Desert Peaks Section Angeles Chapter Sierra Club

Andy Smatko Active in the DPS: 1957-1992 Active in SPS; DPS; HPS; WLA Probably no other person has so thoroughly explored Muir's Range of Light as has Andy Smatko. He has climbed virtually every named summit in the Sierra Nevada as well as most of the un-named peaks. As the "Dean of Sierra Climbers" and an "Indomitable Explorer and Chronicler of the Sierra Nevada Andy Smatko's exploits have been recognized by the Sierra Club through the bestowal of the Francis Farquhar Mountaineering Award this year. Smatko was the first 'Triple List Finisher', having reached the summits of the 247 peaks on the Sierra Peaks Section list, the 98 mountains identified by the Desert Peaks Section, and the more than 270 summits of the Hundred Peaks Section. Andy drew upon his expertise to compile The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra, a Sierra Club totebook published in 1972. Andy once opposed the adding of any new Mexican peaks to the DPS List. He position was that there where many worthy peaks in this country still unvisited by the DPS. He proved his point by hiking every high point in San Bernardino County. Descriptions of his trips to many of these summits appeared in the DPS Newsletter under the title Smatko Scrambles". When Smatko began his climbing career on New Year's Day 1950 there were still many untrodden Sierran high points however his 300-plus first ascents have left only a handful for those who would aspire to go where no Smatko has gone before.	Andy Smatko-- taken during an SPS trip 9/28-29/74 to Mt Cocaran. This is the original color photo of the one that appeared in the SPS Sierra Echo when Andy was awarded the Francis Farquhar Mountaineering Award. -Jerry Keating
	Andy Smatko-- July 20 1975 Peak 11 406 on Comb Spur in the Sierra Nevada as part of an independent trip organized by Smatko.
Andy with camera in Death Valley. No date given.
	Andy on Recess Peak. Slide dated Jul-75

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

1957	Joined the Desert Peaks Section
1957	DPS Emblem on Montgomery Peak
1957	SPS Emblem
1960	Publications Chairman - Sierra Peaks Section
1963	DPS List Completion on Arc Dome
1963	Member-at-Large - Desert Peaks Section
1964	Member-at-Large - Desert Peaks Section
1964	SPS Master Emblem
1964	SPS List Completion on Mount Muah
1965	Secretary - Sierra Peaks Section
1967	HPS List Completion
1975	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1975	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1976	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1977	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1978	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1979	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1980	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1981	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1982	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1983	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1984	Advisor - Backpacking Committee
1992	Last year active in the Desert Peaks Section
2001	National Francis Farquhar Mountaineering Award