Ron Jones
Five Years Ago in the DPS
Steve Langley and Art Blauvelt joined the DPS in Nov-Dec 1978. Jon Friedland and Tom Bowen became emblem holders #369-70 on Kofa and Nelson. Campy led a group of 27 on his annual Maturango climb. Bob Hicks' car ran out of gas twice on the drive in to a Ron Jones-Dick Akawie climb of Sandy and Last Chance. Fran Smith showed 22 people how to frolic up Rabbit Peak on his tenth. Larry Machleder and Phil Bruce led an exploratory of San Ysidro Pk with their scheduled climb of Indian Head and Rosa Point.
Ten Years Ago
Jon Hardt and Bob Cates led a monster party of 23 on a private Thanksgiving climb of Weavers Needle. Paul Lipsohn reported on an exploratory climb with 14 people to Stepladder. All agreed it was a fine peak and should be added to the list. Bill T and How Bailey led 11 hikers to Old Dad and Avawatz. New DPS members include Mike Manchester and Ross Yoman. Ann Cavalieri, Liz Cohen earned their DPS emblems.
Twenty Years Ago
At the November DPS meeting the following additions were suggested to the DPS list: Mt Stirling, Eagle Mtn #2, Spirit Mtn, Navajo Mtn and a "reverse peak", either Phantom Ranch or a "temple" in the Grand Canyon. The vote on the peaks would be held at the end of the season. Walt Wheelock led 32 on a climb of Kofa Peak and Lothar Kolbig led Castle Dome the next day. Harry Melts led a group of 13 to the summit of Mt Stirling on an exploratory climb. Andy Smatko and Vern Jones took a group of 33 into Canyon Diablo on an unsuccessful attempt on Picacho del Diablo. Arky Erb, Gordon MacLeod, Ruth Karimi and Ron Jones stayed in extra days exploring routes on the pinnacle ridge. Arky became the second DPS list finisher later during this period. Chester Versteeg (1887-1963), founder of the DPS in 1941-2, passed away.
