Unknown Country | May 30 2012

Some sixty miles to the north east of Portland, Oregon and at the base of Mount Adams lies the ECETI ranch – the home of James Gilliland. I first became aware of James and ECETI whilst surfing the internet several years ago, and it quickly became evident that many people in the community were highly skeptical of James’ claims and the years of footage taken here. I wondered how many of these people had actually visited the ranch, and how many final opinions – like many these days – were formed solely by sitting in front of the computer. So with all of this swirling around in my head, I decided to bite the bullet, put all of this endless speculation to one side, and go and see for myself.

So, on one of the last truly great summer weekends of 2010, my friend Jenna and I set off on the short but absolutely breathtaking journey from Portland, Oregon to Trout Lake, Washington. After an hour or so of driving, one of the lesser known snow-capped mountains of the Pacific Northwest rolls into view – Mount Adams… something that was to provide a focal point for the duration of our trip here.

Arrival at the remote ECETI Ranch is announced by a large wooden sign with more than a passing resemblance to Native American design. On embarking on the drive towards the ranch itself we pass tent after tent of guests camping and signs warning against trespass. My imagination runs riot – wondering if we are entering a ‘UFO cult’ of the sort that one occasionally hears about on the news (usually only after some tragic incident). The first thing one notices is that there are a lot of visitors’ cars here. Closer to the house, the second thing one notices is that mountain again! From what is quaintly labeled ‘the skywatch field’ the view of Mount Adams is stunning. In fact, the whole journey from Portland has been so incredible for scenery that I find myself thinking that regardless of whatever else may happen today, this has already been a really worthwhile experience.

James Gilliland greets us and the first port of call is a trip to a field on the far side of the property to see his yaks (including babies). I am struck by the calmness of this place and I find myself going back to this thought throughout my visit here. On the day of our visit a Yi Gong workshop is being held in the large building and this accounts for some of the vehicles parked up front. James and I assemble on a small mound under some trees and begin our interview whilst facing Mount Adams, which dominates the entire setting.

First impressions are that this is a man who is at peace with himself. He is instantly likeable, even though right away his claims seem outrageously wild and ‘out there’. He says that they are in touch with at least five races of extra-terrestrials in the same matter of fact way that I would ask someone to pass the milk. I try to stay focused. I admit that I am usually highly skeptical of anyone who seems to have so many detailed answers to the universe and its mysteries; however, I never once get the impression that this man doesn’t believe what he is saying or is being intentionally misleading or untruthful.

Lorin Cutts and James Gilliland.

The annual ECETI conference had been held only a few weeks prior to my visit, and it was during that time that some incredible video footage was shot. The footage was some of the best ever shot at ECETI – and in fact some of the best I’ve seen in recent years – so I jump straight in and ask James about this.

JG: We had two hundred people here for the conference. About three hundred attended, but two hundred got involved in the intention experiment to connect and bring [the aliens] in. We did this meditation to bring them in, and everybody felt the energy – it was like intense energy in the room. People were crying, and having heart openings, it was really powerful. Then we walked outside and the ship flew right over the top of the building. It was pinkish orange and looked crystalline. A guy named John Riley who’s a Lockheed engineer filmed it.

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