Reflective Writing
How can cultural anthropology be useful in studying another subject?
Anthropology can be used in more than one way. Many people think that anthropology is only used in other countries, to study other cultures to see how they might compare to America. What a lot of people don't know though is that anthropology can be used anywhere and on just about anything. After taking anthropology I realized how much was used in everyday life. Just recently I did a study on climbing, more on the subculture in climbing known as Alpine climbing. Learning about their cultural model, norms, taboos, and the coming of this subculture, I found that though this is a subcategory to climbing there are many similarities and many differences. Some similarities are using equipment, like ropes, harness, tents, and food supplies. A few differences between the two categories are the following in the Alpinist culture, you will be on an expedition for days to a couple of months, and using far more equipment as compared to climbing where you scale a mountain in just a few hours and at times a day or two. Beyond climbing I see the works of anthropology throughout the day. As a driver we use trucks to haul goods across town supplying companies with products, and they will disperse those goods out. Or in better terms this is known as redistribution. We use anthropology in our schools, homes, work place, and even at sporting events. By using ethnocentrism in our today society, we will get a better understanding of everyday life. By taking this class I have gotten a better understanding on how anthropology works and use it on a daily bases.
Alpinist
In the world we are surrounded by many cultures and in those cultures are subcultures. I have been observing a subculture known as Alpinist. Alpinist are part of the climbing culture, unlike the usual vertical climbing Alpinist will spent months at a time on the mountain. A good example of this subculture is climbing Mount Everest, K2 or Kilimanjaro. Most of these climbs will take months at a time unlike your ordinary climbing that will only take a few hours. I meet up with a good friend of mine and a climbing partner for more than five years to get a better understanding of this culture and the way it works. My friend Adam who has been on a few of these expeditions has been a big help to unlocking some of these secrets about this culture.
With this Alpinist culture people’s behavior, attitudes and understanding are different then what climbers will normally think. Like all climbers though the mountain is everything, if you respect the mountain the mountain will respect you. These climbers known as Alpinist have this type of attitude that is unlike any other, they are really peaceful and respectful to the land they are on and the people around them.
One of the big aspects or norms about the Alpinist is that they are well organized. You must be organized and have a well planned approach to what needs to be done to make the journey up the mountain.
There belief on this is that you must respect the mountain. Up there anything can happen and you want mother nature to be on your side. An example of this could be climbing Mount Everest, before anyone starts there climb or journey they get blessed by the local tribe. This blessing is for good spirit, good health, and a safe journey. Everyone on the mountain has a job that they must do to keep others safe and the system running smooth. Some job requirements might be hauling equipment, setting anchors, or drawing out line. Everyones job is as important as the next.
This subculture environment is always changing and adaptation is highly important. You will basically be living in tents or what they call tent city. Your environment is constantly changing from warm weather to white out blizzards. You must be prepared for anything, so a good knowledge on where you are going to be staying for possibly a few months is the most important aspect you could have to survive. While on the mountain your communication with one another is what will save your life. There are not many symbols in this culture, it is based on language you should be communicating constantly and frequently. Like I said earlier everyone has a certain job and there communication within that job is important.
If everyone works together you will get a flawless system with an award like non other, an opportunity to stand on top of the world this is a feeling of great honor. My goal is to stand there triumphant and look down to feel that power of conquering a mountain. As a climber, Utah in my thought is one of the best areas around for Alpining, this makes adapting to the area easy. I grew up here in Utah and always would go exploring in the Big Cottonwood canyons, it wasn’t until I was about twenty one when I met Adam. Adam is the one I have been interviewing and finding out more on this subculture. This subculture take much dedication, practice, and training. With the help of my good friend I have over come many problems and arguments on this subculture. For the longest time I thought climbers where just hippies, hugging trees. It wasn’t until I started climbing myself and found out what it truly meant to be a climber. Being a climber or Alpinist in my opinion, is to break free from the everyday surroundings of life, meaning cell phones, computers, traffic, and the herds of people walking around without a clue.
Although you are not always free from technology, you may need things like a GPS system or computers to map out your route, and to track weather patterns. Without some of this technology you might find your self in a conflict. Over the years and even decades Alpinist have gone through a transformation. Newer and better equipment has been developed, From your harness to ropes, anchors, tents and even the clothing.
Some of the earliest Alpinist like Sir Edmond Hilary, the first man to climb Everest. Had nothing to protect him form the harsh weather except wool that he used to wrap himself in. The rope he used was not worth trusting, they didn’t use harnesses back then they would just tie the rope around their waist and hope for the best. Since then our equipment is a lot safer. In this subculture safety is everything, and everyone works together to ensure that safety, so you can return to your love ones. The attitude and understanding of each and everyones safety is highly important, Adam told me one thing about the culture and what they call the death letter. This is a letter that you will write to your family if there is a death or serious injury. You will give this letter to someone in your group to hold onto and make sure that your family receives it.
Adam, who has been climbing for ten plus years says he has never had to give someone that letter or knows of any that have been given. As a group leader he will not put anyones life in that kind of danger.
Wherever there are mountains their will be climbers, and Alpinist making a journey to conquer they mountain working together as a flawless group ensuring each and everyones safety to the top and back.
I would like to thank my good friend Adam and climbing partner, for giving me a better understanding of what it’s like to be an Alpine climber. I hope by reading this paper you too have a better understanding of this subculture.