Passages: Darrick Danta and Dorothy Beck Mcinnis

Darrick Danta (1955-2013)

Darrick Danta, a longtime Sierra Club Angeles Chapter outings leader, Wilderness Travel Course lecturer and navigation examiner died in a climbing accident on New York Mountain in the Mojave National Preserve on Feb. 15, one day after his 58th birthday.

Danta was an associate dean at the College of Social and Behavorial Scienes and longtime member of the Department of Geography at California State University, Northridge, which published a tribute to his achievements and outdoor passions.

Danta is survived by his wife, Sara Danta, and brother Randall Danta, both of whom are Chapter outings leaders.

Dorothy Beck McInnis (1930-2013)

An outstanding Sierra Singles leader for over 18 years, Dorothy Beck Mcinnis passed away Feb. 3.

Our friendship of 38 years began in August 1974 when we carpooled to a weekend event at Harwood Lodge. The first bus trip we shared followed in November to Death Valley. The bus driver happened to be Danny McInnis, who  became the Sierra Singles favorite (and almost exclusive) bus driver. And, most happily, he became Dorothy’s husband for 18 years until his death in 2008. They were a perfect team for the many wonderful trips that followed.

Mcinnis became a leader in 1975, beginning with a trip to Organ Pipe National Monument (where she dressed as the Easter Bunny and tossed candy into our tents on Easter morning!). The last bus trip she and Danny shared was Fourth of July weekend in 1993 to Mammoth and Devil’s Postpile National Monument. They enjoyed many years thereafter traveling the country in their fifth-wheel trailer, including Canada and Alaska.

Mcinnis served on the Sierra Singles Management  Committee in 1978, 1979, and 1983 through 1991, and she received Chapter Outings Service Awards in 1978 and 1993.

This outing leader's strong spirit of adventure led to participants enjoying a wide variety in the beauty of nature, from Glacier National Park and Yosemite to the Grand Canyon and Rainbow Bridge/Lake Powell.  Whether through photos we took or simply vivid memories, those who knew her will always remember Dorothy and be grateful for her friendship.  She will be dearly missed. 

 --Marilyn Baker