Minutes for Meeting of 10-24-2001

• The Ramblers meet every Wednesday at 5pm in the Forbes Building in room 307.
• All hikes,unless otherwise stated, will meet for departure in the parking lot behind the Park Student Union. After 8pm on Friday the lot is available all weekend for general use.

• Last weekend, Susan took a rejuvenating hike on a Jeep trail outside of Benson, near the Rincons. She spotted a coiled female rattlesnake who subsequently, spotted her also. This was the fourth rattler she has seen since moving to Tucson. That's four too many for me.
• Ross and Ann toured Kartchner Caverns this past Monday. The living cave was quite interesting, as was the museum/visitor's center. The humidity was at 99% and the temperature was 68 degrees lending to a very comfortable environment. Ross noted that during the week there are less people so it is easier to join a tour without making reservations, saving yourself two dollars per person.
• George and his fellow AIDSWALK team had a great time at the walk this past Sunday. The weather was excellent and the social environment was quite conducive to the airing of strong political opinions.
• Blake went on a hike near Gates Pass (possibly Brown Mountain). He hiked in a couple of hours on a very ill-constructed trail and then hiked back out once he ran out of H2O. His survey of local fauna included many birds and one squirrel.

• Joe was drawn for deer season so he plans on a hunting/bushwhacking/backpacking trip this weekend. Since he can't leave until Friday afternoon, he is sure that any deer with a lick of sense will be in Mexico by then, this trip will probably be more like a backpacking expedition. About 12 miles will be covered, beginning in the northwest area of the Wetstones. If you are interested in accompanied Joe you can contact him at jleisz@ag.arizona.edu.

• Susan's boyfriend has a computer program that produces detailed topographic maps for AZ and NM. He has made copies of the program for the greater Tucson area and they will be available to Ramblers. They can be checked out from Joe in his office along with all the other maps and books the club owns. Susan says the program is excellent, as it lets you zoom in and out for detail, focus on specific features and calculate mileage.
• Help Save Sabino Canyon from Exotic Invaders:
  This lovely Sonoran Desert riparian oasis is being invaded by exotic plants such as fountain grass, buffelgrass, giant reed, and (not so) sweet resinbush. These invasive species produce large amounts of flammable materials that threaten our native trees, shrubs, and cactuses. Sabino Canyon without its sabino, or its palo verde, or its saguaro would not be the Sabino Canyon that attracts visitors from around the world.
  Bring your favorite group of scouts, church or family members, or friends to help eradicate these menaces. Heidi Schewel, of the Forest Service, will meet your group and show you everything you need to know. This work also provides excellent aerobic benefits now that the days are cooling off nicely.
  Heidi's contact info: 520-749-7720, hschewel@fs.fed.us
• Exotic Birthday Bash at Sabino Canyon:
  Come help Jeff Kreamer, Heidi Schewel, and Cindy Salo celebrate their birthdays by bashing some exotics on Saturday, November 3rd. We'll meet at the loop on the north end of the Sabino parking lot at 7 a.m. Please bring sunscreen, hat, gloves, water, and lunch. The Forest Service needs a list of participants by Monday, October 29th, for insurance purposes, so please contact Heidi, or Cindy Salo if you'd like to attend.
  Cindy Salo's contact info: csalo@ag.arizona.edu, 520-400-2462

Equipment is available for borrowing to members of the hiking club, which is done by contacting Ross and signing it out. The following is the current Ramblers Hiking Club Inventory:
• 2 Backpacking Stoves
• 1 Coleman Dual Burner Stove
• 3 First Aid Kits
• 1 Large Stuff Sack
• 1 Compression Stuff Sack (1 Broken Strap?) 1 Fuel Funnel
• 2 6-Gal. Water Jugs
• 1 5-Ft. Floppy Roll Mat
• 1 6-Ft. Firm Roll Mat
• 1 Air Mat
• 1 Camp Trails Exterior Frame Pack (Ripped Front Pouch) 1 Kelty Exterior Frame Pack
• 1 Jansport Exterior Frame Pack
• 1 Maroon Sleeping Bag (Broken Zipper)
• 3 Red Kelty Sleeping Bags (Rated 25 Degrees ñ More Like 60) 1 Grey Sleeping Bag
• 1 5-Man Tent
• 1 Coleman Gas Lantern
• 1 Volleyball Net
• 1 Volleyball
• 2 Metal Canteens
• 2 Sets of Camping Utensils
• 1 Large Silver Tarp
• 1 Knee Brace
We are looking for suggestions concerning new acquisitions for the club, so that we would have a list of things to buy; therefore, we can requisition funds from the university appropriately. Please e-mail or call Ross (rosslampert@hotmail.com or (520)-325-5912 with any suggestions on equipment that you think the club should purchase. Thanks!