Minutes for Meeting of 04-25-2001

Hello Ramblers!


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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

2.) Future hiking club meetings, for the rest of this semester, will
continue to be held in the Forbes building, Room 307.

3.) For information about the club, hikes, and meeting places, check out
our website: [http://www.biocom.arizona.edu/ramblers/].

4.) Additional hiking information is available on Andy Flach's trail guide,
which is located on the Sierra Club website:
[http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/az/trail_guide/].

5.) Club Equipment: It is important to return all borrowed Ramblers Hiking
Club equipment to Ross ASAP: [rosslampert@hotmail.com] or 325-5912.


PAST HIKES:

1.) Loretta and 5 other Ramblers went on an overnight trip into the
Huachuca Mountains, camping Saturday night in Ida Canyon. Loretta, Steve,
Erich, and Wolfgang were up during the night observing the Lyrid meteors.
The next day they hiked up the Ida Canyon Trail and Crest Trail to Miller
Peak, going down the Oversite Canyon Trail. They saw several white tail
deer, ravens, hawks, and turkey vultures.

2.) Liz went up Rincon Peak with the Sierra Club on Saturday, where there
was lots of water flowing in the creeks and streams. She also saw 3 deer on
the way down.

3.) Rob did some hiking near Sacramento, California, by the American River.
He also saw some Lyrid meteors.

4.) Rachel went on a hike a couple of weeks ago in the Santa Catalinas,
where she saw lots of frogs of several species.

5.) Robbie and 4 others went on a hike in Sycamore Canyon. It was a windy
day; however, lots of wildlife, such as frogs, alligator lizards, gopher
snakes, and butterflies, and plant life was seen.

6.) Jennifer was on a hike to Bridal Wreath Falls in Saguaro National Park
East on Sunday, where there was lots of water flowing.

7.) Rachel went on a hike up Agua Caliente Canyon.


FUTURE HIKES:

1.) Loretta is planning a hike up Tanque Verde Peak in Saguaro National
Park East on Saturday (4/28/2001) @ 7:00 AM. If interested, contact Loretta
at [llp2877@yahoo.com] or 977-3442.

2.) Liz is planning a trip in the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon area, which will
involve hiking and camping this weekend (4/28-29/2001), leaving Saturday
morning. Rated "B".
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Hey Ramblers,

Just wanted to put out a note regarding my trip to Sedona next weekend. I
was planning to do Oak Creek Canyon on the first day, and then other stuff
on the second. I've never been to Sedona, so I don't know much about the
area, except for what's in my guidebook, so if anyone has a hike in mind
they'd like to do, I am open to suggestions. I am planning on car camping
and day hiking, and am planning to do no hiking more difficult than a "B."
Stuff to bring: Food, water, sunscreen, tent, sleeping bag, other camping
gear as necessary. If you're interested in going, please RSVP by 2 PM
Thursday. And please let me know if you have a car or if you need a ride so
I can work out transportation.

Liz
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
If interested, please RSVP Liz: [enc40@hotmail.com].

3.) Loretta is still planning a trip to Rocky Point, during the weekend of
graduation. She is still looking for other people interested in this trip.
If interested, contact Loretta at [llp2877@yahoo.com] or 977-3442.

4.) Liz is tentatively planning a trip in the Flagstaff area in May, after
graduation. If interested, contact Liz: [enc40@hotmail.com].

5.) Joe is planning a trip in southern Utah and northern Arizona from about
May 16, 2001, through the Memorial Day Weekend. Details still remain to be
worked out; however, if interested in joining him on the trip or any part
of it, feel free to contact him at [jleisz@ag.arizona.edu].

6.) Loretta's a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park is being postponed. She
is interested in doing a trip closer to Tucson for the Memorial Day
weekend. For more updates, contact Loretta at [llp2877@yahoo.com].

7.) Steve Newcomb's trip to Paria Canyon in May is full, but send him your
name to get on a waiting list if interested (see Jan 24th minutes for
details), just in case there still are any cancellations. Contact:
[sanewcomb@yahoo.com].

8.) Ross is making arrangements for a 4-day backpacking trip in the Rincon
Mountains, east of Tucson, for some time early June (dates to be
determined). This trip will be on the Turkey Creek Trail, Spud Rock, and
other areas. The 1st day is rated "A+", and the other days are rated "B".
If interested, contact Ross: [rosslampert@hotmail.com].

9.) Max Benson is interested in doing some hikes, with information as follows:
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
I'll be hiking in the Catskills intermittently between May 20 to June 20,
if anyone is going to be in that area. I'm local and know a bunch of the
trails, and hope to do some new ones. . . . Max
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
If interested, contact Max Benson: [mxbenson@hotmail.com].


ELECTIONS:

Since the end of the spring semester is rapidly approaching, an election
will be held next Wednesday's Ramblers meeting. The election will involve
the following:

1.) We will be voting to decide if we should postpone the elections of
officers to the beginning of the Fall 2001 semester. There have not been
many nominations presented for the election; therefore, it was decided to
determine if these elections should be postponed to the next semester, when
there would be a larger pool of people from which candidates could be
selected for official positions.

2.) We will be voting on accepting updates to the Ramblers Constitution and
the Club Policy Document. This is basically due to an interest to keep
things current. In the case of these 2 club documents, members, who can't
make the meeting, can cast their vote (accept or reject) by sending an
E-mail to Hanna [hanna@u.arizona.edu], and arrangements will need to be
made to have people read the documents, if voting via E-mail. Again, people
present at next Wednesday's (5/2/2001) meeting can read the documents and
vote at that time. The deadline for sending votes via E-mail is Friday
(5/4/2001).

