Arizona Trailblazers

Home Welcome Visitors Club History Minutes Archive Contact Us Policies, Guidelines Membership Application

Minutes - 2021 Executive Committee, September 14, 2021 attendees: Lin Chao, Michael Humphrey, Tom Simonick, John Scruggs, Ted Tenny Club secretary. Ted is resigning as secretary, so we need a candidate. He will stay on as Webmaster. Ted has slowed down. Hikes that he could easily do a few years ago he can’t do any more. The first two candidates who were contacted said no. AI [Lin] → contact other candidates. Speaker for the November 16 AZHC meeting. AI [Michael, Ted] → Be prepared. Speakers for 2022. AI [all] → Suggest speakers. AZHC 25th Party preparation work: Gift Cards: REI gift card of $20 x10 for leader of the year (2020) and hiking of the year (2020); for top 5, total of $200. Certs for Hiking of year; Leader of the year, top 10 (2020), total of 20 certs Certs for New Leader of the 2021, top three and $20 REI gift cards, total of ($60), Ted can you give John a list of new leaders of 2021. AI [Ted] → Give John a list of new leaders of 2021. Lifetime memberships for Ted, Rudy, Chuck, Jim, Buyens, Michael (any more suggestions? For who is longest member for the club, most contribute members to the club), certs. Chuck Parsons is the member with the most seniority. Ted Tenny is next. Both Chuck and Ted have received Lifetime Achievement awards. Any speaker for the Party? Who? We need few people to speak for the party, such as representatives of members, presidents or prior officers. Action items for - DJ (Tom); Certs (John); Food order (Lin). Speakers (Michael), Gift card (Tom or Lin); Set up team leaders (Wendy, or Carol); Clean up team leaders (Michael, maybe Chris); Dessert station team leader (Ann), Drink station team leader (Heather). We need to someone or team to watch out the alcohol drink in the party. Most of our members are very responsible, since there is free alcohol for the party, we need to make sure people drink responsibly. Budget for the Party: Food $2000, Vegetarian dishes ($50); Balloon ($25). Flowers ($50), and other ($100). On sign up page on the website, need to add an address for send the check or Zelle payee information for those who bring the guess for the party. Deadline to send check or pay by Zelle is Oct 1, 2021. AI [Michael] → Add instructions to the signup page. Shall we give away travel tumblers? No, they are too awkward to carry on a hike. July 2021 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021, 7:00 PM Zoom Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Lin Chao] • The Executive Committee is making plans for our 25th Anniversary Party on October 16 at Leisure World in Mesa. Ted and I will meet Carla there. • We need your help. If there is someone you would like to hear as guest speaker, please let us know. • Other topics from the Executive Committee on July 13. Treasurer [Tom Simonick] • As of July 20, the club has 156 paid members and $8797 in the bank. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] • We have 1068 trip reports by over 70 authors! My thanks to everyone who has ever written a trip report. • Authors, be sure to identify people in the group picture. Statistician [John Scruggs] • Total miles hiked so far in 2021: 4366. Previous Hikes May 19 Watson Lake Kayaking Prescott Chuck Parsons May 22 Meadow-Sinkhole Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny May 22 Whiterock Mesa Mazatzals Michael Humphrey May 22 West Clear Creek Camp Verde Rodney Baba May 29 Kendrick Peak Flagstaff Vicki Reddick May 30 Bismark Lake Flagstaff Les Cherow May 31-4 Bryce Canyon Car Camp Utah Lin Chao June 3 Thunderbird Mountain Phoenix Billie Horn June 5 O'Leary Peak Flagstaff Vicki Reddick June 9 Kayaking Woods Canyon Chuck Parsons June 10 Spur Cross Cave Creek Neil Dennis June 12 Houston Brothers Mogollon Rim Chuck Parsons June 17 Deem Hill Phoenix Billie Horn June 