is attained by the
ascent of the following seven eastern California desert peaks, two of which,
Waucoba Mountain and New York Butte, require the backpacking of a 24-hour water
supply; all are best climbed during the spring and autumn; on four, winter ski
climbs can be made, if the snow be taken at "high tide". The peaks are:
White Mountain Peak (14,242), Highest summit in the White Mountains, northeast
of Bishop (White Mountain Peak quadrangle).
Waucoba Mountain (11,127),
Highest peak in the Inyo Range, southeast of Big Pine, (Bishop
quadrangle),
Telescope Peak (11,045), Highest peak of the Panamints,
overlooking Death Valley (Ballarat quadrangle).
Maturango Peak (3850),
Highest peak in the Argus Range, south of Darwin (Ballarat quadrangle).
Coso
Peak (8156), Highest peak in the Coso Mountains, southwest of Darwin (Ballarat
quadrangle).
New York Butte (10,520), In the Inyo Range immediately east of
Lone Pine, (Ballarat quadrangle).
Cerro Gordo (9217), in the Inyo Range,
east of Keeler (Ballarat quadrangle.).
It is expected that by autumn at
least a dozen member's will have qualified for membership in this section,
several having already made three or more of the climbs. After a scouting trip
on New York Butte by Virgil Sisson and Chester Versteeg (accompanied by Larry
Jeffrocs) the first official outing to attain membership in this section was
made to New York Butte on November 15-16 [1941], under the leadership of Niles
Werner. The following members made the climb successfully:
Braeme Gigas,
Harry Paley, Pat Carmical, Katherine Smith, Freda Walbrecht, Bill Crookston,
Carl Durrell, James Tow, Harry Greenhood, Niles Werner.
All of the peaks of
the Desert Peaks Section present marvelous desert panoramas; White Mountain
Peak and New York Butte present as fine views of the High Sierra as can be
found. Maps and complete data including routes, classes of climbs, best
climbing season, etc. are on file at the southern California S1erra Club rooms,
Philharmonic Auditorium Building, Los Angeles.
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Chester
Versteeg has left us in body, but his spirit lives on. Above all, the
inspiration he supplied for exploring and enjoying our desert ranges should
live on for a long time to come. |
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Plans are afoot, under the guidance of Steve Molnar, to
dedicate an outstanding, unnamed peak after Chester Versteeg. Peak 13,507',
high point of the inconsolable ridge in the Sierra has been proposed. This
jagged peak stands on the divide between the Big Pine and Bishop creek
water-sheds, and offers superb views not only of the Palisades and Evolution
regions of the High Sierra, but also the high desert peaks of the Whites and
the Inyos. Those with further suggestions should contact Steve Molnar, 224-A S.
Chandler Ave., Monterey Park, California. |