JOURNAL 5 - Essays (- Of Men and Mountains)

A book not only about sexism but also racism, thanks Matt. 

                      By William O Douglas

Sagebrush and Lava Rock 

This essay is literally how I feel about this class, I have no idea what's going on, 95% of the time. And I have to summarize this in the essay we're writing? What a joke. Douglas goes from one legend to another one and connects them in the end. Ya, sounds easy, not for me. Something about a Wak-puch, what turns out to be a rattlesnake (I guess), a Coyote, Chinook, and stories about him hiking in Yakima. He talks about some legends and how he saw those when he was hiking. So after staring at my laptop for about two hours, I went to you, Matt, and you kinda helped me explain it a little bit. Kinda, a little bit, indeed. 

Douglas tries to tell us how there is beauty in everything, even if it doesn't always look like it. Connecting this to our hike, even in the dead of winter, there was beauty around us, you just have to take a closer look at it. Another way to connect this essay to our hike is when we made it to the top. How nature can be so mean and so nice at the same time. Letting us slip a million times, but the feeling and the view at the top where unbelievable. I just don't understand the part where he says "on the foothills of that night I think I got my first send of Time" (48--> cause I don't wanna plagiarize lol). I always lose my sense of time. So you know what, see you tomorrow Matt, for some help, again, of course. 

So after visiting you, Matt, a million times, and finally finishing my essay, I think I have a better understanding of his essay. Douglas uses lava rock as the opposite of sagebrush: it is unchanging and close to the geologic time. It was created through volcanoes and floods, yet lava rock led to life and eventually to sagebrush itself. He talks about the geologic time as something humankind should be humbled by; nonetheless, it also taught him how everybody is truly cared for by nature.

The Cascades 

We only had to read the last three paragraphs from The Cascades, so that kinda made me confused about the story.  Douglas explains here a little bit about the spiritual part of the mountains, the part I love the most. Whenever I hike, especially just with a few people, or walk by myself in the woods, I kinda get a feeling of surviving, but not really in a bad way. Just how Douglas says, "He comes in close communion with his Creator" and "He comes to know himself" (18). I hate it how Douglas says HE and of the book is called of MEN and mountains, but I feel the same way as he is trying to express. I feel like in the last paragraph he explains the purpose of this book and why he chose to write it. 

I saw a kid in the gym wear a cascade football shirt and I was like hey I know that I've talked about that in class. Even in the gym, I think about your class Matt, can you just give me a break for once ;). 

Yakima 

Just 10 pages and I like the begin sentence, it adds a little mystery. Maybe this chapter isn't gonna be as bad. I have never seen a wild snake, only held a giant yellow snake when I was like 6 so I have never really been afraid of snakes. Every time I went hiking I was looking for snakes, however, never lucky enough to find one. The wat he talks about getting lost or behind on his family, I have never felt that. I was always the one who would walk away and wander off what the world had to offer. Whenever we went to a zoo or forest, my parents would always lose me because I had ambled off (learning some synonyms here). 

I like learning more facts about the sagebrush reading his book, it is the state flower of Nevada and you can find it a lot not only in Washington but also in Oregan. I can't wait to see it during the spring or summer time. I think it is crazy to think about how Cleveland is 3,000 feet above sea level, which is almost three times as high as the highest point in the Netherlands. The first sentence Douglas says when he mentioned his dad passing away gave me a feeling of him not caring that much for his dad. Though, later he seems he cared a lot about his dad.

I have never read a book where I have actually been to the place the author is talking to. I really enjoy reading and learning about Washington's history, every time Douglas speaks of a place I know I get kinda excited. I especially like to learn about the native Indians. When I grew up I always thought of Indians as people that never excited or that the stories people told about them were overexaggerating. When I got older I learned that the Indians were real and that there are still Indians today and reading and learning more about them is very satisfying for me. I also love where he says that the Cascades is a place where "man [men] will never starve" (25). It gives me a feeling of hope for the world. 

Just in some parts, I don't like Douglas's opinions at all. For example when he talks about Indian violence... as they were the bad people. Dude, white men took over their land, of course, they are gonna be violent. "Occasionally a Yakima would fill himself with firewater and go on a spree" (27). I really hope he doesn't mean a spree to kill the Indians... 

He literally talks about Mountain Adam and Mountain Rainier what became his friends... is Douglas sane...? I can kinda get that Adams stood for a "symbol of stability and strength" (29) during his father's funeral, however, I still wouldn't call a mountain a friend or describe it as a person. 

Kloochman 

Rock?? Okay, an interesting name for a rock. Lava rock...I could've known that. An Indian myth huh, I love reading those (and no this time it isn't sarcasm). So basically there wasn't a reason to turn the women into rocks? Well, that's kinda cruel. When Douglas talks about him sitting on Kloochman, I thought about me sitting on top of the lava-rock at umtanum creek falls, the time without you though, Matt, when it was actually nice and I could enjoy the hike and the outside and didn't end up having bruises. When I sat there it was so peaceful, I could literally sit there for hours. I remember closing my eyes for a while just enjoying nature and having nothing to worry about. 

