VIDEO: Sneak Peek - Explorer Josh Gates Embarks on Travel Channel's HUNT FOR THE YETI

Long before Bigfoot was a household name, there was Yeti - the so-called abominable snowman and legendary towering creature believed to roam the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. For centuries, eyewitnesses have claimed run-ins with the infamous beast. But without conclusive evidence, the question remains: is the Yeti fact or folklore? In Travel Channel's four-week special event, EXHIBITION UNKNOWN: HUNT FOR THE YETI, beginning Wednesday, October 5 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, adventurer and EXPLORER Josh Gates embarks on an epic and enthralling journey through Nepal and Bhutan, in search of the truth behind the legend. Is the abominable snowman out there? And if so, what is it?

"The Yeti story is especially personal to me, if it's even possible to get personal with an elusive hairy monster!" says Gates, who also serves as an executive producer. "There have been so many firsthand accounts of the Yeti, and several years ago, I had my own encounter. I discovered an unusual set of footprints high in the Himalayas. It was an incredible and confounding find; we cast the print and donated it to the Yeti museum at Disney's ANIMAL Kingdom, where it's now on display. The experience has never left me, and now I'm heading back into the mountains to determine what exactly left those tracks."

Relying on his wit, instinct, expert negotiation tactics and the latest stealth photo and video gadgets, Gates embarks on a high-altitude quest for evidence across the Himalayas. From the hidden caves of Nepal's backcountry and the iconic slopes of Everest base camp to Bhutan's mountainside monasteries and isolated forests, Gates joins renowned researchers, historians, mountaineers and local experts as he tracks Yeti sightings in hopes of finding the mysterious creature.

Want more Yeti? Head to TravelChannel.com for "Expedition Unknown: Hunt for the Yeti" show extras including behind-the-scenes photos, Yeti facts, on-location videos and travel tips from Josh Gates. Follow @TravelChannel and #ExpeditionUnknown for more exclusive content and updates. Follow host Josh Gates on Twitter: @joshuagates and on Instagram: @gatesygram.

ABOUT Travel Channel For virtual and active travelers who want to go on a thrilling quest; taste other cultures; enjoy the mystery of the unexplored; get a dose of epic adventure or a splash of wacky fun; there is no better daily escape than Travel Channel. Reaching more than 89 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

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