Above Pate Valley

BY GARY SNYDER
We finished clearing the last
Section of trail by noon,
High on the ridge-side
Two thousand feet above the creek
Reached the pass, went on
Beyond the white pine groves,
Granite shoulders, to a small
Green meadow watered by the snow,
Edged with Aspen—sun
Straight high and blazing
But the air was cool.
Ate a cold fried trout in the
Trembling shadows. I spied
A glitter, and found a flake
Black volcanic glass—obsidian—
By a flower. Hands and knees
Pushing the Bear grass, thousands
Of arrowhead leavings over a
Hundred yards. Not one good
Head, just razor flakes
On a hill snowed all but summer,
A land of fat summer deer,
They came to camp. On their
Own trails. I followed my own
Trail here. Picked up the cold-drill,
Pick, singlejack, and sack
Of dynamite.
Ten thousand years.
Poet Gary Snyder (books by this author), born in San Francisco
(1930). When he was 15, he read Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H.
Lawrence, and he liked it so much that he went to the library to see
what else Lawrence had written. He found a book called Birds, Beasts
and Flowers. He began writing his own poetry, and continued to
write during his years at Reed College, where he studied anthropology
and literature. After graduating, he decided that the life of a poet
wasn’t for him, and he went to work on a trail crew in the mountains.
In the mountains, he started writing again, poems about rocks and
birds. He had never written anything like them before, and he realized
that he must finally be writing in his own voice. He taught himself
Chinese, and was particularly inspired by Chinese poetry. In 1955, at
the Six Gallery reading in San Francisco, Snyder read his poem “A
Berry Feast.” He spent many years studying Zen Buddhism in Japan.
In 1961, he published an essay about what he called “Buddhist
anarchism,” a concept that excited many of his fellow Beat writers.
He was the model for Japhy Ryder in Jack Kerouac’s The Dharma
Bums (1958). He lived with a counterculture group on a Japanese
island, translated poetry, taught English at the University of California
Davis, and became an environmental activist.
His books include Turtle Island (1974), No Nature (1992), New and
Selected Poems (1992), and most recently, Nobody Home: Writing,
Buddhism, and Living in Places (2014).
He said, “I am a poet who has preferred not to distinguish in poetry
between nature and humanity.”
The poem “Above Pate Valley” by Gary Snyder is a beautiful
example of the use of natural imagery to convey deep and complex
emotions. Snyder, an American poet and environmental activist, is
known for his connection to nature and the profound insights he
derives from it. In this particular poem, Snyder takes the reader on a
journey through various natural landscapes, using vivid and evocative
imagery to explore themes of time, human existence, and the
interconnectedness of all things. From the very beginning, Snyder
transports the reader to Pate Valley, a remote and untouched
landscape. He describes the valley as being “Huge slab of granite”
and “Gneiss, schist, and granite, / Immeasurable canyon, / Studded
with highwater boulders.” These descriptions immediately set the tone
for the poem, hinting at the timeless and enduring qualities of nature.
The use of words such as “huge” and “immeasurable” emphasize the
grandeur and immensity of the valley, making it clear that Snyder
intends to convey a sense of awe and wonder. As the poem
progresses, Snyder introduces natural elements such as “pine duff”
and “firn.” These creatures and materials come to life in the poem,
playing their own roles in the larger narrative. Snyder’s skillful use of
imagery allows the reader to vividly imagine the sights, smells, and
sounds of the natural world. For example, when he writes, “Silver
crashes / Hundreds of miles / All at once,” the reader can almost hear
the sound of rushing water and the echoes bouncing off the canyon
walls. Furthermore, Snyder’s use of natural imagery serves a deeper
purpose in this poem. It symbolizes the cycle of existence and the
interconnectedness of all things. The constant references to time and
change remind us of the impermanence of life. For instance, Snyder
writes, “That jade-gray / cloud big-drummed and dripping / its last I
am.” Here, he uses the image of a cloud dissipating into nothingness
to illustrate the transient nature of our existence. Similarly, when he
references “the old ones,” he alludes to the generations that came
before us, highlighting the continuity and interconnectedness of
human existence with the natural world. In conclusion, Gary Snyder’s
“Above Pate Valley” is a masterful exploration of the power of
natural imagery. Through his vivid descriptions of the landscape and
its inhabitants, Snyder creates a sensory experience that immerses the
reader in the poem. Additionally, his use of natural imagery serves a
deeper purpose by symbolizing the transient nature of life and
emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. Overall, this poem
serves as a reminder of the beauty and significance of the natural
world and its capacity to inspire and teach us about ourselves and our
place within the grand tapestry of existence
"Above Pate Valley" is a poem by Gary Snyder, a renowned
American poet associated with the Beat Generation and the San
Francisco Renaissance. Snyder's work often reflects his deep
connection to nature, influenced by his background in
environmentalism and Buddhism.
Summary of "Above Pate Valley":
"Above Pate Valley" is a reflective poem in which Snyder describes a
hike through the High Sierra mountains, specifically above Pate
Valley. The poem captures the essence of the natural landscape and
the poet's deep connection to it. As Snyder navigates the rugged
terrain, he reflects on the ancient presence of the mountains and the
fleeting nature of human existence in comparison. The poem
juxtaposes the timelessness of the natural world with the ephemeral
nature of human life, emphasizing a sense of humility and reverence
for the environment.
