By Bob Michael, SAGE Associate Editor
The current SAGE Reader Poll on DPS strengths and weaknesses elicited some carefully-thought responses. Thanks to those of you who took time to send me a piece of your mind. Indeed, the comments were so interesting that I'd like to share them at length with you, which would make my Page ramble on into Pages if I covered all the topics. So, I will break the column into two parts. This issue, I'll share your responses on the single most important element - the human element - DPS leaders. Everything else will be covered next issue.
First, the old business: A few comments about the topic of the previous Reader Poll, favorite peaks, trickled in. Incredibly, a second person named Rabbit as one of his two favorites, along with Big Picacho. ("Have never met a desert peak I didn't like.") Little Picacho picked up one vote - "Both physical and mental hazards to overcome."
Leaders lead the list of things people like about the DPS. "Most are professionals. Have had one bad leader experience in three years (on Tres Palomas)." "I can't even think of a comment here. I just know that leaders give so much effort that they shouldn't receive any criticism." "I like a leader who can supervise and organize a lively campfire on Saturday night." "Like leaders who plan a good campfire and actively encourage a social hour."
Most comments on how leadership could be improved revolved around speed. Several people - including some I know to be strong climbers - commented that laid-back leaders who set something less than an iron-man pace are most appreciated. "I could mention those few leaders who are so fast and strong that they set a speedy pace leaving some (all) participants behind and out of touch." "Dislike those who require participants to be in 'aerobic' conditioning state." "I like flexible, even-tempered leaders - ones who do not have 'a hissie' if someone happens to get in front of them to take a picture or something...I know very well that an organization must have rules to function, but there are many times when it is not necessary (or even advisable) to hold too closely to the book. I know I am not alone in feeling this way..."
Along the same lines, those leaders are
most appreciated who make of the trip more than just a long, long drive to a
workout -leaders who impart some of the unique wonder of the desert to
participants. After all, we can get a good conditioning hike and bag a suntan
on Mt. Lukens with a heck of a lot less driving. "Many of the peaks require
vast amounts of time to reach and unless the particular trip has a leader
versed in history, lore and nature the actual climb of the peak itself is a bit
of an anti-climax. This