| P0 Box 426 Union City, CA 94587 August 31, 1980 |
Dear Barbara:
This is my reply to the letter of Abe Siemens in the May/June issue, #149. First of all I feel that the price of gasoline and small cost of Mexican insurance has no logical connection in determining what peaks should be on the list. The Mexican peaks are much closer than Ruby Dome and other Northern Nevada peaks. Also gas is in good supply in Mexico and is cheaper than U.S. gas. If gas cost were the criteria, then more Mexican peaks should be added to the list.
The thought of eliminating Cerro Pinacate (as being dull) is absurd. It is not a dull peak. The peak is now in a Mexican Parque Nacional and is the center of a great wild area. The views from C. Pinacate of the Gran Desierto to the Gulf of California are unique. Mexican peaks give the Americans a chance to learn Spanish, route find with no topo maps, and enjoy a wild land. The California desert is tame compared to the Mexican desert.
I would "take some comfort", to use Siemens words, in at least a modest beginning and add more Mexican peaks to the list. One in particular that would be added is the highest peak in the state of Sonora. Remoteness has a beauty and charm of its own. The reason many of us like the desert is because of its untrammelled state.
The DPS list is a great list but it is being downgraded to a "sissy" list because only one or two desert peaks require a backpack into base camp. The list should be expanded to be more remote, more exciting, more interesting, and more adventurous. The Hell with the price of gas!!!
Bill Hauser, AAC, ACC, DPS
