Ultimately arriving at the cars about 10:00 pm, we were confronted with the problem of the hour. Somehow, the set of keys to Dave Gladstone's Volvo, entrusted to an herewith unnamed Oriental climber, had disappeared. Our, group was equal to the task, however. John "Fingers" Backus managed to pick the trunk lock, thus liberating the sleeping and eating gear, while others of equal talents obtained access to the interior via a wind wing, and soon had the engine running by dismantling the ignition lock. (Seems to me Australia was settled by such as these?) Now only one problem, that of the steering wheel lock remained. We postponed that one till morning and enjoyed our supper before consigning our tired bodies to the rejuvenating hot springs. In the cold light of day, John "Thumbs" Backus proved unequal to the double tumbler, pick-proof steering column lock. I headed for Calexico to obtain a tow bar while others dismantled the tie rod assembly. On the return trip to the Laguna, I bumped into the entire party at the head of the Laguna. They had meanwhile dismantled the lock instead, obviating the necessity for a tow bar. From this point, the exploratory of Centinela seemed rather superfluous, and the trip was called complete. All that remained was the struggle through customs in Mexicali (1-1/2 hours) and the long drive home. I wish once again to offer my apologies to those following me up the wrong peak. Although the peak was a good climb, it doesn't quite compare with one "on The List."
SMITH and FUNERAL	--	Paul Nelson
A DPS scheduled trip, although it did not look like it. I always said that I liked small groups to climb with. Well, this, time I got it. Four people came out for this one. A successful and enjoyable trip. Hope this makes those who stayed home sorry. We had to approach these peaks from the north entrance to Greenwater Valley. It's 50 miles farther this way, but the south ten miles of the Greenwater Valley road is very poor due to heavy rains last October. Anyone planning to go into this area this season, especially with a passenger car, should use the route that we did. I doubt if the road will be fixed until next year. Under clear, cool skies we climbed Smith Mt. in about two hours by the most direct route from elevation 3700 on the road going up the south fork of Gold Valley, (Funeral Peak Topo Map). This appears to me to be the best way to climb Smith. You could start 500 feet higher but it would be 1/2 mile farther and there would be many washes and ridges to cross. After descending the mountain we had an hour to waste before dark, so we visited the mine at the south end of the above-mentioned road. Saturday night we camped just off the Greenwater Valley Road near "BM 3917" from which point we started our Funeral Peak climb Sunday AM. Funeral is an easy but rewarding climb. It took us 2-1/2 hours up without pushing hard. We found a register on top with a few strangers' names in it, plus our own Bill Banks. You know he's a hard man to beat to a peak! This summit could use a good "Book & Can" if anyone is going that way.

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