On November 14, between 20 and 30 climbers met at Sheep Creek Spring to begin a climb of Avawatz. The co-leader, Bob Greenawalt, was unable to attend because of the press of business. Since I had never climbed the peak, I was surprised to find that, contrary to the map, the road extended over a mile beyond the Springs. After this pleasant encounter, we started up the canyon about 7:30 AM. For the first mile we followed an old water pipe that must have been used to bring water to the minor's camp. The weather was clear but quite windy. The climb up out of the canyon was made by way of a steep chute, the top of which turned out to be quite loose. After several rocks were dislodged down the chute, a rope was placed and the rest of the party ascended the rope one at a time to avoid danger from rock fall. While ascending this chute, we had the privilege of observing the DPS emblem in the flesh - a bighorn ram. We startled it and were able to observe it trot effortlessly up the side of a small peak. When it reached the crest of the ridge, it turned and posed for us on the skyline. The remainder of the trip to the summit was uneventful. The view from the summit was superb, with all adjacent ranges being visible. The summit and exposed ridges were extremely cold and windy, so lunch was consumed in a sheltered spot just below the summit. The descent was rapid, since the route avoided the steep troublesome chute. Camp was made at Saratoga Springs(see next sht). On the following day a smaller group of us climbed Funeral peak in cold and windy weather. The view from the summit was blocked by some low clouds. The lower slopes of Telescope Peak were visible and snow-covered. Since the weather looked threatening, a hasty retreat was performed and cars were reached without further incident. KOFA PEAK AND PALM CANYON, ARIZONA      -Hugh Parshall Forty-seven persons attended the New years Jan 1-2-3 campout at Palm Canyon, Kofa Mountains, Arizona and thirty-one these started and completed the ascent of Kofa peak(4828') on Sat Jan 2. Friday evening everyone gathered around the campfire for introductions of club members and guests, followed by a brief talk on the Kofa Game Preserve, old gold mines, geology, and mineralogy of the area. Leader Hugh Parshall told of the plans for the climb the next day to start at daybreak, and answered questions. Then stories were told 'till sacktime. The 32 climbers started about daylight the next morning and were on the peak at 11 AM. going in by the large North Wash, up a gallery to the "arrow-marked" saddle and then west to the summit. A new register was placed in a waterproof crock and all record of antiquity brought down to be forwarded to Headquarters. Some records were in open tin cans and were wet and barely legible. After gathering many chalcedony roses, agate, and quartz crystals, the descent was made to the Wash and back to camp without incident. Youngest climber was Nancy Parshall, age 12 TURTLE MTN-IRON MTN CLIMB       -Gene Gail On Sat Feb 13 @ 8 AM sixteen hikers met at Vidal Junction and caravaned back five miles west to a dirt road that follows the aqueduct and heads north. About four miles up we doubled back to the right and around another four miles or so on a good, bumpy dirt road to a roadhead quite near huge volcanic plugs in the valley. Harry Melts led 15 of us up to the Turtle high point in about 2 hours. We had a leisurely lunch and came down a very interesting ridge to the south. Two cars of eager young souls then went around on their own and climbed Carsen Peak. After they had supper at Vidal Junction, one car went all the way up to the Turtle roadhead looking for Andy Smatko's wallet. It wasn't there, but he later found it in his sleeping bag. Finally everyone got together at the west base of Iron Mtn and camped after going through a pile of dead smoke trees big enough for a Bingham Roast. The Iron Mtn climb on Sunday was joined by Siina Melts and Russ Hubbard, to make 17 on the peak. It was a two-hour hike up a clean granite gully with intermittent patches of sand. An hour was spent on top discussing where else the

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