the great mountain experience

7/30/2019 The Great Mountain Experience

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The Great Mountain Experience

By Tom Mitchell

I am from the Mountain and this is where my space is. My place is the Grand Teton

Mountain Range. My favorite space is a ledge near the Hidden Falls that overlooks Jenny Lake.

However, my spirit is free in the presence of the Great Mountain. Basso is correct; this place is

very good for me. This I the place I call my own, of which I share with the other creatures and

visitors.

Basso was talking about Dudley Patterson and commented how his experience was

different.

But to me, a peripheral outsider, the model of igoy was a wonderful

discovery, an absorbing cultural form of large and subtle dimensions. And so it

has remained, as moving in its way and every bit as gripping as the largely

unspoiled countryside from which it draws its strength. My own sense of place,

which is not inconsiderable, rests in part upon it. (Basso 1996:148)

I too am an outsider, to the Grand Tetons. However, my sense of place lies there. A sense of

being that connects me to the planet earth and the cosmos. A place where I am peace and my

spirit soar the sky like the hawk over the valley to my right. My space has changed very little

over time. The change that has occurred is for my fellow man, so he may come visit this

beautiful landscape I call my spiritual home.

When I journey home, I must prepare for the trek around the great mountain. I must bring

my gear which will help me navigate the landscape. A good pair of hiking boots, backpack with

supplies and a solid walking stick help me navigate the landscapes and ledges up the mountain.


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Unfortunately, the only ones who understand this are the park rangers. Most visitors do not

understand this and risk injury. People forget this is a national park and not the boardwalk. The

will risk injury for a glimpse of the beauty I can see from the landing below my favorite space.

The will trek of a half mile up and half mile down in tennis shoes or other inadequate footwear.

The last quarter-mile to the first landing includes trekking a narrow rocky ledge wide enough for

two people so one can reach the first landing. I have helped many who have injured a leg or foot

down the mountain because they did not heed the warnings of posted by the parks warden.

My second favorite place in the Grand Tetons is a place I call only The Great Beast

leaps the fence. This great beast is a bull bison and is the size of a minivan. I was in awe of his

presence after I pulled into a park Lookout. I saw this Great Beast saunter across the Teton

plain coming from the Snake River and half mile away. From that distance I could this bull was

massive and even a grizzle bear would not dare impede his way. As he neared the lookout,

people began to pull in. These people got out of their vehicles and tried to get close to the great

beast to take pictures. The great beast meandered towards the lookout which was only separated

by a six foot high range fence. I feared for the safety of the people if the Great Beast should

charge, for the people did not understand the power and strength this creature has. As the Great

Mountain Spirit would have it, he turned the marvelous creature around and it made its way

down the fence line. The Great Beast traveled about seventy-five to one hundred feet south of the

lookout and stopped. It stood for a few minutes and then from a complete standstill, the Great

Beast leaped the fence. It was the most awesome display of power, grace and agility I have ever

seen in my life.

After the Great beast had jumped the fence, it made is way towards the highway, where

many vehicles had stopped to view his presence as well. One pickup truck even traveled along


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the side of the mammoth bison so they could take pictures of him. Had they only known this

creature could flip and destroy the truck in one rush. Fortunately the bull was preoccupied for it

was late August and he sought the companion ship of his herd on the eastside of the highway.

My ethnography exists in the in the wild life that we share this planet with. While I feel it

is unfortunate I cannot spend more time in my place, I understand I must have the necessary

education in order to write about my experience and hopefully forth coming research when I

have completed school. For now, as Basso says it,

Time will tell what other cultural constructions await the ethnographer bent on

an interest in place. But that such construction are everywhere to be foundin

deserts and savannas, mountains and rain forests, cities and rural townsis

altogether certain. We should begin to explore them with all deliberate speed, and

not, I would emphasize solely of the purpose to enlarging our knowledge of

particular social groups. (1996: 148)

I think everyone; in some way shape or form are ethnographers. People seek out the cultures they

want to experience. Basso I believe is implying there has to be willingness, above everything

else, to pursue this experience and become a living part of it. In many ways, this is my

experience returning to school. I am part of a new culture, which as time goes redefines itself

every year. I also believe to pursue such an experience there has to be a spiritual connection that

brings the person to the place they learn from or as Basso would deem it Wisdom Sits In

Places.


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Citations

Basso, Keith1996 Wisdom Sits in Places, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press

the great mountain experience

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