Our noble Section has been very active during the two months since the last Newsletter. Here are highlights of our three fine outings enjoyed by many enthusiastic Sierrans and friends. The Memorial Day trip to Mt. Keynot in the Inyos (el. 11,127') was characterized by rather constant and unusually beautiful views of e freshly snow covered. Sierras in the not too distant distance! Most of the 21 who followed leader Niles Werner carried anywhere from two to six quarts of water for the long climb to the campsite only to find a trickling (trickling, that is!) stream at the spot. The water there while not comparable to gushing Sierra streams was drinkable and was a welcome surprise to the few who neglected to prepare themselves per the leader's instructions. The summit view was very inspiring with Saline Valley to the east and snowy Sierra peaks to the west. The trip to Sentinel Peak will be remembered as a very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable one by the ten, who undertook it on the weekend of June 20-21st. After meeting early Saturday morning in Ballarat, a ghost town in Panamint Valley, Walt Collins and the Werners, the Blasams, Roland Kent, Polly Connable and Ken Rich arrived in the mouth of Surprise Canyon in a froth (the cars, that is) where the hike began. The destination for the day was the old ghost city of Panamint hidden 5-1/2 miles up the canyon through spectacular stream-wetted narrow gorge shaded in many places by cottonwood trees. Panamint City campsite was reached in the early but hot afternoon and the rest of the day spent in looking for the water supply and in exploring the ruins of the once busy City. Toward evening John Delmonte and his son Jimmy arrived in camp; after a liesurly meal all turned in early. In true Desert Peaks Section fashion the party arose at the crack of dawn on Sunday for the easy climb to the peak. The party passed abandoned mine shafts, lovely desert lupine, apricot marlow and colorful mine dumpings of white quartzite spattered with bright blue azurite and green malachite. The peak was reached by 9:30 A.M. and there was plenty of time to enjoy a superb view of Death Valley and distant Sierra and to bask in the sun. Brad Brush led some 17 people up Boundary and Montgomery in the lofty White Mts. on a new short route up from Trail Canyon on the east side. This new route was pioneered by Walt Heninger, John Wedberg and Brad last October. Twenty-one climbed Boundary alone. A number of wild horses were spotted on high 11,000 ft. ridges just overlooking the campsite which was in a grassy stream-quenched 10,000 ft. meadow, two miles from the cars. Tip of the topper goes to young Ken Rich, Jr., age 10, who made both peaks with father Ken. Your Chairman, presented an honorary membership in the DPS to young Ken for his feat. The round trip from the campsite took a scant 10 hours-all day light for a change, with much to spare. Montgomery Pk. which is reached via Boundary is a very interesting 2nd class scramble which goes to 13,465 ft. and overlooks the Sierra from a sharp cliff. Clem Todd displayed his nerves of steel by doing a handstand near the precipious edge amid anxious watchers. We welcome to our fold several new members:
				Conrad (Connie) Jarabin, 2804 Veteran Ave., L.A. 64 (married to Margery Newlands, July 17-Congratulations!) Frank Sanborn, Jr., 1929 Paseo del Sol, Palos Verdedss Estates Frontier 5-5603 Robert J. Schmelzer, 6542 Beeman Ave., N Hollywood Roy Arnold, 1615 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance
Margie and Bill Henderson report that mail sent to them at La Habra Heights spends about seven extra days travelling around looking for the place before it more properly ends up in the La Habra post office. They'd appreciate your correcting your address list sent out last time. Ken Rich now wears the DPS "Bighorn" emblem. (By the way, there are still a few choice emblems left in Emily Bear's DPS supply locker--only $4.00 to qualified applicants). Barbara Lilley has a new Address--1432 Bush St., San Diego W-5-3538 Sincerely, Lloyd Balsam, Chairman, DPS 22 July 1953

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