The 'Boston Yeti' looks back on two-day snow romp: 'I'm feeling lots of love'

Boston has another big dig on its hands, as residents recover from a massive blizzard with more inclement weather forecast. But after a new character had emerged on social media by shovelling snow off the Boston Marathon finish line, the first viral star of winter storm Juno was speaking out for the first time.

The self-dubbed “Boston Yeti” became almost as notorious – and hated – as the mythological creature he was impersonating when he appeared in photos on Monday night on Twitter, then gained thousands of followers after creating the account @BostonYeti2015.

He’s brushing it off.

“I think anyone gaining some traction on social media is bound to face haters or those who aren’t into what you’re doing,” the Yeti, who refused to reveal his true identity, wrote in an email interview, his first with a non-local outlet.

“The number of people who have come forward and expressed their appreciation for the Boston Yeti greatly outweighs those trying to bring it down. I let those things roll off my shoulders – well, they often get stuck in my fur, but you get the idea.”

The Yeti claims to be from the Boston suburb of Somerville, and is a vegan.

During his adventures on Monday night, the Yeti was spotted on Boston roads, helping families shovel and, on some occasions, barhopping.

“I’m feeling lots of love from everyone,” the Yeti said. “Even the copycat Yeti’s making the rounds in the Boston bar scene!”

While much of the north-east remained at home vegetating with their Netflix accounts, the Yeti was busy trying to help clear out the streets – even if he wasn’t sharing as many exploits on Twitter anymore. “The storm is winding down and so, perhaps, I’ll take advantage and have a nap,” the Yeti said. He vanished from Twitter on Wednesday after a two-day flurry of posts.

“I think the city of Boston has done a wonderful job getting out there and making roads safer,” he wrote. “I may try and go clear some snow myself. Given how large my feet are, I reckon I could clear some sidewalks with little effort.”

The Yeti, from the looks of photos posted online from various sightings, is about six feet tall, and covered in white fur. He does not condition.

Massachusetts governor Charles Baker issued a statewide shutdown of roads, highways and public transportation for the duration of Tuesday. This didn’t stop the Boston Yeti from getting around.

“I lost my license at a Taylor Swift concert earlier in the fall. So, mostly hitchhiking, cabs, and walking.”

Stories of Yetis and abominable snowmen have been a facet of history for over a thousand years. A Yeti features prominently in a Spicy Buffalo Wheat Thin commercial set to air during Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.

The Boston Yeti recognized his brethren instantly.

“I loved the ad,” the Yeti wrote. “That Yeti is actually a second cousin of mine, so it’s great to see him doing something with his life. The last I saw him, he was just laying low in the woods with little direction. I think he’s found his calling.”

Alas, there were new characters emerging from the snow on Wednesday.

As the snow subsides, the Boston Yeti plans to hibernate, and perhaps catch up on some Netflix. He has a few favorites he may be watching. “I’d recommend Abominable and a classic from the 1970s, Snowbeast.”