Whether you believe in the afterlife or not, the thought of coming into contact with a ghost may send shivers down your spine.
For others, it’s a passion.
Ghost hunters do not attempt to trap or capture ghosts despite their names. In contrast, these paranormal investigators investigate places that seem to be inhabited by some supernatural entity.
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Digital recorders can also pick up sounds the human ear misses, so ghost hunters try to capture messages from beyond with simple digital recorders. In addition, investigators say the “Spirit Box” jumps between radio channels creating white noise and allowing spirits to speak.
Wes Leslie, the co-founder of The Haunt Ghost Tours, operates out of Los Angeles and San Francisco. His first ghostly encounter occurred at a swimming pool in New Orleans while doing laps alone. In the pool, a ghostly figure joined him.
He explains, “I didn’t feel terrified, calling his experience a “residual impression” haunting. “I didn’t feel like this was a spirit that would try to drown me.”
Leslie became fascinated by the spirit world after that experience, leading him to form a tour company that focuses mainly on Chinatown in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Leslie says there’s plenty of spiritual activity to explore there.
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Most people are familiar with ghost hunting because of shows like Ghost Hunters, which debuted on SyFy in 2004 and now airs on Travel Channel. Ghost Nation’s host and producer, Steve Gonsalves, has helped usher ghost hunting into the mainstream.
He said, “It’s important to verify what you’re experiencing in the environment. If you stare into the darkness, your brain starts playing tricks on you.”
Gonsalves says he’s experienced plenty of actual supernatural events, too – and many of them are documented on camera. He says the experiences are unsettling but never frightening.
Although even the most dedicated ghost hunter can’t prove ghosts exist, many people continue to try their best to determine if there is life after death.