe that is because I have never seen or heard anything odd on my hikes or backpacking trips, or whatever, but I'm open to the possibility. It just feels so odd that with all the hundreds of thousands of hikers, campers, etc., that not a single skeleton, DNA profile, or proper photo/video have ever been captured.

[@drmr4evr69]

Absolutely love that intro !!! 😎👍🐱🐹🐁🐁🐀🐱👍😎

[@OktoberLove]

I liked the video as soon as it started. Love this channel! Best content to relax to at night.

[@eringemini7091]

Aloha Nikia! Its awesome that you have not given up looking for Kristopher or any of the others that have gone missing. One technique that the Paranormal investigators I follow use for locating certain graves (while in a large cemetary), is dowsing rods. They are surprisingly accurate at pointing to the area where the person they are looking for has their gravesite...I know it sounds silly, but it couldn't hurt, especially if you are in the forest & start feeling "creepy" feelings, thats generally a Spirit trying to communicate, the forest is full of them, (among other things). Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum of Idaho State University Anthropology dept. is the expert on bipedal/Human/Ape foot morphology. His 300 Bigfoot casts have revealed that their feet are still prehensile, (as are their hands), therefore on soft ground, their prints have a defining feature (besides being huge). Its what is called the "Mid-Tarsal break". There is a signature or trademark "bump" feature in their footprint halfway between toes & the heel. This does not exist in human footprints, because of evolution, now its just an arch(even on flat- footed people). It would be great to make plaster casts next time you find a print. Just curious, any wood knocks or unusual noises during your time there.? At 10:12, I think something was watching you from across the creek. Great video!👣😊

[@RatandCat]

Interesting, Erin. I didn't hear any wood knocks. I did hear a funny sounding owl once, but there were other owls in the area, so probably just an owl. Yeah, but after finding that track, i was hyper alert for a while and every little noise seemed to stand out. The main thing was that really bad feeling I got on one of my first searches in the area, near that first set of bones. I'm pretty sure there was a cougar or something in the area.

[@eringemini7091]

@@RatandCat Aloha Nikia! I believe I saw that video about the odd noises you & your family heard, the Owl noises? You are not the first to report this, as I have heard & read several other people describe what sounds like a "Human imitating an Owl" or a "Giant Owl". Other reported imitations are dogs barking, crows caw-ing, cats meowing, the "beep" noise a truck makes while backing up, a chain saw, and the absolute creepiest noise they make is of a Human baby crying! Bigfoot Anthropologist (an audio researcher) specializing now in Bigfoot sounds has several amazing recordings of them, including the cry-baby noise. Colorado Bigfoot camped overnight in the mountains of Colorado. He was waaaay out there in the boonies with 1 other researcher. That night, no more than 50 ft from them they heard a crying human baby. Their take on it was either it was an infant Sasquatch, or a "no-fail" way to "lure" a Human out alone into the darkness. You can still listen for yourself to that, its from last Summer. It could not hurt to try not only the dowsing rod method, or an SB 7 spirit box, to see if you can contact the spirit directly.

[@itsreallyrona]

Amazing country but understanding how ppl can go missing. I'm going with Bigfoot for that track, But I'm no expert lol. I chucked at how you said "holy cow" when you first found the print. Think I would have had a similar response, given the size of it. Great vid. Thanks!

[@IanP1963]

HE NEEDS BIGFOOTS HELP WITH THAT TREE - LOL !!!!

[@bigfootokanagan8705]

Looks like a Sasquatch print to me , it doesn't appear to be a double bear step and has the correct mid break in the right position. Good find ;0)

[@ArizonaAdv]

Out in the middle of God's creation you find a very random footprint as I said before to me that hits home a little more than what other (researchers) find . I think that print is genuine dude .Who is going to go out there and hoax a print .Great video "RIDE ON'

[@ArizonaAdv]

Out in the middle of God's creation you find a very random footprint as I said before to me that hits home a little more than what other (researchers) find . I think that print is genuine dude .Who is going to go out there and hoax a print .Great video "RIDE ON'

[@IanP1963]

DO YOU THINK SASQUATCH LIVES IN HOLES UNDER THE GROUND?

