I think the title of the thread is fairly straightforward. Do these people exist? Have they ever? If they did, how many people actually climbed the mountains to get their advice? And how long could a guru survive on a mountaintop without much food or proper clothing?
There was a tradition of anchorites in Christian tradition – people who lived away from human society to pray and meditate, but who gave charity and answered questions. They usually didn’t live on mountaintops, but I suppose they might have.
Sometimes they werre supported by charity themselves, others soughyt or grew their own food.
There were similar figures in Eastern religions (Bodhidharma was supposed, in legend anyway, to have spent years meditating in a cave.)
I don’t know of any in recent history, but there probably were.
I think the cultural meme of a western spiritual seeker climbing a mountain to seek advice from a guru originates from a novel titled The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. In it an American climbs up a mountain in India to find a guru and experiences some spiritual enlightenment. But the mountain in this story is not in the Himalayas as usual, it’s in South India, and is probably based on a famous real-life guru who lived on a mountain in Tamil Nadu in the early 20th century, Ramana Maharshi.
According to Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, Babaji has been meditating in a cave in the Himalayas for 1,800 years. “The northern Himalayan crags near Badrinarayan are still blessed by the living presence of Babaji, guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. The secluded master has retained his physical form for centuries, perhaps for millenniums.”
Shel Silverstein did a great send-up of the mountaintop guru concept in his satirical poem “The Perfect High”.
I just have to point out that the google ads are for mushrooms–one selling edible mushrooms, and the other for a “mushroom drug test”.
Can’t speak to the authenticity or longevity of Babaji himself, but there are indeed sadhus or gurus who practice austerities and receive visits from pilgrims in caves in the foothills of the Himalayas. Most are fed by offerings from the pilgrims and/or find edible plants in the area and/or die of malnutrition and exposure at some point.
Did someone page me?
Zen Flesh Zen Bones also names a few teachers who dwelt in the mountains in order to make it dificult for people to reach them.
You need to consider that the Tibetan monasteries were on the tops of the Himalayan peaks. Add in the legends of Shangri la comsidered to be in the area, and the British exploration of all these remote sites one to two hundred years ago. Consider the mysticism of thet time in England and and their exposure to new coltures, ledgends, and religions. I think this is ehat you have to thank for our current day wise buddist ob the mountain top. Yes there are still hermits living in caves to pursue siritual enlightenment.
Apparently none that teach grammar: http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/there_their_lessons.htm