as it was getting dark. By the time we were down the switchbacks it was totally dark, and thereafter flashlights were necessary. We made a rather pretty procession across the desert floor as I looked back. Also, the lights of Minor & Co. were visible above us. I thought they were near the P. Duck. That turned out to be an illusion. Anyway, somehow we found our way back to within about 30 feet of the cars at 7:15 pm. I heard some comments about this having been a "hike from Hell". Actually, everyone seemed to be feeling good & I received some kind comments, which I appreciated. Soon everybody had driven off & I waited in Minor's car, turning it towards the distantly bobbing lights; occasionally flashing the headlights. At 9:15 I heard approaching voices. The previously unnamed members of our expedition are: Eleanor Carter, Bill Lien, Rosina Mueller, Dorothy Pallas, Linda Avila, Theresia Glover, Austin Taube, Dave Wellbourn. They all conspired to finally make this an excellent trip. I owe special thanks to Bob Beach & Charlie Knapke for lots of help; to Carol S. for extra duty, to Austin for the use of his altimeter. Minor made the whole trip possible, humane & safe. AW

Manly Peak / Needle Peak March 17-18, 1990 Tidball/Fritsen

A call to the Death Valley Headquarters prior to the trip gave the report that the access road from the Northeast (Warm Springs Canyon) was still a boulder field after a washout, and that the Southwest approach (Goler Wash) was a "good graded road". We elected to take the Goler Wash approach, but had the forethought to meet at the entrance to the wash Saturday morning and carpool up the wash and over Mengel Pass in 4WD / high clearance vehicles. It was definitely not a good graded road near the top of the wash. We hiked to Manly Peak following the description in the Peak Guide without a problem, and on our return to the cars drove on over to camp in front of the old cabin at Greater View Spring. This historic cabin is worth a visit. The evening was passed with an excellent happy hour(s). Sunday we started off early for Needle Peak directly from Greater View Spring, as the night had been punctuated by the sounds of gunfire from the direction of Russell Camp (the recommended starting point in the Peak Guide). From our camp we ascended the easy gully in a Northwest direction up to a low saddle, and then followed the steep sandy ridge South to the main ridge leading NW to the peak. The 3rd class summit block was ascended by only a couple

Page Index	Prev	Page 7	Next	Issue Index