Sandra Bullock

Called at the last minute tonight and said that Jessie was not feeling ill and she would not be able to attend as our official secretary and scribe. I will put in a call to Julia to see if she can make it.

Launching

At 0600 Friday. I will be able to get email on the Crackberry by sending it to the Yahoo account. Of course the cell number will be functional. I will have great coverage through OKC, but nominal from OKC to near Amarillo and it will degrade between Amarillo and Albuquerque.
Unless I totally tank, I will be staying in the Hampton Inn in Albuquerque. If I tank I will stay in Amarillo and hoof it on in to pick up David on Saturday morning.

Zuni-Acoma Trail

Looking over my notes I see we had planned 2 days for this trail and there was conversation about someone meeting us on the trail with water. From what I can find the trail is only a 7.5 mile slog and is easily done in a day. Is there something I am missing? If it is doable in one day then we can look at doing something else? How far to Vegas?

Of Mice and Men

To recap:
1) I am bringing stove, 2-man tent and vehicle.
2) I will be staying at the Hampton Inn-Albuquerque Friday night
3) I will pick up David in Albuquerque from UAL 7653 at 1238.
4) I have reserved room at Holiday Inn Express in Grants for Saturday and Sunday. Will reserve for following Saturday when we hit town.
5) Will pick up water in Grants and finalize cache plans on Saturday; make drops on Sunday.
6) Bob arrives Sunday night.
7) We will accomplish communal shopping in Grants and each will provide their individual meals.

I will depart Friday morning around 0700 and will have email and cell coverage pretty much all day long. It will get spotty between Amarillo and Tucumcari and between Tucumcari and Albuquerque.

Fuego

I know we are supposed to abide by Leave No Track, and I usually follow those rules. But I have to tell you I am just enough of an old fashioned kind of guy that I like a small fire at night to sit around, eat cookies, drink coffee and visit. Absent a fire danger or regulations to the contrary, how do you guys feel about it? I was thinking of bringing along some small fire starters I made of paraffin and sawdust.

EQUIPMENT

Here is my suggested equipment list (taken from the Backpacker Website)

Clothing Outerwear

waterproof/breathable jacket / pants fleece/synthetic jacket or wool sweater
synthetic hiking pants and shorts

Shirt long and short sleeve
underwear (or go commando)
socks

Warm hat and gloves (or travel light and freeze at night)

Footwear
hiking boots
camp footwear (or not)
wool or synthetic socks (3) (or bring one pair and maximize toe-jam)

Extras
sun hat
bandanna

Gear
backpack (I once saw a guy "backpacking" in Glacier Park carrying two Samsonite hard-sided suitcases, so suit yourself here.)

down or synthetic sleeping bag ( to 20°F)
sleeping pad
lighter and waterproof matches
cookset
eating utensils, bowl, and mug
headlamp w/extra batteries and bulb
Water bottles - 2 gallon capacity (or bring cash if you want some of my carried water, because I don't take American Express)
water treatment (filter, tablets, or drops) (or start your own Giarrdia Bowel Prep Early for your next colonoscopy)
pocket knife or multitool
compass
sunglasses
first-aid kit with personal medications (don't tell me 10 miles in that you forgot your insulin)
stuff sacks
assorted zipper-lock bags
bear-bagging rope if necessary (I predict bears, mice, rats, and pecchary will be in the area)
insect repellent (I have not used this crap since I melted a compass in Yosemite in 1987)
mesh head net or suit(optional) (bring it and your photo will be on this blog the minute we get home)
sunscreen (SPF 15+)
lip balm (SPF 15+)
toilet paper and trowel
toothbrush and paste, shave kit, etc. (adapt to whatever level of hygiene your desire, but if you don't bring a toothbrush, please try not to say much)

notebook and pencil

I included the above list for your amusement. If anyone really needs to be told to bring a backpack and boots we are going to have a problem out there. In addition, I am a big fan of cross loading. I know we all don't need a water filter or purification tablets, but thats ok, I think we should all have them.

Now for the group gear.

I think everyone should bring:
gps if you have one.
camera if you have one

As for the big items
We need tent space for all and a stove for every two or three people.

I am bringing a stove and a two man tent. Since Doug is also driving, I have talked with Doug, and he will bring a two man tent and a stove.

As for computers, I think that Doug is going to try to bring a computer at least to connect to the outside world. David, if you could also bring a computer to take data home, that would be great.

We will have Doug's truck and my suburban for vehicles.

I have also talked with Doug about hotel rooms, he is going to try and find a reputable place with a suite so we can live and work like humans.

That's all folks.

Comments are welcome.

Bob

El Malpais/C of C Info

Great resource for geology, culture and Fed planning within our area.

http://www.nm.blm.gov/aufo/el_malpais_feis/chapters/MALPAISCHAP3.PDF