2014

Thinking you would like to see amazing Inca ruins while visiting Peru but have either missed the boat on permits for the Classic Inca trail or don’t want to deal with the crowds? Choquequirao is just what you are looking for! Come see the presentation done by one hearty Rover who trekked the 64km trail in four days. Learn from her mistakes and see the photos that prove it was all worth it. Presented by Kim Kangas.

A river cruise up the Danube — visiting towns along the way. Through the countries of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Presented by John Elliott.

The federal Wilderness Act just celebrated its 50th anniversary — come learn why wilderness is important and the impact of this Act in Minnesota. Teri Heyer is the Urban Connections coordinator for the US Forest Service in Minnesota and will also share highlights about the Forest Service and the Urban Connections program. Presented by T. Heyer.  

In May 2014, for over 11 days two Rovers visited farm country near Gjøvik and took a train north of the Arctic Circle and explored Bodø. Find out where the strongest tidal current in the world is and where the sun never sets. Presented by Jen Oberg and Barry Shillingford

A three-week canoe trip in August 2004 on the Kazan River in Canada’s Nunavut, west of Hudson Bay in the largest wild place remaining in North America . Presented by Jim Peterson.

A representative from local bike shop Cycles for Change explains their impact on the community through volunteering, bike maintenance and instruction programs. Learn about their vision for a bike friendlyneighborhood as well as empowerment for individuals through safety and connection.

Dan and Len will explain a project that they completed with GIS Master’s Program students at the U of M. They will go over interesting tools and facts regarding solar potential and in Minnesota. They will share the Solar Dream Team’s accomplishments in 3-D aerial mapping, solar technology, and coding. As well as how this project has aided in climate research natural resource management in MN. Presented by Dan Thiede of the U’s Clean Energy Resource Team and Len Kne, associate director of U-spatial 

View the stunning scenery from a 14-day sojourn to the Islands of New Zealand. From glaciers to fjords, and beaches to mountains, the scenery is as diverse as it is breathtaking. Join Dori for kayaking, hiking, paragliding, and exploring the land of the Kiwis. Presented by Dori Hietala. (Bunge jumping not included). 

Have you ever wondered how to forage for food in the wild and to properly identify edible plants? Come to learn about a local non profit that provides foraging workshops, community meals and foodshares in Mn. Presented by Maria Wesserle of the North Country Food Alliance 

In September of 2010, two Rovers traveled to Colorado to hike in the Mt Evans Wilderness and to the top of Grays Peak (14,270 feet). High winds from a gulf coast hurricane & closed roads from a land slide drove them to explore a different area of Colorado which included flint stone like rocks, the Florissant Fossil Beds and the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. Presented by Christy James

Come and learn about the history of sled dogs in Cook County and The Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race. The Gunflint Mail Run is a continuous sled dog race with two legs of approximately 50 miles each and a mandatory layover. It will be held in Cook County, Minnesota on January 3rd and 4th, 2015. Presented by Ann Papenfuss.

Learn about efforts to make our urban environment better and safer for birds (Think: Vikings Stadium). Joanna Eckles is Bird-friendly Communities Manager for Audubon Minnesota. A lifelong birder, she studied Wildlife Science at Cornell University and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota and she has worked with a variety of wild and captive birds. Presented by Joanna Eckles 

In May 2014 Mike visited the ruins of the Inca Empire near Cuzco including a four-day hike to Machu Picchu. View photos and hear an overall review of the trip as well as comments on the uniqueness of the ancient culture and its demise as well as its continuing influence. Presented by Mike Sweet. 

Sierra backpacking in Ansel Adams Wilderness Sep 2013. 11 Rovers spent a week in the Ritter Range last September. Bear sightings, wildfire smoke, and spectacular scenery near Mammoth and Yosemite Park. Beautiful mountains and lakes with Ediza Lake highlights – come see my favorite backpacking area in the Sierra Presented by Mike Hogan. 

Rudi Hargesheimer, known in his 1969–1980 Rovers years as “Randy” will share stories and photos from those days. The club created his active outdoor lifestyle which today finds him as a manager at Midwest Mountaineering and owner of www.northshorephotoart.com. Fun trips caving, backpacking, climbing, skiing, and trail clearing to great places with great people: Canada, Panama, Alaska, Mexico, Peru, all over the USA. Lots of smiling faces of trip participants included. 

In the early 70’s Rudi was elected President of the University of Minnesota Rovers. He later became President of the Superior Hiking Trail Association and was for twelve years a key board member of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota. Friends and mentors featured by Rudiinclude: Ed Solstad, Cheryl Soshnik, Andy Knapp, Paul Scobie, Matt Kerr,Dave Thersleff, Bob Hanson, Paul Martin, Rich Swenson, Geoff Harrison,Terry Grier, Bill Thompson, DJ Jonas, Bruce Center, and a whole lot more… some of whom are still active Rovers today. This show will be about OUR stories. Presented by Rudi Hargesheimer 

The Wonderland Trail completely encircles Mt. Rainer in Mt. Rainier National Park. View the journey through the eyes of backpacker who hiked it in 1988 and again in 2013. Learn tips and tricks for getting a permit in the lottery, where to cache food, the best campsites, etc. Presented by Nadine S.

The 60 kilometer long Pukaskwa Coastal Trail parallels the Lake Superior Coast in Canada. Find out why this rugged wilderness trail will challenge a novice and expert alike, and why the incredible scenery makes this trek so rewarding. Plus tips on light weight backpacking, water taxi and fees. Presented by Martin (Mr. Kek) Kubik, founder of the BWA Committee.

Travel with a group of Rovers through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and the Mount Hood National Forest. It was a 5 day trip in August with many scenic views of the amazing geography plus trees and flowers. Presented by Jim Hoeppner.

Invasive species are entirely a human-made phenomenon. Zebra mussels, buckthorn, garlic mustard, Asian carp, emerald ash borer, and gypsy moths are invasive species that have become household names these days as the media pleads with the public to help stop their spread. In the U.S., about 3 million acres are lost to invasive plants each year (twice the area of Delaware). Invasive species, if left unchecked, will limit many uses on lands now and for future generations. Now is the time to act to reduce the threat of invasive species in our region. Will you join the front lines of our defense team? Presented by Angela Isackson.

The Mississippi River Trail is a bike route from Lake Itasca to New Orleans. I biked the MRT from St Paul to New Orleans in November. Slides and Show & Tell of the gear I use for lightweight long-distance bike touring. Presented by David Byrne.