Alas, I had already used up seven hours, it was already 3 P.M., the sun would set about 5 P.M., and I would accordingly have to pass through the cactus jungle at night or simply stay out all night. Accordingly, the idea of reaching the slightly higher eastern elevation was abandoned in favor of a retreat which involved going directly down Volcan Sur's slope to the lower part of the drainage between the two shoulders, thus shortcutting past the Shield-Volcan Sur saddle. This shortcutting descent is not recommended since the pumice, rotten rock and (later) the sticky plants along this route are treacherous, and it was impossible to "scree-ski". The cactus jungle was negotiated by compass, stars, sense (?) of direction, silhouettes of distant peaks, and flashlight (it was necessary to tip-toe a crooked path and cross sharp lava flows), and the lava cliffs by the entrada were finally reached. After much searching, a safe way down the cliffs into the inky depths was found and the relatively short entrada cactus jungle was negotiated to the vehicle (10 P.M.). The climbing day and subsequent night were clear with salubrious temperatures, and being "stuck" out in the cactus or being rim-rocked at the entrada cliffs all night would not have imposed discomfort or danger. However, a weather warning is imperative with respect to Volcan Sur. It is capable of fogging and clouding-up really fast, and I have frequently seen it immersed in vast clouds around Christmas. The day after my climb dawned absolutely clear, but while I turned my back on Volcan Sur during breakfast it started to cloud-up, and very shortly the top half was covered and remained so all day. Sometimes temperatures may be exceedingly cold in the winter. I don't know anything about the snow situation with respect to Volcan Sur. Oh well, on to the east elevation sometime, using an overnight backpack to provide more time.

BRING YOUR SLIDES TO DECEMBER MEETING

The December 1 meeting will feature slides of DPS trips in 1975 and 1976. If you have slides of DPS trips or private trips this year or last year, bring them to the meeting and you can show them and tell what really happened. Joe McCosker will coordinate the show so that, hopefully, we won't have 15 people showing pictures of the same group on top of Mount Ajo. Tell Joe at the November meeting or call or write him by November 24 telling him the trip or trips that you would like to cover. Joe will provide a Carousel projector and stack loader. You provide the slides and the narration. Bring 15 to 25 of your favorite slides and help make the December meeting a memorable show.

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