Minutes for Meeting of 10-18-2000

Hello Ramblers!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.) Important: Unless otherwise announced, the meeting place for all hikes is behind the Park Student Center, in the parking lot.

2.) Future hiking club meetings, during the fall semester, will continue to be held in the Forbes building lobby, in case Forbes, Room 307, isn't available.

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING RAMBLERS WEB SITE:

The web site for the Ramblers Hiking Club has been greatly improved and enhanced, with new features added, such as the historical web pages and a calendar. To make it a little easier to find the new features mentioned in the minutes, here are the links:

http://calendar.yahoo.com/public/ramblersclub

The calendar link can be found on the home page:

http://www.biocom.arizona.edu/ramblers/Images/Photos/Historic/historic.html

The historic link can be found on the photographs page. We encourage the membership to take a look and provide their comments and suggestions, as we continue to improve, add to, and polish up the presentation of the pages.

PAST HIKES:

1.) Michael and Wolfgang went to the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum, at the base of Picket Post Mountain, near the Superstition Mountains. They saw lots of cactus varieties, Australian plants, riparian vegetation, and geologic scenery.

2.) Hanna led a backpacking trip to Kent Springs in the Santa Rita Mountains. 6 people and 1 dog went. They saw lots of insects and lizards, which Robbie photographed. They also saw a pack of little goats.

3.) Ross was on a hike on Sunday to Douglas Springs and Bridal Wreath Falls in the Saguaro National Park East. Lots of water was flowing at the falls.

FUTURE HIKES:

1.) Steve Newcomb is leading a day hike to the Mt. Graham area, in the Pinaleno Mountains. Departure is on Saturday (10/21/2000) @ 6:00AM. Details are as follows:

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Hey everybody,

I'll be leading a hike or rather a series of hikes in the Pinaleno
Mountains east of Tucson this Saturday, Oct. 21st, leaving the Park Student
Union at 6 am. The drive up and down Swift Trail, the main road up the
range, takes about 4 hrs itself. Rather than trying to hike on a long trail
from the bottom, I've decided to do an exploratory trip using the Swift
Trail to shuttle us between various foot trails off the paved road near the
top. We will pick up a detailed map at the ranger's station and decide
where to go after that. The main objective is to spend time among the
magnificent (albeit dead) 300 year old spruce pine trees before many of
them are removed for ecological reasons. It will be another 300 years
before it looks like this again.

Bring lunch and 4 liters of water (some of which can be left in the car
between walks), clothes for variety of weather (it will be quite a bit
cooler at 10,000 feet than 2,000 ft around Safford, probably in the low
50's or high 40's), and some money for dinner since it seems reasonable
that we will stop on the way back for a bite to eat depending on the time.
The usual sunscreen, hat and hiking shoes as well. You can read some info
about the Pinalenos here:

http://www.arizonahandbook.com/EAZ2.htm#VICINITY OF SAFFORD

Steve
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2.) Michael Chamberland is leading a trip to the Gila Box, north of Safford, with detailed information as follows:

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Hello Ramblers,

I'm planning a trip to the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area for
the weekend of Oct. 21-22. In spite of its name, the Gila Box is not a box
canyon or a slot canyon. It is a wide shallow river and riparian zone
winding through desert hills. If you've seen the Gila River along Highway
77 north of Winkleman, the Gila Box is rather like that.

What is special and unusual about this hike is it's mostly done in the
water. The river is shallow and mostly sandy-bottomed. There are abundant
wide banks to walk on out of the water too. There's no noticeable elevation
gain so the going is quite easy.

You may do a backpack or a car camp. The plan is to leave Friday evening at
6:00 PM from the usual spot behind the Park Student Union. Drive to
Safford, then another 30 minutes or so north to the established campground
located at the confluence of Bonita Creek and the Gila (there is likely a
small fee). Saturday we'll all hike upstream through the Gila Box. By early
afternoon the car campers will turn back and return to car camp at the
campground. Backpackers will continue upstream. Sunday, backpackers will
return downstream, while car campers have the day to explore the
side-canyon of Bonita Creek, which is a narrower and lush tree-filled
canyon that opens up right at the campground.

