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Minutes - 2012 November 2012 Election Returns to: Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club from: Ted Tenny reply to: PotsdamDan@mile204.us subject: 2012 AZHC election returns Polls are closed, and these results have been verified by the club Secretary. 1. AZHC officers for 2013 President [X] Chuck Parsons, elected 28-0 Vice President [X] Wendy Rennert, elected 28-0 Secretary [X] Ted Tenny, elected 28-0 Treasurer [X] Becky Johnson, elected 28-0 2. Amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws ARTICLE II - ADMINISTRATION new: Section VII - Equipment Donations [X] passed, 27-2 November 2012 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes November 20, 2012, 7:00 PM Top Shelf Restaurant, Dobson & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Chuck asked everyone present to identify an Arizona hike they haven’t done and would love to do. Some excellent ideas were forthcoming: * Superstition Ridgeline — an "A" hike * Mound Mountain, highest point in the Superstition Wilderness * Reavis Falls, in the Superstition Wilderness * Boulder Canyon, southern half of the trail * Fish Creek Canyon * New trails in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve * Grand Canyon: Rim to Rim Backpack * Grand Canyon: Rainbow Rim Trail near Timp Point on the North Rim Reports Treasurer As of November 20, the club has 55 paid members. Our bank balance is $2,028.73. [Wendy Rennert] Webmaster One of the Webmaster’s duties is to receive requests for link exchanges. Some of them are obviously good, some obviously bad. For the others I ask the Executive Council before deciding. Either way a reply is sent, unless the requestor’s email address doesn’t work. [Ted Tenny] Previous Hikes Sept. 22 Christiansen Trail Phoenix Jim Buyens Sept. 29 McFadden Horse Mtn Sierra Ancha Andy Zaharchuk Oct. 6 Watson Lake Loop Prescott Eileen Root Oct. 13 Groom Creek Loop Prescott Jim Buyens Oct. 27 Pine-Geronimo Pine Ted Tenny Nov. 3 Whitford Canyon Superior Ted Tenny Nov. 10 Coke Ovens Florence Eileen Root Nov. 17 FW-Canyon Lake Superstitions Andy Zaharchuk Upcoming Hikes    Nov. 24 Overton/GoJohn Loop Cave Creek Jim Buyens Dec. 1 Goldfield Ovens Tonto Nat. Forest Ted Tenny Dec. 8 Orohai Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Dec. 15 <<open>>     Dec. 22 Marcus Landslide McDowells Wendy Rennert Dec. 31 Windgate Pass McDowells Chuck Parsons Jan. 5 <<open>>     Jan. 12 Wishbone Junction Goldfields Ted Tenny Hike Leader Training, December 8: All hike leaders and anyone interested in leading should attend if possible. There is new material for hike leaders. Limiting the Number of Hikers: The hike leader may choose to limit the number of participants. Announce the limit in the hike description. Guest Speaker: Michael Humphrey presented a slide show of amazing pictures taken by Arizona Trailblazers over the past year. Arches, rocks, hikers and snakes were stars of the show. Election of Officers for 2012 Candidates nominated by the Executive Council: ____ President: Chuck Parsons ____ Vice President: Wendy Rennert ____ Treasurer: Becky Johnson ____ Secretary: Ted Tenny There were no additional nominations from the floor. Addition to the Constitution and Bylaws: ____ Equipment Donations Ballots cast at the meeting will be counted when email votes have been received from the paid members who were absent. Next Meeting Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 7:00 PM, in Mesa at the Top Shelf Restaurant. Executive Council, October 25, 2012 attendees: Chuck Parsons, Becky Johnson, Wendy Rennert, Ted Tenny Officers for 2013 All four of us are eligible to run for another term. A slate of candidates will be presented at the November 20 club meeting. Hike Leader Training We’ll try for December, depending on when the new leaders can attend. There is new material to present. Once the schedule is decided we’ll invite all current leaders and potential leaders. It will probably be on the Orohai Loop hike. AI → Ted will contact the new leaders. Limiting the Number