DESERT PEAKS NEWSLETTER #52 - 6
The summer months found the Desert Peakers exerting themselves on two outstanding trips to the High Sierras - Temple Craig Peak and the Thumb.
TEMPLE CRAG PEAK. On August 2nd, climbing enthusiasts from Los Angeles and San Diego back-packed up the North Fork of Big Pine Creek to the third lake. Though warm, the weather was superb and Big Pine Creek cascaded down to the valley below in a full torrent. Bob Bear appeared early on the scene and in the company of Gary Bratt scouted the peak on Saturday, ascertaining that some third class climbing was necessary enroute to Temple Crag. There were 26 making camp that night at Third Lake, including Bob Bear and Gene Vinson (co-leaders), Parker Severson, Evelyn and Gay Morrow, Horace Hobbs, John Norman, Lavonne Carlson, June Kerr, Ralph Moon, Tom and Gene Kendall, Judith, Jocelyn, James and John Delmonte, Gary Bratt, Kathryn Brucker, Lee Owings, Virginia Robertson, Dorothy Cruickshank, Adrienne Thirkel, Barbara Lilley, Jerry Galawas, Bryce Miller, Carl Jessel, and John Newberger. At daybreak next day Bob successfully led a party of about 12 to Temple Craig peak - about seven hours were required for the total trip. In the company of the neighboring Palisades, Temple Craig offered a superb view of this beautiful region and its many lakes. Those not making the climb wandered to the nearby higher lakes or went fishing.
THE THUMB. Led by Lloyd Balsam and Parker Severson the Thumb (13,885') a prominent sharp-pointed pinnacle on the Sierra Crest between Middle Palisade and Birch Mt., was climbed on Labor Day Weekend, August 30th and 31st. Among those who made the trip were: Willard Dean, Bob Bear, Lloyd and Rosie Balsam, Niles and Louise Werner, Elgin Pierce, Georgie White, Marie Smith, Freda Walbrecht, Art Widmer, Jill Johnson, Carl Bartch, Lucy Grozescu and Parker Severson. As related by Parker Severson, the climb started on Sunday morning with perfect weather. Camp had been made at McMurray Meadow (9,500') on the evening before. A few snow patches were crossed on the way up. The group came across the wreckage of a bomber which had crashed into the North face of Birch Mt. during the last war. By noon the pinnacle of the Thumb was reached. The view from the Thumb proved awesome, with the lake-studded Palisade Basin below.
NOTES
October 4th and 5th. Waucoba Peak (11,127') a qualifying peak for D.P.S. Membership will be climbed. The group will meet in Big Pine at 10:00 A.M. Saturday. This trip is sponsored jointly with the San Diego Section. Consult your schedule for details.
White Mt. Peak. Bill Clifton writes that his son, Tommy, aged 5-1/2 years, climbed White Mt. on August 5, 1951 - probably the youngest climber to negotiate this hike. Bill's address, incidentally, is Starr Route 2, El Dorado Ranchos, Palmdale, California.
Sincerely, Desert Peaks Section |