The Yeti Museum

Not far from the rail station in Serka Zong is the Yeti Museum, "dedicated to the serious study of the scientific and cultural aspects of the mysterious creature known and revered throughout the Himalayas as the Yeti." The curator of the museum is one Professor Pema Dorje, PhD., and he welcomes us with both a traditional Indian and Nepalese greeting (Namaste) and the Tibetan greeting Tashi Delek (roughly translated as "blessings and good luck").

Just inside the entrance, we find a photograph of Professor Dorje, along with his degrees from the Royal Anandapur University College of Science. He has earned a Masters in Anthropology and a Doctorate in Conservation Science. This is no kooky local obsessed with myth and legend. Professor Dorje is a legitimate expert concerned with the study of the Yeti.

Professor Dorje even proudly displays a letter he received from Russell Mittermeier, President of Conservation International, congratulating him on the opening of the museum and his support of local empowerment in conservation efforts. In the world of Imagineering storytelling, this is one of those great details that adds so much credibility to the story being told. Professor Dorje, while fictional, was inspired by Dr. Pema Dorjee, a renowned Tibetan physician, while Conservation International is actually a real organization, with Russell A. Mittermeier, PhD., as its president.

The Yeti Museum is filled to overflowing with exhibits detailing the history of Yeti mythology, the cultural significance of the creature, various legends associated with its existence and scientific evidence to the contrary, proposing cases of mistaken identity with various native Himalayan species.

Many of these exhibits contain real artifacts collected by the Imagineering team on research trips to Asia. Some pieces though, while based on actual stories, have been fabricated to help tell the story of Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. The Mystery of the Lost Expedition is one such exhibit.

On display are a torn tent, ripped boots and battered supplies apparently discovered on the side of the mountain, left by a team of explorers who were never seen again. Most curious of all, the exhibit includes photographs developed from a camera found at the site. The pictures show flashes of a creature of some kind, perhaps the best evidence to date of the existence of the Yeti.