The Daily Star’s paranormal expert Brocarde travels to some of the world’s strangest places and this time, she found a man-made 50ft mountain
This week for my Terrifying Travel’s column, I ventured into the Californian desert and I found salvation in the form of a 50ft man-made mountain that illuminates the skyline like a rainbow vomited from heaven.
Slab City, in Niland, California, claims to be “off the grid”, documented as the last free place on earth. This is a community of nomads who want to live by their own rules. It takes its name from the slabs that were left behind when the World War II Marine Corps Camp Dunlap was debunked.
Today it sits on the outside of conformity and attracts artists and creatives who favour life outside what some class as normal. There’s no electricity, running water or infrastructure, and residents dream their days away with the political and social messages that they display through art.
I’ve been to Salvation Mountain a few times over the years, and I’ve slowly watched it change from a fairly low-key whimsical experience to what exists today, something that makes you feel less like a free spirit. On arrival, you’re greeted by a friendly face, a tourist information booth, and you’re given a leaflet.
Once there was a time where you could roam freely and be left with your imagination and sense of adventure.
Salvation Mountain is one man’s vision, but more than that, it’s one man’s life’s work. The mountain is a 28-year project by the late Leonard Knight. Its purpose, as the name may suggest, is “salvation”, universal love and devotion under the cross that declares “God Is Love”.
Today I feel few visit Salvation Mountain in search of redemption of their sins; in fact, many commit a fair few sins once they arrive onsite. If the gods of Instagram were casting judgement, this would be renamed “Content Mountain”.
When Leonard Knight first embarked on creating Salvation Mountain, Instagram culture was something inconceivable, but it’s very clear that the online world has fuelled interest in his mountain of art, which I think he’d be thankful for. You don’t build a 50ft rainbow-coloured mountain in the desert if you want to be ignored.
As with many artistic statements, the message can deplete itself; something off-grid with popularity can become its own nemesis and become something mainstream. Either way, Leonard Knight, and his mountain of love, are being remembered.
In fact, efforts to preserve this work of art are ongoing. The community used to accept paint donations; now they prefer cold hard cash. Due to its desert location, it’s up against the elements of extreme heat and high winds. In fact, today parts of the structure are out of bounds as it’s caved in, paint is faded, and the cracks are showing.
In more of a homage to Dorothy than God, I followed the yellow brick road to the top of the mountain. As I battled the extreme wind and high noon sun, my ascent to the top of Salvation Mountain was far from glamorous.
With the conjuring sandstorm, I was eating dust for breakfast as I tried hard not to fall off the edge of the shiny paint-covered passageways. Thankfully, I made it to the top unscathed, which I take as a positive sign, as any rapid descent would surely be classed as the devil’s work.