last mile of climbing added thrills. Grouping at the old Copper Works mine, we all explored the colorful blue and green mineral dumps. Banks led us the main ridge from the mine, reaching first what appeared to be the high point. From this spot, actually south of the true summit, it is necessary to traverse for an hour across a ridge to the true height of Clark Mtn. The VABM could be seen from a distance, still standing despite the winds. Everyone enjoyed the scenery and serenity-all happy to have logged another DPS component. We followed our upward steps back to the cars and reached home at a reasonable hour for a change. (map follows)
Telescope Peak			Sat Nov 11	-Dick Sykes
About 43 intrepid and potential "North Wall of the Eiger" climbers assembled at Mahogany Flat and left at 8:20 on a pleasant Encampment morning, Barbara Sykes being at the tail end and husband Dick at some other end, we started for Old Telescope. I noticed a preponderance of good looking females...to that Gene Gail added, "All females are good looking." The view of that minor ranges that some other Section of the Angeles Chapter seem to get excited about (called the Sierra, I believe), was magnificent! Oh yes, in the other direction the view was great too - some sort of valley appeared to be somewhat low in elevation. Those of us who admitted to having made an occasional foray to that minor range seemed to get quite excited about pointing out those peaks that we could identify. After many rest stops and much talk, we saw some of the extremely dangerous wild burros of the Panamints. We were terrified of the possibility of a charge from one of the bull burros, since as you know, are noted for there viciousness. However the three we saw, in spite of their sex, whatever is was, had the good sense to continue grazing on the grass, cactus, rocks, and other items of their diet. About noon, "Chicken Dick" reached the summit, pursued by almost a dozen of the fast tigers. The smart group meandered in about and hour later. It was windy, naturally, with a lukewarm fifty degrees on the summit. We returned to the cars in small groups, the last getting back about 4:30 PM. It is my opinion that it is fine idea to do Telescope yearly in conjuction with the Death Valley Encampment. I noticed some "old time types" along for the scenery, a good indication of a fine peak.
El Picacho del Diablo			Thanksgiving Weekend	-Dick Beach
For this weekend vacation, 25 people showed up at the roadhead. I am sure the rain discouraged another 20 from coming. Co-Leader Ed Lane had gone down a week earlier to clear the trail and to set fixed ropes over the rough places. It seems it was raining the week before and it looked like there was no real weeather clearing as our group approached the trek date. We all carvaned to the trailhead where we met Ed. Beginning Thurs morning we spent the day hiking seven miles up Diablo Canyon. Everyone spent a fine Thanksgiving in a rainy mist. At 7 AM Fri we got under way and made Campo Noche that afternoon. There it rained all night, but not enough to discourage the climb. Saturday morning greeted us dark and gloomy with rain. Twenty-five started out enroute for the final morning ascent. In Wall Street chute, about 600' below the summit, tragedy struck, when SPS Emblem Member Joe Darrow suffered a fatal heart attack. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for one hour was of no avail. The place was marked where he passed out. The group then buried the body, because of the difficulty of egress. The enthusiasm of the climb was broken, as thirteen of the team returned to camp. Others pressed on to the peak. The clouds and rain were so bad that no one could see the peak. The ridge between the two summits was finally attained and eleven persons found the true summit, staying only long enough to enter their names in the register. We returned via the Wall Street chute to be greeted by a large camp fire.

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