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Programs Archive—2011
- December 20: Snowboarding Thrills & Spills. Check out the thrills of snowboarding in excerpts from Transworld Snowboarding's flick "These Days" featuring panoramic mountain scenery and adventurous riders showing why "…snowboarding makes you feel alive." Learn how to stay safe from spills with info on protective gear and lessons available at local hills. Presented by Cari G.
- December 13: "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but what happens around Vegas we'll tell you about." We will show pictures of various areas around Vegas that are good for hiking and other activities. So if spending hours in a casino isn't you thing — check it out.
Presented by Jen O. & Barry S.
- December 6: Cross Country Ski Trails—Metro, Midwest and Beyond. With hundreds of kilometers of ski trails and hundreds of events, knowing where to ski when can be a challenge. Which ski areas require what passes? Which locations have snow making? Where and when do HS teams practice (a.k.a., lots of skiers on the trails). What are some of the new and old ski races and events in the state? Come discuss XC ski locations, trail options, events and most anything XC skiing with Ben Popp (SISU Foundation).
- November 29: Skijoring. Come learn about skijoring from members of the Midwest Skijorers Club. We will explain what skijoring is, what equipment is needed and what dogs would be good candidates. There will be time at the end of the presentation to answer any questions. Presented by Vicki V.
- November 22: Kayaking Lake Superior's South Shore. There is more to Lake Superior than the North Shore. Come see cliffs, sea caves, beaches, and more in the many scenic areas for kayaking on the South Shore including the Apostle Islands, Pictured Rocks, Grand Island, and the Keeweenaw Peninsula. Presented by Fran L. & Suzanne M.
- November 15: Knots. Ever need to secure something, but don't know the right knot for the job? Wish you could more easily untie your knot once the job is done? Come learn some common and not-so-common knots for a variety of outdoor uses. Bring a short piece of string or rope so you can follow along and practice on your own. Presented by Tom H. & Sarah K.
- November 8: The Wildcat Sanctuary. The Wildcat Sanctuary (TWS) is a no-kill rescue facility located in Sandstone, MN. TWS provides a natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspires change to end the captive wildlife crisis. As a true sanctuary, they do not buy, breed, sell or exhibit animals. The Sanctuary is a home for animals, not a zoo for people and therefore is not open to the public. TWS provides sanctuary to over 120 wild cats in large, free-roaming habitats in a natural setting. Come learn more about The Wildcat Sanctuary and how you can help. www.WildcatSanctuary.org Presented by Lynn S.
- November 1: Winter Cycling; Fun and Transportation. Don't put that bike away! Wanda Davies will tell you all you need to know to expand your cycling opportunities to all 12 of our Minnesota months. Remember, there is no bad weather, just inappropriate gear.
Presented by Wanda D.
- October 25: Remote Grand Canyon Hiking. Ever wonder whether you'd like to backpack/hike the more remote trails in Grand Canyon National Park? Last year 3 fellow backpackers hiked the "unmaintained" Tanner Trail to the Escalante Trail up at 35 foot ledge climb requiring a rope haul, down the Papagos Slide large talus field. We then headed over to the Tonto Trail, camping at the waterless Cremation Camp, heading out the South Kaibab. There was beautiful scenary and some amazing trail. Presented by Cheryl B. & A. Rohan
- October 18: The Search for Jason Rasmussen. Jason Rasmussen became lost while on a solo backpacking trip in the BWCAW in 2001. Jeff Hasse was the Search Manager on the search, which is chronicled in the book "Lost in the Wild" by Cary Griffith. Join us for a presentation that focuses both on the links in a chain that got Jason into trouble and the strategies he used to keep himself alive for seven days in spite of very harsh weather. There are many important lessons from Jason's story that are applicable to anyone venturing into the wilderness.
Presented by Jeff H.
- October 11: Recycling the World Part II — Cape Town to Berlin. A
Rover couple bikes towards the ends of the Earth. Ask Julie Retka & David Byrne questions
and see photos from their Great Adventure. www.recyclingtheworld.us Presented by David
B. & Julie
R.
