October 23, 2009
DT: Haunted Lost City
by Oubliette
South America has figured prominently in this season of Destination Truth, and this episode was no exception. The team travels to a “haunted lost city” high in the Andes Mountains, where there are supposed stores of gold hidden by the Incas in a tunnel system designed to prevent the Spaniards from finding these hidden caches. According to news sources from 2008, this citadel was built by the Chachapoya tribe, also known as the Cloud People. The city is perched on the edge of an abyss; a location that has throughout the centuries discouraged looters and others attracted to its treasures.
Burial sites with graves embedded in the sides of cliffs along with pottery shards were recently discovered by archaeologists, thus verifying the existence of this remote place. To add a mysterious aspect, locals claim to hear strange voices, see apparitions and also hear the sounds of a phantom bell tolling from the ruins.
Josh informs us that an explorer, Alex Chionetti, had tried to reach the Lost City but unfortunately had to turn back (no reason given). The DT team decides to follow his trail and continue up to the ancient ruins to determine if there is any truth to the claims of paranormal activity.
Upon reaching Lima, we are treated to the usual display of some fun antics by the team. This includes Josh instructing “Everybody get in the fountain”–shades of National Lampoon’s European Vacation-and him posing with the Lima Police Force. Josh plays on the fact that he would be the tallest member by far if he joined the force and would make Captain or “General” in short order. The residents of Peru do seem quite short indeed, even given the fact that Josh is tall (6’2“) he easily dwarfs them in the lineup.
We get some beautiful shots of the interior of the Church of Santo Domingo, which holds the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, the famous conqueror of the Incan Empire. Although Josh places the blame of the destruction of the Incan civilization on this one man, there were other factors at play as well. Smallpox and other diseases swept through the tribes, severe droughts had occurred and the Inca military had been severely weakened by warfare with surrounding people just before the Spanish arrived. DNA tests are being done to determine the likelihood that many of the Indians in and around the Andes are actually the direct descendents of the survivors of these catastrophic events.
At the Monastery of Saint Francis, Josh meets up with Alex Chionetti himself. He informs Josh that the farmers who lived just below the Lost City became terrified of the supposed supernatural activity, enough to cause them to move further down the steep slopes. Here they founded the town of San Pedro de Casta. The natives speak of gold hidden in tunnels beneath the city along with many skeletal remains, but after witnessing strange apparitions and hearing unusual sounds and voices, they have kept away from the area. The trails to this citadel are nothing but abandoned paths that wind up the steep sides of the Andes Mountains and will pose a real challenge to the team.
Just getting to San Pedro de Casta is an adventure unto itself. As our team travels on the “donkey highway”, Josh quips “Oh c’mon, somebody get this ass out of the road”-his sense of humor never seems to leave him. Braving treacherous muddy roads as they ascend higher and higher-with some beautiful shots along the way-they finally slide into the town.
Manuel Olivares, an 84 year old resident, explains how at night the inhabitants hear voices from the mysterious city, and he guarantees that Josh will find ghosts up there. 100% guarantees it! The journey will be difficult, however, necessitating a full day’s trek up the side of the mountain.
We now get a glimpse of some of the conditions that the DT team encounter when having to bed down in these out of the way places. No heat, a few lumpy mattresses on the floor and a unique showerhead/light switch combo. This latter bit of luxury elicits the remark from Josh that there is “not enough liquor in the universe” for him to flick that switch on while soaking wet. Dangerous, yes, but he hasn’t seen my bathroom yet. Honestly.
The next morning, the gang starts walking up the steep trail, where it becomes apparent Bisha did not earn his “Presidential Medal of Fitness”. However, given their altitude (8000 feet) and the fact they had to go still higher, the thinner air did not help either. We get treated to seeing a sweet little girl playing with a sharp sickle, a Christmas present Josh does not recommend for another under 40. At this point they rent some donkeys and horses. Jittery to begin with, further up the trail the animals flat out panic and some bolt back down towards the village. Gabe’s knee gets injured as the horse he is holding rushes off. This is enough for the locals, who themselves refuse to proceed further. So it’s up to the team to carry all their equipment-except Gabe, who walks with a large staff that really does make him look like Gandalf, as Josh jokingly points out.
