OLD DAD, KELSO & FOSHAY EXPLORATORY January 26-27, 1991 Igor and Suzanne Thomas-Mamedalin

Maris Valkass and we planned this exploratory and peak climb for a long time. Twenty-eight desert enthusiasts signed up for it. Then,, on Wednesday, Maris called to inform us that he was forced to cancel his participation because his escrow was closing and he had to move that weekend. On Thursday, Suzanne announced that her business trip to Chicago was unavoidable, which limited her participation to Saturday due to her Sunday flight. Well, we forged on with our plans hoping that Saturday would dawn with some alternate leaders volunteering to take over for Suzanne so that the trip could continue on into Sunday as an official 'DPS scheduled' climb. No sases were received from 'known' leaders. Saturday morning dawned chilly as fourteen vehicles gathered on Kelbaker Road twenty miles south of Baker. Following the DPS Road and Peak Guide, we caravaned west toward Old Dad Mountain. The mileage noted in the guide is misleading: the roadend is 8.3 miles from Kelbaker road, not from the T two miles down. The dirt road is generally passable all the way to high clearance vehicles with one sandy stretch. One compact car was left at the sandy point. From the roadend twenty-three people and one dog proceeded to climb Old Dad Mountain following the guide and taking about two and a half hours to reach the top. The views of Soda Lake, Kelso Dunes and Devil's Playground from Old Dad are worthwhile. Returning to the vehicles we had lunch before proceeding back out to Kelbaker Road. Driving a few miles further south and eyeing Kelso Peak we concluded that the climb would take too long and we did not wish to search for a camp spot in the dark. Instead we chose to visit the Kelso train station (all restoration work on it appears to have ceased with deterioration setting in) and to climb the Kelso Sand Dunes. Later on when Vic Henney and Sue Wyman joined us, we learned that the hike to Kelso Peak from the road is barely over an hour -- they were on top of the peak watching our caravan hesitate on the road in our moment of indecision. After Kelso Dunes we headed toward Foshay Pass to camp for the night. Along the way we lost John Cheslick, a prospective leader to replace Suzanne on Sunday, due to deteriorating road conditions. A couple of other vehicles headed home for the Super Sunday game watching. Saturday night's camp was established by the great Vulcan Mine where we found Vic and Sue awaiting our company. Ablazing campfire and abuffet with a Middle Eastern theme (Texas oil beans included) helped warm us through the chilly evening. Political, environmental and personal issues were thoroughly examined without any conclusions drawn. Sunday morning Suzanne headed for Chicago and Alterio Bill Banks was asked to assist with our exploration of Foshay peak - a prospective candidate for addition to the peak list. Proceeding over Foshay Pass, a steep hill impeded the progress of Paul Backer's Volvo forcing him to turn back taking Barry Antler with him. Although the gas

NOTE: Paul Backer reports that on his journey home south along Kelbaker Road he came across a vehicle that spun out and overturned at the point where the pavement ended and the dirt part of the road began. Paul and Barry noticed a seriously injured woman laying by the overturned car. They quickly moved her away from the vehicle just before it exploded in flames. They took the injured person back to the Kelso train station and waited for the Sheriff and paramedics to arrive. The Sheriff reported that this was the second vehicle that day to 'bite the dust' at that location and that they get several fatalities on Kelbaker road each year. This is something for all DPSers to keep in mind when driving this road at high speed - watch for the pavement to end.

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