Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Morgenson - September 27, 2006

Campers:

Regarding the Mt. Morgenson discussion. It is really unlikely this will ever go before the BGN -- getting something officially named in a National Park is close to impossible. As important, it's also pretty unlikely Randy would have supported naming a peak after anyone, himself included. Still, a bunch of us (backcountry rangers in Sequoia Kings NP) decided it was a good gesture in his memory. It was a pretty low-key, unofficial, even spontaneous move on our part.

The good news is the mountaineering community can use the name or not. I wouldn't get too excited about it either way.

Also: many years ago (early 70s) I did the route shown by spinefxr. I remember it being pretty easy on the north side -- just went up the wall until I came to the first place I could cross; then down a chute. Not too bad (3rd class??).

Take care,

George Durkee

George, I am glad you post on this board. Welcome back to the populated world for the winter. Here's a picture my son took with you in July:

<img src="http://stevec.smugmug.com/photos/83593466-S.jpg" border="0"

George, thanks for the comment in regard to crossing over from the Wallace Creek drainage to the Artic Lake drainage. With you confirming what spinefxr said, I'll be adding it to my list of things to do next year. I've become quite fond of the Wallace Creek drainage after the two trips thru this summer, but since I had to go down to the JMT/PCT, they were more of a bitzkrieg. Knowing that I can exit out without all the extra mileage will make exploring other peaks in the area possible.

Regarding the Mt. Morgenson comments, thanks again. As I stated above, I'll be referring to it as Morgenson.

I'm curious as to how you ended up here? Random check of the postings, Dr. Murray, or Eric Blehm?

I believe George has posted here before. I'm saddened by not having met him, yet. Perhaps I'll find him in the backcountry this next summer. His writing has entertained me for years.

I made it out to Pinchot Pass (3.34 air miles short of where I wanted to go). The JMT/PCT is real lonely at this time of year. Photo album is at http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/gallery/2174212 . Looking forward to visiting the area again next summer.

Steve: Too bad I'm not wearing a shiny official uniform shirt if this stuff is going public... . Hope you guys continued to have a great trip.

Richard: Eric sent me your note to him. I'd actually posted a year or two ago on this Forum. We had a big early season storm. I wanted to get an idea of conditions and how much snow was on the west side of Whitney. Amazingly, we got a bunch of answers and some photos from a guy who bailed just as the storm started. Helped us with a major search we had going (something like 16 people stuck in their tents and under rocks...). Anyway, really helpful to our operation.

Nice photos of Taboose area. Randy Morgenson and I skied from Bishop Pass and out Taboose a number of years ago. The upper basin country was the best ski traveling on the trip. Nice anytime, but truly outstanding in winter.

Take care,

g.

George, so I've got an idea that I think we can use to keep this thread moving up to the top on a regular basis that has to do with you providing comments similar to the quote above.

It would serve two purposes:

- I think that a bunch of us who love the Sierra would appreciate hearing about the favorite spots of those who spend a good part of their lives up there.

- It would expose more people to the Mt. Morgenson name.

I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks.

Not relevant to the naming discussion, but interesting reading concerning people's opinions about Morgenson and "The Last Season."

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=469

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1174

George,

I respectfully disagree with much of the banter that was splintered on this post.

I simply cannot put the story of Randy's life to rest, as his demonstrates the most simple and honest form of humanity and humility of any public person that we have witnessed in many years. Let me divulge and explain...

For me, the aura of wilderness and adventure in the Sierra Nevada of California, untouched by most of man, has been my dream since my early 20's. Undeniably, most of my experience in that great piece of earth has mostly been in developed, trampled, and commercialized settings that must of just made Randy mad. I have always wondered of what lie outside the bounds of the comforts of these retreats, wondered what kind of place lives out there. Most of all, I wondered what kind of person, if any, would be capable of truly desiring, protecting, and living that world beyond my vision in this so fast, technology-driven world.

Truth is, I knew nothing of Randy Morgenson before reading 'The Last Season'. I hadn't even sought that kind of person out. I figured that all that was good, descent, and whole of Man in respect to our most-untouched American treasures was gone. I didn't have the satisfaction or possibility to make a difference in how we treat our land growing up and becoming a man in my generation - all that was to be decided was done so before I had a voice. And there simply was no precedent for me to follow, no individual for me to mentor. I was wrong.

