Imagine having a bad boy reputation in a town called snowflake

The sad irony is that whenever we catch a fish and throw it back into the lake this same sequence of events is told to other skeptical, unbelieving fish.😔

My dad was a logger and I grew up in a logging community and one thing you don’t do is question the old timers stories about weird things they encounter in the woods. I’ve heard a few that were unexplainable but nobody looking for fame, I just heard them hanging with the old man and his friends. Spooky stuff that they all relate to and just nod but nobody questions it.

Travis is the real deal. It makes me so sad to think of how cruel humans can be. We would rather judge, ostracize and humiliate our friends and neighbors than, god forbid, open our minds and hearts a little.

I like to imagine there's a group of aliens with a wild story of the time they encountered some humans, almost killed one, and then when they tried to repair him, freaked him out so bad they had to cosplay as humans.

I don't know what happened or what could have happened but I know that you are one of the best narrators I have seen in my long life of 78 years.

The movie "Fire in the Sky" released around 1991 or 1992 was based on this story. I was only about 12 years old at the time, and completely obsessed with this flick. Saw it at the theaters. It was completely terrifying. Robert Patrick who had recently played the T-1000 in Terminator 2 played one of the poor blue collar loggers barely making ends meet for his wife and kids, and having to deal with explaining to Travis's family and community what happened and how Travis disappeared. But the horrifying scenes were the parts showing what Travis experienced after being taken by the UFO. I recommend everyone check out this movie. This was during the early 90s when shows about UFOs, ghosts, Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, paranormal activities, Unsolved Mysteries were really popular. I watched a lot of those shows as a kid, and this story was right up my alley.

I totally can relate. I was chased by a UFO while I was driving home from my parents house. I had my baby in the car and I was absolutely terrified. It was about 30 feet above my car and followed me for miles. I stopped at a vacant military kiosk hoping that I could get help but it was 10:10pm and no one was there. While I was stopped, the UFO hovered over me. There was no noise at all. I was crying and rolled down my window telling them to leave me alone. I then decided to head back to my parents house because it would take me a lot longer to get home, they lived in the country, about a half hour from my town. It followed me almost all the way back to their house, again, matched my pace about 30 to 20 feet above me until it finally veered off and flew back over the hills. Scariest thing that ever happened to me. And really, I don't even care if people don't believe me. Like you said, what's in it for people to lie about these experiences? People may think you're crazy but truly, I think it's crazy to not believe that there is abundant life in our universe and they are curious just like we are about life on other planets.

It turns out that I'm a huuuge fan, of the strange dark and mysterious, delivered in a story format.

Imagine the balls of these guys to decide to tell the truth from the beginning. That’s not really discussed. That took a tremendous amount of courage.

I love Travis Walton. He is so humble. He says throughout it all, he never felt they were trying to hurt him. Like they were actually trying to help.

I believe it's true, I've seen him interviewed several times, read the book & saw the movie. Back in those days they had a lot to lose with that story, no way they made it up and stuck to it for all these years.

Somewhere the aliens are sharing the same story about this human they captured.

Alien 'Earth wildlife research team': "Oh shit! We accidentally wounded that animal. Lets pick it up, help it, then release it real quick back into its habitat."

It's crazy that lie detectors are used in court etc, but when it comes to something like this, people don't believe it. And had those men failed the test, the world would have believed the test was right and that they lied. I feel so bad for all involved, living in fear like that.

I've studied this case. Travis Walton is telling the truth. Either Travis or one of the crew would have changed their story by now. Even to this day when Travis recounts the incident it is obvious he is still traumatized ...and it is clear he is telling the truth.

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” - Arthur C Clarke

I actually met this guy at the Roswell Alien festival. I didn't know this story and was skeptical when he was sitting by his books fire in the sky. I asked him so many questions and Walton was such an upfront man. The deeper I got into the questions I can see a deep weight on his heart. I got the book. I'll never forget that man. Nicest man I've ever talked to that had fame in his name.

Definitely among the most legit stories. I just wish their families hadn't been so mean to them over it

It’s crazy that you posted this 3 years ago and now we’re getting shown that there are other life forms out there , I just hope they come in peace and we can get along

the aliens probably seen travis scare that bear and they were like "he is a fine specimen indeed"

I'm glad Wikipedia added some context, I never would have known that an "alien abduction" is referring to someone being abducted by an alien.

