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The Viral Giant of Canoe Mountain: Andrew Dawson’s Unfinished Story
In April 2022, Andrew Dawson, a 34-year-old from Campbell River, British Columbia, became an unexpected internet sensation after posting a TikTok video that sparked widespread curiosity and debate.
Known by his handle @andykapt, Dawson was an ordinary content creator who shared lighthearted videos about his life—friends, work, his girlfriend Salma, her children, and his dog. But a single video filmed near Canoe Mountain in British Columbia thrust him into the center of an internet mystery involving alleged sightings of giants, UFOs, government agents, and his sudden disappearance from social media.
This is the story of Andrew Dawson, a man whose viral moment left more questions than answers.
@andykapt
♬ original sound – Andrew Dawson
A Strange Sighting on Canoe Mountain
On April 9, 2022, Dawson was driving south on British Columbia’s Yellowhead Highway (BC-5) with a friend when he noticed something unusual on the ridge of Canoe Mountain, near Cedarside Regional Park.
Zooming in with his phone, he captured what he believed was a massive human-like figure standing atop the snowy peak. “It’s a person, dude! No, seriously, pull over!” he exclaimed in the video, which quickly amassed millions of views. Dawson was adamant that the figure was too large to be an ordinary person, fueling speculation about a “giant” in the mountains.
The video’s viral success prompted Dawson to investigate further. Encouraged by thousands of comments urging him to get closer, he returned to the area the next day, setting up his camera to avoid complaints about shaky footage.
To his surprise, the figure was gone. “It’s not even there anymore,” he said, pointing to the spot where he had seen the mysterious shape. Local residents told him that “something lives in the mountains, but it’s not always visible,” adding to the intrigue.
The region, part of Jasper National Park, has a history of over 200 reported Bigfoot or Sasquatch sightings since the 1800s, with the term “Sasquatch” derived from the Salish word for “wild man” or “hairy man.”
The last reported sighting in the area was in 2014, when a news outlet described a large, black figure moving through the snow.
@andykapt
♬ original sound – Andrew Dawson
Encounters with Authority
Dawson’s attempts to uncover more about the figure were met with obstacles. On one trip, he claimed he was stopped on a public road by a man identifying himself as a government agent, possibly from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), who told him he was trespassing due to “environmental issues.”
Dawson found this odd, as the road was within a national park. Undeterred, he returned the next morning at 5:30 a.m., this time capturing footage of what he described as a UFO—lights in the sky over the mountain.
Later that day, he recorded two black helicopters hovering near the peak, seemingly “extracting something.” These events, all occurring within days, intensified the mystery surrounding his videos.
On April 16, Dawson posted a video titled “Being Stalked,” claiming that an unmarked Dodge Charger, similar to the one driven by the agent who stopped him, was parked outside his home in Campbell River.
When he approached, the vehicle sped off. His followers, alarmed by the escalating situation, warned him to be cautious, noting that his videos—viewed by millions—might have attracted unwanted attention. Some urged him to stop posting, hire a lawyer, or go to the media to protect himself.
@andykapt
To much has happened and i can't be forced to be silent.
♬ original sound – Andrew Dawson
A Forced Confession and a Final Video
After a three-week hiatus, Dawson reappeared on May 6 with a video titled “Official Update.” In it, he stood against a plain wall, hands in his pockets, and claimed that all his videos were scripted and fake, created solely for entertainment.
The video’s tone and presentation were markedly different from his usual content. Unlike his other posts, which were often filmed handheld and casual, this one used a tripod, and Dawson appeared to glance off-camera, leading many to speculate that he was coerced into making the statement.
Ten days later, on May 16, he posted another video retracting his confession, stating, “My videos weren’t fake,” and warning, “You might not see me post ever again.” His caption read, “Too much has happened, and I can’t be forced to be silent.”
On May 17, Dawson uploaded his final TikTok video, showing a dark structure on the mountain where the “giant” had been.
Captioned “military,” he questioned its sudden appearance: “What is that? That was not there yesterday.” After this, Dawson vanished from TikTok, leaving his 480,000 followers speculating about his fate.
@andykapt
♬ original sound – Andrew Dawson
A Tragic End and Lingering Doubts
On July 1, 2022, an obituary for Andrew Ryan Watchorn Dawson appeared in the Campbell River Mirror, stating that he had passed away at age 34. The notice, which included his birthdate (November 4, 1987) and family details, offered no cause of death, and its authenticity was questioned due to the ease of submitting obituaries without a death certificate.
Some sources, including posts from Dawson’s girlfriend, suggested he had struggled with depression and may have taken his own life. However, the lack of official confirmation and the timing—published the same day as his reported death—fueled speculation that the obituary could be part of a hoax.
Skeptics have since debunked much of Dawson’s story. The “giant” on Canoe Mountain was likely the top of a cell phone tower, obscured in later videos due to a change in filming angle.
The “UFO” was possibly contrails illuminated by the sunrise, and the helicopters were likely engaged in heli-logging, a common practice in British Columbia’s rugged terrain. The “military” structure was identified as the Jasper SkyTram, a cable car system built in 1964.
The “agent” in the Dodge Charger, with its casual demeanor and aftermarket exhaust, seemed more like a local than a government operative.
Despite these explanations, the circumstances of Dawson’s reported death remain murky, with little public record of his life or passing beyond social media and the obituary.
@andykapt
♬ original sound – Andrew Dawson
The Aftermath
Dawson’s story captivated audiences, blending elements of cryptozoology, government conspiracy, and personal tragedy. His TikTok following grew to over 521,000 after his disappearance, as users continued to dissect his videos.
Some believed he stumbled upon a genuine secret, pointing to his alleged surveillance and coerced confession as evidence of a cover-up. Others argued he orchestrated a viral hoax, capitalizing on his love for performance—he was an aspiring musician—and the internet’s appetite for mystery.
The lack of transparency about his death, coupled with minimal online records, only deepened the enigma.
Tony Merkel, host of The Confessionals Podcast, reached out to Dawson in May 2022 for an interview. On June 23, Dawson responded, insisting his videos were fake but advising Merkel to “be safe” and avoid discussing the matter.
This exchange, combined with Dawson’s girlfriend’s posts about his depression, suggests a personal struggle that may have been exacerbated by the viral attention.
While the evidence points to rational explanations for his sightings—a tower mistaken for a giant, routine helicopters, and a well-known tram—the emotional weight of his final posts and reported death cannot be dismissed. It’s possible Dawson, a charismatic creator, crafted an elaborate narrative to boost his online presence, only to be overwhelmed by the attention it garnered.
Alternatively, his distress in later videos and the timing of his obituary suggest a man grappling with personal challenges under the spotlight of sudden fame. As a journalist, I lean toward the simpler explanation: a series of misinterpretations amplified by the internet’s echo chamber, coupled with a tragic personal outcome.
The post The Viral Giant of Canoe Mountain: Andrew Dawson’s Unfinished Story appeared first on Anomalien.com.
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