Beast in the Shadows: The Glacier Stalker
In August 1996, during a *Coast to Coast AM* episode on cryptozoology, a park ranger from Montana called Art, his voice edged with panic. Broadcasting from Pahrump to 15 million listeners, Art was exploring Bigfoot-like creatures when the caller, “Ben,” described a massive, shadowy creature with glowing red eyes that Ben claimed was stalking him in Glacier National Park (48.7596°N, 113.7870°W).
Around 2:40 AM, a deep, guttural growl echoed on air, followed by rustling and Ben shouting, “The trees are shaking, Art!” The line cut with a heavy thud at 2:45 AM. Art, shaken, linked it to Sasquatch legends. A follow-up call reported claw marks on trees.[1][2]
The 1996 Call: A Cryptid’s Roar
The episode aired during a 1996 wave of cryptid sightings in the Northwest. Ben connected cleanly, recounting a patrol near Lake McDonald where he saw the creature—8 feet tall, shadowy, with eyes like burning coals. It left no tracks but emitted a rancid odor. The growl, aired live, was low and rhythmic, unmatched by bears or wolves per wildlife experts.
During the call, rustling and snapping branches surged, and Ben reported trees swaying without wind. “It’s circling me, Art,” he whispered. Art suggested retreating; the thud ended the call. The engineer confirmed no audio tampering; 280+ listeners reported park anomalies that week.[3][4]
The Creature: A Shadowy Predator
Ben described the beast as a fluid shadow, moving silently despite its size, with eyes glowing brighter when it growled. The odor was like rotting meat, and the air grew heavy. The live growl, analyzed at 100 Hz, suggested a large primate or unknown entity.
Post-call, Ben found 18-inch claw marks on pine trees, too high for bears. Art linked it to BFRO’s 1996 reports of shadow creatures in Montana, suggesting an interdimensional being.[2][5]
Aftermath: Tracks in the Wild
A follow-up call days later had Ben reporting he fled the park, finding broken branches and claw marks forming a circular pattern. He sent Art photos, lost in archives. Listeners reported similar sightings, some with red eyes. Audio analysis (1997) showed no tampering, with the growl inducing fear in listeners.
No hoax confession; Art tied it to his 1995 Bigfoot call, warning of park dangers.[1][3]
Investigations: Archives and Echoes
The audio survives in Internet Archive’s 2023 *Coast to Coast AM* collection (450k downloads), transcribed on Higgypop Paranormal. BFRO’s 1996 report logs 25+ Glacier Park sightings; Reddit r/Cryptozoology (2023, 150 upvotes) confirms growl’s uniqueness.
A 2019 *Mountain Monsters* episode referenced similar shadow beasts. X searches (#ArtBellShadowBeast, 2023) show 900 posts speculating interdimensional origins.[4][5][6]
Theories: Cryptid or Otherworldly?
Was Ben stalked by a shadow beast, a cousin to Bigfoot, or an interdimensional predator? The live growl and shaking trees suggest a creature beyond nature’s bounds.[2][6]
Cultural and Historical Significance
The call boosted cryptid lore, inspiring *Finding Bigfoot* episodes (3M views). *Coast to Coast AM* gained 11% listeners; Reddit r/ArtBell (2024, 18k members) calls it “peak terror.” Tied to 1996’s cryptid wave, it fuels 2023 X #ShadowBeast trends (950 posts).[1][4]
Investigations and Corroboration
Art’s logs confirm live growl; BFRO’s 1996 data matches sightings. Audio analysis (1997) shows non-human frequencies. Listener reports (280+) and Ben’s claw marks align with cryptid patterns.[3][5]
Facts and Context
August 1996 *Coast to Coast AM* episode, 2:40 AM. Caller: “Ben,” Glacier National Park; saw shadow beast. Live audio: Growl, rustling. Pahrump studio (36.2333°N, 116.0167°W). 1996 cryptid wave; 2023 X #ArtBellShadowBeast 900 posts.[1][3]
A Timeline of the Mystery
The Shadow Beast call unfolds:
- July 1996: Ben sees creature near Lake McDonald.[2]
- August 1996, 2:40 AM: Calls Art; growl and rustling air.[1]
- 2:45 AM: Line cuts with thud.[3]
- Days Later: Ben finds claw marks, flees.[5]
- Next Night: Art replays audio; 280+ reports.[4]
- 2019: *Mountain Monsters* references case.[6]
- 2023: X/Reddit threads revive cryptid theories.[6]
Theories of the Unseen
Did a shadow beast stalk Ben, its growls a territorial cry, or was it a glimpse of an otherworldly hunter? The live roar and red eyes unveil a terror lurking in Glacier’s shadows.
What Do You Think?
Art’s 1996 Shadow Beast call, from guttural growls to shaking trees, terrifies as a cryptid enigma. Creature or phantom? If red eyes glowed in the dark, would you run? Share your thoughts on X.com @THEODDWOO or Reddit r/ODDWOO.
Sources
- Internet Archive, Coast to Coast AM audio (2023), August 1996 episode with Ben’s call and live growl.
- Higgypop Paranormal, “Shadow Creatures: Cryptid Encounters” (2022), linking beasts to Glacier Park.
- Coast to Coast AM Logs (1996), confirming live sounds and cut-off.
- Reddit r/Cryptozoology, “Art Bell Shadow Beast” (2023), 150 upvotes, analyzing growl.
- BFRO Report (1996), documenting 25+ Glacier Park sightings.
- X.com, #ArtBellShadowBeast posts (2023), 900 speculations on interdimensional beings.