Minutes for Meeting of 03-12-2003
Howdy Ramblers!
- Ramblers meet every Wednesday at 5pm in the Forbes Bldg. in room 307.
- FYI: THE PARKING LOT BEHIND PARK STUDENT UNION IS CLOSED DUE TO
CONSTRUCTION (IMAGINE THAT) SO SPECIFIC MEETING PLACES WILL BE DETERMINED
BY THE HIKE LEADER.
- Don't worry if you don't have a car. We carpool from our meeting place.
- Curvin presented some very interesting and beautiful slides of numerous
hiking, backpacking, and camping trips, which he took in Alaska. Some
wonderful scenery of mountains, wildlife refuges, glaciers, geology, sea
shores, bears, birds, and other wildlife could be seen. Thank you!
PAST HIKES:
- Wolfgang went on a 7 mile hike on the Arizona Trail in the Santa Rita
Mountains, on Saturday. The hike was basically in the grasslands and some
riparian areas. He saw a coyote. He spent the night, camping, where he
could hear some coyotes and see the stars. He drove back to Tucson the next
morning, so that he could join the Ramblers visit to the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum.
- About 8 people went on Mary's visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,
on Sunday. They had a good time, enjoyed the nice weather, and had an
educational experience. Part of it was guided by one of the docents. In
addition, they saw the hummingbird exhibit, the aviary, cat canyon, the
mountain lions, the bears, the otters, the coatimundi, some prairie dogs,
the rattlesnakes, and other interesting animals and plants.
- Hanna and Steve went up Table Top Mountain, near Phoenix, on Saturday,
going up a lava flow trail. The round trip was between 8 and 9 miles. They
saw lots of flowers and hiked through a cactus forest.
- Erich went up Ventana Canyon on Saturday.
- Harish went up to Flagstaff and Sedona. There was lots of snow. He
visited the Lowell observatory and went to Oak Creek Canyon.
- Hanna, Steve, Mary, and Curvin attended the rappelling workshop.
FUTURE HIKES:
- Steve's Plans for the spring break are as follows:
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Ramblers,
Here's an awesome trip! Backpack among the brilliant orange hoodoos of
Bryce Canyon and canyoneer the Subway on the Left Fork of the Virgin River
in Zion over spring break. Hike up to Observation Point with spectacular
views in all directions from atop the rim. Visit Angel's Landing which
involves walking a narrow ridge with thousand foot drop-offs on both sides!
(Don't worry, there are chains). And if that isn't enough, run barefoot
through the Coral Pink Sand Dunes park and check out the silver back
beetles. The trip will be capped off by visiting Arizona Hot Springs on the
Colorado River. There will be opportunities for all skill levels, from
technical canyoneering to walking "C" rated trails.
We will leave SUNDAY March 16th in the morning and return SATURDAY March
22nd in the evening, and RSVP is needed. Email me or call 544-4196. Read
more below for details and links.
Cheers,
Steve
Tucson, AZ
SUNDAY: Drive to Bryce Canyon in southern Utah, possibly visiting
Kodachrome Basin if roads aren't wet. Car camp.
(http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/kodachrome_basin/state_park.html)
MONDAY: Spend the day in Bryce Canyon day hiking areas like Sunset Point,
Bryce Point, and connecting trails. Backpack to Under the Rim campground,
probably Swamp Canyon.
(http://www.nps.gov/brca/home.htm)
TUESDAY: Hike out and drive to Zion. Hike the Angel Landing and Emerald
Pools. Pick up permit for Subway. Camp in Watchman Campground.
(http://www.nps.gov/zion/home.htm)
(http://www.davidpettitphotography.com/LandscapeImages.htm)
WEDNESDAY: Canyoneer the Left Fork of the Virgin River, and see the Subway.
This trip will require rappelling, swimming through cold pools (wet suit
required) and scrambling along ledges. If too icy, will do the main Zion
Narrows. Camp in Watchman.
(http://www.climb-utah.com/Zion/subway.htm)
THURSDAY: Hike Observation Point and Hidden Canyon. Camp at Coral Pink Sand
Dune State Park.
(http://www.kaneutah.com/coralsand.htm)
FRIDAY: Spend the morning in the area, then drive to Arizona Hot Springs
trailhead in Lake Mead Recreational Area. Hike down the canyon with the
springs. Camp at springs.
(http://www.nps.gov/lame/visit/azhothike.html)
(http://hackles.org/photos/lasvegas/hot-spring.html)
SATURDAY: Return to Tucson.
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
- Curvin will be spending the entire summer exploring Alaska. If you would
like to spend any amount of time hiking, camping, and exploring Alaska this
summer, and you can transport yourself to Seward's Folly (the state of
Alaska) please feel free to check out Curvin's website and contact him to
set up some trips. (http://www.redundancydept.com)
- Hanna is organizing a trip to the 3rd annual Yuma birding festival. In
past years it has been described as a "smashing hit". It will include a
series of free lectures on various topics and guided birding tours into CA,
Mexico and of course Southern AZ. She will probably be able to accommodate
lodging for all interested but expect to spend around $50, as the guided
tours do have fees for the guide etc. The dates are April 19-21st,
However, Hanna will probably go down on the 19th and return late the 20th.
Watch for more info from Hanna and check out this website because their is
a link to the festival on it. (http://southwestbirders.com)
- Wildlife Tracking with the Sky Island Alliance: The new date for Wildlife
Tracking at the Audubon Research Ranch is 29 March:
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
March 29. Wildlife Tracking at the Audubon Research Ranch. We will be
tracking lion, bear, coati, and other mammals in these beautiful rolling
grasslands. No experience necessary. Leaving Tucson at 6:30 AM and
returning by mid-afternoon. 1.25 hours from Tucson. Contact Janice at
(Janice@skyislandalliance.org) for more information. Again, GET OUT THERE!
