You should not measure a climber by what they have done,
but by what they are willing to try.
– Gerry Roach

Our Second Desert Peaks List

– Sorted by Elevation

Notes by Gerry Roach

1. Our 2nd DPS list climbs

   Gerry Roach’s totals: 89 ascents; 69/71 overall
   Jennifer Roach’s totals: 75 ascents; 67/71 overall
   Gerry and Jennifer’s combined total as of 11/28/15: 164 ascents
   
   
2. There are 71 summits on this list.
   
   
3. Peak names in all caps are Emblem Peaks.
   
   
4. The total prominence of the 4 Emblem Peaks on this list is 6,594 feet
   for an average of 1,648 feet.
   
   
5. The total prominence of the 20 active AZ peaks on this list is 48,142 feet
   for an average of 2,407 feet.
   
   
6. The total prominence of the 4 TX peaks on this list is 10,358 feet
   for an average of 2,590 feet.
   
   
7. Peaks listed in YELLOW are SUSPENDED from this list,
   since there is currently no legal public access to any route on the peak.
   If public access is restored, the peaks will be reinstated to the list.
   In the meantime, these peaks are listed for historical reference only;
   Do not attempt without permission from the landowner or governing agency.
   
   
8. A peak gets on this list if *all* of the following are true:
   • The peak is *not* on the Sierra Club’s Desert Peaks List.
   • The peak *is* in one of the four North American deserts:
     1. Great Basin Desert
     2. Mojave Desert
     3. Sonoran Desert
     4. Chihuahuan Desert
   • The peak has at least one publicly accessible route to its summit.
   • The peak is a “Quality” peak. Traits that our Quality peaks enjoy are:
     1. Resplendence - the peak has visual stature; it looks good
     2. Rise - the peak has significant prominence; it dominates its area or range
     3. Remoteness - the peak is well away from cities
     4. Roughness - paved trails detract; difficulty enhances
     5. Reception - climbers and hikers naturally receive and respect the peak
     6. Routes - the peak offers quality routes; a variety enhances
     7. Roxie - the peak holds some mystery and requires moxie
     8. Altitude - the peak’s altitude has *no* bearing on its Quality
   
   
   

9. The Four North American Deserts

   • Great Basin Desert
     
     
     
   • Mojave Desert
     
     
     
   • Sonoran Desert
     
     
     
   • Chihuahuan Desert
     
     
     
   • Maps courtesy of desertusa.com
     
   
   
   
10. Rg (Range) abbreviations:
    TS = Trans Sierra, DV = Death Valley,
    SB = San Bernardino County, RC = Riverside County,
    SD = San Diego and Imperial Counties, NV = Nevada,
    AZ = Arizona, UT = Utah, NM = New Mexico, MX = Mexico,
    TX = Texas.
    
    
11. Cl = YDS Class of standard route.
    
    
12. * = San Ysidro Mountain’s highest point is not the boulder with the benchmark on it.
    The highest boulder is a quarter mile northeast of the benchmark boulder,
    is about 20 feet higher than the benchmark boulder, and requires a Class 5.4 climb.
    Other boulders on the summit ridge are also higher than the benchmark boulder.
    

Copyright © 2001-2023 by Gerry Roach. All Rights Reserved.