19 Humphreys Peak Flagstaff Vicki Reddick June 24 Piestewa Trails Phoenix Neil Dennis June 26-1 North Rim Car Camp Grand Canyon Lin Chao July 1 Rusty Spider Trail Phoenix Billie Horn July 8 Brown's Ranch Scottsdale Neil Dennis July 10 Kachina Trail Flagstaff Tom Simonick July 15 Lookout Mountain Phoenix Billie Horn July 17 AZT passagre 34 Flagstaff Les Cherow Upcoming Hikes July 21 Kayaking Willow Springs Chuck Parsons July 24 Col Devin Trail Mogollon Rim Chris Everett July 29 Deem Hill Phoenix Neil Dennis July 31 Aztec Peak Sierra Ancha Chuck Parsons Aug. 7 <<open>>     Aug. 10-15 Bryce Canyon Utah Mohammed Al-Marimi Aug. 14 <<open>>     Aug. 15 Kayaking Canyon Lake Lin Chao Aug. 21 <<open>>     Aug. 28 <<open>>     Sept. 3-6 Big Lake Car Camping Greer Lin Chao Sept. 4 <<open>>     Sept. 11 <<open>>     Sept. 18 <<open>>     guest speaker: Dr. Ben Zorensky subject: Paria Canyon Adventure     You can’t get lost in Paria Canyon—just stay near the river. May and October are the best months to hike Paria Canyon. You can do it barefoot, because you’ll be wading in the river most of the way. But it’s best to bring some comfortable, disposable shoes. For a day hike, start at White House Trailhead and hike to Buckskin Gulch.     A permit is needed for camping in Paria Canyon or leading a group. Check how much water is in the river before you go.     Dr. Ben Zorensky’s website is Naturopathic Athlete. Next Meeting Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 7:00 PM. Executive Committee, July 13, 2021 attendees:  Lin Chao, Michael Humphrey, Tom Simonick, Ted Tenny Finalize plans for the Club's 25th Anniversary. There are still many details to be worked out, including DJ, cost, gift cards, signup host. Officers for 2022. All of us are eligible to run for another term. Ted isn’t sure he’ll run again as secretary, but he’ll make up his mind by the next Executive Committee meeting. Others will run again. Speakers for 2022. AI [all] → Nominate somebody. AI [Ted] → Include an announcement in the next email. Modify the words at the beginning of the Calendar. AI [Ted] → Keep only the part about the driver requiring facemasks. Ted’s co-leader for September 18. AI [Ted] → Include an announcement in the next email. Trip planning for 2022. •  Feb, Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, booked five rooms Ruby's Inn; led by Lin •  Mar or April, Kanab, UT, led by Michael •  Late April and early May (one weekend), Pine Flat Campground, hiking at Sedona area; or South Rim of Grand Canyon •  June, North Rim, led by Lin •  Early July, SW Colorado to include Ridgway, Ouray and Telluride (Based in Ridgway/Montrose), led by Bud •  Labor's Day Weekend, White Mountain, led by Lin •  Sept, Zion •  Olympic National Park, a very long shot. The leader needs to fly there and rent the vehicles and stay at hotels. Executive Committee, May 20, 2021 attendees:  Lin Chao, Michael Humphrey, Tom Simonick, Ted Tenny, John Scruggs Draft of 25th Anniversary Party Invitation AI [Lin, Tom] → Write the invitation, and send it to the other officers for review. Trip Entry Past minutes give every hike. AI [Ted] → Send the other officers instructions on viewing the page source. Add latest trip reports links to Ted’s Sunday email, a good way to acknowledge leaders hard work, it also provides a chance to members to read it. AI [Ted] → Make the change. Billie and Neil are starting to lead regularly on Thursday. A hike starts on June throughout the summer, two hours, 6-8 AM, 3-4 miles, that is not including some of Tuesday hikes With more hikes, adds more workload to Ted and John. Is there any way we can help to reduce the workload, any suggestions, Ted, John? Ted: reduce the reqirements.  