Bill Putnam/Avatar question

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Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby mgmills » Sep 28, 2008 7:50 pm

Bill, what are you doing in that picture you have for your avatar? Looks like you are dancing a "jig"? and wearing "horns" while doing it?

Also, is that the Anderson Cave entrance in the background?
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Anonymous_Coward » Sep 29, 2008 10:34 am

Martha,

I cannot confirm which cave Bill is standing in front of, but I am quite sure that he is pictured performing the sacred antler dance. Details are sketchy, but I have been told of the importance of reviving the sacred antler dance by BIll. This usually happens late at night in conjucntion with whiskey, which explains why details are sketchy. I'm sure that Bill will soon appear and once again enlighten us with tales of the sacred antler dance.
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby mgmills » Sep 29, 2008 12:58 pm

jaa45993 wrote:Martha,

I cannot confirm which cave Bill is standing in front of, but I am quite sure that he is pictured performing the sacred antler dance. Details are sketchy, but I have been told of the importance of reviving the sacred antler dance by BIll. This usually happens late at night in conjucntion with whiskey, which explains why details are sketchy. I'm sure that Bill will soon appear and once again enlighten us with tales of the sacred antler dance.



Thanks Andy - You could be onto something because I have seen Bill drink whiskey before . . . but the pictuire appears to be in daylight and at a cave entrance. In my experience Bill doesn't drink and cave.
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Anonymous_Coward » Sep 29, 2008 1:57 pm

To clarify; the stories of the antler dance happen late at night after whiskey. I have actually never witnessed the dance itself. It may very well happen in daylight in front of cave entrances. I am sure Bill does not drink and cave, but he may drink and dance in front of cave entrances. I wouldn't put it past him! On the other hand, maybe the antler dance is so sacred, that alcohol would not be allowed. We'll have to wait for Bill to set us straight.
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Bill Putnam » Sep 30, 2008 6:30 pm

The cave in the background is the fabled Great Exit - the lower entrance to Great Ex Cave in Wyoming, the Wondrous Alpine Super-Cave. The Great Exit is one of the portals to the Underworld and the path to Oztotl.

The activity pictured is indeed one version of the sacred Antler Dance, in this instance being performed with actual antlers.The antlers were donated by their former owner, an elk of unknown identity.

Rumors regarding my propensity to imbibe strong drink are greatly exaggerated, though rumors of my dancing ability are generally understated.
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby mgmills » Sep 30, 2008 6:58 pm

Bill Putnam wrote:The cave in the background is the fabled Great Exit - the lower entrance to Great Ex Cave in Wyoming, the Wondrous Alpine Super-Cave. The Great Exit is one of the portals to the Underworld and the path to Oztotl.

The activity pictured is indeed one version of the sacred Antler Dance, in this instance being performed with actual antlers.The antlers were donated by their former owner, an elk of unknown identity.

Rumors regarding my propensity to imbibe strong drink are greatly exaggerated, though rumors of my dancing ability are generally understated.


Thanks for clearing things up. I thought all caves were portals to the Underworld and the path to Oztotl.

See you at the Cave-In !
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Bill Putnam » Sep 30, 2008 7:56 pm

mgmills wrote:I thought all caves were portals to the Underworld and the path to Oztotl.


Perhaps they are - I can not say. The Great Exit, however, is definitely one such portal, hence the ceremonial observance.
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby wyandottecaver » Sep 30, 2008 8:34 pm

After what we paid I'm glad it's a portal to something! :big grin:
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Ralph E. Powers » Sep 30, 2008 8:55 pm

Is there a larger version of the pic? Looks like it'd be worth a few giggles. :big grin:
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Bill Putnam » Oct 1, 2008 12:49 am

Ralph E. Powers wrote:Is there a larger version of the pic? Looks like it'd be worth a few giggles. :big grin:


There is, but modesty prevents me fom releasing it. Some folks might be intimidated by the size of my rack. :woohoo:
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby CaverScott » Oct 1, 2008 7:31 am

Bill Putnam wrote:
Ralph E. Powers wrote:Is there a larger version of the pic? Looks like it'd be worth a few giggles. :big grin:


There is, but modesty prevents me fom releasing it. Some folks might be intimidated by the size of my rack. :woohoo:

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Ralph E. Powers » Oct 1, 2008 9:25 am

Bill Putnam wrote:
Ralph E. Powers wrote:Is there a larger version of the pic? Looks like it'd be worth a few giggles. :big grin:


There is, but modesty prevents me fom releasing it. Some folks might be intimidated by the size of my rack. :woohoo:


GROAN~

post the pic... sheesh! :rofl:
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby graveleye » Oct 1, 2008 10:24 am

Bill Putnam wrote:rumors of my dancing ability are generally understated.


I am going to be at the SCCI booth next weekend demanding proof!! :grin:
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Re: Bill Putnam/Avatar question

Postby Bill Putnam » Oct 1, 2008 1:17 pm

Well OK then, but I must warn you that the rack displayed in the picture remains at the Great Exit. It would not have been appropriate to bring it home with me, since I found it on public land, so when I completed my observances I returned it to its original location.

The traditional antler substitute when actual antlers are not available is to cross ones splayed hands over the head to mimic the appearance of an antler rack. Kris Green and I used that method on the summit of Devil's Tower in an attempt to summon the Mother Ship. Alas, it did not return, and we had to rappel down like the other climbers.
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