My year for the Bisti Wilderness

[Kirk Gittings]

Wow, lived in NM almost all my life and finally hauled my fat ass and my 4x5 into the Bisti yesterday. I was in a group of students and faculty from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design led by some photographers with decades of work in there. What a place-unbelieveable! I can't believe it took me this long to go in there. The reason I have not been in there before is that I am not really a photographer of "natural landscape" but more of "cultural landscape" like the nearby Chaco Canyon that I have been to some 75 times. But in researching the Bisti I have found that there definitely is cultural component as it is a sacred area to the Navajos for example. I'm looking forward to doing some serious work in the Bisti over the next year as I am part of a group show on the Bisti in January of 2015 (my 99th!). Kind of a self enforced residency over the next year.

[AtlantaTerry]

Kirk,

Please remember you are writing for an international audience. Will someone in Brasil or Viet Nam or Nigeria have any idea at all what you mean by the US postal designation "NM" or "Bisti". Hell, I've lived in the United States for over 68 years and don't know what the Bisti is.

Best,
Terry

[Jody_S]

Kirk,

Please remember you are writing for an international audience. Will someone in Brasil or Viet Nam or Nigeria have any idea at all what you mean by the US postal designation "NM" or "Bisti". Hell, I've lived in the United States for over 68 years and don't know what the Bisti is.

Best,
Terry

It took me all of 3 seconds with teh google to find this. I think I have to make at least one trip to the US southwest before I die.

[Tin Can]

I love this description, 'The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is about 30 miles (as the raven flies)....'

[Kirk Gittings]

Kirk,

Please remember you are writing for an international audience. Will someone in Brasil or Viet Nam or Nigeria have any idea at all what you mean by the US postal designation "NM" or "Bisti". Hell, I've lived in the United States for over 68 years and don't know what the Bisti is.

Best,
Terry

Hmmmmm. There have been numerous discussions on the Bisti on this forum over the years. Its no longer a well kept secret. That cat was let out of the bag about 20 years ago. As per this audience, I always assume if I am interacting with someone participating in an online forum that they will have the where-with-all to do a simple online search if their interest is aroused...................could someone really participate on this forum and not know how to do a simple internet search for the word Bisti or NM?

[Steve Sherman]

Hmmmmm. There have been numerous discussions on the Bisti on this forum over the years. Its no longer a well kept secret. That cat was let out of the bag about 20 years ago. As per this audience, I always assume if I am interacting with someone participating in an online forum that they will have the where-with-all to do a simple online search if their interest is aroused...................could someone really participate on this forum and not know how to do a simple internet search for the word Bisti or NM?

My sentiments, just said more eloquently...

[Kirk Gittings]

Last Saturday about 3 miles in at the Bisti using my 30LB pack for a back rest. At 63 I'm definitely up for this but it sure hurt allot less when I was 30

[Jody_S]

Last Saturday about 3 miles in at the Bisti using my 30LB pack for a back rest. At 63 I'm definitely up for this but it sure hurt allot less when I was 30

I'm thinking someone needs to invent a tripod head that folds into a seat, for resting on the trail.

[redrockcoulee]

Last Saturday about 3 miles in at the Bisti using my 30LB pack for a back rest. At 63 I'm definitely up for this but it sure hurt allot less when I was 30

Sounds like fun and also a great way to "make" yourself go some where close by Bisti and many of the other locales in that area are on my bucket list and will most likely get there in the next five years. But your statement of at 63 it hurts more than at 30 is not encouraging as only a few months to go to 63.

[David Lobato]

The first time I went there was with my 4x5 and was amazed. Went a couple of more times and the fascination did not fade. One of the easiest places to aim a camera and get a keeper. It's very hot and disorienting in there so precautions regarding one's safety is a good idea. Just my thought, but I'd consider taking a GPS for any long hikes into there, and a lot of water and a map. When your mind is so consumed with finding good photos and not with keeping track of your whereabouts it's easy to get lost and dehydrated.

All that said, be respectful of the Navajos' cultural sensibilities and of its sensitive nature. It's a gem of a place and I'd be regretful if it's overrun like many other scenic treasures in the 4-corners area.