While reading his adventure climbing the rock there were two things I was thinking of.

1. Why the heck would you climb a rock like that back then, almost die, and decide to go up the other way?? Cause they were young and "determined to climb the rock" (321). Asking myself the question again, Is William O Douglas sane? 

2. I want to climb the rock myself too. Let's see what it looks like. 

Why. did. they. climb. this. rock? That is really insane if you ask me. 

"Kloochman became the symbol of adversity and challenge" (327). --> I like how Douglas put this story last in his book. I think he is trying to say that if you know how to live dangerously, you aren't afraid to die. 

Jack Nelson 

I'm wondering what is so special about Jack Nelson that Douglas writes a whole chapter about him. I tried to look up a picture of Nelson but was unsuccesful in finding one.  And after reading the whole chapter I am not sure why he did wrote a whole chapter about it. Nelson didn't really do anything very special, it sounds more like he has a man crush. 

Ahtanum 

"This was the first time I had felt the full impact of their quietness" & "Then I experienced great healing" (56). I would love to hike all by myself one time, I truly feel like I would feel just like how Douglas is describing. Realizing everything in his surroundings and just being alone with nature for awhile would be awesome. 

Douglas keeps mentioning throughout his book how nature, trees, mountains, and everything are his friends. I can kinda understand why he is saying that, and I think I talked about this before, however, I would never say the word friend. Being to my spot a couple of times now, I definitely feel a connection with it, I just wouldn't call it my friend. 

I never like to give my opinion in this class or even talk about anything that's on my mind. I just always feel like I am do only one who thinks that way and I know I am. Almost every time I say something, several people disagree with what I'm saying. I only talk when I'm 100% sure of what I'm saying. I feel like this is very much because I'm not American and have so many different opinions about a lot of things and it's very hard that whenever I say something, and I am the only person in this class who believes that, to actually stand by my point. 

A city of Salt and Granite (part 1)

This essay isn't in Of Men and Mountain, however, I am not gonna make another story just for one essay. 

Of course, I could've expected, the next essay is coming up, And the other guide essay And a presentation And more chapters in Himalaya Bound. Why did I take your class again? And you're letting us read this after an hour into class, which means my head is brain is already dead due to the pace you go. I literally have no idea what it's about. Ready to talk about it in class right now and ready to read it a million times over before even starting my essay. --> I talk about this essay again later this page.

An Ascent of Mount Rainier -- John Muir 

The further we get into this quarter and the more readings I do, the more I want to hike, and the more I feel like a good hiker. But in real life, I would probably be the worst hiker ever. I mean, everybody can have dreams right? When Muir says nobody reached the top from the north side but people tried, did they just give up or did they have an accident.... I don't like Muir's details since I don't understand what he means with most of them. He is a very good writer, just not for someone whose first language isn't English. 

10 000 feet above sea level... I don't think I will ever be that high above sea level, but who knows. maybe that should be a goal for me. Just like running a marathon. One day I will achieve it, don't know when yet, but one day. Just like I will do the Math placement test one day, registration starts Tuesday, no class on Monday, uhmmm... One day.... I am just kidding, during spring break, I will have lots of time to hike. The only problem is everyone will be home so I have to hike by myself, what I would prefer, however, I have no experience. If something happens, I have no idea what to do. I might just take the risk, we'll see. 

Funny joke there Muir, climbing over ice but warm with ambition and exercise. 

Goat Rocks

 At this moment I am in a Starbucks in Seattle, "working," so yes, Matt, I am getting paid right now doing your homework :). And even though I get paid, I still don't wanna do it :). Cassidy always gets super excited when she sees mountain goats (I assume that is what this essay is about). I remember the first time when I saw them I was coming "home" from California with my hostfamily. They're just goats, with a little more hair and they're on a mountain.

A mountain goat

I am just wondering, did Douglas do anything else in his life besides hiking? Cause it sure doesn't seem like it. You know what would be cool, if someone made a book about all the hikes he did like a field guide book, with instructions and everything just like one of the books I use for the field guide essay. 

I really just read McCall as McDonalds. I'm very bored and very hungry as you can see. This has been a long day doing homework in Starbucks and still 2 to go. I'm just curious what Old Snowy looks like and I really thought we were talking about actually goat rocks like goats from the rocks or something but no of course it is a mountain as well. 

               Old Snowy                             Goat Rocks 

 

Why does it not surprise me that the mountains just look like any other mountain. It gets kinda boring just like Douglas essay's. He has the same formula for all his chapters and it is getting kinda annoying.

John Muir? Of course, that's why we had to read his essay. Everything connects in your class, how great. 

       Dwarf Phlox               Dwarf Lupine 

I love flowers like this, very colorful and nice :). Oh and it thrives in lava rock... Of. Course. 