- October 4: Recycling the World Part I — Minnesota to
Ushuaia. A Rover couple bikes towards the ends of the Earth. Ask Julie Retka & David
Byrne questions and see photos from their Great Adventure. www.recyclingtheworld.us Presented by David B. & Julie R.
- September 27: The North Country National
Scenic Trail. 4,600 miles of Amazing Adventures. Learn more about the nation’s
longest hiking trail with a special focus on the effort to include the Superior Hiking
Trail, Border Route Trail, and Kekekabic Trail as part of the NCT. Matthew Davis is
the Regional Trail Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association and a Rovers member living
in Detroit Lakes. Presented by Matthew D.
- September 20: Metro Area Bike Trails and North Star Commuter Rail. Doug Shidell will talk
about metro area bike trails and how to connect them together to create some great
rides close to home. In the second part of the presentation he will talk about the bike
routes and trails from the stations of the North Star Commuter Rail. Doug has been
publishing the Twin Cities Bike Map since 1984 and recently researched bike routes
from North Star for Metro transit. Presented by Doug S.
- September 13: Great North Shore Fall Hikes. Head for the
North Shore this year for the best fall color hiking in the Midwest. On the shore
you’ll
combine rugged terrain with amazing views and endless maple forests. Andrew Slade,
author of the new book, Hiking the North Shore, will explain why North Shore fall
hikes are so great and guide you to new trails and old favorites. Presented by Andrew S.
- August 30: Fall Intro Show at REI. Watch our slide show of Rovers members on various scenic trips—all set to music. Talk
to our representatives about hiking, backpacking, canoeing, biking, rock climbing,
and more. Come meet new and old Rovers and see what we've been up to! Check the Special
Events page for more details.
- September 6: Falconry. Join Frank Taylor and his Red-Tailed Hawk, Mim, for
a program on falconry and banding. Frank has been catching raptors for falconry and
research in the same hay field up on the north shore of Lake Superior since 1970. To date he
has banded over three thousand birds of prey. Presented by Frank T.
- August 23: Gear Swap. If you've upgraded your gear this past year, this
is your chance to make some money and help out a fellow Rover at the same time. If you need
to equip yourself for a new activity, come check out great deals on used, but still good, equipment!
Any gear is welcome, but there will be a focus on gear for the fall and winter seasons.
- August 16: Nordic Walking (Rescheduled). Come check out why adding Nordic
Walking poles to your walking routine will burn more calories than conventional walking as well
as a great many other benefits. Rhea Kontos, of Nordic Walk This Way, will explain and demonstrate
how to Nordic Walk. You'll
have an opportunity to try it too.
Presented by Rhea K.
- August 9: Disc Golf Fundamentals — Anyone can play! See the basics
on equipment, investment to play, types of throws and actually get some practice putting
into a "basket".
Experienced players will show you how you can start playing now with just 3 discs
needed to play a round of the "new"golf.
Minnesota is a mecca for this new sport and has the USA's largest rec player club
right here in the Metro (Mpls/St. Paul area) You can play on almost 40 different "official" courses
in our area and the number is growing each year. This is the same thrill as ball golf
at a much cheaper cost. All but 5 of the local courses are free to play at. Remember
this equipment is different from a wham O Frisbee so do not assume you cannot throw
based on any experience with a Frisbee. Enjoy a hands on experience that provides
exercise you can still do well into the golden years of life.
Presented by Scott J.
- August 2: Whitewater Kayaking. A short presentation on the skills and
gear you need to get started whitewater kayaking in Minnesota.
Presented by Megan C.
- July 26: Around the Camp Easy Dishes, Important Knots, Hanging Food and
Tarps and More. Good tips on taking the pain out of doing dishes, learn the all important taught-line
hitch and other useful tips for making life easy in your camp. Presented by Mike H.
- July 19: Stand Up Paddleboarding. An ancient form of surfing, Stand Up Paddleboarding
(SUP) has recently reemerged — providing a great way to explore oceans, flatwater
and even rapids while getting a core body workout and enjoying a higher vantage point. SUP can
be a great way to navigate the lakes and rivers of MN, and this demo will cover the basics to
get you started. Presented by Jesse D.