John: get some help. AI [Ted] → Look into finding a different secretary. AI [John] → Look into finding a backup statistician. Driver tracking starts July, 2021. May 2021 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes May 18, 2021, 7:00 PM Zoom Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Lin Chao] •  Volunteers are needed to help with the 25th anniversary party on October 16. • Lin will be contacting potential volunteers by email. • Other topics were from the Executive Committee meeting on May 11. Treasurer [Tom Simonick] •  As of May 18, the club has 152 paid members and a bank balance of $8,812.00. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] •  So far in 2021 we have 40 trip reports by 15 authors, 7 for the first time: Randall Greeley, Billie Horn, Neil Dennis, John Scruggs, Bud Tasch, Vicki Reddick, Rodney Baba. Congratulations to all of you! • Trip report authors, please send me a list of names for the group picture. Some of them are people I have never seen before. Statistician [John Scruggs] •  Statictics grow as the number of hikes grows. • My main concern is names. Include last names. Include co-leaders. • The club has hiked 7,544 miles so far this year. Previous Hikes Mar. 20 White Mesa Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Mar. 20 Seven Falls Tucson Tom Simonick Mar. 23 Maricopa Trail Userys Michelle Jelsma Mar. 27 East Ridgeline Superstitions Michael Humphrey Apr. 3 AZT passage 17 Superior Li Li Apr. 6 Sunset Nature Walk Gilbert Lin Chao Apr. 10 Maricopa Trail Cave Creek Chuck Parsons Apr. 13 Storm Trails Prescott Neil Dennis Apr. 17 Windgate Pass McDowells Vicki Reddick Apr. 17 Peavine Trail Prescott Li Li Apr. 20 Sunset Walk Chandler Lin Chao Apr. 24 Hedgehog Loop Queen Creek Rodney Baba Apr. 24 Barnhardt Trail Mazatzals Michael Humphrey Apr. 24 Groom Creek Loop Prescott Vicki Reddick Apr. 28 Canyon Lake Kayaking Tonto NF Chuck Parsons May 1 Hangover Loop Sedona Li Li May 4 Rio Salado Phoenix Tamar Gottfried May 8 Granite Mountain Prescott Tom Simonick May 8 Woods Canyon Lake Mogollon Rim Lin Chao May 12 Tempe Town Lake Tempe Lin Chao May 15 Mt. Ord Sunflower Janet Burke May 16 Axis-Girdner Loop Sedona Quy Nguyen May 17 Fay Canyon Arch Sedona Quy Nguyen Upcoming Hikes May 19 Watson Lake Kayaking Prescott Chuck Parsons May 22 Meadow-Sinkhole Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny May 22 Whiterock Mesa Mazatzals Michael Humphrey May 22 West Clear Creek Camp Verde Rodney Baba May 29 Kendrick Peak Flagstaff Vicki Reddick May 30 Bismark Lake Flagstaff Les Cherow May 31-4 Bryce Canyon Car Camp Utah Lin Chao June 5 O'Leary Peak Flagstaff Vicki Reddick June 12 Aztec Peak Sierra Ancha Chuck Parsons June 19 Humphreys Peak Flagstaff Vicki Reddick June 26 <<open>>     June 26-1 North Rim Car Camp Grand Canyon Lin Chao July 3 <<open>>     July 10 <<open>>     July 17 <<open>>     Guest Speaker: Carol Bryant, Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club subject: Hydration: what’s the big deal?      Carol presented slides covering every aspect of hydration. At one point she asked each individual in the audience what they do to stay hydrated. “I carry a 100oz Camelbak,” I told her. Then she asked who had run out of water on a hike. I sheepishly admitted that I did.      Carol recommended a book, Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine, by Auerbach, Constance, and Freer. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 7:00 PM on Zoom Executive Committee, May 11, 2021 attendees:  Lin Chao, Michael Humphrey, Tom Simonick, Ted Tenny 25th anniversary and annual award party. A team to work on the 25th anniversary and annual award party: To take care of venue, speakers, games, caterers, music band, decorates, photographer, budget, promotional items - REI gift cards, free memberships, special award certs. AI [Lin, Tom, Michael] → Finalize the plans. We need a date with at least 3 months of lead time: October 16. Cost: $2,000 to $3,000, depending on what we want. Do we want a DJ? Yes. What type of food do we want? Barbecue. Reserve a place. Special awards, as