I’ve had enough experience with horses to know that they can get edgy, nervous and even take off if they sense danger or realize their handlers are inexperienced. An equine mutiny, so to speak You’ll note the one horse led by a local stayed calm. On the other hand, the horses may have sensed something amiss up ahead. At any rate, it will be just the DT team from now on.
Through the fog and mist the ruins appear, eerie in the fading light. Base camp is made on the plateau, which they will explore during the night. The IR cameras are set up, to be monitored as usual by Sharra and Bischa. Josh briefs the team about what the natives of San Pedro have been experiencing. The FLIR will be used along with a recorder to hopefully capture any EVPs. Since they are alone with no animals around that they know of, it will be important to pay attention to anything unusual that is seen or heard.
Josh and Jael take off, walking amid the ruins. Coming to the edge of an abyss they notice that there are other plateaus beneath them. Josh picks up an image on the FLIR and informs base camp that the two will look for a way to descend and investigate it. Suddenly there is a weird hooting-like sound heard by both Josh and Jael and also back at the camp. Mike believes it doesn’t sound like an animal-more like a howling noise-but here I have to disagree. It sounds like an owl to me.
The hooting keeps getting louder, and the tree where the FLIR image appears is reached, but now nothing of interest registers on the screen. Jael keeps hearing rustling to the side of her. Josh suddenly stumbles back and in doing so discovers the entrance to a tunnel. Since it is very narrow Rex, carrying a handy cam, will be lowered by rope into the hole to discover what it might contain.
The area is riddled with tunnel openings covered by brush, which makes walking about very dangerous. Jael wonders if this is where the wealth might be hidden
(I would like to know that, too!), as Josh reiterates that ghosts are said to guard the tunnel entrances and the treasures and skeletons within. It’s a good place to do an EVP session, but once again I have to wonder why they do so in English. The equivalent of “Is there gold in them thar hills” doesn’t quite wash.
If not an Inca dialect, then at least Spanish should be tried, especially since Jael is very conversant in that language. This is one of the biggest complaints I have about these types of investigations on foreign soil; it’s been a big problem with GHI as well.
Meanwhile, Sharra sees something odd run in front of Camera 4 (there must be something about dubbing a camera as #4 as it consistently seems to turn up anomalies). It’s too fast to make out what it could be, and Josh tells her that since their batteries are running low, he, Rex and Jael will be heading back. After he informs everyone at the camp how dangerous the tunnels are, he decides to head back out anyway in good old Destination Truth style.
And good thing too, because Josh comes across the probable remains of the old bell tower. Hoping to pick up any sounds of a bell tolling, they decide to use both the digital recorder and the parabolic dish. Another EVP session is conducted (need I repeat that it’s done in English again?) in an attempt to stimulate some activity. Suddenly both Josh and Mike hear a strange sound; to me it seemed a yodeling of some sort. This appears to be accompanied by rustling and other noises. Josh states he has the feeling that someone is standing off to the side and behind him. He decides to leave a recorder running at the site as he and Mike head back once again to camp.
Back in LA, the audio evidence is analyzed, showing up as obvious spikes on the screen. I’m glad this was dubbed as inconclusive and possibly animal, as I believe that is exactly what it was. My experiences of being in the woods at night and what I have heard there makes me almost 100% sure that an owl was the likely source of the first portion of the audio. Night creature sounds seem so much more strange and exotic then those we encounter during the day, mainly because we’re simply not used to hearing them.
The first human-like EVP is inconclusive, but the second one elicits surprise from Josh, Mike and Jael as it seems to say “touch him”. This is especially exciting since it came after the question “Can you make your presence known to us?”. I don’t know why no one addresses the issue of replies being in English since that language would never have been spoke in that location. The area has been a remote one since pre-Incan times and the only Western language spoken there would have been Spanish.
The video is taken to Steve and Tango for the crossover section; I mean, analysis. Steve does make a good point of noting that the FLIR image in the tree might actually have been residual warmth from an animal of some kind and not a bona fide shape emitting heat in real time. He does occasionally come up with a good explanation. However, his analysis of the images caught by camera #4 are a little less acceptable. He rules out a bug or anything else moving closely in front of the lens and suggests that this is some kind of energy manipulating the camera. How he comes to this conclusion is totally beyond my understanding.
