Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Western peaks. Ours was the third University of Vermont climbing and spider-collecting expedition to this range. Since Arhuaco Indians had apparently sealed off the sierra to all outsiders, we chose this time the western approach. Entering from San Pedro, we reached the highland after five days of ridge crossing and reconnaissances. Tom Buechner, John Kochalka and I climbed Mission Peak (14,300 feet), highest of the Donan Chucua ridge on March 7. Kochalka also ascended several other peaks around 14,000 feet, some for the first time. On March 14, all three climbers mentioned plus Dave Vreeland climbed Nevado Tesoro (5250 meters, 17,225 feet) and on the 15th, Pico Simmons (5660 meters, 18,570 feet) via the west glacier. We returned in five days to San Pedro, in which area Kochalka then did spider-collecting.

Pieter Crow, Green Mountain Club