You may return to Tucson after Saturday if you'd like, but I plan to lead
the backpack and do not want to organize multiple trip venues. So if there
is a desire to leave early I'll ask those that do to organize that.

General stuff to bring: clothing for hiking in the water, shorts and
sneakers or tevas for wading. There should be no need to swim or get your
pack wet, but if you slip you could douse the pack, so placing the contents
in a dry bag or garbage bag might be a wise precaution. Leaving
wallets/valuables in the car is a related consideration, but come with a
few bucks for shared gas expenses. A walking stick can offer some
additional stability, and for probing water depth. The Gila Box is very
exposed so bring sunscreen and a hat, etc.

Backpackers, we will need a few water purifiers and stoves for the trip. We
can share these, as well as tents. The Gila Box has a lot of wildlife, so
you may want a tent and also a rope and bag to hang food (I am not certain
if bears are in the area, but I know javelina, skunks and ringtails are).

The route is the highway to Safford and an average quality dirt road
(rather hilly) on the last stretch into the natural area. This should be OK
for passenger cars unless they ride on the low side.

Email me if you are interested in going. Mention if you can provide
transportation, and if you intend to day hike or backpack. If you will
backpack, say if you can provide a water purifier, stove, tent space, etc.
I'll want to make sure we have enough water purifiers, since that'll be a
critical item. The Gila is turbid, if you can bring a container to settle
water in overnight, that will increase the purifier's effectiveness.

Michael
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3.) Matt is leading a canyoneering trip to "The Jug", with information as follows:

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Hi all,

The canyoneering trip I hoped for last month didn't quite happen, so I am
going to try again at the end of next week Oct 28 and 29.

The plan is the same, my main objective is to go to Salome Jug (2 or 3
hours north of Tucson). Ideally, I would like to do Devil's Canyon as well,
but that can change. Both of these trips require about a day and involve
rappelling. (You should be comfortable rappelling in awkward positions
without a back up belay and be able to get off-rope in deep water. I have
ropes but you will need to bring your harness and descender.)

If you are interested and can go out for a day (or hopefully two) this
weekend, please email me (not the Ramblers listserve!). I will send more
info later to those I hear from.

Matt Chamberlain.
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4.) Michael is leading a trip to Pariah Wilderness/Buckskin Gulch Canyon in northern Arizona, during the Veterans Day weekend. Details are as follows:

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Hi Ramblers,

It's time to give you some information about the trip to Buckskin
Gulch/upper Paria Canyon I plan for the Veteran's Day weekend.

General:
Buckskin Gulch is probably the premier slot canyon in the world, with steep
canyon walls a few 100 feet high and only 5 - 25 feet apart. Wire Pass
Canyon, a side canyon we will explore, is only shoulder-wide in places. The
canyon is located just north of the Arizona/Utah border, about 30 miles
west of Page.

Dates & Itinerary:
Mon 13 November is a University holiday. The plan is as follows (as always,
still open to suggestions):
Friday 11/10: Leave Tucson around 6pm. Arrival around midnight and camp.
Saturday 11/11: Leave a shuttle vehicle at the White House Ruins trailhead
(upper end of Paria Canyon). Continue to the Wire Pass trailhead and enter
Buckskin Gulch through Wire Pass Canyon. Set up camp after about 8 miles.
Sunday 11/12: Continue. When Paria River comes in from the left, turn left
and head upstream. Set up camp. We may also continue a bit further
downstream Paria Canyon if we have plenty of time. Monday 11/13: Continue
Paria Canyon upstream and hike out. Get our vehicles and head back to
Tucson.
Arrival: about 8pm, maybe later.
The whole length we want to hike is about 20-24 miles. It would be possible
in two days, but I prefer to have some time in the canyon, in order to swim
if there are pools deep enough, and to have some choice concerning
campsites. The character of the hike depends on the amount of water in the
canyon. It may range from occasional, flat, muddy pools in dry weather to a
steady flow with lots of deep pools that require to swim. I expect
something in between, i.e. that we have to wade through some pools, but
also find some pools deep enough for a refreshing dip. I will check the
water and weather conditions a few days in advance.

