Minutes for Meeting of 04-10-2002

• 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.

• Will did some volunteer work recently with Willie in Cabeza Prieta. They dug up un-necessary grass and burned it. Will saw his first scorpion. On Wednesday, He went with Sky-Island Alliance to the Audubon ranch for tracking. They saw a lot of coyote tracks and one possible bobcat track.
• Ross met up with a friend and went to the Sidewinders opening night last Thursday. It was fun a lot of fun as long as they didn't pay attention to the annoying announcer.
• Susan did some hiking in Romero Canyon but unfortunately lost the trail once she reached the dry part of the river bed. She would like to return to the area. Susan and Steve also did some hiking in Pima canyon where they tried out their new backpacks.
• Wolfgang has been on several hikes and trips, during the last few weeks. This past Saturday, he was hiking in the eastern part of the Santa Ritas, near Gardner Canyon. The weekend before (Sunday), he spent a day at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, near Superior, Arizona. The weekend prior to that, he was on Robbie's Nature Club hike up Sabino Canyon. In all cases, some wildlife, which was mostly a variety of birds (and their nests), could be seen. Since there has been such little rain, very little is blooming (maybe a few ocotillos here and there and a few other plants lucky enough to recieve a little more moisture). The brittle bush plants, which normally would be seen blooming everywhere, during this time of the year, are truly dry and wilted - and how brittle their leaves have become!

• Travis, next weekend, is planning a car camping and day hiking extravaganza in Cochise Stronghold West. Their will be more details next week.

• April 11-14 is UofA's Spring Fling at Rillito Downs. We are sponsoring a basketball booth. Come out and support the Ramblers! If you are working please be on time to keep things running smoothly.
• SUMMIT HUT ANNOUNCES FREE EVENTS
  (Tucson, AZ) - Please join the Summit Hut for the following FREE events.

  Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m., at Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway Boulevard at Rosemont. FREE Eagle Creek Travel Gear Packing Demonstration. Travel can be stressful: itineraries to manage, time changes, airline food, strange roads, maybe even different languages or cultures to navigate. Seasoned travelers for business or pleasure know one secret for more serene travel: enjoy the detours that arise (they often make for the best stories) but control what aspects you can. Let the Summit Hut and Eagle Creek Travel Gear help you control what you can by teaching you how to pack right while security's tight. Eagle Creek's packing expert, Jenny Barrick, will share insider tips and tricks on how to better organize your carry-ons, duffles, luggage, and toiletries to reduce your stress before and during your journeys. For more information, call 325-1554. We'll also be featuring and holding a drawing for a free versatile Macabi skirt, a great piece of adventure travel wear.

  Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. booksigning, 8 p.m. slide show at Summit Hut, 605 E. Wetmore at First Avenue. FREE booksigning and slide show with noted speed climber Hans Florine. Hans will sign copies of his book: Climb On: Skills for More Efficient Climbing, and then inform and entertain with a slide show of some of his notable climbing adventures. Don't miss this fun and informative event! For more information, call 888-1000.

  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, call Terri Gay or Sharon Scott at (520)-325-1554 or email [sharon@summithut.com].

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