Note: It is important to vote on these important club documents and issues.


OTHER EVENTS:

1.) Slide Contest: There will be a slide contest some time toward the end
of this spring semester. You may already start planning on which slides you
want to submit to the contest. Please submit slides to Hanna. The limit is
5 slides per person.

2.) Map Skills Night
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Greetings,

When I previously mentioned the rogaine that is coming up in May, I also
mentioned the possibility of putting together a map skills night. I have
now booked a room for this in the Kuiper Space Sciences Building (next the
to the Flandrau Planetarium) for Tuesday night, May 1, from 7:30 PM to 9:30
PM. I intend to go over some of the basics of navigation, e.g. reading
bearings with a compass in the field or on the map. I can discuss
topographical maps and reading contour maps if people want me to. I also
want to talk about planning routes and finally introduce orienteering and
rogaining. I will have to let people in the building so please be on time
if you are coming. It would be appreciated if you could let me know if you
intend to come and also feel free to let me know what you would like me to
discuss; I want people to get what they want out of this night. I will
contact those that reply before May 1. Please bring your compass with you.

Cheers,
Matt Chamberlain.
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
For information, contact Matt: [mc@lpl.arizona.edu].

3.) Rogaining Trip: Matt Chamberlain is arranging a rogaining trip, with
information, as follows:
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Greetings,

Anyone who is interested in hiking and following a map should consider
entering a rogaine.

What is rogaining??
No, it's not related to hair growth! Rogaining is a cross-country
navigation sport; a little like orienteering. Teams of 2 to 5 go out on a
course and navigate their way to collect controls for points, using only a
compass and pre-marked maps. The team that collects the most points in the
time allowed (say 8 or 24 hours) wins. For more info:
[http://rogaine.asn.au/ara/index.html]. I am mentioning this now because
there is a rogaine being organized in Arizona for the weekend of May 5/6.
The event will be in the Mogollon Rim region with 8 and 24 hour categories.
It is $35 to enter if you do so before April 14, or $50 after. Seriously,
these rogaines are the best way to improve your map reading and navigation
skills; regardless of if you are a seasoned eco-warrior or if you are still
working out which end of the compass points north. For those with
experience, you can be challenged by trying to navigate through the night,
especially when it is 3:00 in the morning. However, the less masochistic
can enjoy the walk through the countryside and savor some of the hot
food/drinks available at base camp. Interested? I am happy to help
coordinate if there are Ramblers who want to go but need to find someone to
form a team or a lift to the event. I would also be happy to give a 'map
skills night' to go over some of the basics, e.g. compass bearings, reading
contours and route picking. For more details on the event itself, the
website is: [http://grad.math.arizona.edu/~dcoombs/rog/2001.html], and you
can e-mail me if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Matt.
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
For information, contact Matt: [mc@lpl.arizona.edu].


ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING RAMBLERS T-SHIRTS

Ramblers T-shirts are still available! The shirts look great! They are made
with Hanes preshrunk cotton. They are natural (a light tan) with dark brown
print. The design on the back is an accurate drawing of a hiker's boots
with cholla cactus segments stuck to it. On the front upper left, it has
printed: RAMBLERS HIKING CLUB, with a list of seven important uses for the
shirt in case of an emergency. There are 3 sizes available: mediums, large,
and extra large. They are only $7 a shirt. Place your order to reserve you
shirt by making payment to our Treasurer Eric: [shiers@ag.arizona.edu].
Phone: 791-0232. NOTE: Old T-shirts are also available at a discounted
price of $5.00 OBO.


ANNOUNCEMENT: SUMMIT HUT ANNOUNCES FREE SLIDE SHOW & FREE EVENTS

(Tucson, AZ) - Please join the Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway Boulevard,
Tucson, on Friday, April 27 at 8 PM for a free slide show from La Ruta de
Sonora and the Sonoran Institute. Joaquin Murrieta, Associate Director of
the Sonoran Institute's Borderlands program and Isabel Granillo, Executive
Director of La Ruta de Sonora, will share photos and discussion of how
these two organizations are partnering in Community Stewardship to bring
sustainable ecotourism to the Sonoran ecoregion. "A Desert Trek to the Sea"
will feature information on this unique collaboration which brings together
local guides, conservation-minded organizations and binational agencies to
bring affordable, sustainable and unique travel experiences throughout
Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. See and learn about the biological
and cultural diversity in our own backyard.

Please join the Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, for the
following FREE events:

First, Summit Hut continues its free series of classes Saturday, May 5,
10:30 AM with Gearing Up For...Adventure Travel. Whether you're going to
ride the trains in Europe, cruise Alaska, photo safari Africa, or sport
climb Thailand, there are some simple tools and tricks our experts can
share to make your trip more organized, safer, and more fun. See the latest
in travel gear and clothing and learn tricks from Summit Hut's own Eagle
Creek Ambassador. Participants will be entered into a drawing for Lonely
Planet books and Austin House accessories.

Next, on May 11 @ 8:00 PM, the Summit Hut is pleased to welcome back long
distance runner and educator Brian Stark from his 790-mile run of the
Arizona Trail. Brian began this epic border-to-border run on March 13, at
the Mexican border and so far has encountered snow, snakes, remarkable
scenery, and solitude. He'll regale us with stories and photos from along
the way. Brian's spirit and wit will make this event enjoyable for everyone.

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 email .


If anyone wants to add information or post additional announcements for any
hikes and club business, please feel free to use this listserve. Meanwhile,
continue to enjoy the spring wildflowers! Keep Rambling!

Wolfgang