to Michelle J. for leading the club through a bad year; Jim B., for all he has done for the club. It was only for members last time, do we want that restriction? Yes. Do we want a short morning hike, with an evening banquet? Just the banquet. Need a stat of - longest members, most hike mileages, most hikes led. The longest member is Chuck. Ted is second. Rudy is third. Both Chuck and Ted have received Lifetime Achievement awards. It’s impossible to search past hike descriptions and trip reports for most hike mileages, most hikes led. For example, Valley of Fire has no trip report. Keep trip reports to 10 on the websites (basically previous months and current month or last 10 trip reports). AI [Ted] → Make the change. Make website searchable, at least Trip Reports and Find a Hike. AI [Ted] → Look into it. Speakers for July 20 and September 21. AI [Michael] → Prepare a talk for July 20. AI [all] → Nominate a speaker for September 21. Club packs. Evidently there are 4 of them. Make sure each hike leader has one. March 2021 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes March 16, 2021, 7:00 PM Zoom Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Lin Chao] •   The club has a 25th anniversary coming up. We will celebrate in September or October. • Everyone who attended Hike Leader Training on March 6 will get a certificate signed by Ted. • Other topics were from the Executive Committee meeting of March 9. Treasurer [Tom Simonick] As of March 16, the club has 149 paid members and a bank balance of $8429. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] It’s only March, but the club has already had 5 new hike leaders in 2021! They are, in order of appearance: Randall Greeley, Billie Horn, Neil Dennis, John Scruggs, Bud Tasch. In addition, Vicki Reddick and Mimi Tran have scheduled hikes. Congratulations to all new and previous leaders! Statistician [John Scruggs] The club has hiked 2058 miles so far in 2021 and kayaked 11 miles. Previous Hikes    Jan. 23 Monument Canyon Superstitions Michael Humphrey Jan. 26 Mountain Preserve Phoenix Neil Dennis Jan. 30 Garden Valley Archaeology Superstitions Ted Tenny Jan. 31 Airport Loop Sedona Mark Purcell Feb. 3 Bush-Magic Mountain Userys John Scruggs Feb. 6 Maricopa Trail Tonto NF Ted Tenny Feb. 10 Kayaking Saguaro Lake Chuck Parsons Feb. 13 Tom's Thumb Loop Scottsdale Tom Simonick Feb. 16 North Mountain Preserve Phoenix Billie Horn Feb. 20 Pyramid Loop South Mountain Tom Simonick Feb. 21-26 Death Valley Hikes California Michael Humphrey Feb. 27 Warpaint Loop South Mountain Chris Everett Feb. 27 La Barge Canyon Superstitions Tamar Gottfried Mar. 5 Marcos De Niza South Mountain Chris Everett Mar. 6 Bulldog Canyon Goldfields Ted Tenny Mar. 11 Hope Camp / Quilter Tucson Bud Tasch Mar. 13 Feathered Friends Chandler Randall Greeley Mar. 13 Picacho Peak Picacho Janet Burke Mar. 14 Massacre Grounds Superstitions Tom Simonick Mar. 14 Kayaking Bartlett Lake Chuck Parsons Upcoming Hikes Mar. 20 White Mesa Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Mar. 20 Seven Falls Tucson Tom Simonick Mar. 23 Storm Trails Prescott Neil Dennis Mar. 27 East Ridgeline Superstitions Michael Humphrey Mar. 27 Picketpost Mountain Superior Vicki Reddick Apr. 3 AZT passage 17 Superior Li Li Apr. 10 Maricopa Trail Cave Creek Chuck Parsons Apr. 17 Thompson Peak McDowells Debbie Rowray Apr. 24 Mazatzal Peak Loop Mazatzals Randall Greeley May 1 <<open>>     May 8 <<open>>     May 15 <<open>>     Guest Speaker Peter Bigfoot subject: The Many Many Virtues of Prickly Pear Cactus     “I’ve learned to go to heaven without dying,” he told us. Peter is an expert at wilderness survival. He teaches classes, and spoke of his famous trek from New River to the Four Peaks in the summer of 1976. He went alone, without carrying any food or water, and made it to Lone Pine Saddle. Along the way he battled dehydration, and recovered from dysentery. He also told us about prickly pear cactus, truly a wonder plant.     