Desert Peaks Section Angeles Chapter Sierra Club

Frank Sanborn
Active in the DPS: 1954-1967
SPS founder many SPS outings; HPS; DPS; knapsack; camping Universally remembered as the prime force in the formation of the SPS Frank felt special satisfaction in making deep penetrations into then little-known areas of the Sierra including the Southern Sierra. Many of his trips were labeled "death marches which meant that many miles of backpacking and considerable elevation gain were involved. Frank favored non-technical climbs to dominant summits, and his trip announcements in the Angeles Chapter Schedule contained very colorful language in describing the peaks to be attempted. His leadership activities extended to the DPS and HPS, but his focus clearly was the SPS. He was the founding chair of the SPS and served in that capacity through 1957. Pairing with John W. Robinson, his first official" lead for the SPS was to Deer Mtn. on May 5-6 1956 The importance of the SPS formation is illustrated by Frank's published recollections of the 19 trips scheduled by the SPS in 1956:

Frank Sanborn on New York Butte April 29 1951

"When it is remembered that the average number of trips scheduled by the Angeles Chapter (usually by the DPS) into the Sierra used to be only three annually it can be appreciated that the SPS in 1956 fulfilled its mission of scheduling many trips. This set the pattern for succeeding years. In addition the trips extended from early May to early November putting to rest the old notion that the Sierra was accessible only from the Fourth of July to the end of September. Now Sierra Peaks groups are active virtually all year in the Sierra falling back upon the southern areas in the winter."

-Jerry Keating

October 25 1964
SPS climb of Muah

John W. Robinson (left) and Frank
Sanborn (right) on summit of San
Jacinto Peak c. mid-1950s.

John W. Robinson Collection
Sierra Club-Angeles Chapter Archives

S I E R R A C L U B C H R O N O L O G Y T H R U 2 0 0 6

1954	Joined the Desert Peaks Section
1955	Mountain Records Committee - Hundred Peaks Section
1955	Schedule Committee - Hundred Peaks Section
1956	Chairman - Sierra Peaks Section
1957	DPS Emblem
1957	Chairman - Sierra Peaks Section
1957	Associate Editor - Southern Sierran
1960	Vice Chairman - Sierra Peaks Section
1960	Schedule Chairman - Sierra Peaks Section
1963	SPS Emblem
1964	Vice Chairman - Sierra Peaks Section
1965	Member - Chapter Executive Committee
1967	Last year active in the Desert Peaks Section