- July 12: Pack Fitting. Escape sore muscles and bruises by learning how to
fit your backpack specifically to you. Sam Usem from Midwest Mountaineering will discuss the
important issues when choosing a backpack, how to pack it, and what all those straps are for.
We?ll even touch on wilderness troubleshooting. When we?re done, your pack should feel like
a natural extension of your body and not a painful burden. Bring your pack to adjust it correctly
and to practice upon. Presented by Sam U.
- July 5: Hammock Camping.Tired of looking for a flat spot to pitch your tent?
Come learn about hammock camping. Get tips on how to set it up, how to stay warm and comfortable,
and how to make your own! We'll have hammocks for you to try. Presented by Sarah K.
- June 28: Backcountry Cookoff. Show off an old favorite, or try an interesting
new recipe before you take it out on the trail. Recipes should be suitable for backpacking,
take 20 min or less to prepare, and be able to be made using a single burner stove. If you don't
want to cook, bring a fork to sample the goodies and find some new meal ideas for your next
trip!
- June 21: Bluebird Recovery Program. Why hundreds of people across the country
put up and maintain boxes to help the bluebird. What boxes to use, where to put them and how
to maintain them. Presented by Barry S.
- June 14: Nordic Walking. Come check out why adding Nordic Walking poles
to your walking routine will burn more calories than conventional walking as well as a great
many other benefits. Rhea Kontos, of Nordic Walk This Way, will explain and demonstrate how
to Nordic Walk. You'll have an opportunity to try it too. Presented by Rhea K.
- June 7: Transporting Kayaks & Canoes. Owning a canoe or kayak does you
no good if you can’t get it to the water. Come see a demonstration of a variety of ways
to easily and securely transport your boat on your vehicle. Presented by Fran L.
- May 31: Avoid Becoming the Subject of a Missing Person Search. Ever become
disoriented while travelling in the wilderness? It's not a pleasant feeling. Becoming lost can
be a life-or-death challenge. In this session, veteran Search Manager Jeff Hasse will discuss
strategies to prevent becoming lost and for re-orienting oneself if "misplaced." Presented
by Jeff H.
- May 24: Water Treatment in the Backcountry. Try the water treatment taste
test, and learn about the latest products available for making water drinkable from REI. Presented
by Chris F.
- May 17: Gear Swap. Bring your unneeded gear to sell, or come find what you need for
this summer's adventures. | more |
- May 10: Your House, Not Mountain House — Just Add Water. An introduction to
making your own camping foods. Do not buy it if you can make it, do not make it if you can find
it or convert it. Presented by Rich H.
- May 3: Intro Show. Featuring a digital slide show set to music and club representatives
available to answer questions about the club. This is a great way to find out more about Minnesota
Rovers, all the activities, and the people. Held at the Bloomington REI. Check the Special
Events page for more details.
- April 26: Kayaking in the Apostle Islands. Six Rovers went on a 5-day kayaking
trip in the Apostle Islands in July of 2010. The adventure included wind, big waves, pristine
beaches, swimming in Lake Superior, campfires and thunderstorms. The kayak adventure was followed
by a day of biking on Madeline Island. Information will also be presented about kayaking and
camping in the Apostles. Presented by Fran L.
- April 19: The Unseen Trail. A blind hiker's 2010 hike of the Appalachian
Trail using GPS to navigate. Presented by Mike H.
- April 12: Minnesota Wildflowers. "Wildflowers — It never was
about a Beauty Pageant... really.” Katy & Peter from the MinnesotaWildflowers.info
web site will give a presentation on their vision of the meaning and importance of understanding
native species and their preservation today. The presentation will include their activities
in locating and the digital imaging of difficult to find and unfamiliar species, as well as
the ethics associated in doing so. Imagery of a variety of plants and habitats around the state
will be shown. Presented by Katy C. and Peter.
- April 5: BRTA Trail Clearing. Ed and John will present the background and
history of the Border Route Trail,
which was planned and built by MN Rovers. The presentation will include location, scenic highlights,
maintenance tools and techniques, and upcoming trips. Presented by Ed S. & John G.