To everyone who says journalism is dead, MrBallen is out here in the middle of the ocean, no raft, spaceships circling around, and he's still a level-headed skeptic

I saw two UFOs back in 2012. It was terrifying. I did not believe before my sightings. I do now. One of my best friends, a much older lady named Becky was with me. Without her i would have really freaked out. She kept me calm. She wasn't scared at all. She said "I'm 60 years old and i just saw something ive never seen Before!!! Im not scared I'm excited!". That made me feel better. We stayed up all night talking. Becky passed a little overa year ago. I miss her.

Everyone is a gangster until Travis jumps out of the car to chase a bear

You really missed the opportunity to say “gently probe the like button”

I listened to Travis retell his story in person at a UFO conference in Vegas some 10 years ago. It’s absolutely mind boggling. The most documented abduction I know.

I snuck into my living room at 3am when I was a small kid and watched the ending of FIRE IN THE SKY (the movie based on this story) and I’ve never ever been ok with the thought of aliens. It scares me so goddamn much to this day.

I met Travis in 2014. The feeling I got from talking with him was that he is being completely truthful about his experience. He told me that he feels that he was seriously injured from the beam of light (which he thinks was a static electric discharge) and was taken to save his life.

The movie Fire in the Sky was about this incident. Travis would later say that he felt they picked him up to help him because when he was hit by the beam of light it really messed him up. He said he could feel something inside was damaged and although he didn't realize it at the time, he later felt they were trying to repair the damage that was done to him. I for one believe it happened.

Im glad to hear the Travis story here, you did a great job explaining it. I have been a UFO enthusiast for many years and knew about the Travis Walton story since the 80s. I do believe that Travis Walton and Betty Barney Hill are the best abduction cases for consideration, as these people seem to really believe what happened to them, they are not making things up and lying. An incredibly fascinating story. BTW, I really hated the movie Fire in the Sky, it had way too much Hollywood BS in it and nobody should waste their time watching it.

His story telling just keeps getting better. I've heard this one from many different views points but I am always intrigued by it. I lived in thr high desert in California and saw many strange lights and other unusual things

He's already out here replying to comments. This is why everyone commenting on his channel is so wholesome. What a guy! You're awesome 🙌

Can you imagine the alien side to the story? Like I feel bad for the dudes cause they seem pretty traumatized but just think this guy accidentally got injured by the ship's defense mechanism and all the aliens were like SHIT SHIT kidnap him to heal him and then drop him somewhere

The best re-simplified narration of the situation I have heard. Thank you.

I’ve always thought “the man in the spaceship in a spacesuit “ was either a synthetic robot of some kind. Travis Walton IS an accidental envoy to some of our space brothers. What a rare and precious honor.

Imagine going thru this horrific event and yr family are embarrassed by it, so avoid you. When u need them the most. My heart breaks for Trav. I believe you man.💫

Can we all just show Mr ballen respect for NEVER EVER click baiting us. Xx

No matter the subject, Mr Ballen tells the story with such believably. Hats off to you ❤

While we have no evidence that this occurred, we don't have any evidence that it didn't, and since the only people who suffered from this occurrence were the people who went through it, I think it would be cruel to openly doubt them or call them liars.

I’m actually from snowflake Arizona. My best friends uncle was one of the men that witnessed Travis get abducted. I’ll never forget the expression on that mans face when I asked him about it when I was 13. Just the sheer look of terror and ptsd in his eyes and he said he didn’t want to talk about. Also passed Travis’ house multiple times and he was a pretty quiet guy in town.

Bear: "Oh sh*t it's Travis Walton!" *runs*

It’s fun to go to your earliest videos, I love your style of storytelling! This feels a wee bit more Freeform when played after a newer one. Either way you’ve found your vocation! You are one hell of a storyteller.

You are an amazing storyteller. I have watched your new videos and after watching this one I can hear the continuous improvement you have achieved by telling so many stories. Great job!

I like how Travis is described both as an “adrenaline junkie rebel” but also “extremely level-headed”

People commenting about how hes not level headed cuz he charged a bear…..A lady just went and literally shoved a bear off a concrete fence after she let her dogs out to protect he dogs and she seemed pretty level headed and average

I almost didn’t watch this one because I know this story, glad I did because mr ballen does a great job telling this story!

