Minutes for Meeting of 01-23-2002

• 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.

• JJ and friends hiked to Picacho Peak last weekend. It was a nice, casual hike with the only unusual animals being a group of JROTC marines. The descent on the Sunset Vista trail was especially beautiful and JJ enthusiastically recommends it to anyone interested.
• Abhishek and a few friends hiked up the Ventana Canyon trail this past Monday. There was a great view of Tucson although it was a little foggy.
• Hillary hiked up the Solider trail this past Sunday as an approach to a climb.
• Michael and three others did some hiking and camping in the Marble Canyon area this past weekend. Saturday afternoon they hiked and scrambled in Cathedral Wash, which has very nice formations, and then camped on the rim of the canyon. Sunday they hiked down Soap Creek Canyon and Monday they hiked along Spencer trail. Spencer trail provided them with an excellent view of the Glen Canyon and Marble Canyon. The only downside to the weekend expedition was the cool temperatures.
• Jean Paul led a group of 14 to the Peppersauce Cave to do a clean up. The trip was very successful and Jean Paul now recommends visiting the cave so long as you pack out what you pack in.

• Hillary and some friends will be doing some climbing in the Mt. Lemmon area this coming Sunday. Anyone is invited, if climbing isn't your forte then you would be welcome to hike around and explore the area once the approach hike was completed. If you would be interested in climbing make sure to bring your own gear ie. shoes, harness. They will be meeting around 9-9:30 at Le Buz, a coffee shop near the start of the Catalina highway. More info may be posted later.
• Michael is in the process of obtaining a permit to climb Mt. Whitney in either mid-May or early-June. If you would be interested in this trip please e-mail him immediately so he can secure you a spot and a permit. The permit is approximately $15 per person. It will be an A+, 22 mile day hike. His e-mail is mdumke@as.arizona.edu.
• Hanna, Feb 2-3, would like to do some hiking and car-camping in the Peppersauce area north of the Catalinas. She would like to drive up Sat. afternoon, car camp and then explore the area Sunday. There is a cave so 2-3 independent lighting sources would be pertinent along with other basic camping supplies. Contact Hanna if interested at hanna@u.arizona.edu or 884-0131

• Ross would like to bring to our attention that the US Senate will be voting on the Alaskan Wilderness area the first week of February. This will determine if the wilderness will be preserved or drilled. Since John McCain is considered a "swing" vote, calls and/or letters from his constituents that advocate preserving the wilderness could help him swing the right (err left) way. His office number in Phoenix is 602-952-2410.
• Ross would also like to announce that he and his roommates will be having a party Saturday night. His house is on Campbell two houses north of Elm. His address is 1724 North Campbell. You may show up after 9 or 10.
• Hanna is planning a volunteer opportunity in which Ramblers would go to Muleshoe Ranch where they are working to restore overgrazed land and refine grazing techniques. It would encompass an entire weekend of which the first day would include various odd jobs such as fence removal, painting or weed pulling. The second day would be available for hiking in the area. The date would most likely be Feb.16-17. Contact Hanna if interested because she needs an approximate count when she calls the Ranch. Also, if you would be able to drive please inform Hanna. Her e-mail is hanna@u.arizona.edu and her telephone is 884-0131.

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