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Minutes - 2015 November 2015 Election Returns to: Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club from: Ted Tenny reply to: PotsdamDan@mile204.us subject: 2015 AZHC election returns Polls are closed, and these results have been verified by the club Secretary. AZHC officers for 2016: President [X] Michael Humphrey, elected, 35-0 Vice President [X] Bill Zimmermann, elected, 35-0 Secretary [X] Ted Tenny, elected 35-0 Treasurer [X] Monika Hahues, elected, 34-0 November 2015 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes November 18, 2015, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] Jim presented the Hiker of the Year Standings, Total Attendance, etc. Other topics were discussed from the November 3 Executive Committee meeting. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of November 18, the club has 113 paid members and a bank balance of $5474.88. Our net income for the past two months is $573.00. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Had an online chat with Apple. On a 27" iMac or a Retina 21" iMac at the Apple Store, our maps are fuzzy. Use the trackpad to enlarge the window, and the map looks right. But then let go of the trackpad. The window stays enlarged but the map changes back to fuzzy. Maybe someone on the Safari team will know what to do. Previous Hikes Sept. 19 Mt. Humphreys Flagstaff Dave French Sept. 26 O’Leary Peak Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Oct. 3 Flagstaff Spring Flagstaff Dave French Oct. 10 Overton-Go John Cave Creek Jim Buyens Oct. 9-11 Car Camping Chiricahuas Michael Humphrey Oct. 17 Zimmerman Point Loop Sierra Ancha Bill Zimmermann Oct. 17 Spur Cross Trail Cave Creek Jim Buyens Oct. 24 Mail Trail #84 Camp Verde Scott Green Oct. 24 Dixie Mountain Phoenix Gabrielle McConnell Oct. 31 Coffeepot, Sugarloaf Sedona Mark Purcell Nov. 1 Apache Leap Superior Andy Zaharchuk Nov. 7 Northwest Bajada Goldfields Ted Tenny Nov. 14 Fossil Springs Strawberry Dave French Upcoming Hikes    Nov. 18-21 Backpack Aravaipa Canyon Michael Humphrey Nov. 21 Hangover Loop Sedona Chuck Parsons Nov. 27 Black Mesa Loop Superstitions Tamar Gottfried Nov. 28 Peak 5057 Superstitions Andy Zaharchuk Dec. 5 Butcher Jones Trail Saguaro Lake Ted Tenny Dec. 12 Jim Thompson Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Dec. 19 Lost Dog Trail Scottsdale Monika Hahues Dec. 26 <<open>>     Dec. 31 Hidden Valley South Mountain Lin Chao Jan. 2 West Goldfield Vista Goldfields Ted Tenny Jan. 9 <<open>>     Jan. 16 Pipeline Canyon Lake Pleasant Gabrielle McConnell Election of Officers for 2016 Candidates nominated by the Executive Committee: ____ President: Michael Humphrey ____ Vice President: Bill Zimmermann ____ Secretary: Ted Tenny ____ Treasurer: Monika Hahues There were no additional nominations from the floor. Guest Speaker: Les Meyers, Jane Fricke, Karen Krause subject: White Tank Mountains Conservancy     We are a newly formed non profit organization whose purpose is to protect the White Tank Mountains. The Conservancy will be helping 3 sites: White Tank Mountain Regional Park (over 40 miles of trails), Skyline Regional Park (will have 28 miles of trails) and the community of Verrado, (21 miles of trails). We are hoping that some day all of them will be connected. The mountain range covers 70,000 acres. Next Meeting Tuesday, January 19, 2015, 7:00 PM, at Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Executive Committee, November 3, 2015 attendees: Jim Buyens, Monika Moreland, Michael Humphrey, Ted Tenny Election, November 18 The Executive Committee will present a slate of nominees. AI [Monika] → Send Ted a list of paid members. AI [Ted] → Print ballots for the November club meeting. Ethnic Potluck Usery Mountain Park, on Saturday, January 23. AI [Michael] → Work out the remaining details. Hike Leader Recruitment Individual appeals work best. Someone who has hiked with us a dozen times could give back to the club by becoming a hike leader. AI [all] → Talk to hikers who have good leadership potential. Hike Leader Training We’re due in 2016. It should be during the picnic lunch on an easy, scenic hike here in the valley. Time for speakers must be limited. AI [Jim] → Provide guidelines. Non-Members on Waiting Lists When the number of participants is limited and there has to be a waiting list, shouldn’t paid members get priority? Hike leaders would have to know who the paid members are. What about someone who joins the club on a hike? AI [Monika] → Draft a policy message. September 2015 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes September 15, 2015, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] Jim leads the mileage standings for Hiker of the Year award. Other topics discussed were from the Executive Committee meeting on September 8. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of September 15, the club has 105 paid members and a bank balance of $4901.88. Our net income for the past two months was $183.40. Insurance costs have increased. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] I’ve been doing Trip Report upgrades to bring them up to the latest standards: 1. Pictures are framed. 2. Some white space between a picture and its adjacent text. 3. Maps are the right size.    Safari continues to mess around with displaying our GPS maps. Every time I go to the Apple Store, I check our Trip Reports on their newest screen.    Here’s an upgraded example. Please look at it on your favorite web browser and tell me if anything isn’t right: http://www.azhikers.org/reports/p_2013/Picacho13.html Previous Hikes July 25 Kendrick Peak Flagstaff John Seifert Aug. 1 Carr Lake Loop Mogollon Rim Bill Zimmermann Aug. 8 Mount Lemmon Tucson Lance Ware Aug. 15 Sycamore Rim Williams Jim Buyens Aug. 15 Peak 6731 Jerome Bill Zimmermann Aug. 22 AZT Passage 29 Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey Aug. 29 Sunset-Brookbank Loop Flagstaff Ted Tenny Aug. 29 Two Bucks Happy Jack Bill Zimmermann Sept. 5 Bill Williams Mountain Williams Chuck Parsons Sept. 5 Hackberry Loop Superstitions Michael Humphrey Sept. 12 Walnut Meadows Flagstaff Jim Buyens Upcoming Hikes Sept. 19 Mt. Humphreys Flagstaff Dave French Sept. 26 O’Leary Peak Flagstaff Chuck Parsons Oct. 3 Flagstaff Spring Flagstaff Dave French Oct. 9-11 Car Camping Chiricahuas Michael Humphrey Oct. 17 Zimmerman Point Loop Sierra Ancha Bill Zimmermann Oct. 24 <<open>>     Oct. 31 Coffeepot, Sugarloaf Sedona Mark Purcell Nov. 1 Apache Leap Superior Andy Zaharchuk Nov. 7 Northwest Bajada Goldfields Ted Tenny Nov. 14 Fossil Springs Strawberry Dave French Guest Speakers: Jan Hancock and Larry Snead, Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation     With the motto “Every doorstep is your trailhead,” our vision is to connect all eleven Maricopa County Regional Parks with a trail system, including a spur to Vulture Peak in Wickenburg. The entire system will be 500 miles when completed. We need volunteers to serve as trail stewards, for which Larry handed out forms. For the entire plan, see http://atfiles.org/files/pdf/MaricopaCoTrailPlan.pdf Next Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 7:00 PM.  Elections. Executive Committee, September 8, 2015 attendees: Jim Buyens, Monika Moreland, Michael Humphrey, Ted Tenny Officer Candidates for 2016 Michael Humphrey agreed to be our candidate for President. We are now seeking candidates for Vice President and for Treasurer. Some names were prioritized. AI [Michael] → Contact the first four candidates for Vice President. AI [Monika] → Contact the first four candidates for Treasurer. Hike Leader Training We’re due in 2016. It should be during the picnic lunch on an easy, scenic hike here in the valley. Time for speakers must be limited. AI [Jim] → Figure out the details. Ethnic Potluck Our awards event will be an Ethnic Potluck. REI gift cards will be presented. South Mountain and Dreamy Draw are possibilities. AI [Michael] → Figure out the details. Newly appointed office: Statistician Miles hiked with the club, hikes led, and other data for awards are being recorded by the Treasurer. GPS readings are never exact, and may differ on the same hike. Jim has recorded Hike Statistics on many of our hikes this year. AI [Jim] → Write a reasonable job description. How can we encourage attendance and participation at club meetings? Attendance varies a lot. Some of it is seasonal (people are gone in the summer) but that accounts for only part of the variation. AI [Ted] → Survey the folks on our mailing list to determine what motivates them to attend club meetings. Insurance Our club has been re-categorized, which resulted in higher premiums. Coverage for club officers, which used to be included, now requires an additional premium of $645. We decided not to pay the extra premium. Next time, the club will check on other insurance policies. VA Hospital Expo. Will be on Thursday, November 19, at two locations. AI [Chuck] → Find out the remaining details. Hike Leaders John Seifert is our first new hike leader in 2015. Seven other club members are good possibilities. Three of them have expressed an interest. Jim will offer training to those three. July 2015 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes July 21, 2015, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] Jim is currently in first place for the Hiker of the Year award. Other topics were from the Executive Committee meeting on July 14. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of July 21, the club has 96 paid members and a bank balance of $4,718.48. Our net income for the past two months is a loss of $667.18. Our largest expense was $940.00 for insurance, which the club pays once a year. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Email addresses have a half-life of five years, I’ve observed. So once a year I “weed” the club’s mailing list by sending an email to all non-members on the list, asking them to reply if they want to remain on it. Paid members remain on the list automatically. Previous Hikes May 23 See Canyon Mogollon Rim Chuck Parsons May 27 Peak 2811 Superstitions Bill Zimmermann May 30 Pivot Rock Canyon Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny May 30 Ryal Canyon Camp Verde Bill Zimmermann June 5-7 Blue Ridge Camping Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey June 6 Oldham Loop Flagstaff Jim Buyens June 6 Blue Ridge Reservoir Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey June 13 Volcanic Day Flagstaff John Richa June 20 Weatherford Canyon Flagstaff Chuck Parsons June 27 Walnut Canyon Flagstaff Dave French July 4 Dry Lake Hills Flagstaff Ted Tenny July 11 Johnson Canyon RR Williams Scott Green July 18 Schultz Creek Loop Flagstaff Jim Buyens Upcoming Hikes July 25 Kendrick Peak Flagstaff John Seifert Aug. 1 <<open>>     Aug. 8 Mount Lemmon Tucson Lance Ware Aug. 15 Sycamore Rim Williams Jim Buyens Aug. 22 AZT Passage 29 Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey Aug. 29 Sunset-Brookbank Loop Flagstaff Ted Tenny Sept. 5 Bill Williams Mountain Williams Chuck Parsons Sept. 12 <<open>>     Guest Speaker: Bruce Grubbs subject: Arizona Day Hikes from Base Camps Bruce presented maps, and slides of hikes from campgrounds all around Arizona. He started hiking and backpacking in the Superstitions when he was in high school, and is the author of several hiking guidebooks. For more information, visit his web site BruceGrubbs.com. Next Meeting Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 7:00 PM. Executive Committee, July 14, 2015 attendees: Jim Buyens, Monika Moreland, Chuck Parsons, Michael Humphrey, Ted Tenny Social Media Photo Sharing Site Jim is looking into this. There are several concerns: * Who will be allowed to upload photos? * Filtering of photos that are uploaded. * How long can photos remain on the site without it overflowing? * Our trip reports already include links to individuals’ photo sites. AI [Ted] → Provide a list of trip report photographers so far in 2015. AI [Jim] → Survey the trip report photographers to find out their interest and preferences in a social media photo sharing site. Officers for 2015 Monika, Michael, and Ted are eligible to run again. Jim is ineligible because of term limits, and Monika is resigning at the end of the year. So we are seeking candidates for President and for Treasurer. Names were mentioned, but it’s too early to contact them. AI [all] → Think of additional candidates for President and for Treasurer. Guest Speaker at our September 15 AZHC Meeting Topic will be the Maricopa Trail, with a speaker from County Parks and Recreation. Radio and First Aid Kit The club is missing one of each. The club’s 2-way radios should be tracked by marking the signup sheet to show who has them. AI [Ted] → Send an email to the hike leaders asking them to look for these items. Cost of Brochures Jim reported that a printing company can make them for less than his inkjet printer. AI [Jim] → Have brochures available for the Dignity Health Care Safety Safaris. Other Stina Sieg of station KJZZ was going to contact Jim to speak on the radio about hiking safety. Media appearances benefit the club. AI [Chuck] → Contact the VA Hospital about speaking there. May 2015 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes May 19, 2015, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] Jim announced the top 10 hikers so far in our mileage of the year award. Two restaurants at which the club was scheduled to meet have shut down! Most other topics were from the Executive Committee meeting of May 12. The title Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club belongs to the club and is on our web site. Its appearance elsewhere on social media is unauthorized. Treasurer [Jim Buyens, for Monika Moreland] As of May 19, the club has 86 paid members and a bank balance of $5385.56. Our net income for the past two months is $465.77. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Lately there have been false emails, having a club member’s name but a different email address, and “phishing” emails, attempting to trick the victim into revealing their login ID, password, etc. Don’t fall for it! All emails from me have the return address PotsdamDan@mile204.us. Please let me know if you receive an email that has my name but a different address. Previous Hikes Mar. 21 Blackett’s Ridge Tucson Chuck Parsons Mar. 28 Union Peak Phoenix Jim Buyens Apr. 4 Grapevine Trail Mayer Jim Buyens Apr. 11 Cibola Pass Loop Sedona Ted Tenny Apr. 18 Thumper Loop Cottonwood Dave French Apr. 23-26 Lakeview Camping Huachucas Bill Zimmermann Apr. 25 Huckaby Trail Sedona Jim Buyens May 2 Meadow Trail Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny May 9 Horse Mountain Sierra Ancha Andy Zaharchuk May 16 Bell Trail # 13 Sedona John Richa May 17 Old US 60 Superior Bill Zimmermann Upcoming Hikes May 23 See Canyon Mogollon Rim Chuck Parsons May 30 Pivot Rock Canyon Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny June 5-7 Blue Ridge Camping Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey June 13 Volcanic Day Flagstaff John Richa June 20 Little Bear-Heart Loop Flagstaff Chuck Parsons June 27 Walnut Canyon Flagstaff Dave French July 4 <<open>>     July 11 <<open>>     July 18 <<open>>     Guest Speaker: Roger Naylor subject: Boots and Burgers: An Arizona Handbook for Hungry Hikers Roger described himself as a travel writer and “professional bad influence.” Beyond trail descriptions and restaurant info, his latest book is packed with local attractions and activities, historic tidbits, fast facts, rambling thoughts, big dollops of quirkiness and over 170 vivid color photos. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2015, 7:00 PM Executive Committee, May 12, 2015 attendees: Jim Buyens, Michael Humphrey, Monika Moreland, Ted Tenny, Chuck Parsons First Aid A prescription is required for Epi-Pens, therefore anyone who needs it must have it prescribed by their own doctor. Hike leaders are required to carry a First Aid kit (not necessarily the club’s), and all hikers are encouraged to do so. For the time being, hike leaders are on their own for First Aid training. AI [Jim] → Write an article for club members about bees, Epi-Pens, and other appropriate First Aid topics. Hike Leaders Six new people have expressed an interest, but are not yet on the schedule. Club Meeting Location Two restaurants with meeting rooms have shut down while the club was scheduled to meet there. AI [all] → Try to find other suitable locations for our dinner meetings. Awards for Camping Trip Leaders Usually there are hikes every day on camping trips. After considerable discussion we decided that camping trip leaders should get hike leading credit for each day on which they led at least 3 miles of hiking. Camping trips in 2015 will be included. Officers for 2016 We will need a new President and a new Treasurer. Several names were mentioned, but it’s too early to start contacting people. Guest Speakers for 2015-2016 We need speakers for September 15, November 17, and all of the meetings next year. AI [Jim] → Contact Mare Czinar about speaking in 2016. AI [Michael] → Contact ASU about speakers on native and invasive plants, wildlife, and archaeology. AI [Jim] → Contact Terry Horne, geologist from the Phoenix North Mountain Preserve. AI [Ted] → Contact Jerry Lang about Arizona insect life and what we should do. → If all else fails, Michael and then Ted will be on standby. Use of the Club’s Name “Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club” appears on social media sites that aren’t maintained or sanctioned by the club. This could become a concern. March 2015 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes March 17, 2015, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Jim Buyens] For the first 2½ months of 2015, Sana is our hiker with the most miles. Hikers’ awards are based on the number of miles hiked with the club on scheduled events, while leaders’ awards are based on the number of hikes led for the club. April 4, May 2, and May 9 are open dates on the calendar. Andy asked questions about semipro hike leading, a follow-up potluck, and First Aid training for club members. Jim will look into it. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of March 17, the club has 80 paid members and a bank balance of $4919.79. Our net income for the past two months is $410.21. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] There are three web browsers on my Macintosh computer: Safari, Firefox, and Google Chrome. When making a change I check to be sure it looks O.K. on all three of them. But there are other web browsers out there. If something doesn’t look right on your web browser, send me an email describing the problem – or better yet, a screen dump showing it. Previous Hikes    Jan. 24 Dripping Springs Superstitions Dave French Jan. 31 AZT Passage 16 Superior Michael Humphrey Feb. 7 Wedding Cake Superstitions Andy Zaharchuk Feb. 14-18 Death Valley California John Richa Feb. 21 Quartz Trail Loop Phoenix Dave French Feb. 28 Prospector’s View Superstitions Ted Tenny Mar. 7 Pass Mountain Loop Goldfields Andy Zaharchuk Mar. 14 Robbers Roost Superstitions Michael Humphrey Upcoming Hikes Mar. 21 Blackett’s Ridge Tucson Chuck Parsons Mar. 28 Union Peak Phoenix Jim Buyens Apr. 4 <<open>>     Apr. 11 Cibola Pass Loop Sedona Ted Tenny Apr. 18 Thumper Loop Cottonwood Dave French Apr. 23-26 Lakeview Camping Huachucas Chuck Parsons May 2 <<open>>     May 9 <<open>>     May 16 Bell Trail # 13 Sedona John Richa Guest Speaker Karen White, VA Hospital subject: First Aid and Wilderness Emergencies    Karen gave a slide show on common hiking injuries and recommended treatments in the field, with examples of how to bandage a wound and make a sling. She corrected some misconceptions about wilderness first aid. We got to hear from an expert on how to properly treat and help an injured hiker until they can reach professional medical care. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 7:00 PM at Coco’s. January 2015 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes January 20, 2015, 7:00 PM Coco’s Restaurant, Baseline & Southern in Mesa Reports President [Jim Buyens] The potluck on January 17 was successful, and several people are in favor of having them twice a year. October and April tend to have reasonable weather. In the past, some members have invited us to their home for a club meeting with a potluck, or a summer pool party. Other topics were from the Executive Committee meeting of January 5. Treasurer [Monika Moreland] As of January 20, the club has 79 paid members and a bank balance of $4509.58. Our net income for the past two months is $258.61. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] The Trip Report Index was replaced. Links to individual reports have been moved to the regional files. Previous Hikes Nov. 22 Hell's Hole Crown King Jim Buyens Nov. 22 Dinosaur Wash Wickenburg Quy Nguyen Nov. 25 Little Mt. Ord Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Nov. 29 Sabino Canyon Tucson Chuck Parsons Dec. 6 Verde River Trail Carefree Dave French Dec. 7 Andrews-Kinsey Trail Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Dec. 11 Camelback Mountain Phoenix Dave French Dec. 14 Garden Valley Arch Superstitions Michael Humphrey Dec. 20 Chalk Canyon Cave Creek Jim Buyens Dec. 27 Bulldog Canyon Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Jan. 1 Lost Ranch Ruins South Mountain Becky Johnson Jan. 3 Vineyard Trail Roosevelt Bill Zimmermann Jan. 8 Turk's Cap Hill Superstitions Andy Zaharchuk Jan. 10 Shaw Butte Phoenix Jim Buyens Jan. 15 Seucito Canyon Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Jan. 17 Go John Trail Cave Creek Wendy Rennert Upcoming Hikes    Jan. 24 Dripping Springs Superstitions Dave French Jan. 31 AZT Passage 16 Superior Michael Humphrey Feb. 7 <<open>>     Feb. 14-18 Death Valley California John Richa Feb. 21 <<open>>     Feb. 28 Prospector's View Superstitions Ted Tenny Mar. 7 Pass Mountain Loop Goldfields Andy Zaharchuk Mar. 14 <<open>>     Discussion: The Dons of Arizona     Becky Johnson told us of recent activities of the Dons Club, which include hiking, gold panning for kids, and ranching instruction. The Dons, founded in 1931 and originally named the Triangle Club, have their wilderness headquarters north of Peralta Road, just before Peralta Trailhead. They are in need of volunteers. Guest Speaker: Ted Tenny subject: Footloose from Phoenix: Some Pretty Amazing Hikes     Wild and woolly Trailblazer hikes appear in this new guidebook by AZHC author Ted Tenny. The slide show included pictures from each hike, stories, and Ted's astute commentary. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 7:00 PM, Coco's. Executive Committee, January 5, 2015 attendees: Jim Buyens, Michael Humphrey, Wendy Rennert, Monika Moreland, Ted Tenny, Chuck Parsons Including appointed officers on the Executive Committee Chuck Parsons, Chief Statutory Officer, was chosen. Ethnic Potluck From the signups, it is clear that there will be plenty of food. AI [Wendy] → Buy paper plates, plasticware, cups, napkins, trash bags. 2014 Financial Review Monika presented the financial information. Net income for 2014 was $1243.67. Awards – 2014 We looked at the names of people who will receive awards. Jim brought a Distinguished Hiker certificate. Awards – 2015 Hike leader awards will be based on the leader’s membership renewal date. A camping trip will count as one trip. 13-event phenomenon and membership The vote was to allow voluntary contributions of $5 from non-members, none from members, beginning on February 1, 2015. AI [Ted] → Identify the changes needed in club documents. Hike Leader Training Jim has a plan to cover the steps in leading a hike. Last year we talked over an hour. The instructors need to keep it shorter. Communications Jim received emails from the Dons and from Palm Springs hikers. AI [Jim] → Share the information with members who might be interested. Club History Minutes Archive Constitution & Bylaws AZHC Home Page  top of page updated January 15, 2016 Ted Tenny, Secretary