A City of Salt and Granite  (Terry Tempest Williams, part 2)

Great, another essay we have to write an essay about. Great, another essay I have to summarize that I don't know how to. Thanks Matt, awesome. What. does. she. mean. I don't know:) let's read this a million times again, translate everything again, and talk to you, Matt. 

Soo Williams talks about how small towns turn into bigger cities and as example she uses her hometown, Salt Lake City. She talks about the history and the mountains, how her family has been there for six generations and that she admired the mountains since a very young age. I think she is trying to imply how her connection with the mountains taught her humility and that this humbleness isn't necessary a bad thing. Mountains are something bigger and greater then people will ever be.

So now I have to write a 3 page essay about this right? RIGHT....

I worked very hard on it and I hope this is what you expected Matt. I'm kinda nervous for my grade, but we'll see. Probably not in a few weeks but that's okay since you are so busy with the 5 credits you teach this quarter ;).

Indian Flat--25 Miles

I am sorry Matt but I'm kinda getting tired of Douglas. And with kinda I mean I'm really getting sick of his book. I think I already mentioned it before but I'm not completely sure, his chapters/essays all have the same structure and it just gets really boring. It's all about mountains and the people he hiked with and I mean the book isn't called of Men and Mountains for nothing (which I still think is sexism) but still, its all the same every time.

Douglas claims he was the first one on the trail and I do believe him. He does so many crazy things and going off the trail for 2 miles, he is most likely the first one to hike there. Thanks Douglas, reminding me to keep breathing while hiking, I didn't know that yet I thought I just should stop breathing and die?? Getting a little arrogant there. Picking huckleberries is very smart, I just wouldn't do that because I don't know or see the difference between berries that are good to eat and berries that are poison. If I and if I knew the difference I would still be too afraid to still eat the wrong ones.

This essay is again, wayy too long. Talking in so many boring details, I bet the same information could have been given in 8 pages less. He quotes, "Perhaps it takes such a view to make us realize that vain, cocky, aggressive, selfish man never conquers the mountains" (69). Excuseeee me?? You just described yourself and then you said you never conquer a mountain. Maybe you should take your own advice bud.

Naches--40 Miles 

I'm sorry Matt but in this blog I won't have any pictures anymore. If I wanna add pics I have to download the pics, copy and paste this whole blog, make a new one, add all the previous pics as well and that just takes very long and a chance off losing it all. I have done it like 5 times now, but I am too afraid of losing everything. I saw that there were only 3 essays from Douglas left so I will make a whole new one for Volcano A to Z and see if there are any pics I can add.

14 pages, not too bad, very appreciated.

They're discouraged by the snow? That really surprises me, I thought Douglas wouldn't be discouraged by anything. He talks a lot about flowers again and I looked up the Avalanche Lily. You probably already did too, Matt, but for other people reading this (I still don't understand why Mom but okay I still love you), it is one of the typical flowers I always see on TV, yellow in the middle and 5 protrusions (I don't know if that's the right translation, I just translated 'uitsteeksels' on Google Translate.

I am surprised that they went home so fast. Usually Douglas stays in the mountains for hours and never hurries a bit and I never hurry either if I don;t have too. I love being in the mountains, it just relaxes me so much(, especially with this corona virus going on).

Klickitat

22 pages, just one more essay out of Douglas' book after this (you better not give a surprise and say we are doing more than then the syllabus says).

"We were gay with expectations" (294), is it just me or does nobody understand what he means by this??

Matt, I. Just. Can't. I believe that this is the most boring essay from all the chapters we have read, so far. The next one better be better. If not, it's THANKFULLY the last chapter we have to read.

I feel bad for thinking that in Douglas time people couldn't fly to other countries yet since I was surprised about his mission in China. That was about everything I have to say a bout this chapter. Sorry not sorry (now I'm getting arrogant because of Douglas).

Snowhole

LAST. CHAPTER. HELL. YESS.I don't wanna hurt your feelings Matt, or Douglas', however, I just strongly dislike this book. It doesn't have anything to do with you or Douglas, okay, maybe a little bit (a lot) with Douglas' personality, I just don't like it. I am not going to ignore that is has taught me a lot though. Yes, I can still be a little positive (but only because this is the last chapter we have to read).

This is, if I remember it right, the second chapter we read where Douglas talks about snow and I think he dislikes snow a lot. It makes sense though, he loves hiking and it is very hard to hike while there is snow on the mountains (unless you go snowshoeing but that's a whole different experience). I guess me and him have something in common after all.

They may not find shelter?? Excuse me?? I would be freaking out, no shelter on top of a mountain filled with snow?? Damn. No way of getting water???? Douglas definitely experiences a lot, good thing we know he will survive since he wrote this book after all these hikes. Or is there gonna be a plottwist? I don't think so since we already read the last chapter (Kloochman) of the book.

SO THIS IS THE LAST THING IN THIS IN JOURNAL 5. I probably won't ever open this again lol. But if you are ever bored or miss me Matt, you can always read this again, I won't delete it after winter quarter just in case ;).