of Participants Some wilderness areas limit the size of a hiking or camping group. Large groups are hard to manage, so the hike leader can choose to limit the number of participants. AI → Chuck will discuss this at the November 20 club meeting. Laminated Cheat Sheet Wendy made one as a reminder when leading hikes. AI → Wendy agreed to share its contents. Guest Speakers for 2013 Only one speaker [Ted] has been confirmed. The officers brainstormed and came up with 16 other possibilities. AI → Filter and prioritize the list of potential guest speakers, before we begin contacting them. September 2012 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes September 18, 2012, 7:00 PM Top Shelf Restaurant, Dobson & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports Treasurer As of September 18, the club has 53 paid members. Our bank balance is $1,558.26. [Chuck Parsons, for Wendy Rennert] Webmaster Maps have been added to early trip reports with no pictures. [Ted Tenny] Previous Hikes July 28 Sunset-Buffalo Flagstaff Ted Tenny Aug. 4 Abineau/Bear Jaw Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Aug. 25 Rim Vista Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny Sept. 1 Pool Party Scottsdale Wendy Kennedy Sept. 8 Oldham Loop Flagstaff Ted Tenny Sept. 15 Sycamore Rim Williams Dave French Upcoming Hikes Sept. 22 Christiansen Trail Phoenix Jim Buyens Sept. 29 McFadden Horse Mtn Sierra Ancha Andy Zaharchuk Oct. 6 Watson Lake Loop Prescott Eileen Root Oct. 13 <<open>>     Oct. 20 <<open>>     Oct. 27 Pine-Geronimo Pine Ted Tenny Nov. 3 Whitford Canyon Superior Ted Tenny Nov. 10 Coke Ovens Florence Eileen Root Nov. 17 FW-Canyon Lake Superstitions Andy Zaharchuk Guest Speaker: Sam Frank, from the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, gave a presentation on the Coalition’s Wilderness Stewards program. He reviewed the designation of Wilderness Areas over the years. The stewards program is a chance for members to get involved in wilderness monitoring. This involves hiking and recording information in some really beautiful places throughout Arizona. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 7:00 PM, Top Shelf.  Elections. July 2012 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes July 17, 2012, 7:00 PM Top Shelf Restaurant, Dobson & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports Treasurer As of July 17, the current bank balance is $2,586.27, and there are 52 members. [Chuck Parsons, for Wendy Rennert] Webmaster The Trip Report Index gets a little larger each time a report is added. At some point it will have to be reorganized into multiple files. The links at the top, “Grand Canyon”, “Flagstaff”, “Sedona” etc. could easily be changed to point to external files, which could look kind of like my East Goldfield file. [Ted Tenny] Previous Hikes May 19 Zimmerman Point Sierra Ancha Bill Zimmermann May 26 Horse Lake Flagstaff Ted Tenny June 1-3 Blue Ridge Camping Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey June 9 Munds Mountain Sedona Dave French June 15-17 Mt. Humphreys Flagstaff Chuck Parsons June 23 Huffer Spring Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny June 30 Cherry Canyon Flagstaff Bill Zimmermann July 7 Walnut Canyon Point Flagstaff Bill Zimmermann Upcoming Hikes July 21 Sunset-Buffalo Flagstaff Ted Tenny July 28 <<open>>     Aug. 4 Abineau/Bear Jaw Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Aug. 11 <<open>>     Aug. 18 <<open>>     Aug. 25 Rim Vista Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny Sept. 1 <<open>>     Sept. 8 <<open>>     Sept. 15 Sycamore Rim Williams Dave French Discussion: Pool Party: Wendy Kennedy — will be on Sunday, August 19. T-shirts: Becky Johnson — AZHC’s order will be sent in by the end of July. Guest Speaker: Rick Obermiller, Arizona Trail Association, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the National Scenic Trail System, featuring the Arizona Trail. Only three of the National Scenic Trails have been completed. The last part of the Arizona Trail, by the Gila River, was finished in January, 