NUFORC Sighting 15739

Occurred: 1993-06-26 02:30 Local
Reported: 2001-01-03 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 45 min
No of observers: 1

Location: Holy Cross Wilderness Area (Near), CO, USA

Shape: Light

I was alone camping in the mountains and was awakened by strange noises and an intense bright light that seemed unearthly.

I am an experienced hiker/backpacker having spent more than 250 days out in the last ten years. On 6/26/93 I was back packing alone in Holy Cross Wilderness area. I had set up camp just at tree line in some scrub brush near a rocky clearing approximately 2 miles due north of Mt Holy Cross. After securing food and smellables I retired to my tent. I was awakened to the sound of "animals?" scratching the gravel and sand around the tent. I was not concerned as it sounded like muscrats.. and I quickly fell back asleep. Sometime later I woke abruptly in a cold sweat unable to move or to hear anything (as though underwater). I was able to open my eyes. As I did this the sound began to come back but as though through a wall or from far away. I was scared but thought it a bad dream. As I lay not knowing what was happening the wind began to pick up and the tent seemed to billow and fall, as though breathing. The sounds that had been outside previously, had returned and began to intensify. Instead of one or two small animals though it was as if there were a dozen angrily digging/scratching at the ground all around the tent. Still unable to move to look from side to side (I was lying on my back) I heard the scratching move from the ground to the tent walls on all sides. As this happened the wind became more intense causing the tent to sway. I suppose all of this could be explained by my having a bad dream and a wind storm coming up suddenly. However, the next part I can not explain. This whole wind/scratching/tent moving lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then as though someone had blown out a candle everything stopped and there was complete stillness. Then the whole tent and surroundings became brighter than daylight. A complete and encompasing white light entered the tent. I was absolutely blinding. I was still unable to move. I light moved around in some ways but was always intense. Then as quickly as it became bright it was again dark and as still as any quiet night in the woods. There wa! s no mor e wind and no more scratching. As soon as the light was gone I was able to move again. Needless to say I was upset. Checking my watch it was almost 03:30:00. I got up and packed up my things and began my assent of Holy Cross Mtn two hours early. I did not pass by my campsite on my way out of the preserve. Rather I took an extended loop and spent the next three nights wondering if it would happen again. It did not. I did not see any other hikers during my 5 day outing. After I left the wilderness area I drove to the nearest town to get some supplies and see if any one had reported any strange sightings. No one else had seen or reported anything. I do not do drugs and was not influenced by alcohol during this trip. I did not see a craft or see any "little green men" but I can not explain what happened to me that night. All I know is that it scared the crap out of me and I am not one to get scared in the woods.

NUFORC Note:

We received a telephoned report of from Australia of a similar event from about the same time. It will be posted when we receive the follow-up written report. PD

Posted 2001-01-03