[@margareta3255]

You should take photos and be surprised what following you and don’t harm you because they feel the good in you, eery feelings is somebody’s lost soul trying let you know they getting close to the body. Things travel from top of trees why can’t see other things!

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Good and evil dont exist outside the social construct of humanity. True there are lots of acres of wilderness in the US...but there are also 350+million self entitled buttholes whos life goals it seems is to conquer and destroy nature and barely a square foot exists outside the ocean and antarctica/arctic wastelands that doesnt have evidence that humans have explouted the region for whatever they can. I just dont see the evidence for sasquatch. There are practically no areas of the US where visits by humanity are at the very least yearly. A population capable of self sustaining itself of primates would be at least several thousand. Hard to believe that no actual physical evidence wouldnt be found in how many centuries? 5?

[@cosmicshy637]

Thanks for another great video Nikia. Well done as always. Stay safe out there. 🌲☀️🌲

[@IanP1963]

YOU DO LIVE THE DREAM FELLAS !!!!

[@_stormy_one_]

i know i'm late to the party, but just want to say that what you do, looking for missing people, restores my faith in humanity.

[@treerat6959]

Yeah bud that's the big fellow, no other creatures make prints like that

[@PandoraBVV]

26:02...WTH is that? a Slug? Snail?. How big is that thing really? Can't tell on camera. Let's see...how long are those pine needles? I can't tell darnit! What kind of pine is that anyway? And that moss...I dunno what type & size that is either! Grrr...is anyone listening to me? Can a gurl get an answer already? 😐😞.............😏😉😁............... .......... 😂Lol..😃..but seriously....next time throw down a sumthin for a size reference for us old midwest city folk, eh!

[@eddsphone8740]

🤣🤣 BANGING ON THAT TREE, YOU INVITED SASQUATCH TO SHARE YOUR PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH, AND BANANA!!!! ALL THAT WORK, SETTING A TENT, YOU ANDJACOB NEED JUNGLE HAMMOCKS! EVER SEE ONE? ITS A TENT, HAMMOCK, AND SCREENED IN AGAINST BUGS! AND, YOUR OFF THE GROUND!!!👍👍

[@carolynfrederick6760]

Hi Nikea in one of your videos, you spoke about doubting God, I took it wrong I think. The frustration, I imagine over endless searches and yet no signs of hope and resolution would be terribly frustrating. But. The question of where is God in all of this? He's in you right now! Using your gifts and talents to search and help. He's given you a good heart and courage to do what few others can. That is many times how he works. Very subtly, and maybe because you've been called for this, using you will show others just how much he does care. So, maybe because you are in thick of searches etc, You may not see the results or impacts on others he is doing thru you, but we do. Those families do. We are more aware of dangers etc, but also of ppl who are like you and do this Work. Maybe it seems dark at times. In thick of it, bit you are helping God she'd a greater amount of light in many different areas. God bless and keep going!

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Many of those holes/fissures appear that anyone struggling to free themselves might inadvertently seal themselves inside their own natural mausoleum. Since he was there looking to enter these it seems likely thats where he remains. Scary, but actually predictable alone

[@margareta3255]

Do you see tree structures out of place? Do you ever hear tree knocks or screams? You ever feel watched?

[@RatandCat]

I have heard tree knocking once, and calls once, that time when i ran into several with my family. There's a video about in me Bigfoot stories playlist.

[@serenityyx_]

Mosquitoes this bad already in May? Yikes, can’t imagine August!

[@eddsphone8740]

THE JUNGLE HAMMOCK IS A MILITARY SURPLUS ITEM!, LOOK INTO ONE!!!😊😀

[@thetallones]

Great video

[@norml.hugh-mann]

A little bit off on price estimations....try multiplying by at least 3

[@danasams3539]

Why wouldn't you search the brush that was 4 feet deep?

[@eddsphone8740]

THAT PLACE GIVES ME THE WILLYS, AND IM NOT EVEN THERE!!

[@1EMKearney]

Yep, that be a big ole Bigfoot print👍

[@laurajunerose]

You culinary skills are beyond par! So Excited to watch another video! Your video skills are amazing!