Today, Bigfoot spends most of his time working on the farm, teaching, writing, and producing a line of herbal remedies. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 7:00 PM on Zoom. Executive Committee, March 9, 2021 attendees:  Lin Chao, Michael Humphrey, Tom Simonick, John Scruggs, Ted Tenny Can we order and print Leader training certificates for those who attended Hike Leader Training? AI [Ted] → Provide a list of everyone who attended Hike Leader Training. AI [John] → Contact Jim Buyens about the certificates. AI [Tom] → Provide the mailing address of of everyone who attended. AI [Lin] → Mail out the certificates. Print certificates for leaders and Hikers of the year to mail it out or hold until we have our award meeting. AI [John] → Find out who gets the awards. AI [Lin] → Mail out the certificates. Is there any Plan B for the annual award meeting? Patio dinner? Or just wait. We decided to wait on the award meeting. Meetup sign up format? Should we try or not? Each hike leader handles it differently. That’s fine for now. Do we need first aid kit for each club pack? Yes. Most people have their own first aid kits. How to keep track of our club packs and make sure the leader has a club pack. It’s harder when you’re meeting at the trailhead. Should the leader carry the signup sheet on the hiking trail? Yes. AI [Ted] → Modify the Policies & Guidelines. Introduce pickleball to our club? No. Summer is coming, we are slowly moving our hikes to higher elevation. Those who are fully vaccinated could start carpooling for out-of-city hikes. The driver has the right to request everyone in the car to wear mask. We still encourage people wear mask while taking group pictures. The words on the schedule need to be modified. AI [Ted] → Suggest a suitable modification. Statistics DB and Membership DB [Tom]. Seems like a good idea. AI [Tom, John] → Work it out. February Statistics [John] See preceding item. January 2021 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes January 19, 2021, 7:00 PM Zoom Reports President [Lin Chao] •  The club has upcoming car camping trips to Death Valley, Bryce Canyon (2), Big Lake, Arches. • Other topics are from the Executive Committee, January 12. Treasurer [Tom Simonick] As of January 19, the club has 146 paid members and $7451 in the bank. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Congratulations to the new hike leaders of 2020 and 2021. They are, in order of appearance: Mohammed Al-Marimi, Kevin Chittenden, Mary Greenwood, Chris Everett, Carl Lunde, Randall Greeley, Billie Horn, Neil Dennis. Statistician [John Scruggs] •  Statistics for 2020 • Li Li is the top hiker of 2020. • Tamar Gottfried is the top leader of 2020. Previous Hikes Nov. 21 Yeager Canyon Jerome Chuck Parsons Nov. 21 Idaho Pass-Wolveine Pass Goldfields Ted Tenny Nov. 27 Picketpost Perimeter Superior Tamar Gottfried Nov. 28 Crested Saguaro Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Dec. 5 Gooseneck-Pemberton Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Dec. 5 Haunted Canyon Superior Tamar Gottfried Dec. 12 Holbert-Lomitas Loop South Mountain Quy Nguyen Dec. 19 Corral Loop Scottsdale Chuck Parsons Dec. 20 Telegraph Pass South Mountain Chris Everett Dec. 26 Prospector's View Superstitions Ted Tenny Dec. 27 Geronimo Trail South Mountain Chris Everett Dec. 31 Riparian Preserve Gilbert Joe Michalides Jan. 2 Alta-Bajada Loop South Mountain Chris Everett Jan. 5 Granite Mountain Scottsdale Carl Lunde Jan. 9 San Tan Loop Queen Creek Randall Greeley Jan. 12 Seitts Preserve Loop Cave Creek Billie Horn Jan. 16 Hieroglyphic Canyon Superstitions Chuck Parsons Upcoming Hikes    Jan. 23 Monument Canyon Superstitions Michael Humphrey Jan. 24 Robber’s Roost Sedona Mark Purcell Jan. 26 Mountain Preserve Phoenix Neil Dennis Jan. 30 Garden Valley Archaeology Superstitions Ted Tenny Feb. 6 <<open>> Feb. 13 Mazatzal Peak Loop Mazatzals Randall Greeley Feb. 20 <<open>> Feb. 21-26 Death Valley Hikes California Michael Humphrey Feb. 27 <<open>> Mar. 6 Bulldog Canyon Goldfields Ted Tenny Mar. 13 Feathered Friends Chandler Randall Greeley Guest Speaker: Roger Naylor subject: Arizona’s Scenic Roads and Hikes    With his latest book, Arizona’s Scenic Roads and Hikes, travel writer Roger Naylor coaxes readers outdoors with the promise of an array of wonders.     