Notes on "Above Pate Valley":
1. Themes:
o Nature and Wilderness: The poem emphasizes the beauty
and majesty of the natural world, highlighting the High
Sierra's rugged terrain.
o Transience of Human Life: Snyder reflects on the
briefness of human existence compared to the enduring
presence of the mountains.
 o Spiritual Connection: The poem reflects a deep spiritual
connection to nature, influenced by Snyder's Buddhist
beliefs.
2. Imagery and Language:
o Snyder uses vivid imagery to describe the landscape,
painting a picture of the High Sierra with words.
o The language is meditative and reflective, mirroring the
contemplative nature of the hike.
3. Structure:
o The poem is free verse, typical of Snyder's style, allowing
for a natural flow that mirrors the hike's progression.
o The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem
an organic, unstructured feel, akin to the natural world it
describes.
4. Personal Reflection:
o Snyder's personal reflections interweave with descriptions
of the landscape, providing insight into his thoughts and
feelings during the hike.
o The poem can be seen as a meditation on life, death, and
the natural world.
5. Historical and Cultural References:
o Snyder often incorporates references to indigenous
cultures and their relationship with the land, though this
poem focuses more on personal experience.
o The poem reflects Snyder's broader environmental
concerns and his advocacy for preserving natural spaces.
Detailed Analysis:
  Opening Lines: The poem opens with a vivid description of the
hike, immediately placing the reader in the High Sierra
landscape.
 Middle Section: Snyder delves into his reflections on the
mountains' ancient presence, contrasting it with the fleeting
nature of human life.
 Conclusion: The poem concludes with a sense of reverence for
the natural world and a recognition of the interconnectedness of
all life.
"Above Pate Valley" exemplifies Snyder's ability to capture the
beauty and profundity of the natural world through poetry, inviting
readers to reflect on their own relationship with nature.
Glossary
1. Ridge-side: The side or slope of a ridge, typically a long,
narrow elevated landform.
2. Pass: A navigable route through a mountain range or over a
ridge.
3. White pine: A type of pine tree found in North America, known
for its soft, white wood.
4. Granite shoulders: Refers to large, rounded outcrops or
sections of granite rock.
5. Aspen: A type of tree with a smooth, white bark and leaves that
tremble or flutter in the wind.
6. Obsidian: A naturally occurring volcanic glass formed from
rapidly cooled lava.
7. Bear grass: A type of plant found in the mountains of western
North America.
8. Arrowhead leavings: Debris or remnants from the production
of arrowheads, often small flakes of stone.
 9. Cold-drill: A tool used for drilling into hard materials without
heating them.
10. Singlejack: A small sledgehammer used for drilling or
mining.
11. Dynamite: An explosive material used for blasting and
demolition.
Question and Answers
1. What time of day did the trail clearing finish?
o The trail clearing finished by noon.
2. At what elevation was the pass reached?
o The pass was reached at two thousand feet above the
creek.
3. What was the weather like in the meadow?
o The sun was straight high and blazing, but the air was
cool.
4. What did the speaker find by the flower?
o The speaker found a flake of black volcanic glass,
obsidian.
5. What evidence of historical activity did the speaker find in
the meadow?
o The speaker found thousands of arrowhead leavings,
indicating historical activity by people who made
arrowheads.
6. What tools did the speaker pick up at the end of the poem?
o The speaker picked up a cold-drill, pick, singlejack, and
sack of dynamite.
7. How does the speaker connect with the ancient people who
once inhabited the area?
 o The speaker connects with the ancient people by following
their trails and discovering the remnants of their tool-
making activities, reflecting on the passage of ten thousand
years.
Paragraph Questions and Answers
Question: How does the setting of the poem enhance the overall
atmosphere and mood?
Answer: The setting of the poem, high on a ridge-side two thousand
feet above the creek, contributes significantly to the atmosphere and
mood. The description of the sun blazing high but with cool air
creates a sense of isolation and tranquility. The imagery of white pine
groves, granite shoulders, and a small green meadow watered by
snow enhances the sense of natural beauty and timelessness. This
serene and remote setting underscores the contrast between the
speaker’s present experience and the ancient history embedded in the
landscape, deepening the reader's appreciation of the enduring natural
world.
Question: What is the significance of the speaker finding obsidian
and arrowhead leavings in the meadow?
Answer: The discovery of obsidian and arrowhead leavings in the
meadow is significant as it serves as a tangible connection between
the speaker and the ancient inhabitants of the land. Obsidian, a rare
and historically valuable material for making tools and weapons,
indicates the area was once inhabited and utilized by people skilled in
crafting. The thousands of arrowhead leavings suggest that this
meadow was a site of regular activity, possibly a hunting ground or a
place where tools were frequently made. This finding bridges the past
and present, highlighting a continuity of human presence and activity
in this natural setting over millennia.

Question: How does the poem explore the theme of continuity and
change over time?
Answer: The poem explores the theme of continuity and change over
time by juxtaposing the speaker’s modern-day experience with traces
of ancient activity. The speaker’s journey along the trail and
discovery of historical artifacts illustrate a connection with the past,
suggesting that despite changes in technology and culture, the
fundamental human activities and interactions with nature remain
consistent. The use of tools like the cold-drill, pick, singlejack, and
dynamite signifies modern advancements, yet the act of exploring and
interacting with the landscape mirrors the actions of the ancient
people who once inhabited the same area. The poem emphasizes the
enduring nature of the land and the ongoing human presence within it,
reinforcing a sense of continuity across thousands of years.