Paranormal Wilderness Experiences – Picture Cascadia

“Abruptly I had the sensation that one thing was arising behind me. I appeared again, and noticed a huge black determine following me… After I awoke I noticed without delay that the determine was a “specter of the Brocken,” my very own shadow on the swirling mists, introduced into being by the little mild I used to be carrying.” -Carl Jung, “Reminiscences, Goals, Reflections”

Think about mountaineering, or climbing a excessive mountain ridge. If you happen to climb excessive sufficient to look down into the misty fog beneath, and if the solar is low and behind you, you would possibly witness the shadowy determine of the Brocken Spectre. Showing like a tall, darkish, mysterious human form, I can think about it could possibly be fairly spooky, and will have helped encourage legends and tales about unusual human-like creatures lurking within the forest. Nevertheless it’s truly your shadow, forged on the mist beneath. It’s a kind of “glory,” much like the airplane shadow you would possibly see on a cloud out of your window whereas flying, and equally could have a rainbow “halo” impact round it. The phenomenon is known as after Germany’s Brocken mountain, which is commonly misty and the place it has been seen by many individuals over the centuries. Right here’s extra details about the Brocken Spectre: https://earthsky.org/earth/what-is-the-brocken-spectre

One phenomenon that could be defined by the Brocken Spectre is the Darkish Watchers, or Los Vigilantes Oscuros, of the coastal mountains of California. 

These darkish, mysterious figures have been witnessed by hikers and vacationers for a whole bunch of years, ever since Spanish settlers started to reach within the space within the seventeenth century. In response to legend, the Darkish Watchers stand silently and observe vacationers from a distance, however vanish if approached. 

John Steinbeck wrote about them in his 1938 brief story “Flight”:

“Pepé appeared suspiciously again each minute or so, and his eyes sought the tops of the ridges forward. As soon as, on a white barren spur, he noticed a black determine for a second; however he appeared shortly away, for it was one of many darkish watchers. Nobody knew who the watchers had been, nor the place they lived, however it was higher to disregard them and by no means to point out curiosity in them. They didn’t hassle one who stayed on the path and minded his personal enterprise.”

Extra concerning the Darkish Watchers right here: https://www.livescience.com/dark-watchers-california-optical-illusion.html

One other fascinating phenomenon that’s skilled by outdoorsmen and adventurers is the Third Man Issue, or Third Man Syndrome. Mountaineers and explorers in life-threateningly harmful conditions have reported feeling the feeling of an unseen companion, the benevolent presence of one other being, offering consolation in a life-or-death scenario. A superb ebook about this expertise titled “The Third Man Issue”was written by John G. Geiger, the place he paperwork many examples, and gives scientific, psychological, and non secular theories. 

In an interview with NPR for his ebook, Geiger stated: “Clearly there’s a non secular or spiritual clarification to this phenomenon,” However he additionally says there may be robust science behind the Third Man: “Many skeptics and non-believers additionally had this expertise they usually attribute it to different explanations and there may be definitely some very attention-grabbing science behind this.” 

Famed Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton wrote of his expertise with the Third Man: “throughout that lengthy and racking march of thirty-six hours over the unnamed mountains and glaciers of South Georgia, it appeared to me typically that we had been 4, not three”. Apparently Shackleton was deeply affected by the expertise, however refused to debate it additional, calling it “which might by no means be spoken of.” However his two companions, Frank Worsley and Tom Crean, recalled feeling the identical presence. The Third Man has additionally been skilled by pilots, mountaineers, and even a person who escaped the World Commerce Heart on 9/11. Typically it takes on a corporeal type, or resembles a beloved one. Different instances it’s only a voice giving recommendation or encouragement. However generally it’s a silent, invisible presence. The uniting issue, nevertheless, is that it’s a benevolent power: offering consolation, assist, or assist.

Might it’s a guardian angel? Or a hallucination introduced on by excessive stress or lack of oxygen to the mind? Learn extra concerning the Third Man Syndrome right here: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112746464

Have you ever ever had a mystical expertise whereas adventuring, or one thing you couldn’t fairly clarify? I’d love to listen to about it. Let me know within the feedback! Keep protected, and keep wholesome.