MORE MEMORIES OF ARGUS............. Desert Deer

What I remember best about Argus is the food: John Gibba

I remember the reflecting tape indicators placed at every crossroad on the way to the campsite. The rocks lining the side roads to keep our vehicles on the straight and narrow path. The sign as we approached the sandy stretches "Drive at least 15 miles per hour or reduce your tire pressure by 10 pounds." And a climbing route thoroughly ducked with rocks and reflecting tape. A hard act for any DPS leader to follow. Joe McCosker

What I remember best, beside the hike and barbecue, is the friendliness & good fellowship of the people there. The campfire and poetry contest are highlights of the event. The 5th annual trip was the most interesting to me, with Norm Rohn as St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. It was an outstanding evening arranged by Betty McCosker and one I shall always remember. Emil Pfiefer

Argus begins with headlites in the night....beer tops popping around the camp fire....old friends catching up. Early start for longer happy hour sees long Line of hikers--bright packs & parkas coloring the slope. Back at the pit.... Ron nervous 'til the first slice goes down....savory & succulent. No desert solitude tonite. The party rolls on! We came to celebrate. Diane Rosentreter

Why not carry on this wonderful tradition every 2 or 3 years, if not yearly. remember how few people worked very hard in preparing the camp and feast and writing songs & poems to make the Argue climb an unforgettable desert experience. Maris Valkass
...the GREAT campfire, songs, skits, poems...
...ALWATS a GREAT grop of people...
...the great April snowstorm of '81...
(and yes, the GWT Sunday morning hangovers...)
the view of the amazing maze of canyons from
the summit, most of which I think we've hiked!
...the famous "Burro at the Pearly Gates" skit...
...Don's guacamole...
...Doug's "Desert Deer" song...
...Gene's magic tricks...
the marvelous burro costume....
...EVERYONE's creativity, talent, and willingness
to pitch in to make it the social highlight of
the DPS season!"

Sherry Harsh

 It might seem strange, but the most thrilling memory was the scene of Joyous abandon, when I found myself among the fortunate few involved in the Resurrection of the Flesh. I really dug the digging-end the enthusiasm of both the workers & the watchers. The aroma we unearthed is still in my nostrils, even more then the taste on my tongue. Altogether there was little of me that was not sensually engaged that weekend.

Asher Waxman
Taken for granted by most of us: The enormous amount of work & time & thought that goes into planning & doing an Argus affair:
Scouting, by vehicle & on foot, the road, campsite, & route, & touching base with property owners. Improving & marking the road; hiking & ducking the trail. Digging & lining the pit. Procuring, dressing out, marinading, wrapping & cooking the, er, deer. Protecting it, carving it, serving it.
Arranging for & blending the barbecue sauce. Getting the wood for the fire. Composing, typing in, & Xeroxing the trip sheet; stuffing & Mailling the envelopes. Arranging the tee-shirts: brainstorming & drawing the artwork, reducing it to a silkscreen, having the shirts screened, buying the shirts, collecting the money, keeping track of sizes, getting the right shirts to the right people. Getting the trip in the schedule. Last but not least: leading the peak & the campfire afterwards. If any of us were asked by a boss or a client to do this for less than a 4-digit fee, we'd balk! Dale van Dalsem

Doug Mantle's pragmatic approach to the Desert Rat Test, at the 5th Annual (1983) Peak Climb, Deer feast, and Essential Supplies Consumption Party. At some point during the third phase of the affair, an Ice Axe appeared. Those of us who were still able to stand (were) volunteered to perform the Desert Rat Test. After several rats had valiantly attempted the test, Doug's turn came. He assumed the position, made 4 slow revolutions, stopped, and looked at Ron. "Am I doing this right?", he asked. Assured that he was, he did 3 more revolutions, at which point his confidence must have left him. Needing positive reinforcement, he again stopped, semi-steadily eyed Ron, and said, "Is this the way it's done?". All the spectators immediately assured him that he was doing it correctly, and that he should keep going. Once more reassured, Doug made 3 more revolutions, dropped the axe, and deftly jumped over it. All the other rats just spun 10 times and reeled off into the night; only Doug had ths sense to take the test on his own terms! Ron Bartell