The Buff Ledge Abduction

On August 7, 1968, two teenagers working at Buff Ledge summer camp on Lake Champlain witnessed UFOs over the water and experienced missing time. Years later, under separate hypnosis sessions, both recalled the same abduction with remarkable consistency.

The Location

Buff Ledge Camp was on Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont, a girls’ summer camp with lakeside facility in an isolated setting.

The Witnesses

Two teenagers, Michael (16) and Janet, were camp employees on maintenance staff and good students.

The Evening

On August 7, 1968, around sunset on the dock, the camp was empty with others at swim meet. They were alone together.

The Sighting

Over the lake, bright light appeared and approached shore. Multiple objects were coming closer in a fascinating display.

Initial Observation

They watched three lights performing maneuvers over the water, coming nearer with increasing excitement.

Close Approach

One object descended toward them very close, above dock. Beings were visible inside in a moment of terror.

Memory Gap

Then memory became unclear. Their next awareness was later on dock with sun lower. Time had passed.

Missing Time

They couldn’t account for the lost period. There was confusion, both experienced same gap, classic pattern.

Immediate Aftermath

Neither discussed what happened due to embarrassment and confusion. They went separate ways and years passed.

Michael’s Nightmares

Years later, he had recurring dreams of strange beings, medical procedures, persistent images. He sought help.

Walter Webb Investigation

MUFON investigator contacted Michael in 1978, ten years later. He tracked down Janet for separate sessions in a groundbreaking approach.

Separate Hypnosis

Key methodology: each hypnotized alone with no contact between them, different therapists, different locations, independent recall.

Michael’s Recall

Under hypnosis he recalled being taken to craft for medical examination with strange beings, communication, and detailed memories.

Janet’s Recall

She had same elements: same craft description, same beings, same procedures, same sequence, remarkable match.

The Correlation

Webb found over 200 correlating details, independent recall with no contamination. Statistical impossibility. Genuine experience?

The Beings

Both described large heads, big dark eyes, small bodies, gray skin in classic description.

Aboard Craft

Both recalled separate examinations but similar procedures on tables with instruments used and medical focus.

Communication

Both experienced mental communication, not spoken, telepathic with calming messages, then release.

The Return

Both remembered being returned to dock, memory blocked with confusion, and not discussed.

Significance of Match

The correlation was extraordinary without contamination. Same details in different sessions provided strong evidence.

Skeptical View

Critics suggest hypnosis creates memories with pop culture influence, expectation effects. Not reliable. Debates continue.

Supporting Evidence

But consider independent recall, specific matching with no contact, different investigators, and high correlation.

Significance

Buff Ledge is significant for two-witness abduction, independent hypnosis, matching details, methodological rigor, and being a classic case.

Legacy

The Buff Ledge case represents one of the most methodologically careful abduction investigations. The independent recall of matching details by witnesses who hadn’t communicated in years presents a significant challenge to skeptics.