- March 29: Weather and Climate in MN. Come learn about the Twin Cities' climate and
how you can become a Twin Cities Climate Expert. Learn a relatively simple and easy way to remember
the climate of the Twin Cities. The 30 year normals have been updated, and we'll take a look
at how the Twin Cities' climate has changed and when the biggest changes have been occurring.
There will also be information about how to read the signs to predict the weather during your
next trip. Learn what to expect, and don't get caught out in a storm! Presented by Frank W.
- March 22: Traveling in Southeast Asia. Mike will cover his 2010 three month
trip traveling in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. He will share his
experiences and insights with Rovers through a digital presentation and stories. Presented by
Mike S.
- March 15: Adventure Racing. Jason Perreira, Race Director for Wild Adventure
Race, will tell us about Adventure racing, a team sport that requires navigating with a map
and compass through a series of check points via different disciplines including: trekking,
mountain and road biking, paddling (canoes, kayaks, rafts or other water craft) and fixed-ropes
(ascending and/or rappelling). Find out about local adventure racing opportunities and how you
can get involved. Presented by Jason P.
- March 8: Using a Map and Compass. Basic features of maps and compasses,
and how to use them to stay found. Presented by Tom H.
- March 1: Isle Royale. Come and see photos and itineraries from various trips
to one of our nearest National Parks, and get some tips and inspiration for planning a trip
of your own! Presented by Jane P. and Amy E.
- February 22: The Future of Minnesota's Parks and Trails. Representatives
from the DNR and Three Rivers Parks will be here to tell us about the Legacy Plan and the ten
year plan for parks and trails. Come find out what we have to look forward to, and get your
questions answered. Presented by Laurie Y. and Kelly G.
- February 15: Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Two Rovers took part
in an eight-day tour to Peru in 2008, including a four-day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca
Trail and visits to Lima, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley. Join us to view pictures of the various
locations and get some historical background. Uwe T & Suresh S.
- February 8: Black Hills and Devil's Tower Climbing. Traditional and sport
rock climbing in the Needles and Rushmore areas of Black Hills, South Dakota with side trip
to Devils Tower, Wyoming. Presented by Tom H.
- February 1: Sierra backpacking in NE Yosemite. 8 Rovers enjoyed a great
week-long backpacking trip last summer in NE Yosemite Natl Park. We hiked a loop trip covering
51 miles with 9000-10000 ft summits. Spectacular vistas (from 7 cameras) including the Sawtooth
Range, high Sierra lakes, wildflowers and group fun! Presented by Mike H.
- January 25: Minnesota Inner City Outings. Who was the first person who took you canoeing,
backpacking or hiking? What would have happened if no one would have introduced you to the outdoors?
Minnesota Inner City Outings provides opportunities for urban kids who have limited access to
outdoor recreation, and thanks to a recent donation by Minnesota Rovers, Minnesota ICO can continue
to take urban kids "outside." Presented by Jennifer G.
- January 18: Utah Part 2. Bryce's 2009 Utah road trip was so much fun, he went back
for more. Come see his account of camping, hiking and exploring in eastern Utah including Moab,
Canyonlands, the La Salle Mountains. and anything in beteween. Presented by Bryce K.
- January 11: Backpacking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore — Witness Pictured Rocks
from land and sea! In August 2010, two Rovers backpacked this 42-mile section of the North
Country Trail along Lake Superior's shoreline in Michigans's Upper Pennisula. When we got done
with the hike, we took a boat cruise that offers stunning views of the multi-colored sandstone
cliffs on which we had just hiked. Other highlights include unique rock formations, waterfalls,
a magnificant dune, and miles of pristine beaches. Presented by Jack G.
- January 4: Okefenokee Swamp. Canoeing the Georgia Swamp complete with a poacher tale,
a creative means of portaging, and views of Sandhill Cranes. This trip involved a circular route
involving close encounters with crocidilles, an imagination gone wild, and a section of tight
twists and turns surrounded by dense brush even overhead. Presented by Cheryl B.
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