Muddy Peak is a fine monument located in beautiful country. Summit views take in Lake Mead, the red rocks of the Valley of Fire, and the red rocks passed toward the summit. The upper rocks of the Muddy Mountains are limestone. Muddy Peak merits a fine climb and we hope to nominate this peak as an addition to our Qualifying Peak list at our October Meeting. Spirit Mtn Avawatz Peak Apr 22-23        -Bill Hunt After an early morning storm that left an inch or more of snow on higher ground, 11 DPS students left Christmas Tree Pass at 8:45 Sat morn to make the ascent of Spirit Mtn. The air was clear and brisk allowing as steady pace up the rugged peak, and the gain took about three hours. A rather roundabout, yet very pleasant route up a long gully on the east side of the peak was followed but there were a few third class scrambles, which most climbers would describe as interesting. Following the summit lunch, our descent to the cars was made by a more direct route, traversing the west side of the mountain. We were back to our seats by 2:30 PM. By 8:30 Sun morning, our Avawatz Peak numbers had swelled to fifteen, meeting at Sheep Creek Springs, at the very southern end of Death Valley. A false start near the beginning of operations in the form of an 800' gain to a ridge and return was enough to ward off three potential summit signatures. A right look at the topo sheet, which one climber was smart enough to bring, showed that we had several miles to go before the ridge ascent. Lunch was eaten on the slopes below the peak in bright sunshine along with cool breezes. Patches of snow from the previous day's weather, still evident on the lee slopes, helped to replenish half-empty canteens. The loyal bunch reached the 6154' top at about 1:45, plenty tired, but glad to have finished the 5000' elevation gain, the false start being included. From Avawatz's heights, Mt Charleston, Telescope Pk, and Mt San Gorgonio, all snow-capped, could be discerned in the extra clean air. After too short a rest, the long walk back down the fairly steep slopes at the mountain's top was in gear. Two deserted mines were inspected for souvenirs, but conveniently all contents ware too heavy for removal. We were headed back towards Baker when the five o'clock whistle blew. Mt Charleston Mummy Mtn     May 6-7      -Graham Stephenson The leaders were a bit late for the scheduled Charleston start of 7:30 Sat morning in Kyle Canyon. However, prompt hikers Ed Lane and Wally Henry left their cars and soon met a short spell of class 3 conditioning upon ice-climbing Big Falls. The second group of three persons, two leaders included chose the canyon just to the south of Cathedral Rock, and we arrived at the ridge about noon, having trudged the entire distance on snow, varying from moderate pack to steep powder, of nearly armpit proportions in the most shaded places. After reaching the ridge to the south of Mt. Charleston, we began to the north to the summit over the approximate route Of the standard trail. Mostly the snow was somewhat "windswept". About 2PM we Passed Ed and Wally coming in the down direction. A 3:30 PM arrival on top bearing a forbidding chill greeting failed to provide any further invitation to linger. Since it had snowed somewhat intermittently all along the ridge, discretion indicated an expeditious return. By 7:30 PM all hands were safely back at the cars. Sunday with entirely different weather and bright sunlight, seven persons left for Mummy Mtn at 8:30 AM to arrive on the summit at 11:30 in time for lunch. A relatively dry route up Deer Creek on the west ridge was taken. There is one very short and easy class 3 pitch; otherwise this is an extremely easy and direct route.

--MAY WE NOT CONFUSE MUMMY MTN AND MUDDY PEAK--

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