VABM Cameo (5064-ft.) in Saline Valley 31 December 1978 Wes Shelberg

VABM Cameo (Dry Mountain Quadrangle, CA, 15-min.) is a remote elevation (5064-ft.) situated on the southeast flank of the VABM Warm massif (6196-ft.). VABM Cameo is aptly named since rock strata on its southeast face near its summit have eroded into a highly visible, gigantic whorl suggesting a cameo. Setting, beauty and isolation make climbing VABM Cameo worthwhile.

A one-day solo climb from Saline Valley revealed colorful rough alluvial fans; deep precipitous canyons in impressive strata and in black volcanic regions; steep slopes for climbing; and an isolated black lava plateau for transiting. Summit views included the rugged VABM Warm ridge nearby, Panamint Range, Tin Mountain, Dry Mountain massif, the twin Ubehebe Peaks resembling the double hump of a camel, Hunter Mountain, Nelson Range, the southern half of the Inyo Mountains, southern Saline Valley up to and including its sand dunes, and a high desert area northeast of Cameo and lying between the VABM Warm massif and the Panamint Range. Snowy Sierra Nevada peaks were visible across the lowest region of the Inyo Mountains.

The "road-head" for climbing VABM Cameo was at the side of a mining road which does not require four-wheel drive. This road is not printed on current editions of the appropriate topographic quadrangle map (Ubehebe Peak, CA, 15-mm.) but is sketched on the map accompanying this article. For orientation purposes, consider starting in Saline Valley at the junction of the Saline Valley Road and the awesome jeep road leading to the Race Track (Ubehebe Peak Quadrangle, coordinates 420527). This junction is off the map accompanying this article. Take the Saline Valley Road northwest for three miles to the aforementioned mining road. Turn right (northerly) and drive three miles to the road-head which is at the 2000-ft. contour. For vehicle location purposes when returning in pitch darkness, it is good to remember that the mining road ends at a mine roughly one mile above the road-head.

The climbing route taken to VABM Cameo is traced on the accompanying topographic. map which is a composite of the Dry Mountain and Ubehebe Peak Quadrangle maps (both CA, 15- min.). These have 80-ft. and 40-ft. contours respectively. The one-way distance from vehicle to summit is 8.5 miles as measured on the map, the elevation difference is 3064-ft., and the route is a strenuous Class 2. A register was left. On brief winter days be prepared to start at dawn and return after dark; I started at 0615 and returned at 2000 hrs. A radiant moon would be very helpful on returning at night since without it the last 3.5 miles across alluvial fans and washes are rough and difficult. It is easy to overshoot the mining road when armed with only a flashlight in pitch darkness. My trip was moonless and Saline Valley is really a dark hole in this circumstance.

UPCOMING TRIPS


MAY 6 SUN DESERT PEAKS

E/M: North Guardian Angel( ). Use Saturday for a leisurely drive to, and enjoyment of, Zion NP. Early Sunday climb of the peak and head home. Well conditioned, experienced persons only. Send SASE with good data and car pooling info to leader: CUNO RANSCHAU, ASSIST GREG VERNON

APRIL 7,8 SAT-SUN DESERT PEAKS

M: Turtle( ), Stepladder( ). High clearance vehicles along with drivers very welcome, with additional passengers for road work crews (one spot needs work on Turtle road, else a much longer hike). Send SASE with car pooling info to ASSIST: CUNO RANSCHAU, LEADER: GREG VERNON.
 
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