Debunking the South Family Myth

In 1980 my family took a ranger-led hike up Ghost Mountain (“A Feral Family Album,” by Ann Japenga, Jan. 6). Our leader had read Marshal South’s articles in Desert Magazine. At each of the stops along the way he regaled us with the stories, describing how the family actually grew radishes. At the top he excused himself to talk to a group of mostly local men, and soon returned quite excited. Rider South was there--his first time on Ghost Mountain since he had left 40 years before. And he agreed to talk with us.

In the first few sentences he debunked almost everything the ranger had said. Life on the mountain was hell. I asked about growing radishes, and Rider, pointing to the ground, responded, “How can anything grow here?” The story of the South family seems a sad, almost tragic tale of a man who victimized his family to live his dream.

Kevin Cronin

Playa del Rey