Ghost Adventures: Can you handle the lockdown?

Are ghosts real? It sounds like a silly question that an eight year old would ask. Especially around Halloween. But really. Is there such a thing as a “ghost”? Science likes to lump everything that cannot be measured through a controlled experiment into the paranormal category. But with new advances in technology and a growing cohort of ‘believers,’ more light is being shed on this dark question.

The hit TV show Ghost Adventures, which airs every Friday and Saturday night from 8pm-3am on the Travel Channel gives to the viewers an in depth look into this modern day ghost hunt. In the introduction of each episode Zak, a former skeptic who credits his passion for investigating the paranormal to a personal encounter with a restless female spirit in his Trenton, Michigan apartment building back in 2002 states; “My name is Zak Bagans. I never believed in ghosts until I came face to face with one. So I set out on a quest to capture what I once saw onto video. With no big camera crews following us around, I am joined only by my fellow investigator Nick Groff and our equipment tech Aaron Goodwin. The three of us will travel to some of the most highly active paranormal locations, where we will spend an entire night, being locked down from dusk until dawn. Raw; extreme; these are our Ghost Adventures.”

The crew got its start in 2004 while filming an independent documentary throughout the old mining towns of Nevada. During this three week expedition to gather evidence, the crew investigated Virginia City, NV; claimed to be one of the US’s most haunted cities. Equipped with static night vision cameras, voice recorders, and a high dose of testosterone, they investigated numerous buildings including the Old Washoe Club. Popular with miners, criminals and prostitutes during the late 1800’s silver rush, murders, suicides and mining accidents add to the dark history of this place. It was during this investigation that one of the most shocking and compelling pieces of evidence of the paranormal was captured on video. Yes, the video shows an actual apparition walking past the window towards the door following behind investigator Nick Groff. The video was studied by a professional video analyst, who confirmed the evidence to be authentic. Since capturing this piece of evidence and many more, the crew has hardened their resolve to continue the hunt to bring to light more pieces of hard evidence.

The TV show ran its first episode back in 2007, visiting purported haunted sites all throughout the United States and overseas in such places as the underground vaults of Edinburgh, Scotland and Poveglia Island on the outskirts of Venice, Italy.. The premiere of season five of Ghost Adventures was Friday, September 23. The crew investigated the Ashmore Estate in Illinois, which is said to house demonic spirits that are said to harm visitors. Zak Bagans announced via Twitter that a new contract was signed for twenty-six new episodes, totaling to thirty-four new episodes for season five.

The crew uses a plethora of technologies, old and new to capture the paranormal. Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVPs are caught using voice recorders that are unable to be heard with the naked ear. Temperature and electro-magnetic field readings are used to track spirits. And an overall self-described religious, emotional and scientific approach is taken during the lockdowns. Bagans has been criticized for his aggressive and confrontational approach during investigations. He claims he uses provocation to elicit responses from the more sinister spirits and to help put a stop to the harm of the living.

Check out the full first documentary of Ghost Adventures on youtube.com and watch a new episode every Friday night at 9pm on the Travel Channel. Also, keep an eye out for the Ghost Adventures Live Halloween special. Next time you get that cold chill up your spine or goose bumps, you just may be in the presence of a restless spirit. It is up to you to decide if you believe or not, but keep an open mind, watch for the evidence presented by the GA crew, and you just may become a believer yet. Happy Halloween from all of the writers here at Culprit Magazine!