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Re: Trip Report
Posted by Red Hat
on 14:25:52 11/16/09
In Reply to:
Trip Report posted by Birdman
Here is a brief one: I drove straight from Bishop to Striped Butte. Went via the paved road (past Badwater) thence up the gravel road to the Butte. Just as I entered the Warm Spring Canyon wash I met about 50 trail riders who were going to the Encampment. The sun had set; so, this means they traveled in the dark to Salt Well (on the West Side Road).
I camped along the main road just north of the Butte ('twas dark when I arrived). I wanted to climb the Butte from the Panamint Range side so I would be in the shade. I was in the shade except for the last 20 vertical feet. I DO NOT recommend this route for solo climbers. No technical stuff; just steep and rocky.
Got to the summit clear, sunny, and windy. Immediately I was blown off my feet (twice). Sat at the summit for ten minutes and the wind subsided enough to set up the tripod and take some pictures.
I hadn't climbed the peak for about 30 years (that time solo also). I needed to refresh my mind as to the visibility from the summit.
The wind had made the main purpose of my trip fruitless. The dust to the north and east obscured the Nevada mountains. By straining and looking through a telephoto lens, I'm reasonably certain you can not see Charleston Peak from the summit.
You can see high ridges in the Argus Range by looking down Redlands Canyon. But you can not see the Slate Range of Mojave Desert.
Why such a foolish venture (for a 72-year DV lover)? The Death Valley '49ers have just released another edition of Southworth's book and he says (at least implies) you can see Charleston Peak from the summit of Striped Butte. He contends this is the high point that Manly & Rogers went to (Manly Lookout) and later Manly took Bennett and Arcan to the same place.
Manly, as all of you know, vividly describes the his and Rogers' route westward as seen from Manly Lookout. Southworth sweeps all this information under the carpet thus implying Manly 'dry-labed' these portions of his book.
I returned to the floor of the valley via the south ridge, over which there is a fairly good use-trail. I then followed the Indian trail northward toward Arrastre Spring. After about 3/4 mile I turned eastward to my camp (pick-up, 4 x 4).
While on the summit and along the trail I carefully looked for the mythical spring both Southworth and Olesen claim is along this trail. I find no evidence of their mythical spring.
I had planned to write a review of the book but probably will set that aside ain't worth the effort.
I carried with me a wonderful book that I recommend all of you read. While on the summit, I reread again the last 20 pages to get insight why I was there. Here is the book: Frankfurt, Harry G. 2005. "On Bullshit." It has only 76 pages (hardback bound). Here is some insight this Princeton University professor professes:
Bullshit is unavoidable whenever circumstances require someone to talk [or write] without knowing what he is talking about. Thus the production of bullshit is stimulated whenever a person s obligation or opportunities to speak [or write] about some topic exceed his knowledge of the facts that are relevant to that topic (p. 63).
Jean and I will return soon (we hope) and climb the Butte. We'll carefully check the weather before going. Southworth and Olesen have never been to the summit of the Butte.
LeRoy
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