Mammoth Rocks - Jan 2019

As the cars began to assemble at our rendezvous point and Explorers emerged to greet one another, I surveyed the team realizing we had assembled an excellent troupe for the day. The weather was perfect (especially for a late January day) and after some brief carousing and introductions, we came together for the briefing. 

Today’s mission was to locate and verify the fabled Mammoth Rubbing Rocks. These rocks are rumored to show signs of mammoth interaction from apparent fur scratching. The highlight is a number of extremely smooth edges from all the activity. Secondarily, each Explorer was armed with guidelines on how to discover new cryptids. The line in the sand was marked, each Explorer agreed on the basis for our adventure.

Our destination was in view immediately. The long, relatively flat coastline had a giant rock protruding out of it and we ambled off in line. Along the way, we were pleased to follow the beautiful coastline and even got to amble on a few boardwalks. One of the eagle-eyed explorers found some relatively fresh “mammoth patties” which as we scouted the horizon we also located a crushed barn in a direct line from the discovery location. The most probable hypothesis seemed to be that (like felines) the mammoth may have gotten a case of the “zoomies,” rushed off and trampled the barn.

While working out this hypothesis we also started to find some rather interesting signs of other cryptic life. Specifically, µ and Deprong Mori seemed to be actively tracking some creatures around the boardwalks, while Tybeck and Hummingbirdie were collecting samples of a strange blobbish organism. As explorers began doing their research, the troupe continued on towards Mammoth Rocks.

To my surprise, our initial target wasn’t the intended destination, and we instead happened upon a giant Hill Gorilla. These massive creatures move incredibly slowly, so slowly that plants, soil, and other rocks tend to collect around them. They often look like singular hills jutting from the land, but there was no mistaking this one. Its face was looking right at us, we were transfixed. All of us except for K-dawg who was drawn to it. He sprinted towards it, drawing some of the Troupe with him. Concerned that they were redshirting and ill-prepared for what a Hill Gorilla may do, Sindra and I followed suit to ensure everyone came back. I entrusted the other half of the Troupe to Tybeck and went scrambling up myself.

At the top I found that all members were alive and well, the Hill Gorilla had not woken up. We enjoyed the stunning views: Wrax started collecting data for their crytpid discovery and Deprong Mori found a new connection to the creature he was seeking out, meanwhile I spotted our true destination. The Mammoth Rocks had been hiding behind the Hill Gorilla. As we scrambled down and recollected, Hummingbirdie realized her phone was missing. A search and rescue team was assembled and thanks to the eagle eyes and tracking ability of Lark, it wasn’t too long until it was discovered again.

We proceeded onwards and finally arrived at Mammoth Rocks. We enjoyed some lunch and spent some time amongst the rocks. One area, in particular, was well worn, fascinating, and clearly a sign that is served as a rubbing post for mammoths. We listened to the story of the rocks, collected data and generally enjoyed the natural artifact. The destination was truly incredible and inspiring. Our troupe located and verified its existence.

After snapping our group photo I realized that we had potentially found several new cryptids along the way. I set our plan, to meet back at the trailhead where we’ll head down to the tide pools and have a cryptid Salon where Explorers can present their findings. Between here and there, Explorers should collect all their final data to be presented. This gave me an opportunity as well to do some additional research. 

We made our way back and I got the chance to seek out a rumor I had heard, that there was a labyrinth in the tall grass. I followed a hunch and was lucky to chat with a local who verified that indeed there was one. She pointed me in the right direction and I was pleased to find a beautiful installation. I along with a number of Explorers then proceeded to walk its path. Though I wasn’t presenting a cryptid myself I also found evidence for the Labyrinth Minotaur (which we’ve discovered several times in the last few years).

At the tide pools, our salon took place. In total 7 new species were discovered that day. Wrax made scientific illustrations of the creatures as they were being described, all of which were verified as being accurate by the discoverers (clearly this was a great way to ensure that the descriptions were thorough). Even Wrax had their discovery verified as Denorae made an accurate sketch of the Meadow-Creeper. Over the next year, as more and more cryptids are discovered, we’ll look to print a bestiary of all we’ve discovered as a troupe.

As the Cryptid Salon ended, we awarded Cryptid Discoverer badges to: µ, Hummingbirdie, Tybeck, Denorae, Lark, Wrax, and Deprong Mori. Additionally, Denorae earned her Stellar Historian badge as she put together the Stellar Cartography book for this year. With a final Semper Explorandum, we concluded our adventure and will now look forward to the next.