Ash Cave Investigation
Here is some of the evidence we pulled from the Haunted Hocking - Ash Cave program. There were approximately 165 people aiding in the investigation. The group was led along the trail to Ash Cave at dark-9:00 pm at night. The Hocking Hills State Park naturalist illustrated several sounds we might hear that could be confused with paranormal events-the hoot of a barred owl's call, a screech owl's call and bats (he utilized a bat detector, too, so we could listen to them catching bugs). He also discussed the echoes that come from sounds reverberating off the walls of the recess cave.
He also
reiterated a story about glowing lights in the forest that had been seen by
a group of college students-upon investigation, the naturalist had found it
to be flying squirrels basking in the glow of foxfire.
It seems so easy to disprove information collected on the supernatural. Orbs can be discredited as bugs flying in front of the lens and shining off the flash or moisture collected on the lens. Sounds can be challenged as voices far away, a dog's howl or even night creatures like owls or flying squirrels. Some are easy to doubt with a guarded ear and the knowledge of the natural world.
And, as always, whether you are skeptical or not, take a moment to explore the unknown of the natural world of the Hocking Hills- a place where some folks believe that the natural and the supernatural world collide! Regardless, we will lay out information collected and let you be the judge...Not only do we use more advanced equipment like infrared cameras, EMF meters and digital thermometers, we also try some "old-fashioned" ghost hunting techniques.
One hundred and eighty-two photographs were taken from one end of the trail to
the stairway of Ash Cave.
If there was unusual activity in the
picture, it is noted with an arrow. Please note that all areas covered by
public programs have evidence collected prior to or after by the Hocking
Hills Investigation Team. Personal Experiences: 1) Three people saw a figure by the
outer entrance of the cave near a large boulder. It is the area that others
have reported seeing what has been described as a tall, thin man-like
figure. Photographs were taken during the course of the night. There were
several photos taken near the mouth of the cave that appeared to have a
man's form in them. If you look closely, you may note what appears to be a
man with his arm resting on something, staring out toward the forest.
Using crystals. 2) Since we do much of our photographing for
Haunted Hocking outdoors, we tend to shy away from orbs, discrediting them
as lightening bugs, moths or other flying insects that just happen to be in
the path of our camera's flash the moment a picture is taken. We have six
pictures with a tiny light shining in them. Most, we assumed were bugs.
However, when completing our post-research of Ash Cave, we were walking to
our vehicles and the odd scent that has been reported with the "wondering
woman" seemed to be all around us. We began taking photographs with our
infrared camera and one of the shots had this orb. Bug or not? You decide.
Closer
view. Click for larger image.
