2015

You may know what to take on a backpacking trip, but how about a bikepacking trip? Long-distance bicyclist extraordinaire David Byrne, who has cycled around the world twice, will show us what he’s putting in his panniers for his upcoming weeklong Rovers trip from St. Paul to Galena, Ill., on the Mississippi River Trail. (And if you want to go on the trip, places still are available; see Trips page.)

The secret is not how to beat the slots or the blackjack dealer, but how to find a wilderness hike nearby. Less than an hour from the Vegas strip are the Spring Mountains, which include a lot of hiking trails and Mount Charleston, their highest peak at 11,900 feet. This is a picturesque but harsh environment, with a giant mummy and gnarly zombie trees! Presented by Jen Oberg and Barry Shillingford.

Snow isn’t always reliable in winter, but we can always count on ice. Wherever it is found — on cliff walls, in river canyons and along shorelines — it forms stunningly beautiful tableaux that are different each day.

Beth Gauper will tell you where to find the most beautiful icescapes in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula (and the kind of cleats you’ll need to explore them).

For six weeks last January and February, two Rovers roamed through New Zealand.  With a diverse landscape, New Zealand offers a variety of adventures.  This presentation will emphasize our efforts to find and photograph the country’s unique wildlife, including such birds as weka and albatrosses and such animals as fur seals and tuataras.

It will also include mention of threats to wildlife and some of the efforts used by the country to reduce those threats. Presented by Mike Sweet.

In October, Rovers Barry S. and Jen O. hiked the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim over 4 days, camping along the way.  This was a trip they had wanted to do for years and finally got the required permit this year.  They also did a number of side hikes off the main trail.  Enjoy spectacular pictures from their trip as well as hear about the logistics of putting the trip together and the best time to do it.

Join the hardy Minnesota cycling hordes and ride your bike throughout winter, to get to work or just to have fun. Learn basic winter-riding skills plus the kinds of clothing you’ll need and the tires that work best. Presented by CJ Lindor of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

The Minneapolis-based Loppet Foundation is best known for organizing the big City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival in February. But it’s active throughout the year, offering mountain-bike as well as ski training and monthly events and outings for members.

It also offers many opportunities for volunteers to help build and maintain the urban trail network and create passion for outdoor activities. Presented by Lindsay Henning and Emily Eastman of the Loppet Foundation.

Would you like to be National Geographic’s next outdoor photographer, but you’re concerned about equipment costs? Learn how to capture the wonders of nature using equipment that won’t break the bank.

Rich Hoeg of Duluth built his own skills via a 365-day photo project where he forced himself to capture an image of a bird every day . . . even in blizzards! He’ll provide tips on equipment, exposure settings, photography project ideas and more.

Come along on a trip to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, Lima and the Amazon Basin rain forest. We experience historic sites, villages, city and nature by foot, boat, horseback, raft and paraglider! Presented by Debra and Lauren Gagner.

Learn about the biggest attractions in India’s capital — the famous monuments, such as Humayun’s Tomb Qutab Minar and, of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra — as well as the sights and sounds of old and new Delhi and the best places to shop. Presented by Preethi Haran.

The John Muir Trail is one of the top trails in the United States, and you don’t need a car to do it. See some great pictures from the trail and learn what you need to know for a successful hike, such as what bear canisters to use, how to plan food drops and even how to make a cathole. If you have a gear list, you can get it critiqued. Presented by Kim Fishburn.

Prince of Wales Island, located west of Ketchikan, Alaska, is the third-largest island in the United States. Accessible only by float plane, ferry or private boat, it includes 12 small communities that are surrounded by Tongass National Forest, a rain forest.

POW has Alaska’s largest caves, waterfalls, totem poles and forests. It has great hiking, camping, boating, fishing, kayaking and wildlife-watching (black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, seals, whales, birds). What the island lacks is easy access, hotels and crowds.

New Rover Sue Nokleby will offer tips on how to get to POW and what to do there. It is a fantastic trip!

Did you know there’s a national park in our midst? The 72-mile-long Mississippi National River & Recreation Area runs right through the Twin Cities, and its staff operates a Visitor Center in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul. Park ranger Gordon Dietzman will tell us about paddling, bicycling, bird-watching and hiking opportunities in the park and offer tips on planning a canoe trip.

In March and April 2015, we climbed three volcanoes on the island of Luzon: Isarog, Iraya and Asog. We also went trekking on the island of Itbayat in the Batanes Group of Islands. Come and join us as we share our adventures and misadventures! Presented by Mike S.

The Rovers have adopted a woodlot at Elm Creek Regional Park in Maple Grove. Cheryl Batson will tell us what Rovers have discovered on the lot and what kind of progress we have made so far on clearing invasive plants. If that inspires you, join the Oct. 18 expedition to the woodlot to clear buckthorn.

If you’re from Minnesota, odds are you have some Scandinavian heritage. (We, however, do not!) Come join two non-Scandinavian Rovers as we share the beauty and variety of Norway and Sweden. We’ll share many fun experiences (hiking, paddling, exploring, playing), tips for getting around and places to stay, and lots of awesome sights in Oslo, Voss, Bergen, Stavanger, Stockholm, and the Uppsala area. Presented by Deb Miner and Ron Talbot.

The 1,300-mile journey around Lake Superior is one of the world’s best road trips, passing through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario. See some of the highlights and find out how to plan your own trip. Presented by Beth Gauper.

Say goodbye to a great summer by toasting up a s’more or two. We’ll provide the basics; you bring any little extras you think might taste good with melted marshmallows.

Find out what it’s like to interpret the fur-trade era in the Upper Midwest from two members of La Compagnie des Hivernants de la Riviere Saint Pierre, Thelma Boeder and David Christofferson. The Twin Cities-based reenactment group supports historical sites and appears at living-history events, where each member plays different roles: French-Canadian voyageurs, bourgeois bosses, mixed-blood and winter hunters and traders, or hivernants

Learning how to effectively use a map and compass is one of the most overlooked wilderness skills.  Whether you’re navigating your way through the backcountry, attempting to locate the next portage or trying to get back to the car at a state park, knowing how use to a map and compass is important. Robert Quinn will show us basic navigation skills.