Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain
This is the forty-sixth of a weekly blog series that will focus on leadership in the outdoors and how to get the most from the least. Even though the title is called, “Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain Man”, it will hopefully cover topics that are useful to everyone.
Chapter 46: Buckskin Clothing
21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Genesis 3:21 NIV
It has often been said that clothing makes the man. This has never been a truer statement than in the mountain man's time of yesteryear. The very mention of a mountain man will paint a vivid picture of a man wearing buckskins and other clothing accessories made out of hides and pelts. This clothing style was not worn by mistake or accident, it was perfect for the conditions; very durable and readily available to make as it was needed. The mountain men of yesteryear, of course, adapted this style of clothing and the manufacturing processes for that clothing from the native populations they came in contact with during their times in the mountains. Even Lewis and Clark and the rest of the Corps of Discovery eventually went to wearing clothes made from pelts and hides, as their textile garments from civilization could not stand the test of time and survive the years long journey intact. Little has changed today. For so many purposes leather from an animal is still the best option.
In order for evolutionists to be able to rationalize their illogical approach to how modern-man came to be, they must be able to explain events using great periods of time and clear progressions of tools, clothing and lifestyles. If a person is ever to visit a Natural History Museum or interpretive center, the narrative will always be the same, using the viewpoint that anyone or anything that came before the educated person telling the story was “primitive.” I try at all costs to avoid this mindset. The students and staff that I have led or taught during Natural History programs are hopefully educated in a way that they do not refer to any person as "primitive". The people that came before us may have had a more simplistic approach to life, with the main goal being from day-to-day and season-to-season survival, but there was great beauty in their simplicity. The tools and clothing they utilized were part of God’s wondrous plan; they used what was available, nothing more. Our ancestors' clothing and tools defined what they did, and what they did dictated what clothing and tools they needed. Simplicity at its best. Form following function and vice versa.
Make no mistake, the people that came before had many of the same issues we have today. Children who are disobedient, people arguing and fighting amongst one another, and a desire to be self-serving on a regular basis. This is, of course, due to our sinful nature. Mankind of yesterday, today and tomorrow will always be the same in many respects. Many of the problems and issues that our society today deals with are a result of our own doing, with an over reliance on technology and science. We have lost the beautiful simplicity that those who came before us enjoyed. Perhaps we are the ones who should be referred to as primitive, with very little knowledge of the skills and abilities that our ancestors possessed.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in our clothing choices and usage. Even with our modern technology and manufacturing processes we cannot match the craftsmanship and materials that our ancestors used for clothing. Namely clothing made from hides. It is not out of the question to find handcrafted leather clothing today retailing for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In reality this clothing is inferior to most of the leather garments that have been produced by mankind for thousands of years. If our ancestors were so primitive, why were they so much better at making clothing than we are today?
The mountain man of yesteryear certainly lived up to the standard of dressing for success, though their success was often defined by not dying in the mountains. Their clothing of hides was the best option they had, and in many cases is still the best option today. I love riding motorcycles, and rarely do so without my leather jacket and leather boots. I do not wear these things simply to look the part of being a “biker,” instead, these are functional items that offer the best protection. It is just a lucky byproduct that they also look pretty cool. I would certainly consider these modern-day buckskins.
In the mountains, any outdoor professional is quickly recognizable by his or her clothing. The conditions in the mountains can change very rapidly and having the proper clothing can mean the difference between comfort and misery, success or failure, or can even become a life threatening scenario. The best outdoor clothing is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but most of the clothing manufacturers do make their clothing light, tough, and it will serve the user for many seasons. Really not too different than the buckskins of old. The point being, if you want to look like a modern-day mountain man, it is important to dress for the part. Not just for appearances but for practicality.
Our clothing choices don’t stop speaking volumes about us or stop being practical when we step foot out of the mountains. What we wear and how we wear it will go a long way towards defining us as a Modern-Day Mountain Man or Woman. Whether in or out of the mountains, clothing makes the man. I remember once in college we were about five innings through a nine inning baseball game when I came in from the field and was confronted by my coach. He realized during the past half inning that I was playing without a belt, which in most respects to modern day baseball pants, is just ornamental. Nevertheless, he was quite upset with my lack of attention to detail and not being a complete part of the team. In all of the years of playing team sports, I believe the running I did after that game as punishment for forgetting my belt was the most running I was ever made to do as a punishment. My coach's point was a simple one; if you want to play like a ballplayer you have to look like a ballplayer.
Most of modern-day society has really lost any sense of decorum or formality in regards to clothing. It has become increasingly difficult to pick out a person's profession solely based on their daily appearances or clothing choices. In fact, if I had to guess what most people’s professions are today based on their clothing, beach bum would probably be the conclusion I would make the most. It is a sad state of affairs when men who are serving in professional roles show up to do their important work wearing worn-out shorts, T shirts and sandals. It is little wonder people no longer take many of the formerly revered professions seriously. If one wants to be seen as a professional, one must dress as a professional.
In this respect little has changed from the mountain men’s time of yesteryear to the Modern-Day Mountain Man’s time of today, clothing choices and usage define us. To say that a mountain man of yesteryear wouldn't be caught dead without his buckskin clothing is because without it, he would be dead! It is a true statement that the professional guide or outdoor professional should hold his or her clothing in the same regards. Poor clothing choices and selections can put us in harm’s way or set us up for failure. It should not stop there however, our proper clothing choices should continue daily with the end goal in mind to be taken seriously. In order for this to happen we must dress seriously. Perhaps not in a mountain man’s buckskins, but in the clothing that best defines our profession and will let others know that we mean business.
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