SIERRA CLUB ANGELES CHAPTER DESERT PEAKS SECTION JUNE 10, 1954 NEWSLETTER #33

Dear Desert Peaker: Soft music, a sunlit lake, a balmy afternoon and evening, a delicious roast beef dinner, plenty of time to visit with new friends and old - all of these added up to a most enjoyable evening for the 85 members and guests who gathered at the Rainbow Angling Club in Azusa for the THIRD TRIENNIAL BANQUET June 6th. Apparently the DPS is well known for producing the combination to a pleasant evening, for a show of hands indicated that at least half of those present were guests and hometowns ranged from Sacramento to San Diego. Hats off to Marge Henderson, our very capable banquet chairman, who asked me to thank everyone for pitching in and doing the particular job she requested of them. The dining and exhibition tables were decorated with huge prickly pear cactus studded with blossoms. In a prominent place at the head table was huge sheet cake denoting that this was the Third Triennial Banquet. The program which followed the banquet was opened with brief talks by various leaders on future DPS trips such as Argus Peak, Dubois and McAdie, all of which are in the current schedule. Highlight of the announcement period was the reading of a newsletter (sent by Chester Versteeg who was unable to be present) from the California Expedition on Makalu. Then a brief history of the trips scheduled since the last triennial banquet was given in form of a peak identification game conducted by Lloyd Balsam and yours truly. June Kilbourne, assisted by little Betsey Bear, conducted the drawings for door prizes which resulted in a goodly number of those present going home with either a book, new topo maps, or new types of cactus plant to add to their succulent garden. Last of all, the high point of the evening a flying trip to Barnance del Cobre, the Grand Canyon of Mexico and its adjacent canyons, via the colored slides and accompanying lecture of Martin Litton and Ray Smith. Exciting tales of breath-taking view, the friendliness and hospitality of the supposedly hostile Indians, the modern conveniences they found far from any town, the roads never traveled before by a stock car (only mining trucks), the wild ride down a mountain side in a mining truck while perched on boxes of dynamites, the unexploited beauty of warm spring pools miles from the main road - all of these and many more were the climax to an evening that will be long remembered by all those present.

****

The Memorial Day three-day week-end saw 55 eager persons gathered at the base camp of Glass Mountain DPS outing. Camp was made by 18 carloads of people in a lovely spot complete with a running stream in a pleasant wooded area. A cool breeze mad a campfire welcome while everyone enjoyed marshmallow toasting, brief speeches, and singing. The following morning in pleasantly cool weather, 41 started off on the ascent led by Lloyd Balsam. Reaching first the low saddle we traversed the ridge to the top, passing several snowfields and glass studded areas. Pausing on the summit for one and a half hours during which various persons ate, slept, talked, took pictures, peeped through binoculars, and enjoyed the magnificent view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. The return trip was made by a slightly different route using a steep descent by way of a solid mass of obsidian (volcanic black glass) at the top of one of the ridges. The descent was a quick glissade over soft fine talus to the bottom of the upper canyon through which we reached the base camp in only 2-1/2 hours as compared to the ascending time of 5-1/2 hours. Joyce Delmonte, a junior, and Nelson Nies attained their sixth desert peak. Congratulations!

****

The date for the DPS Conservation meeting has been tentatively set for September 10th which is the DPS night at Boos Bros. The meeting will be held at the Club headquarters after the program at Boos. Bros. This will give plenty of time for those attending the DuBois trip over July 4th the get their notes and pictures of the region north of White Mt. Peak ready for presentation at this meeting. For details see last newsletter.

Page Index	Prev	Page 1	Next	Issue Index