27128 Fond du Lac Road Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 August 21, 1986

Letter to the Editor The Desert Sage Other than Dale Van Dalsem's letter in the August Sage, I haven't seen much discussion concerning the proposed advanced emblem. I presume that discussion is still in order. While I concur with the notion of an advanced emblem of some sort, I have great difficulty in relating to most of the requirements listed in the June, 1985 Sage. 1. "Having a senior emblem did not seem appropriate". Why not? Call it a senior emblem regardless of the requirements. "Senior" sounds more appropriate than "advanced" which suggests a higher order of competence or skill rather than a designation for a hodge-podge of miscellaneous experiences. 2. "Has climbed 65 peaks, 50 of which must be on the Peaks list". What does this mean? That a candidate can submit 15 of his/her HPS or SPS peaks to make up the difference? Why not just make it 50 listed peaks which is still more than half of the listed peaks? 3. Why must an aspirant participate in exploratory trips, visit four ghost towns, hike a desert canyon, attend two special events, visit sand dunes, or visit desert hot springs in order to qualify for a special designation in a peak bagging section? While I enjoy and appreciate the desert, my true love is walking up and down mountains. These other fine activities are incidental and peripheral to mountain walking and climbing. I have always thought that the Desert Peaks Section mean exactly that - Desert Peaks not sand dunes or management committee parties. By now the reader must be on pins and needles, wondering just what does this guy want? OK, I'll oblige with my list of reasonable requirements. The name should be the DPS "Senior Emblem" with these requirements:

Has been a member for at least two years. 2. Is an emblem holder. 3. Has climbed two peaks from each group of the Peak List. 4. Has climbed 50 peaks (or 65 - I won't quibble), all on the Peaks List. 5. Has climbed all of the listed emblem peaks. 6. Has applied to the Section Secretary or Treasurer in writing, listing the dates of accomplishment of the requirements.

That's all! Stick to mountaineering. It's clean; it's simple; it's straightforward. Should someone wish to start a section devoted to experiencing the desert to its fullest, let them require hot spring dipping for membership. I just want to climb.

Paul A. Bloland

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