PINTO PEAK INITIATES NEW YEAR, Jan. 5-6         JWR 17 desert enthusiasts met in the heart of Joshua Tree National Monument the first weekend of 1963. Included among the group were several newcomers to section activities. Early Sunday morning the group caravaned under clear skies to vast Pinto Basin and the day's objective, Pinto Peak. Sixteen of the party completed the hike across the upper part of the basin, past stands of Cholla Ocotillo, and Barrel cacti, and up a steep, rocky ridge to the summit. The view was superb. Observing the endless panorama of civilization-less desert basins and ranges, it was difficult to believe that California is now number one in population. Those reaching the summit were Leaders John Robinson and Bob Greenawalt, Ron Jones, Phil Clayton, Norm Saraceno, Bill Clifton, Ernie Spiehler, Tom Amneus, Gordon MacLeod, John Lotts, Glen Warner, Bill Sanders, Frank Meyers, Helen Kilness, Monroe Levy, and Neko Colevins. SHEEPHEAD PK.(3304'), SMITH MOUNTAIN (595O'), Jan. 19-20      TH 10 hardy DPSers braved sub-freezing temperatures and driving sands storms to enjoy the varied beauty of the southeast end of Death Valley. Saturday afternoon was spent climbing Sheephead Peak, which is only a couple of hours round trip, but the peak drops sharply to the east with an unobstructed view, and is so colorful with red, orange, white strata, and an appearance of being difficult, that it was enjoyed as an afternoon conditioner. The wind was so piercingly cold, and wood so non-existent, that campfire was abandoned for the hopeful warmth of steeping bags at Bradbury Wells. With typical desert contrasts we were often hot next day climbing Smith Mountain. It was a good six hour round trip climb, with a third class auto access route. Our route was interesting, if not the most direct, each summit eliciting the hopeful chorus "you can see the peak from here." We were aided greatly by the bighorns who frequent this area, who made nice trails contouring around the more useless of the peaks. The view of Death Valley, the Panamints, with a 6000 foot straight drop to the valley floor, reinforced our conviction that this too, should be added to the DPS List as a mountain well worth climbing. Leaders were Walt Wheelock and Trudie Hunt. A LONG, HOT MARCH TO WHIPPLE MOUNTAIN (4131'), Feb. 3        JWR 18 hardy hikers assembled Saturday afternoon and evening at a sandy spot near Chambers Wells bent on an expected "death march" up distant Whipple Mtn. It was ten years to the month since John Del Monte led the last DPS group up this DPS qualifier. Thanks to some intensive map scrutiny, the group was able to locate a route that chopped over an hour off the standard time for the ascent. This was done by caravaning over a poor but passable desert road to a spot about two miles southeast of Chambers Wells (see map next page). The route traversed northeast over several minor washes to the large wash that leads right up into the range's heart from the south. Climbing out of the upper end of this wash the group arrived near the top of false summit no. 1. From here it was a northward ridge traverse over false summit no. 2 and then, finally, the true summit. The weather was unusually hot for February, and water was in short supply. A fine view of over 50 miles of the Colorado River was enjoyed from the summit, along with a desert peak panorama that extended south to Castle Dome, west to Eagle, and north to Providence. The 16 who reached the top were leaders John Robinson and Harry Melts, Siina Melts, Vern Jones, Arky Erb, Frank Hoover, Phil Clayton, Ernie Spiehler, Gene Gail, Larry Gail, Ralph Shankland, Bill Clifton, Paul Nelson, Norm Saraceno, Harold Dunn, and Ted Liston.

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