Minutes for Meeting of 10-25-2000

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 summer, will continue to be held in the Forbes building lobby, in case Forbes, Room 307, isn't available.

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING DEER DRIVE: SATURDAY, NOV. 18, 2000:

From: Chantal O'Brien 
Subject: Deer Drive

I'm a Master's student in Wildlife Ecology. As part of my project, I need
to count the number of deer in the 600+ acre enclosure in which I work. We
walk through the enclosure in a line (like search and rescue) and count the
deer as they run through the line. I need at least 70 people to help me do
this on Nov. 18, so I was wondering if you would be willing to announce
this opportunity at your nature club meeting? I have attached a flyer and
handout for anyone who is interested. Have all interested people contact me
at: . I can also get driving maps for those who need
them.

We will be hiking through the Walnut Canyon Game Enclosure near Lake
Roosevelt to count mule deer, white-tailed deer, javelina, foxes, rabbits,
and coyotes. Come join us for an invigorating hike in the beautiful
foothills of Four Peaks. There are many other great places to visit nearby
including Tonto National Monument (with cliff dwellings), Tonto Natural
Bridge, Four Peaks, Lake Roosevelt, Roosevelt Dam, and Apache Trail. For
more information, contact Chasa at (602) 300-0210 or .

What to Bring:
For Saturday Deer Drive-
                Water (at least 2 gallons - you can fill containers at the cabin)
                Backpack
                Snacks that can be eaten while walking
                Long pants that you don't care about
                Water
                Gloves (if you are worried about your hands with prickly brush)
                Long-sleeved shirt (if you worry about your arms with the brush)
                Hiking boots
                Water
                Hat
                Sunglasses
                Sunscreen
                Water
                Rain gear
                Comb (for cactus removal)

For Friday Night Campers-
                Sleeping bag
                Tent (if you want)
                Food for grilling
                Beverages
                Change of clothes for next day
                Personal necessities
                Fast breakfast food

The Three Bar Cabin has running, potable water along with limited kitchen
and bathroom facilities. Most people will be camping outside around the
cabin. With only 1 bathroom, we cannot accommodate 40 showers in 1 night.
Please plan not to shower Friday night, unless you want to go to 1 of the
campgrounds ($2).

Directions for drivers: The drive is about 150 miles and takes about 3
hours. From Tucson, take Hwy 77 (Oracle) north to Globe. From Globe, take
Hwy 88 towards Lake Roosevelt. At Roosevelt Dam, Hwy 88 turns into Hwy 188.
Proceed on Hwy 188 across the bridge. You will pass Bachelor's Cove, Cholla
Bay, and Cholla Campground. Just past mile marker 251, there will be a sign
for Three Bar indicating a left turn. Take the left run and proceed on the
dirt road. Stay on the main dirt road and follow the signs to the cabin
(the road is 5-6 miles long). If you are driving your own car on Saturday
morning, please meet us by 7:00 am at the junction of the Three Bar road
and Hwy 188 or along road 647 (dirt road on left across from Bachelor's
Cove between mile markers 248 and 249). Cell phones don't work at the cabin
(and we don't have regular phone service), so the only way to contact us is
to leave a message at (602) 300-0210 (checked morning and evening). Thanks
for your help!

Thanks for helping with the Three Bar Deer Drive!
Chasa O'Brien

PAST HIKES:

1.) Steve, Annette, Jochen, and Wolfgang were in the Pinaleno Mountains on Saturday. They did a hike in the morning, near Mt. Graham. It was foggy, since they were hiking in cloud covered forest, where they saw some of the fall colors. After lunch they did another day hike at lower altitude in the desert to Noon Creek.

2.) The 6 people, who signed up for the AIDS walk, still went on the walk, despite the cancellation.

3.) Mead went on a hike along the Crest Trail from Mt. Hopkins to Florida Saddle, Armour Spring, and Bellows Spring.

4.) Mead did another hike up at Mt. Lemmon to Marshall Gulch, where he saw the fall colors.

5.) Hanna was on a hike in the Mule Mountains, near Bisbee. She also stopped at Gardner Canyon to do some birding, and where there was lots of water flowing.

6.) Liz was also in Bisbee, where she did "the Staircase".

7.) Michael was on a hike to Tanque Verde Falls, on Sunday, despite the rain.

FUTURE HIKES:

1.) Mitch is leading a hike on Saturday to Douglas Springs in the Saguaro National Park East on Saturday (10/28/2000). Departure is from the Park Student Center @ 7:00AM, and everyone would meet at the trailhead, which is at the end of Speedway Blvd. @ about 7:30AM. Bring lunch and rain gear. If interested, contact Mitch at: (520)-574-2996.

2.) 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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3.) 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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4.) 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.

5.) 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 PARTY:

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

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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
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ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING FREE CLASS: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2000:

Summit Hut is pleased to continue its "Gearing Up For..."series of in-store classes on Saturday, November 4th at 10:30 AM with "Gearing Up For...Going Light". Attendees can learn how to cut ounces or pounds from their packs, whether they're day hikers or backpackers. The clinic will also include information on how to efficiently pack a backpack. Lightweight gear from Mountain Safety Research and GoLite will be raffled at the end of the class. The clinic is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged as space is limited. The Summit Hut carries a wide range of gear, clothing, and accessories for many kinds of active adventures. The "Gearing Up for..." series is sponsored by the Summit Hut with support from its manufacturers and suppliers including GoLite and MSR. The Summit Hut is a locally-owned Tucson business that has been equipping backpackers, climbers, campers, hikers, adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts with quality gear and clothing for over 30 years. For additional information, or to pre-register call Terri Gay or Sharon Scott at (520)-325-1554 or E-mail: sharon@summithut.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING A FIELD SEMESTER IN RURAL MONTANA: SEPTEMBER 4 - OCTOBER 28, 2001:

Northwest Connections Field Semester immerses a small community of learners in an eight week, intensive educational program focusing on ecology and community-based conservation. Students learn experientially as they study the landscape of the glaciated Swan Valley and the human community it supports. Northwest Connections' instructional philosophy promotes participation in conservation projects as a means of developing field skills. Students also work closely with rural citizens and land managers in order to understand the relationship of environmental issues to local communities.

Landscape and Livelihood's residential program operates seven days per week, creating time for classroom lecture, field work, reading, reflective writing, independent study and involvement in community outreach activities. Fifteen semester credits are earned in Forestry, Environmental Studies, Education and General Science through a cooperative agreement with the University of Montana.

Base camp for the semester is a historic homestead on the Swan River, south of Glacier National Park. From there, students travel throughout the Swan and Blackfoot Valleys and the Swan and Mission Mountains. Home stays with local host families, a unique component of our program, connect students more intimately with the community and help put a human face on resource management issues.

We accept 10-12 motivated undergraduate students interested in conservation and willing to commit to a full-time, intensive educational experience. Cost for the semester is $6900, including tuition, 15 UM credits, a Wilderness First Aid course and room and board. Deadline for applications is April 10, 2001.

For more information, please contact us at:
Northwest Connections
Box 1340 Swan Valley, MT 59826
(406) 754-3185
nwc@montana.com
http://www.northwestconnections.org

This year we are also working cooperatively with the Aerie School for Backcountry Medicine http://www.aeriebackcountrymedicine.com to offer a 180-hour Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician course immediately following the Field Semester from November 5 to December 3, 2001. Field Semester students will receive a $100 discount and preferential registration for this course if they choose to enroll. For information on this and other Aerie courses, contact David McEvoy at: aerie@montana.com.

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.

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, the desert, and the fall colors in the mountains! Ramble On!

Wolfgang