To me the time spent with the Steve and Tango segment could better have been used by showing the audio and video evidence to Mike Dee. His expertise would have been more valuable in this case, considering that the Andes Mountains are home to chinchillas, condors and the aptly named “cock of the rock”-the national bird of Peru. Mike might have been better able to provide some suggestions as to what type of animals live in that particular area as well as the sounds they make.
What is enticing about this segment is not that these ruins are haunted–I think the locals are responding to the strange atmosphere and the tales passed down through generations. It’s that we get a chance to see some of these recent discoveries that evoke an important part of Peruvian history and the splendid civilization that once flourished there. Those interested in archaeology in general and Incan history in particular will find these ruins a treasure trove, if not figuratively, then certainly literally. Not yet well explored, there is always the chance that a significant find awaits some brave soul who has yet to delve into the dangerous and mysterious ruins of the “Haunted Lost City”.
Filed under Destination Truth, Posts by Oubliette
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Comments on DT: Haunted Lost City »
Alex Chionetti @ 7:52 am
Hi I am Alex Chionetti,the discoverer of the "Lost City".Although in the show we said I turn back before summit,in reality I made the full exploration of the site in 2003,and was again with Josh's team.My idea was bring an american crew for the first time for validate my discovery of six years ago…but was more romantic to give the premiere to DT…
Regarding to the evp is not english but a quechua expression….
Nosfer @ 11:23 am
Alex: "Regarding to the evp is not english but a quechua expression…. "
What does the expression translate to in English? Did you inform Josh et al about this?
Angelayo1970 @ 6:45 pm
Hi Alex,
I've really been fascinated with all of the South America episodes, as I've always wanted to travel to that part of the world, though sadly I've not gotten the chance to do so yet.
One question: when you found the site in 2003, was it something you were looking for or more something you just "stumbled" upon? And have you had the opportunity to explore the underground tunnels at any time, or is that too dangerous?
Also, did you approach the DT team to investigate there, or did they approach you? I know you said it was your idea for an American team to investigate, but I wasn't sure if you meant that you approached DT specifically or just put your feelers out for any type of group to come investigate.
Thanks for coming and posting, and thank you for your involvement in the South American episodes. They have been my favorite of the season so far.
Alex Chionetti @ 7:21 pm
Hi Angelayo,
In 2003 I was researching and exploring near sites that I had been trecking for two decades when the locals told me about the site and its ghostly legends,climbing it to it and expending few hours there.
When Josh Gates asked for ideas to the show during our original meeting in NY's Explorers's Club I commented about a place I didnt research enough and deserve it a real expedition with was matching with his search of the paranormal.As I like the guy I decided to give it the premiere event,although the network didnt give me any coverage,neither in their web.
Definitly I have to return to the site to explore the tunnels and do some excavations of the chambers with local peruvian archaeologist and possible with some suport from the Smithosnian,let's see,
Beside this I brougth other subjects I was exploring for year in the Andes,acting as developer/associate producer for the "Alien Mummies',the Chullachaqui's sightings,and the living dinosaurs of Arica (coming next Weddesnay as final episode of this produced season),I think the most amazing story of all the four.
Oubliette @ 9:17 am
Wow, it's great to have Alex Chionetti here! I didn't have the space to elaborate on your other interesting research, such as that involving the idea about Antarctica and its past closeness to the equator. Given the way the land masses have moved around in the past, this is certainly a plausible concept.
I'm so glad you wrote about the evp. It would have been better if they had presented you with this evidence and got your opinion, since the fact that it seemed to be in English (key word seemed) just didn't make sense.
This evp problem extends beyond this show and is something I think needs to be addressed before any evps in a foreign area can be taken seriously.
But the Lost City is an exciting discovery. Sounds like people are just beginning to unearth what could possibly be one of the greatest of recent archaeological finds.
Alex Chionetti @ 9:32 am
Seems you had been reading or watching a previous collaboration and appearance in SyFy's "Quest for Atlantis" (2005)…I glad you like my theory but I was following more the steps of my friend the Admiral Flavio Barbiero who was the italian explorer of the first italian expedition to the Antartica (1975) who launched that theory before the newzealander Flamath.
Regarding to the Evp I just craked finally after expeding several days consulting my texts and associates ..as nobody thougth in the experiencing moment that was Quechua or kichwa instead of english.Is more than 'Ta.sh in…or t ach in"…and means the " one who enter…to the place..or discoverer of this
place'… The quechua language is one of the oldes languages of the planet,and in some regions of Peru mixed with the other ancient one as the Aymara's tongue.
