ANGELES CHAPTER - SIERRA CLUB
October 31, 1959
Your current schedule contains an up-to-date list of DPS Qualifying Peaks. Elevations have been corrected to agree with the latest topographic maps, thanks to research by Harry Melts. There are nine new peaks: Chuckwalla Mtn., Potosi Mtn., Kingston Peak, Searles Peak, Nelson Range, Nopah Peak, and Pahrump Peak. Because people have found a way to drive almost to the summit, Funeral Peak has been dropped from the list.
These changes were made at the official DPS meeting held on May, 1959. A large, enthusiastic turnout was present. They voted to present to the membership a bylaws revision that toughens DPS emblem requirements by both adding Kofa Peak as a fifth mandatory peak, and increasing the total number of peaks required from nine to fifteen.
Adding Kofa Peak improves the geographical distribution of mandatory peaks. Boosting total required peaks should stimulate the section by lengthening the period of peak enthusiasm of the average new member-that period when he is working to get his emblem. Few members are completely apathetic toward emblems and peak lists. The section could probably use them more effectively as motivational tools.
On the other hand, any toughening of emblem requirements has a tendency to make the emblem more of a "hero medal". And the question of which peaks shall be mandatory always provokes wide disagreement.
Read the enclosed text of the proposed bylaws revision and decide for yourself. Then attend the next DPS meeting on Dec. 8, 1959 where we will vote.
The meeting will be held at the Ontra Cafeteria, 757 S. Vermont Ave. Supper (optional) at 6:30 P.M. Meeting at 7:30 P.M. Agenda: Addition and deletion of peaks from Qualifying List, vote on revision of bylaws, elect officers, discuss DPS program for the coming year, and view slides of DPS activities. Members are urged to bring up to ten slides of DPS subject matter. Mark the date on your calendar now! December 8, Tuesday.
The mountaineering tragedy that claimed the lives of Burl Parkinson and Francis Foley has been widely reported and discussed in other publications. Memories of fine mountaineering experiences with these men will long be recalled by DPS members, and it is hard to become accustomed to their absence from DPS activities. The DPS management committee presented Burl's daughter , Mrs. Stuart A. Mitchell Jr., with the pin that he would have received for completing his emblem requirements with the ascent of Mt. Montgomery.
The foregoing material has been compiled by Dick Kenyon who sent this from Dearborn, Mich. We do not know what his is doing there or when he will come back, but we hope it will be in time for the busy desert season which is coming up. There are ten desert peakers' activities in the present schedule and with all your help we should have almost an equal number in the next schedule. Tentatively, on the next schedule of Feb. thru May, we are planning to lead: Grapevine (Washington's birthday); Searles and Pilot knob; Black Butte and Chuckwalla; Pahrump; Rabbit (THE Rabbit); Paiute; Arc Dome (Nev.).