Costs:
You need money for fuel (maybe $15 - $20/person, depending on the number of
people and cars), as well as for dinner (Fri) and lunch (Mon) somewhere on
the road. Further, we need a permit to backpack there. The cost is $5 per
person and day - $15 total/per person.

What you need:
Usual wilderness backpack equipment. In addition:
* sandals: for the wading through pools. You may also be happy to get rid
of your hiking boots in the evening.
* swimsuit.
* towel: the evenings may already be cool, so you want to be dry. * some
warmer clothes: same reason.

I plan to submit the permit request end of next week. There is a limit of
20 backpackers who can enter the canyon each day. Currently all 20 places
are still available for Nov. 11. However, the maximum group size is 10. 
You may also indicate if you have some of the following:
* car
* tent (which sleeps more than 1)
* stove
* water filter
FYI: There is a web site about the Paria Canyon Wilderness:
http://paria.az.blm.gov

Michael
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5.) Robbie is leading a trip up to the Vermilion Cliffs/Pariah Wilderness in northern Arizona, during the Thanksgiving weekend. He already obtained the permit, which is for 9 people, and which costs ~$140.00; therefore, if 9 people go it would cost about $15.00/person. Rated "A", since this is a "Kick-A** Hike". If interested, contact Robbie: hannawacker@hotmail.com

6.) Hanna is leading a trip to the Pinacate National Park in Mexico and the Castle Dome Mountains in Arizona, during Christmas time, for 6 days - possibly more. If interested, contact Hanna: hanna@u.arizona.edu

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING PARTIES:

1.) Hiroko is going to have a "pumpkin-carving" party this Friday (10/20/2000) @ 6:00PM at her house. After carving pumpkins, there will be a contest, with some prizes for the winners. "YOU might get first prize!! So if you can make it, please come!" What to bring: Your pumpkin, something to carve a pumpkin, drinks or snacks ....whatever. Address: 1430 E. Adams, Tucson, 85719 (between Highland Ave. and Vine Ave.) The house is a duplex, so look for the address "1428 E. Adams". If you have questions, you can reach her at 326-7493.

2.) Robbie will be having a birthday party at his house, with information as follows:

Hello everyone,

I would like to announce that I will be having a little Birthday celebration Friday November 10th 6pm?. It may be at my apartment, unless I can find an alternative. Potluck and/or order pizza. Perhaps we'll play some volley ball and watch some Rambler video footage. We could watch my favorite movie: Ruben and Ed! I have a swimming pool as well. No birth-day gifts are necessary. I got all I want, unless you would want to bring some good grub and liquid refreshments for all. Have fun guys!

Robbie Hannawacker
(520)-792-0970
Environmental Science Junior
Ramblers Vice President
Founder and President of the Nature Club

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING ELECTION:

November 7 is election day, the day we vote for the next President. While many may already have decided on who to vote into the Oval Office, there are also a host of propositions on the ballet which can be confusing. The following web site contains a list and description of pros/cons for the propositions on the AZ ballot (click on the ballot measures tab):

http://www.dnet.org/My_State/State_home.dnet/AZ

Propositions 100, 102, and 202 relate to environmental matters. Proposition 202, "Citizens for Growth Management", is an initiative that deals with sprawl, a phenomenon which is a concern to many Ramblers.

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR PRESENTATIONS:

1.) Reception at St. Phillips in the Hills, on Friday, October 20, 2000 @ 6:00PM - 9:00PM, which is located at Campbell and River.

2.) Coalition for the Sonoran Desert Protection Forum: "The Sonoran Desert: A Plan to Protect Our Fragile Land" is being held on Saturday, October 21, 2000 @ 8:30AM to 3:30PM, which is at the DuVal Auditorium in the University Medical Center, 1501 N. Cambell Ave.

3.) Lecture: Dr. Jane Goodall is giving a "Reason for Hope" lecture at the Tucson Community Center Music Hall on Sunday, October 22, 2000 @ 5:00PM. The cost is $12.50 for students.

As we can see, there is lots of activity; however, if anyone wants to add or post additional announcements for any hikes, etc., please feel free to use this listserve. Meanwhile, enjoy Arizona! Ramble On!

Wolfgang