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Show add 6/ To add excitement, the American Mountainmen annually hold a primitive rendezvous. Food, clothing, sleeping equipment and even eating utensils must be authentic to the pre-1830's. "It's the ultimate test of your enthusiasm for the sport," Mr. James laughed. For Stephen Shepherd, authenticity is the key to moun-tainmanning. "It's not enough just to dress up in old clothes and go out shooting. We're concerned with preserving the traditions and the spirit of these early people. "Before I make an outfit, it's research-^ I want it authentic down to the last row of fringe. It's the same with the weapons we use in the shooting matches. They are hand-carved and authentic. That way I'm doing more than talking about mountainmanning, I'm actually participating in it," he said. Ray Turner,- a mailman from Greeley, Colo., says he's always been fascinated by the Indian way of life. "I just couldn't pass for anything but a white man, so I decided if I couldn't be an Indian, I'd be the next best thing, a mountainman. "It's been a good decision. I can still blend in the Indian ways through beadwork or tanning my own pelts for clothing," he explained. Showing off the intricate bead work ~- moccasins, strips down his britches, across his jacket and even around the rim of his hat -- he explained that because the mountainmen were the only white folk in Indian territory, they mixed. Often they would marry Indian women. Their clothing, then, like the Indians, |