I have a similar experience in Chaco Canyon when I hear a clear sentence in one of the sites without taping it,but finding
sense later when decoded with one of the resident elders.
Nosfer @ 9:56 am
From Oubliette: "I didn't have the space to elaborate on your other interesting research, such as that involving the idea about Antarctica and its past closeness to the equator. Given the way the land masses have moved around in the past, this is certainly a plausible concept."
There's always the forums for elaboration on this since I'd be interested in this as well. Antarctica definitely WAS equatorial at times in the past thanks to plate tectonics. Although Antarctica hasn't been equatorial since the late Cambrian, it didn't really become totally covered with ice until about 15 mya and even after that there is now thinking that it may have been deglaciated _at times_ as recently as 3 or so mya.
The Doctor @ 11:53 am
Hi Alex -
You mention the 'Alien Mummies' episode.
Can you give us any idea why we have never heard about the material that was left for testing again, and who was supposed to have been doing the actual testing?
It would not take away from the investigation even if the results found it to be something completely normal, but many of us here are curious.
Angelayo1970 @ 3:53 pm
Alex, thank you so much for your reply. I am looking forward to the living dinosaurs episode even more now, and I hope that you keep coming back. Your insight into and involvement with these episodes is very interesting!
Alex Chionetti @ 7:05 pm
Thanks for your enthusiasm.. very much.! That was the idea…to discover new bold worlds for the cryptopguys!
I think if you and your group start to send letters to the Sy Fy execs and the producers of the show may be "I 'll be back"…
I designed six new episodes for the Season 4 but I don't have a contract yet,but I assure there are great topics and locations never been in tv before..and 4 are in South America!!!
Logisti @ 1:48 pm
"You mention the 'Alien Mummies' episode…"
Please keep discussion of episodes in the proper threads. Alien Mummies discussion is here: http://www.skepticalviewer.com/2009/10/10/destination-truth-alien-mummies/
alicat @ 5:58 pm
Gee, I sure love people who don't have the guts and post as "Anonymous". If you are so proud of your post – claim it and not hide behind it.
Alex Chionetti @ 6:06 pm
Thanks Alicat,Be sure that I will remain with you guys as I like this pages and beyond I am a real mysteries's explorer who is not using pseudonames I try to keep my scientific drive in all the documentaries I had been doing and appearing.And also this forums help for a better and honest educational television.
alicat @ 6:11 pm
You are welcome Alex. I hope you will continue posting. We just need to stay on point in the correct forums which I'm sure you understand.
Angelayo1970 @ 6:52 pm
Am I the only one who hopes Anonymous STAYS anonymous? (And quiet…)
So Alex, what did you make of the reaction of the horses not wanting to go past a certain point up the mountain? Is that pretty typical behavior for animals around that site? I've always been interested in the "theory" of animals being able to sense paranormal activity so I'm curious.
blinddog50 @ 7:23 pm
Dear Anonymous,
Logisti requested that Alex keep his posts in the proper thread or forum.
This is done to keep everyone with their widely different opinions and thoughts sailing in the same direction.
Without some type of traffic flow this website would become a giant cluster.
I don't think Alex had any problem with Logisti's request and I don't see why you made it a problem of yours.
Therefore I deleted your post.
Keep it civil and keep it intelligent is all we ask.
If you have any problem with my actions you can PM me.
Suncoast Steve @ 10:44 pm
This is a fascinating episode regarding the lost city. I was really hoping this would be one of those too rare 1-topic hour long episodes. If nothing else, considering the amazing lengths the Destination Truth team took to get there. I was so fascinated, I searched the Internet hoping to find more information about this site.
I'm also curious about the geology of the area. The few rocks shown in daylight seemed to be a mix of everything from basalts and quartz to limestone. I would not have expected to see rounded, weathered stones like these on a mountain top. Were these stones carried up the mountain by the Incans? Or are they softer sedimentary stones?
Alex, I have subscribed to this thread. Please post a follow-up message if anyone documents any further investigation of this site. Thanks.
Steve
DT_BS @ 10:46 pm
I have seen few episodes of DT aired so far and I can almost predict the series of events that one can expect.
