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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.

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

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.

Citations Basso, Keith 1996 Wisdom Sits in Places, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press