2012. Next Meeting Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 7:00 PM, Top Shelf. Executive Council, July 17, 2012 attendees: Chuck Parsons, Becky Johnson, Ted Tenny T-shirts Standard T-shirts, or a $15 allowance toward fancier shirts, will be given to first-time hike leaders and to others who lead at least two hikes for the Trailblazers in 2012. So far this year there have been no first-time hike leaders and seven who have led two or more hikes. AI → Becky will contact those leaders who haven’t been heard from. Car Window Decals The club will buy 100 of them, which can be sold at cost for $3 each. Sew-On Patches Won’t be ordered at this time. Personal Locator Beacon Chuck learned that a PLB can be registered in the club’s name. Remaining issues include providing contact information, which must be given in advance, and training the hike leaders. Executive Council, June 29, 2012 attendees: Chuck Parsons, Becky Johnson, Wendy Rennert, Ted Tenny T-shirts The officers chose a simplified logo because the dense stitching becomes puckered. A larger font can be used. azhikers.org will be added at the bottom. Standard T-shirts, or a $15 allowance toward fancier shirts, could be given to first-time hike leaders and to others who lead at least two hikes for the Trailblazers in 2012. AI → Ted will send a list of eligible hike leaders. Car Window Decals These can go on the outside of the rear window on the driver’s side. AI → Becky will follow up. Personal Locator Beacon Chuck handed out information for the ACR Electronics 406 model. Many questions remain about the club’s possible use of a PLB. AI → Chuck will get all the questions answered. Joint outing with AzOTC – Arizona Trail, passage 18, on November 3. AzOTC wants to hike the whole passage: 18.6 miles, +4047'-1608'. We will do the southern third: 6 miles, +900'-500'. Both hikes will be announced to both clubs, but will be conducted independently. [Ted] Trip Reports Eventually the Trip Report Index will have to be reorganized into several HTML files, as is done with our regional hike description indices. But there are a lot more Trip Reports. Ted is testing an idea on a different web site. Guest Speakers Chuck suggested REI, Superstition Search & Rescue, a geologist, a map expert, Superstition Mountain Historical Society, and Doomsday. AI → Everyone will come up with some more ideas. Executive Council, June 4, 2012 attendees: Chuck Parsons, Becky Johnson, Ted Tenny T-shirts Becky brought a prototype of a cloth patch with the club’s logo embroidered. It was approved by all present. Those who want to buy T-shirts will have a number of options, as shown in the Big Stitch Embroidery catalog Becky brought. Orders can be taken at the July club meeting. AI → Becky will compose an email giving instructions for choosing a T-shirt. Equipment Donations The club will gratefully accept donations of equipment if we can use the equipment and it is donated with no strings attached. AI → Chuck will document this policy. Calendar of Events Ted has scheduled his hikes for the rest of 2012. Radios We still need belt clips! The two radios Ted donated to the club last year once had belt clips, if only they can be found. Personal Locator Beacon The officers talked at length about whether the club should have one. AI → Ted will send the officers a link to PLBs at REI. May 2012 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes May 15, 2012, 7:00 PM Top Shelf Restaurant, Dobson & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports Treasurer As of May 15, the club has 54 paid members. Our bank balance is $2,481.94. [Wendy Rennert] Webmaster A long-lost trip report was found: Bell Rock to Morgan Road, led by Mike Wargel on September 8, 2001. [Ted Tenny] Previous Hikes Mar. 24 Indian Spring Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Mar. 31 Richinbar Mine Agua Fria Can. Michael Humphrey Apr. 7 Seven Falls Tucson Cyd Cassel Apr. 21 Huckaby Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Apr. 28 Courthouse to Morgan Sedona Ted Tenny May 5 Woodchute Mountain Jerome Dave