I understand DT is meant to entertain people, Tease the audience just enough that they would keep asking for more. Josh's humor, interesting leads that supposedly prove or disprove theory or a myth and adventurous locations pack a good 1 hour of entertainment. But the show became rather dull and predictable as the show is unable to carry th momentum created by collecting evidence and setting traps. I can now almost assure you that the most a viewer could see is
1) heat signature of some sort
2) abrupt camera motion
3) indirect evidences like foot prints, hair sample, shadows,a bit guess work when it comes to underwater creature
What started irritating me is when they started treating me like a 8th grader or a rather unsuspecting or brainless viewer who wouldn't question their actions or reactions ( speaking in English to an ancient spirits on a remote hill in south america?)
Most of the episodes allow the legend or the myth to live on. Did a thought ever cross their mind that they may be able to spot something unusual that is still unknown? every anomaly is some how directly related to the legend. what if there is more to it than what the folk thinks?? ( like they look for yeti but find spirits 
)
1) Improper clothing when trekking mountains ( shorts for mountain climbing???)
2) Lack of self protecting weapons almost gives away the fact that the crew doesn't believe in what ever they are chasing ( otherwise why they not be prepared for a face off with their target)
3) crew cameras facing their heads or eye balls instead of showing us what they are seeing
4) Surveying the area around the camp in day light so the viewers understand the terrain better, instead they show a glimpse of the terrain and straight away take us to their base camp and predictably it is already dark.
5) Most of the anomalies on and off the cameras can be just regular forest animals like snakes, lizards or some well known animal. DT does not spend time validating their own findings instead they direct the viewers to believe that they collected enough evidence to either prove or disprove their findings ( which of course is never a good sample for scientific study) ( evidence sampling for DT is all photographs or inconclusive samples that no scientist in his right mind can positively conclude the identity of the species)
6) Using Ghost hunters to examine their findings is just hilarious. GH agreeing or disagreeing does not validate anything.
7) Spending less time look for the evidence than the actual travel is beyond me. They spend just one night looking for evidence and miraculously let the viewer believe that they have spotted what they are looking for but unable to properly capture it for evidence.
9) They sometimes act stupid so much that it frustrates me. Like why could they not take a tissue sample of the caucus they claim as an unidentified humanoid (international law may not allow rotting bodies, but no one will stop you from collecting small samples)
10) If you want scientific community to validate your finding, present it to the scientific community in way that they can understand. Substantiate your findings by increasing your number of samples. Follow the correct sampling methodologies.
Otherwise, every episode would be like old win in new bottle
Revenant @ 3:59 am
DT_BS said: "2) Lack of self protecting weapons almost gives away the fact that the crew doesn't believe in what ever they are chasing ( otherwise why they not be prepared for a face off with their target)"
This was brought up a while ago. The biggest problem…entering smaller countries with weapons and night-vision gear, yeah…good luck at customs. With the right guide and/or right connections, you can obtain weapons within the country once you're there and since they would be illegal there (or looked down upon here)…you simply don't show them on camera. I can't prove that, but it remains a possibility.
My idea was a simple air horn. Easy to use, compact, cheap and would scare anything long enough for you to get away. Whether they have these or some sort of other deterrent (stun-gun, flares, smoke gernades, concussion gernades, tranq gun, etc) is unknown. For legal reasons, it may remain so until after the show is done.
But…common sense says that they must have something. Forget their "mythical targets"…they do come across very real danger. One episode, they encountered a heat signature that looked an awful lot like a tiger to me. Meeting a tiger out in the wild in the dark is no joke. I just can't imagine going into these types of areas without a plan and equipment if things go terribly wrong.
I'm not disagreeing with your post. I agree with most of it. Just that particular aspect I felt needed a bit of explanation. I did like #8 though. Funny how they never run into ghosts while looking for a creature, but they will get evidence for ghosts when they aren't looking for a creature. Kind of telling that is…
Oubliette @ 9:11 am
DT has run across some dangerous animals. I agree with Revenant that they have gotten definite heat signatures of dangerous felines. In one of the earliest episodes (I think Areceli (sp) was with them back then), they ended up uncomfortably close to what appeared to a panther(!). Also, the team has encountered wolves, although these canines were probably more curious than anything. Not so the big cats. There was no faking the fear they showed as they extricated themselves carefully out of these situations.
No one would venture out at night into the Amazon forest without some kind of defense against predators. But unfortunately I don't think we are ever going to know what they carried to protect themselves.