I do believe these guys, and I love your narration style. It’s like you are telling it from memory, it doesn’t seem to be read in any way. It makes your narrations really easy to listen to and engage with. ❤

Can we all just appreciate the fact that he credits his sources

I think the sixth guy who got the inconclusive result had just started doubting himself enough that he was losing confidence that what he remembered was true

Coming back to this now that the government has confirmed aliens hits different

I actually just seen this episode on TV two nights ago. I love the way he tells his story.

Technically, Travis wasn't Abducted. They took him on board to save his life. Because they killed him by accident (or close to killed him, his body was in trouble and in need of help.) When the craft began to ascend, the power from it killed Travis. They then took him aboard and saved his life. :) He talks about that in interviews. He said he thinks that what happened.

So I believe that when the beings saw how uncomfortable their appearance made Travis, they left to make themselves look like humans with whatever other technologies they have available. So the reason those humans seemed strange is because they were probably actually still the three aliens trying to calm him. Just my mind wandering 👽

Stories are so important to us humans and you are an incredible story-teller

It took me a week to go through all the Why Files videos. I hope this channel has more to feed on. Looking great, so far. Thanks for the content.

I actually got to interview Travis back in 1999 for my senior class project at Payson High School, in north central AZ. Since my father was also an AZ Logger and also having a family acquaintance to Travis, I grew up with the story around me told on several occasions or after a long day hunting on the Mogollon Rim, where this occured. I went on to a career in law enforcement and after all that I wish I could go back and interview him again today with the training and experience I now have. However, what I can tell you for certain is that something very strange and life-changing DID happen to Mr. Walton that day and although my opinion doesn't matter for much, what I will say is that I'd bet my last dollar that he and his crew were, and still are for that matter, telling the complete truth.

aliens were like “ got dammit jerry i told you it wasn’t enough glorb glob get the camouflage suits and lets hope he falls for it

After investigating the case, Klass reported that the polygraph tests were "poorly administered", that Walton used "polygraph countermeasures," such as holding his breath, and that Klass uncovered an earlier failed test administered by an examiner who concluded the case involved "gross deception".

I heard about Travis' story by watching the movie Fire in the Sky years ago. Loved hearing the facts of the case, thank you.

My great grandfather filmed the first documentary of the Travis Walton story. He said when they talked about what they witnessed there was no hint of lying or deceptions in their voice or the way they talked. He said that was the moment he believed there was life outside of earth.

Travis Walton opened his eyes and thought he must be in a hospital, since he was in a white, brightly lit room, lying down face up on some sort of an examination table. As the figure above him looked into his face, Travis was horrified to realize it wasn't human. The gray alien looked at Travis with it's large, black eyes, and telepathically communicated: "If you're not a fan of the strange, dark and mysterious delivered in probing format, it's really going to suck to be you for the next 5 days because that's all we do..."

I cannot understand why some people refuse to be open to the possibility that we are not alone in this universe.

The driver that decided to turn around is a true friend.

If those guys wanted to kill the guy, as loggers, they could make it look accidental 100 different ways

It’s funny to imagine Travis coming to in the ship and trying to attack the aliens, then they’re just like “Fuck this, bring in the human androids to calm him down.”

How composed is Ballen, keeping his focus on the story whist an alien is behind him staring him down.

The most compeling proof that something strange was going on in this story is that no drugs were found in his system, in the 1970s, in Snowflake AZ. Clearly that is odd.

I know I’m watching this almost a year late but this is the most believable alien story I’ve ever heard.

Fire in the Sky is one of my favorite movies....one if the best recollections of the Travis Walton story! DB Sweeny did an excellent job playing Teavis Walton!

I bet the Alien anesthesiologist who’s job it was to keep Travis sedated had to go back and re-read human 101 hand book 👽

These guys are fucken heroes... To go through Everything they went through, and that they are all still telling the truth... I honor them as much as a soldier that went through war, just to barely make it home to get no respect for what they did. God bless you guys........

This is like listening to Mikey tell the story of 1 eyed Willie to the rest of the Goonies in the attic.. epic.

And people just can't keep a secret, especially between several people, and for 40 years! One would have broke from the original story. No changes. It happend.

I love how he tells every story as if he was there every step of the way

I watched fire in the sky when I was a kid and scared the hell out of me, it got me in to sci Fi and the x files series and movies

As a retired State Trooper, I have many, many stories of my own. But, there is no doubt the stories would sound better if you told them. Thank you for what you are doing. It's awesome!

