By request, an Editorial written by the pub1ishers that appeared in the very first issue of Desert Magazine is being reproduced. It has become a rather famous piece of philosophy and has been seen reprinted, in several different areas.

"THERE ARE TWO DESERTS" -Desert, November 1937

One is a grim desolate wasteland. It is the home of venomous reptiles and stinging insects, of vicious thorn-covered plants and trees, and of unbearable heat. This is the desert seen by the stranger speeding along the highway, impatient to be out of "this damnable country". It is the desert visualized by those children of luxury to whom any environment is unbearable which does not provide all of the comforts and services of a pampering civilization. It is a concept fostered by fiction writers who dramatize the tragedies of the desert for the profit it will bring them.
But the stranger and the uninitiated see only the mask.
The other Desert-the real Desert-is not for the eyes of the superficial observer, or the fearful soul or the cynic. It is a land, the character of which is hidden except to those who come with friendliness and understanding. To those the Desert offers rare gifts: health-giving sun shine - a sky that is studded with diamonds - a breeze that bears no poison - a landscape of pastel colors such as no artist can duplicate - thorn-covered plants that during countless ages have clung tenaciously to life through heat and drought and wind and the depredations of thirsty animals, and yet each season send forth blossoms of exquisite coloring as a symbol of courage that has triumphed over terrifying obstacles.
To those who come to the Desert with friendliness, it gives friendship; to those who come with courage, it gives new strength of character. Those seeking relaxation find release from the world of man-made troubles. For those seeking beauty, the Desert offers nature's rarest artistry. This is the Desert that men and women learn to love.
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The above article certainly spells out the feelings that led to the creation of our Desert Peaks Section-    -Editor.

NON-SKED TRIP REPORTS

Cerro Botella Azul (Blue Bottle Peak)   Feb 24-28      -John Robinson
This 9500-foot summit is the high point of the San Pedro Martir Plateau. It lies on the eastern rim above the head of Canon del Diablo, almost directly across from mighty Picacho del Diablo.
Contrary to every word we had heard, Blue Bottle is not an easy ascent. We approached it from too far north and spent several hours scrambling over rough, broken, boulder-covered ridges. The best approach is from almost due west- from the small meadows of Los Llanitos, up a narrow arroyo winding up from just north of the peak, and up to its eastern rim. In the upper reaches of this canyon is one of the few dependable water sources on the plateau; a small spring known to US hikers as Picacho Spring or Teacup Tinaja, but Galled by the Mexicans "El Bajio de la Vieja", (literally a nonsensical "Lowland of the Old Woman").
It is our feeling that Cerro Botella Azul would make a fine addition to the Desert Peaks list. The peak has probably the finest view in the entire San Pedro Martir, a panoramic scope that encompasses most of the vast forested plateau as well as a breathtaking close-up of El Diablo. The western approach is through miles of virgin forest wilderness, unscarred by faded candy wrappers, bullet-pocked signs, or deserted forest monarchs. From the east it is a steep class 3 climb out of upper Cañon Diablo.
Northern Baja California offers numerous opportunities for mountain
 
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