Arizona is the 6th largest state and has more than its share of scenic drives. Roger presented a slide show of some of them, and answered questions.     The book retails for $21.95 and signed copies can be purchased at www.rogernaylor.com. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 7:00 PM, Zoom. Executive Committee, January 12, 2021 attendees: Lin Chao, Michael Humphrey, Tom Simonick, John Scruggs, Ted Tenny Whether to make the Statistician part of the Executive Committee (Constitution & Bylaws, section IV-3) Passed. Welcome to the Executive Committee, John! Alternate hike signup (Mark Purcell) Hike leaders should be allowed to do their own thing for hike signups. Ted keeps an Excel spreadsheet, but paper is fine. A meetup group would be OK, but we need to see a demonstration. Mark will be invited to the next Executive Committee meeting. Tabled. Old Trip Release Forms (Chuck Parsons) They contain contact information, so Ted keeps them all. Occasionally he needs to contact someone who has signed up for a past hike. Michael talked to a lawyer and found that 3 years is enough. Trip Release Forms before 2018 can be shredded. AI [Tom] → Write a policy regarding old trip release forms. Awards Hike 2021 Postponed until we know more about the pandemic. Lin talked to the officials at Lost Dutchman State Park and learned that they have a group size limit of 25 and didn’t know the cost. Hikers should be recognized for miles hiked. Leaders should be recognized for hikes led. There was some discussion of who has been in the club the longest. Chuck Parsons joined the Motorola Hiking Club (which became the Trailblazers) in 1997. Ted in 1999. Rudy some time in that era. Both Chuck and Ted received Lifetime Achievement awards. Tabled. Hike Leader Training It will be on a Bulldog Canyon Loop hike, presented ny Ted. AI [Ted] → Make up a hike description. Include trip reports. Survey for the kayaking trip AI [Lin] → Contact Chuck about making up the survey. Survey for the weekdays bike trip AI [Lin] → Contact Quy about making up the survey. Reward members who introduce a new hiker to the club and become a member A lot of people join the club because of the web page. Ted has enough recognition. Rewarding leaders with Club Polo shirt after # of trips Have the club logo embroidered on an article of clothing of the leader’s choice after leading three hikes. Possibility of Dog-friendly only hike for those who love dogs The Executive Committee has been through this before. If a hiker slips on the trail and falls on a dog, the dog may bite. The club could be sued. However, if a hiker slips on the trail and falls on another hiker, everyone knows it was an accident. Case dismissed. Also dogs may be all right with people, but not with other dogs. Welcome letter to new members AI [Ted] → Include future trips not yet on the calendar. Speakers for March 16, May 18, July 20, September 21, November 16 Michelle and Ross want to give a presentation before a live audience, not on Zoom. Carol will give a presentation at the May 18 meeting AI [all] → Find speakers for March 16, July 20, September 21, November 16. Encourage hikers wear masks when we meet at TH, while we take group pictures. Limit the number of hikers. AI [Lin] → Update the words on the Schedule. Club History Minutes Archive Constitution & Bylaws AZHC Home Page  top of page updated September 15, 2021 Ted Tenny, secretary