- Trevor
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
- Matt Chamberlain is inviting Ramblers in doing a rogaine. The cost is
$45/person. For more information, contact Matt (mc@lpl.arizona.edu).
ANNOUNCEMENT:
FORT HUACHUCA TRACK COUNT
Mark Your Calendars! The Fort Huachuca Lion Track Count May 30th-June 1st!
The 14th Annual Fort Huachuca Track Count hosted by the Sky Island
Alliance! The Fort Huachuca Track Count is a tradition that dates back to
the late eighties; in fact, it is the longest running volunteer tracking
program in the country. Gathering data on the presence/absence of large
carnivores within the Huachuca Mountains of southeast Arizona is an
important step to understanding and conserving our great natural heritage
within the Sky Island region. Based out of Split Rock Canyon on the Fort
Huachuca Military Reservation, volunteers have an opportunity to visit a
landscape that has been protected since the late 1800's. Not only will
volunteers document tracks and sign of mountain lion, they will also have
the chance to see bear tracks, trogons, turkeys, and other special
wildlife of the Sky Island region. You'll learn from the best - many of
the premier lion and carnivore biologists in the country show up to trade
notes, teach folks, and have fun! No experience necessary - everyone is
encouraged to come! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about
tracking techniques, lion and bear natural histories, and using track
counts on your own to monitor wildlife movement. Don't miss out! We'll be
staying on the Fort Huachuca Military Reservation. The campsite is in Split
Rock Canyon. There are restrooms and a lodge with no utilities (for
presentations only).
What to Bring: You'll want to bring a tent, sleeping bag, food, plenty of
water, and any other amenities you might want for the weekend (cameras and
notebooks recommended). Folks will arrive at various times on Friday
evening. Tracking begins at day break on Saturday and Sunday, so be
prepared for early mornings. We usually return to camp late morning. Great
side trips will also be available.
RSVP and Questions: Matt Skroch - (matt@skyislandalliance.org) or 520-624-7080
IMPORTANT: To enter Fort Huachuca you'll need: TWO forms of identification
- one of which must have your photo on it (e.g.. a drivers license). All
vehicles entering the Fort must have proof of insurance and registration.
The East Gate (directions below) is open from 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM. If you
plan on arriving after those hours, you can enter through the Main Gate -
contact the Sky Island Alliance for those directions.
Directions from Tucson are: Take I-10 east to 90 south to Sierra Vista
(exit 302). As you start entering the city, you'll want to take a right
into the East Gate (Van Dieman Gate) of Fort Huachuca Military Reservation
(Hatfield Road). Follow Hatfield a few miles until you intersect Smith
Ave., where there is a traffic light and a fire station on your right. Turn
Right on Smith Ave. and you will enter the traffic circle in a couple of
blocks. You will enter the traffic circle at the 6 o'clock position and
want to exit at the 12 o'clock position (continue on Smith Ave.) Follow
Smith Ave. to the traffic light, and take a Left onto Christy Ave. Continue
on Christy Ave for approx. 0.9 miles and turn Right onto Burt Road. Follow
Burt Rd. until it brings you to the Post Cemetery. Follow the road as it
loops in front of the cemetery, until it turns off to the Left side of the
Cemetery gate, and exit Right (after you have gone part way around the
small loop) onto the small driveway. Follow the driveway until it brings
you to a couple of small storage sheds, and take the dirt trail behind the
storage sheds that run along the left side of the cemetery. Continue along
the dirt trail until you run into an intersection by a telephone pole, bear
left at the intersection. The gate to Split Rock Canyon will be just
beyond the concrete wall or monolith to you front. The lodge is approx. 0.3
up the road from the gate.
Matt Skroch
Field Program Director
Sky Island Alliance
P.O. Box 41165
Tucson, AZ 85717
520-624-7080 voice
520-791-7709 fax
(matt@skyislandalliance.org)
ANNOUNCEMENT: SUMMIT HUT ANNOUNCES BANFF FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR SHOWING
(Tucson, AZ) - Please join the Summit Hut for the following event to be
held at the historic Rialto Theatre, 318 East Congress..
Saturday, March 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m., Summit Hut,
National Geographic, and Eagle Creek Travel Gear present the Banff Film
Festival World Tour "Best of the Festival." Armchair adventurers,
adrenaline junkies, and film fans alike are sure to enjoy these showings of
short films and videos on mountain sports and culture.
The two different showings will include selections as diverse as an "Urban
Ape," a.k.a. Timmy O'Neill, who climbs buildings, leaps on posts, and
makes Boulder and Denver his playground: a unicyclist playing in a ski
area; beautifully filmed profiles of courageous climbers, skiers, paddlers
and adventurers in places as remote as the Himalayas, and as near as the
Rocky Mountains.
Tickets are $8 per show and are available at either Summit Hut, 5045 E.
Speedway, or 605 E. Wetmore, online at www.summithut.com, and at the
Rialto. Different films will be shown each day. with some repeats.
For further information, a pdf Fact sheet, and/or select images from the
films, please contact Sharon Scott at: (520)-325-1554 or
(sharon@summithut.com).
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).
Sharon Scott
Marketing Coordinator
Summit Hut, Ltd.
(www.summithut.com)
(520)-325-1554
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