MOAPA PEAK AND VIRGIN PEAK
Over an extended week-end Jan 12-15th, Bill Sanders, Dick Agnos and Andy Smatko set their sights on climbing forbidding Moapa Peat in the Mormon Range about 60 miles NNW of Las Vegas and Virgin Peak, the Hi-Point of the Virgin Mountains, about 60 miles NNE of Las Vegas. Moapa Peak, although not the highest in the Mormon Range is probably the most striking peak in this range. As one proceeds on the stretch of freeway from Las Vegas to St. George, one cannot fail to notice this dark, upthrusting, fluted peak to the left of the freeway. It looks almost un-climbable but as all good desert peakers know, no peak is unclimbable. As we three studied it early Sat. morning on Jan. 13th, we were not so convinced, but we felt we could trace a route and our convictions were realized when we attained the summit, 6,47l' above the sea (now far away). Several parties had climbed it in the past, mostly from the Las Vegas area. Vitz and party of our DPS had also climbed it in 1978. Basically our route steered for the saddle SW of the peak proper, followed a shelf north-esst-wards below the summit cliffs to a shallow saddle NNE of the summit and then followed the crest of a real knife-edge back towards the summit. There were a few good third class pitches in spots and care must be taken on the knife-edge but essentially the route offered no problems. It appears that other routes may exist but would be considerably more difficult. Sunday's climb of Virgin Peak from the south was straightforward and basically followed the south ridge after advancing up the canyon to a propitious point. We just managed to miss a snowstorm by a couple of hours on this ascent. The north face of Virgin Peak offers a precipitous wall for any eager rock climbers. Virgin Peak is 8075' in elevation, while its twin VABM Virgin to the east is slightly lower. It remains for several other DPS parties to climb these peaks before venturing an opinion on their merits for inclusion in the DPS list. Both peaks are indeed worthy, much more so than several, already on this list.
NELSON MTN (SEP 24, 1978)......................		Andy Smatko BILL T. RUSSELL
On Sunday morning, 16 of us departed our camp spot on the dirt access road to Nelson at a point directly east of the summit. We passed by an interesting mine hole and went on eastward up the steep slope to the top. We descended to the north of our ascent route and looked at various mine holes, shacks and artifacts along the way. It was an interesting and easy climb in very nice weather. Thanks are due Duane McRuer, who served as vice-leader in place of George Smith who was ill. On this peak, I completed the DPS list and, in celebration, we had champagne and goodies on the preceding evening. Earler on Saturday, 25 of us had climbed Muah on the SPS list, where I qualified for the senior emblem, so the celebration was for both events. To reach Nelson Mtn we left Hwy 190 east of the Darwin turnoff and drove north on the paved road to Saline Valley about 7. 9 mi to the junction of the San Lucas Canyon road. We proceeded on the San Lucas Canyon Rd (good gravel) for about 3. 7 mi to a dirt road leaving to the right. (This is the junction just north of 5572' on the topo.) We drove on the dirt road through Lee Flat for 3. 1 mi to a sandy area where we camped. We could have gone about 1/4 mi further north to a small saddle and then eastward toward the mountain, but our chosen spot was nicer for camping, had less driving on a poor road, and was about the same hiking time. It was a fine weekend and I thank my good friends for joining me and for bringing such good goodies to the celebration.

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