"Rogue Aliens get caught snooping on Earth, kidnapped human in panic, Alien authorities get called in and make them bring the human back" - Alien News headline somewhere out in the universe

Mr. Ballen. Two corrections. When Travis got up to the craft he said it was only about 10 feet above him. Also, before he was struck by the beam he actually had moved closer to the object because he was in the process of starting to dive under a nearby log. Before he could complete this move he was struck by the beam

Wow You are a great story teller and this story is creepy The idea of the aliens on the craft dressing up as humans is so eerie 😮

"Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." - Arthur C Clarke

When me and my sisters and cousin were younger, we were laying in a boat on the dock looking up at the sky trying to see if we’d be able to see shooting stars, and while we were watching this “star” that was above us in the sky it got super super super bright and all I remember is everyone screaming and running to our house. Nobody even remembers getting up or running down the long dock! When we finally got home there were cops and my parents,aunt and uncles were yelling at us asking where the hell we were?! We were confused and told them we were just laying in the boat and why they were freaking out? We were all gone for 6 hours.... 6 friggen hours! And me my sisters and cousins don’t remember anything after seeing that bright light. After that happened I got diagnosed with a conversion disorder. While I was in college I just remember walking into my sociology class and that’s it. I was in a sort of coma for a month, I had to learn how to walk and talk all over again and the doctors have no idea what caused it, but they theorized that I must have remembered something so traumatic in my past that to protect itself my brain shut down. My cousins, me and sisters all suffer from bad anxiety ever since that happened to us.

One of my favorite stories of all time! I really enjoyed u telling it! Like I do all ur others.

Crazy how you stay so calm telling the story knowing how angry that alien is behind you, great work. Edit: he wants to start "story's by the camp fire" live experiences 😎

Who's found this by accident but now loves the strange but true storys

I remember watching fire in the sky as a kid. Scared the heck out of me

Your story telling definitely got a lot better! 🤙🏼👌🏼

I’m from Snowflake and met Travis several times while growing up; he’s a very nice man who mostly just likes to keep to himself. I recommend reading his book “Fire in the Sky” (don’t watch the movie- it’s horrible and mostly deviates from the purported events). There have been a few other UFO sightings around Snowflake by extremely credible people, but people don’t talk about them very often.

I dressed up in a suit made of aluminum foil. I abducted the like button while it was out for a walk. I probed it John, I probed it.

My mom grew up in the town right next to Snowflake and told me about this. I've even been to that payphone, there's a big alien statue and a mural next to it now lol

This story always reminds me that the universe is filled with the unknown. I absolutely believe, but don’t necessarily want to experience personally.

When I was a kid our family doctor who was a doctor during WWII, told us about his time working on the Queen Mary. He crossed the Atlantic for 3 years. He was a heavy smoker and drinker because of one thing. He was out on deck middle of the night,in early 1942. They were running black out so no lights on this huge ship. But it was a full moon. He said it wasn't uncommon for Whales to swim along next to the boat, and you could hear them singing to each other. So this one night he's talking to an English sailor on deck, and they hear whales screaming. They walk to the rail of the ship, and they can see the water is boiling. The sailor rings a alarm bell, thinking that it's a submarine coming to the surface. But it wasn't. Doc said it looked like a Giant Horseshoe crab, but 3x wider than the Queen Mary. He said she was covered in lights from at least 6 ships around it. It made no sound what so ever. Then lifted above the waves, and flew off into the heavens. He said I asked one of the sailors, is that one of yours? (Meaning British) He said the sailor was white with fear, and said I bloody well hope so. Because if it's theirs? We're all good and fucked! He said it was the only time the QM didn't dock in NY harbor. She went to Boston and no one was aloud off the ship until they had been interviewed and told,It never happened!, He told us this in 1985 after Reagan shorted his SS check. He said they want to keep my money? I don't have to keep their secrets! He was such a great guy.

How am I just now finding this channel? This guy is gold.

Great job telling the story.

I met Travis. This effectively destroyed the life he wanted. I believe him.

I didn’t need the Government to confirm that UFOs _actually_ exist.

Women seeing a UFO: "Oh shit! A UFO!" Men seeing a UFO: "I wonder if they used a miter saw for them corners...🤔 that's some fine carpentry..."

I just love his story gelling beein going to sleep off his story for 18 months now coffeehouse crime is another good one i listen 2 but mr ballen is the besT.

Those guys in red were definitely feds

This channel is a procrastination gold mine 🙏🏼 thank you 😂