[@cnau3031]

You should take a robot camera, and let it do the work.

[@EphemeralProductions]

Thanks Nakia! A good video as always. Even though Gifford pinchot is a huge and daunting place, it still has a charm that makes me wanna camp in it

[@RatandCat]

So many cool places in the GP! Plan a trip and go for it! You won't regret it!

[@eddsphone8740]

BUY ONE@ YOULL LUV IT!!!👍

[@sphotoburpee]

Are you going to join SAR at your new location? I really like watching your videos. I think this summer I may try and go to Austin’s last known location and do a search of my own.

[@RatandCat]

Thus comment didn't show up in my KZbin comments feed and i just now saw it. Yes, I'm going join SAR up here. Just haven't had time to yet, needing a home and all :) . Did you search for Austin? I think you sent me your contact info once, but would you every be interested in joining me on a search or outing? If so, send my your contact info to man at ratandcat.com

[@poppyozark]

I love hiking like this. I live in Arkansas but we don't have anything like this place you're at. I'm 55 years old and can still put in some miles. I hope I get to visit the beautiful Northwest and have the opportunity to hike there before I die.

[@RatandCat]

Awesome! Hope you can make it out here sometime!

[@RatandCat]

Oops. Put "how" instead of"hope". Fixed it.

[@yvonnepinkshopdream6025]

👍💟

[@Macasmum]

Thanks for sharing life saving tips. I'm sure your channel will save lives.

[@JayCaseGT500]

Awesome work brother.

[@RatandCat]

👍🏼

[@EphemeralProductions]

PS are there any national forest campgrounds in it (Gifford pinchot)?And can someone camp on it following BLM rules?

[@RatandCat]

Yes, there are Campgrounds and you need to follow the GPNF rules. They are more like BLM than some of the National Forest in higher use areas like California. You can see what they are on their website or by stopping by or calling the Trout Lake or Morton Ranger Stations.

[@RatandCat]

Tall32guy, I should clarify that in the Campgrounds, things are more strict. Wood gathering is prohibited, but they sell it for $5 a bundle and don't bring your own is you are not from the area because you transport pests like those damn Asian beetles.

[@RatandCat]

Coming from the South, two of my favorite Campgrounds, because there are is so much to do nearby, are Goose Lake and Peterson Prairie. They are both pretty popular, so you'll have company during the warmer months. Here is a list of the other Campgrounds: www.fs.usda.gov/activity/giffordpinchot/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=31178&actid=29

[@EphemeralProductions]

Thanks so much dear sir. ❤️

[@RatandCat]

@@EphemeralProductions 👍🏼

[@TheTikooo]

Good job 👍 so easy down there to get lost especially when is bad weather

[@MeetMeOutside]

Wonderful video ! Great effort on your part. I have to say, the quality of your videos is spectacular ! May I ask a tech question ? Do you change codec to export your videos And if so what one do you use ? I am learning these things but could use some advice ! Thanks man !

[@RatandCat]

Thanks, man. I think shooting & editing in UHD 4K does the most for improving the image quality, even if one is exporting to HD (2K) as I did here. I usually try to export & upload 4K to KZbin, but that would have added another 4 hours to the render/upload process, so I just went with HD on this one. I edit on a Mac using Adobe Premiere and export through Adobe Media Encoder as an MP4 using the KZbin preset. I also shoot, edit & export at 24p rather than 30p.

[@MeetMeOutside]

Rat and Cat Nice ! Thanks for tips. I don’t film in 4K , I also use a Mac, and am only using iMovie to edit. Someone had told me I could shoot a short video on my iPhone in 4K and get it to my editing timeline and then bring in other 1080p videos. Then export ,and it would be in 4K ? I didn’t have any luck. Oh well, sorry to bother you with this ! I just admire your video quality man ! Have a great weekend my friend. Peace ✌️

[@MeetMeOutside]

Rat and Cat Obviously I’m not really that tech savvy !

[@RatandCat]

@@MeetMeOutside, I think your video looks great!

[@MeetMeOutside]

Rat and Cat Thanks, it’s fun learning ! Cheers

[@nutthrower4415]

Love that area, will be checking that out come August