To The Desert Sage editor:		Bob GREENAWALT
Re Gordon MacLeod's proposal for a Desert Canyon Traverses List, may I offer a few suggestions? I have been a Traverse fan for a number of years and we have some good ones which should not be overlooked. I'd like to add: 1. Panamint City to Sentinel Peak, over Panamint Pass, down thru Hungry Bill's Ranch, then out Johnson (Canyon to the Death Valley floor. This can't be done by bus very well, but would be fine for 4-wheel drive chauffeurs. Hike is about 16 miles. 2. Inyo Mtns by Tramway. Leave Swansea on west side and follow old salt tram over crest and down into Saline Valley-about 14 miles. Trail all the way. 3. Inyo Traverse from Cerro Gordo along Crest catching New York Butte, Keynot and Mt Inyo. Water is a problem. About 16 miles. Come down around Keynot. Old maps say Keynote. I believe we are wrong with our Keynot. Keynote makes more sense to me. 4. White Mtn Traverse from Pellisier Flats above Chiatovich Canyon(Fish Lake Valley side) at Mt DuBois thence northerly to Mt Montgomery & Boundary Peak. Hike ends somewhere around B&B mine on east slope. About 15 miles. 5. San Pedro Martir Traverse. Ask John Robinson. From western p1ateau then past Picacho del Diablo and down east side. Mileage = ?
I have the following comments to make on the guidelines adopted at the last management committee meeting for additions to the DPS qualifying peak list: 1. Such a list should be flexible to allow for the following :
a. Peaks like Patterson, New York Butte and White Mt. have 4WD roads to or near the Summit which few climbers would normally use - or even 4WD users.   b. The 500 mile radius from LA overlooks two things: Driving time is just as important as distance. Many Desert Peakers live in Chapters other than Angeles.   c. All desirable characteristics should not be required as long as an otherwise qualifying peak is outstanding in one or more ways.   d. Legal accessibility should include by special permission - as Argus and Maturango on weekends.
In general I favor a long varied list not too rigidly restricted in order to encourage all tastes and abilities and to provide lots of opportunity to bag qualifying peaks. Over nearly 30 years of DPS climbing I've noted all too many climbers who lose interest after gaining section membership, section pin, or completing the list.
		Best wishes,

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