Due to some scheduling conflicts at the
downtown library, the regular monthly meetings for January, February and May
will be held in the lounge on the 3rd floor of the downtown library.
The March and April meetings will be in the auditorium downstairs.
To get to the new meeting place, go past the
auditorium into the main lobby. Just inside the doors there is an elevator on
your right and a stairwell on your left. Go up to the 3rd floor and
the lounge is around the atrium through the doors by the administration
offices. We will post signs along the way.
We asked the library if we could paint some
green blazes along the walls to the lounge but they said no. So consider this
an off-trail hike!
Murray Carroll is a Total River Man.
He is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Rivers
Alliance, is Conservation Chairman and past President of the Huntsville Canoe
Club, has paddled across the southeastern U S from
Murray will be
our guest speaker Thursday night, January 20, at
Murray’s history suggests the esteem he
has for nature. He enjoys playing in the outdoors and he works to preserve and
protect it. This is the kind of person that Sierrans totally respect! Please
join us in welcoming Murray Carroll as our first speaker of 2005.
Group reps and other interested
parties gathered to swat mosquitoes, volunteer for chapter-level positions and
vote on a proposed budget the weekend of January 7-9 at Camp Beckwith on Weeks
Bay. The results of the state election were verified and the new officers are:
Chair – Paul Perret,
Vice-chair – Maggie Wade,
Treasurer – Lou DeConstanzo Garcia,
Look for the other officers and their contact information in the
next issue of the state newsletter.
One position that did not get filled is the one for State
Political Chair. Dave Newton has been holding this position for several years
but he also does the state newsletter and would like to step down from
Political. If anyone is interested in the state political process and would
like to help the Alabama Sierra chapter keep abreast of what is going on in
Two representatives of the Gulf Restoration Network spoke to the
group about the work they are doing to protect the
Several initiatives were discussed concerning communication
among groups around the state. A training coordinator position was created to
keep track of national and local training sessions and update the local groups
regularly on available training. A Communications committee was formed and will
consist of all the newsletter and web page editors. This group will work on
better communications between the groups and will discuss the proposal to
combine the group and state newsletters.
The next state excom meeting will be at
· the Editor
256-461-8107.
Newsletter questions or comments - Email
the editor at
Have you ever wondered, way out on the trail somewhere on a
club-sponsored hike, miles from civilization, just what qualifications your
hike leader has? Do they really know how to follow a trail or what to do if
someone gets injured? Do they know where you can get a good latte or smoothie
after the hike?
Never fear! In July of 2004, the National Sierra Club issued a
new policy regarding outings leaders on club-sponsored hikes. The main points
are that all outings leaders must go through Outings training and have First
Aid certification equivalent to or higher than American Red Cross Basic. The
Sierra Club has set two levels of Outings training – Basic or OLT 101 for
dayhikes or car camping, and Core Training or OLT 201 for any outing that
includes an overnight away from cars. In addition to the training, budding hike
leaders must lead one outing with a fully qualified leader (a Mentor Leader in
Sierra-speak) to get certified to lead outings alone. Once certified, Outings
leaders must take the OLT 101 training every four years to stay certified and
must maintain their first aid certification.
Outings Leader training is offered around the state several
times a year. The first one this year was held Saturday, January 15 in
In addition to Sierra training, outings leaders may want to look
into wilderness first aid training classes and certification offered by the
American Red Cross. The
Unfortunately you are still on your own regards finding a good
latte or smoothie after a long Sierra Club hike.
The editor
If you were disappointed to wake up Christmas morning and not find
a single 2005 Sierra Club calendar waiting under the tree, you’re in luck! We
still have some in stock. Wall calendars and the really cool appointment
calendars are $10 each while they last. Get your calendars from Freddie
DiPlacido at the next monthly meeting or give her a call at 533-0651. We also
have Sierra daypacks and t-shirts for sale.
The following article courtesy of the Bama Environmental News - www.BamaNews.com
The Department of Conservation is asking
Alabamians to be on the lookout for bald eagle nesting activity in
During the spring of 2004, 53 nests
were monitored in
334-242-3469
or by email at msasser@dcnr.state.al.us
Chair -
Vice Ch/Treas.
Web Page - Nat
Newsletter editor -
Membership - Dave Kostowny 325-2296
Conservation -
Outings - Lee
Publicity - Liz
At Large -
Secretary – Judy Burley
883-4267
Fund Raising - Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651
At Large -
Programs -
Hike
Ratings
Easy-Less than 5 miles, no serious
elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate-5 to 10 miles,
some elevation changes and/or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles
such as creek crossings.
Strenuous-More than 10
miles, substantial elevation change (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky,
obstructed or nonexistent.
Exploratory-any event the
leader has not experienced before, may fit any class above.
Tuesday, Jan
18,
461-5819.
Thursday, Jan
20,
Saturday, Jan
22. Carter Mt hike. Strenuous. Meet at Winn/Dixie parking lot on
Tuesday, Jan
25,
Strenuous. 8 miles rated strenuous, some cross country
and climbing necessary. Bring lunch, water, and good traction
shoes. Meet
Tuesday, Feb
1,
Saturday, Feb
5, Quillan Creek and Parker Branch Bushwack. Strenuous. This is the most beautiful and least visited canyon in
the Sipsey Wilderness. Numerous creek crossings, at least one river fording
(very short). Bring towel to dry feet and
sandals to wear in water. Meet
Tuesday, Feb
8,
Wednesday, Feb 9,
Saturday, Feb
12, Carter Mt. hike. Strenuous. Meet
Sunday, Feb
13,
Tuesday, Feb
15,
Saturday, Feb
19, Flat Rock hike. Moderate. Meet at Monte Sano Hiker’s Parking Lot
at
Sunday, Feb 20, Big Tree Hike. Strenuous. This is a
strenuous 12 mile loop hike to one of the largest trees in
Tuesday, Feb
22,
461-5819.
Saturday, Feb
26, Wetumpka Impact Crater Tour. Easy. Guided tour of a 6 mile wide crater
formed 80 million years ago when a 1,000 ft wide asteroid impacted central
March 17-20,
AT Backpack. More details in February newsletter or call Judy Burley at
883-4267.
Wednesday nights, March 9 thru Apr 6,
“The following
activities are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the
planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about
the quality, safety, or supervision or management of such activities. They are
published only as a reader service because they might be of interest to the
readers of our newsletter.”
Friday-Saturday,
Jan 21-22, Sustainable Development
Saturday, Feb
5, Locust Fork Invitational Canoe and Kayak Races. Sponsored by
the Friends of the Locust Fork. 205.466.3858 or http://www.dease.net/flfr/default.htm
Saturday, Feb
5, Sandhill Cranes at
On March 12-14, the