Your chairman has finally arrived home again, hopefully this time to stay. Though the Bay area has lots to offer anyone, it is great being back down south once more. A next thrill awaiting me is to get on another Desert Peaks event.
Driving home from Palo Alto recently, I decided to take a little-used road over Rancho Pass on State Highway 180 between Paieines and Mendota. Though paved, much of it is one lane including the bridges, and passes through the heart of one of our least populated counties - San Benito. It is a combination of deserts and mountains, and drops down into the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, the latter being a real desert, and void of the usual plants we know in our Mojave and Colorado deserts. Right now the winter rains have spread a growth of low grass and weeds in the mountains and valleys and great flocks of sheep are now to be seen with their lonely shepherds and faithful dogs. It makes me wonder how these people can endure each day without the comforts we enjoy. They are really "children of the earth". There are places in this locale one would not believe was California. As soon as the moisture leaves the ground at the lower elevations, there will be nothing left to grow, especially around the Valley's old oilfield developments of past years. It is indeed a sorry sight. Those of you familiar with Blackwell's Corner will be interested in a newly-erected sign-"The World's Largest Parking Lot". This is undoubtedly the most vast area I know where nothing takes root. I hope this part of California will derive benefits from the being-built Feather River Project.
John Robinson's 1964 Trip Report is gratifying. The Emblem Peaks are always the most popular. It is very apparent that the quality of the climb, the drive distance, and the timing of the event are the governing factors in getting out people on desert peaks.
NEW MEMBERS
Applications have been received and membership approved for Ed Ostranga, 705A ninth Street, Santa Monica, California; and Bill Hunt, 2409 Inglewood Ave., Apt #6, Redondo Beach, California. Fine climbing with us!
The following old members have been reinstated: Bill Sanders 7112 Fenway Apt #26. Westminster, California; Frede Jensen 1855 Perdue Ave., L.A., 25; and Walt Wheelock, Box 406, Glendale, California. Nice to have you all back.
NEW EMBLEM PEAKER
Ralph Shankland has submitted his list and it has been approved. Ralph is one of our ardent climbers and we always enjoy his company.