To the Editor,I have felt strongly for a long, long time that people who stand behind their beliefs and convictions are to be admired. Perhaps I may not agree with those bliefs, but I respect their unwavering dedication and their direction in life to them.
Dale did just that. He was one of the VERY few DPSers, and the minority of Sierra Clubbers who went to the Palm Desert Hearings, and part of an even greater minority to express his opinion. Right or wrong (and I believe this is not a right/wrong issue), and mainstream or opposition, he had the right and responsibility to express his view.
I was there and I applaud Dale for speaking up, and putting his mouth where his beliefs and convictions lie. When he was DPS Chair he officially supported the Sierra Club viewpoint.
| TO: John Robinson & Ron Jones |  |
March 6, 1992 |
Dear Editor;
My father came to California in his late teens for a winter vacation - fell in love with the mighty Sierra ("no s, please!") Nevada - and stayed for the rest of his life. He worked his way through U.S.C. law school while holding down various night jobs. But his love affair with the mountains was too powerful, so he switched from law practice to being an insurance broker-thus allowing himself precious time in the summers for mountain climbing. Along the way, his ever-present enthusiasm for the Sierra attracted many new recruits for numerous mountain "jaunts". His winter pastime was submitting names of peaks, lakes etc. to the USGS-over 500 place names, I recall-about 350 of which were accepted and placed officially on various topographical maps. There is a display under his name at the Doheny Library at U.S.C. -where he founded the Trojan Peak Club, and named Trojan Peak and Lake Helen of Troy in honor of the University. He also discovered (and swam in!) the highest lake in the North American Continent--Tulinyo Lake. It was so named because it straddles both Tulare and Inyo counties. The Inyo Museum in Independence, California, has more information on his Sierra contributions.
My early summers were all spent in the Sierra-often packed in for two to three months at a time-seeing no one but a few wild animals. We absorbed the pristine wilderness summer after summer. My only claim to hiking fame was being the youngest girl (age 9) to climb Mt. Langley.
Mt. Versteeg, named after my Dad, was a wonderful honor. His helping to build Harwood Lodge (the 40 days and 40 nights project) and founding the Desert Peak Section were highlights for my father. But to have had an ongoing Outings Award in his name is the ultimate honor. Thank you so very much for the many fine articles and remembrances. The Versteeg family is most appreciative.
Sincerely,
Janice Versteeg Hampson
4613 Paseo de las Tortugas
Torrance, CA 90505