French May 12 Granite Mountain Prescott Chuck Parsons Upcoming Hikes May 19 Zimmerman Point Sierra Ancha Bill Zimmermann May 26 Horse Lake Flagstaff Ted Tenny June 1-3 Blue Ridge Camping Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey June 9 <<open>>     June 15-17 Mt. Humphreys Flagstaff Chuck Parsons June 23 Huffer Spring Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny June 30 <<open>>     July 7 <<open>>     July 14 Sunset - Buffalo Flagstaff Ted Tenny Discussion: Becky Johnson described our plan for Arizona Trailblazers T-shirts. Several types will be available, as described in a forthcoming email. Ted passed out Arizona Trailblazers key tags to everyone at the meeting. The club bought 1,160 of them to use as promotional items. Guest Speaker: Ted Tenny gave us the inside story of Arizona Trailblazers trip reports, from the first reports done by Jeannie Van Lew in 1996 to the latest and greatest of 2012. Our web site has 442 reports, so far. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 7:00 PM Executive Council, April 10, 2012 attendees: Chuck Parsons, Becky Johnson, Wendy Rennert, Ted Tenny Promotional Items We will have plastic AZHC key tags with the club’s name and web address. AI → Ted will place the order. Arizona Highways Travel Show Our club attended a recent show, which was popular and open to the public. AI → Wendy will check on buying table space. T-shirts Last time we had white cotton shirts with the club logo on front. AI → Becky will follow up. Radios The club owns five Motorola TalkAbout radios, only one of which has a belt clip. All of the radios are working, but there are only two extra batteries. AI → Chuck will buy more batteries and check on belt clips. Summer Hikes We have none scheduled in May and only two in June. There are many excellent ideas in guidebooks and other sources. Both Chuck and Ted plan to lead hikes in May. AI → Ted will send a remninder to recent hike leaders. Guest speakers for May, July, September, November May 15: Ted will present the inside story of Trip Reports. July 17: Rick Obermiller, Arizona Trail Association September 18: Greg Davis, Superstition Mountain Museum November 20: <<open>> Both Michael and Ted have backup slide shows of hike pictures, which could be presented on short notice if we don’t get another speaker. The club pays for the guest speaker’s dinner. March 2012 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes March 20, 2012, 7:00 PM Top Shelf Restaurant, Dobson & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports Treasurer We have 55 members, and $2659.82 in the bank. [Wendy Rennert] Webmaster Trip Reports are now organized by region. [Ted Tenny] Previous Hikes    Jan. 21 Vulture Peak Wickenburg Wendy Rennert Jan. 28 Otero Canyon Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Feb. 4 Oracle State Park Oracle Wendy Rennert Feb. 11 Loy Canyon Sedona Cyd Cassel Feb. 18 Ben Avery Trail Tonopah Michael Humphrey Feb. 25 Brunson Tank Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Mar. 3 Picketpost Mountain Superior Wendy Rennert Mar. 10 Marcus Landslide McDowells Wendy Rennert Mar. 10 Peak 3004 Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Mar. 17 Garden Valley Arch Superstitions Ted Tenny Upcoming Hikes Mar. 24 Indian Spring Peak Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Mar. 31 Richinbar Mine Agua Fria Can. Michael Humphrey Apr. 7-8 Secret Canyon Sedona Cyd Cassel Apr. 14 Huckaby Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Apr. 21 <<open>>     Apr. 28 Hardscrabble Mesa Pine Ted Tenny May 5 <<open>>     May 12 <<open>>     Guest Speaker Jim Willinger, President of Wide World of Maps, gave an enlightened discussion of topographic maps, hiking maps and other kinds. Maps are changing, with some new information added and other information left out of the latest editions. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 7:00 PM at Top Shelf. January 2012 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012, 7:00 PM Duke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Scottsdale. Welcome, Introductions Reports Treasurer As of January 17, there are 54 paid memberships. Balance in checking is $2238. [Wendy Rennert] Webmaster Ted’s survey of trip reports asked, “When you search the trip reports, what are you usually looking for?” Here are the results: 19   Reports on a specific hike, such as the Peralta Trail. 16   Reports from a particular region, such as the Mogollon Rim. 5   Reports of a certain time frame, e.g. 2003. 1   Reports in which a particular person is mentioned. 3   Something else. Please explain: Thanks to all who replied to the survey! This information will be used to plan improvements on the Trip Reports web page. [Ted Tenny]   Previous Hikes Record number for November through January. Nov. 19 Oak Spring Trail Pine Sandy Dwyer Nov. 26 Papago Park GPS Phoenix Michael Humphrey Dec. 4 Peak 5426 Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Dec. 10 Badger Springs Agua Fria Nat.M Wendy Rennert Dec. 17 Black Mesa Loop Superstitions Cyd Cassel Dec. 24 Hill 2685 Goldfields Ted Tenny Dec. 31 Dixie Mine McDowells Ted Tenny Jan. 7 Pyramid Trail South Mountain Wendy Rennert Jan. 8 Mine Mountain Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Jan. 14 Bulldog Wash Ridge Goldfields Ted Tenny Upcoming Hikes    Jan. 21 Vulture Peak Wickenburg Wendy Rennert Jan. 28 Otero Canyon Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Feb. 4 Oracle State Park Oracle Wendy Rennert Feb. 11 <<open>>     Feb. 18 Ben Avery Trail Eagletails Michael Humphrey Feb. 25 Little Saddle Trail Mazatzals Debbie M. Mar. 3 Picketpost Mountain Superior Wendy Rennert Mar. 10 Marcus Landslide McDowells Wendy Rennert Mar. 17 <<open>>     T-Shirts Eileen Root reported that with a $50 setup fee for the club logo we can order t-shirts in several styles and sizes. They can be sold, and offered as incentives to AZHC hike leaders. Hike Leader Training Wendy Rennert’s Survey for First-Time Hike Leaders provided valuable feedback on how the club can help hike leaders get started. The Arizona Trailblazers will offer Hike Leader Training on Saturday, February 18, on the Ben Avery Trail day hike. Anyone can attend, but please join us if you have ever thought of leading a hike for the Trailblazers or just want to know what hike leadership is all about. Guest Speaker: Michael Humphrey presented a slide show of memorable pictures taken on the Aravaipa Canyon Backpacking Trip, October 16-19, 2011. Almost as good as being there — but not quite. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 7:00 PM, location TBD. Executive Council, January 11, 2012 attendees: Chuck Parsons, Becky Johnson, Wendy Rennert, Michael Humphrey, Eileen Root, Ted Tenny January 17 Meeting Will be at Duke’s Sports Bar & Grill in Scottsdale. There are big screens in the back room, which might be usable for PowerPoint presentations. T-Shirts Years ago the hike leaders received t-shirts for leading at least two hikes during the year. Ted also recalled Sierra Club hike leaders receiving cloth patches which could be sewn onto caps, jackets, etc. Eileen to follow up, and check with Cyd Cassel. Hike Leader Training 2012 training will be on the Ben Avery Trail hike in the Eagletail Mountain Wilderness, led by Michael on February 18. We need to decide who will be the instructors, and what topics each of them will cover. Wendy suggested sending a survey to those who attended previous training but have not led hikes, and will draft the questions. Guest Speakers for 2012 Cyd Cassel is scheduled for January, and Michael Humphrey for a later month. For the remaining months we will contact the following: Chuck Arizona Trail Association Wendy Wide World of Maps Ted Black Canyon Trail Coalition Wendy McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Wendy National Trails Day Upcoming Events Wendy will lead a hike at Oracle State Park on February 4 to celebrate the park’s re-opening. Ted suggested the Rainbow Rim Trail as a pair of key-exchange hikes on some future North Rim trip. Club History Minutes Archive Constitution & Bylaws AZHC Home Page updated December 11, 2012