By: Rachael Jackson Staff Writer
Washington based ghost hunter Ross Allison has spent over 25 years researching the paranormal.
He now bears many accomplishments in his field: he is president and founder of Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle-Tacoma, founder of the Seattle Death Museum, tour guide at Spooked in Seattle, lecturer, and author of three books.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, Allison visited Western’s campus to lecture and to lead a ghost hunt.
Allison began his visit with a lecture entitled “Ghostology 101” to give the audience an overview of the history of his field. To be a successful ghost hunter, he explained, one must have passion, devotion, and patience, because finding a ghost is no easy task. Ghost hunting is tedious work, so it can be hard for some not to rely on gimmicks for publicity.
“You don’t need to make up stories to convince people,” Allison stressed before entering the second half of his lecture.
Kathryn Sinor, a junior anthropology major and aspiring ghost hunter said, “I appreciated that he wasn’t like, ‘I’m not going to convince you,’ just, ‘here’s the evidence and take it as you will.’ That was neat.”
For those in need, Sinor seems interested in starting a business of her own.
“If anyone has ghost problems, come to me,” she said.
After the lecture there was a ghost hunt in Campbell and Todd Hall.
Todd Hall was the first stop where Allison handed out equipment to a few students to aid in the ghost hunting. This equipment included a thermal camera, laser grid, compass, dowsing rod, and ping-pong balls for ghosts to manipulate.
While in Todd Hall, there was some commotion when a cold spot appeared near a group of students. The compass swung between south and southeast, refusing to find north, all while the dowsing rods crossed. Allison explained during the lecture that these were all signs of ghost activity.
While the hunt remained inconclusive about the presence of a ghost, the students that were in attendance were told to check their phone recordings for possible Electronic Voice Phenomenon, the term used for when the voice of a ghost is picked up on recording devices.
The rest of the night remained quiet and seemingly absent of paranormal activity.