I settled on college (though I dropped out), marriage, and an occupation in electrical engineering making very good money. But no matter what I have done, the calling of adventure, wilderness, and isolation - the promise of something to protect - in the Sierra Nevada has always been in my head. I longed to be someone who made their meager living in the far reaches of man, protecting that land of modest but commanding reputation, serene yet unforgiving, lively but delicate in nature. You just don't find these people nowdays. And now we argue about how worthy a man Randy Morgenson was.

Why is it such a dilemma to honor this man by naming a previously unnamed peak in his name? A peak that looks outward and guards the very wilderness that Randy felt so strongly of protecting. This public has honored buildings, roads, freeways, landmarks, mountains, streams, and rivers after politicians, policemen, firemen, and teachers. Most of whom are relatively unknown to the general public - except for the fact that their name graces the asphalt that they are driving their SUV on to a job in a large building that sucks all the life away from the area around it.

Why not, for once, give the younger generations the story of an individual who gave up everything to be with his beloved untouched place? Why not instill hope into future generations that pure care for the land is still here, and that someone actually died protecting this special place? Why not, just for a change, make it possible for someone to dream of being in Randy Morgenson's shoes, protecting the Sierra Nevada with little more than a camera and hiking boots, living what is now only a fairytale? Why not give them a name on a map to identify with? The very least we owe Randy is a mountain - a mountain in which he felt that the very least he owed it was his body. His body in which he gave, regardless of circumstance.

Matt Kent

I'm bumping my message from yesterday as I truly feel it deserves a reply. Or is this community already over it? Not being sarcastic - I know it is an old thread. But we are talking about one of those few people who made a point to allow us to enjoy the very wilderness that is talked about here.

Matt Kent

Matt: I, and I am sure others here, are glad you feel so strongly about naming the peak. But George himself said:


So he is saying it is really out of his control. Please don't try to argue with people here -- contact the National Park Service and see how far you can get. According to George, I doubt you will have much success.

But good luck, just the same.

I am sure many of you have noticed by now but the official recognition of the name, Mt. Morgenson, is documented here on page 6:

http://geonames.usgs.gov/docs/dockets/ReviewList395.pdf

I have only Eric Blehm's moving description of Randy Morgenson to go by but based on that, the dedication of the peak is well deserved.

Steve L

Not quite.


"This Quarterly Review List presents names proposed for geographic features in the United States."

"THE NAMES IN THIS REVIEW LIST MAY BE USED ONLY AFTER APPROVAL BY THE BGN"(their caps)

"Comments on the name proposals may be sent to: Mr. Lou Yost, Executive Secretary, U.S. Board on
Geographic Names/Domestic Names Committee, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523; telephone
(703) 648-4552; fax (703) 648-4549; e-mail BGNEXEC@usgs.gov."

Ken,

Thanks, I think, for pointing that out. At least it's a positive step.

Steve

Understand that one of the reasons justifying this action, is THIS thread on THIS board! Thus, I think we carry weight on the issue:

"Proposal: to make official a commemorative name in recent local use
Map: USGS Mount Whitney 1:24,000
Proponent: Judith Wood; Visalia, CA
Administrative area: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park/ Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness
Previous BGN Action: None
Names associated with feature:
GNIS: No record
Local Usage: Mount Morgenson (backcountry rangers)
Published: Mount Morgenson (Whitney Portal Store Message Board, 2006)"

I am still torn by the issue.

On the one hand, a life-long exceptionally dedicated Ranger, who lost his life in the line of duty. The image itself seems worthy of commemoration.

On the other hand, the thought that RM himself would not have wanted this, and that there have been others that should have been honored, but were not.

I must say that I think that the ommission of worthy others, is probably not a defining factor for me. Two bad decisions are not grounds for making a third bad decision.

I received a message from someone who I think has been involved in this process, but like most other things related to the Message Boards of late, I passed it off with a quick reply that they should probably be talking to Bob.

It scares me that "worthy" may mean that it ends up named after some politician.

I wonder if we can petition to our California congress folks to assist with the name change. It seems they'd be willing to do stuff for their constituents being a big election year and heck... it wouldn't require any pork-barrel handouts from Washington!

Why not say that Mt. Morgenson is being so named in honor of all who have served as back country rangers past, present, and future. After all, who ever got rich doing that job?

I could really get behind that idea. I have the feeling that RM might have, also.

One thought that I had as I was reading the book for a second time (this was after the controversy surrounding this started up) is that it be Mt. Morgenson, as something that the family (father/son) would share. The elder Morgenson (I think I remember participating in one of his tours of the Valley.) was one heck of remarkable man too.