2019

Karen will talk about her experience volunteering at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. She will also talk about National Park and National Forest opportunities and how you can get involved.

Presentation by Karen Klein

Four compadres challenged the Patagonian terrain of South America during February-March 2019.  Three day-hikes and a visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier of Los Glacieres National Park were warmups for the main event, hiking the famous 80-mile “O Circuit” of Torres del Paine National Park.  We will “walk” you through the planning and completion of our adventure, as well as show some sites, scenes, and residents.

Presented by Mike Sweet & Jennifer Frost

Everyone says not to trek in Nepal in the monsoon season. But this mother-daughter pair spent 6 days on a “teahouse trek” in June, going up to 12,000 feet in green mountains, with views of white peaks. A guide and a porter completed the group.  Antonia (age 19) and Deborah (59) show photos and have suggestions for anyone thinking of planning a trek.

Join me as I share the highlights of my 5 months and 20k miles exploring Alaska. From mishaps along the Alcan, too-close for comfort animal encounters, and the many adventures in between, I’ll give you a glimpse of what my life was like in the Northland. I’ll share my travel tips and also my itinerary for the September 2020 Rovers trip.

Presented by Kyra S.

As befits a country that has been densely populated since Neolithic times, England is criss-crossed with long-distance hiking paths, ranging from short local rail-trails of 8 to 10 miles, to the 630 mile Southwest Coast Path. The terrain includes high moorland studded with dramatic tors, escarpments, and deep valleys, as well as flower covered woodlands and marshy river bottoms. This is a sampling of four that we encountered on recent Rover trips: The Cotswold Way, The Shropshire Way, The Limestone Way, and The Thames Path.

Presented by Bob Jarvis

I’ve been riding since the moment my parents discovered that sugar was enough motivation to keep me on a bike seat for few hours. Thousands of miles and hundreds of lemon drops later I’ve realized that the time I spent on the road helped mold me into the person I am today.

Following my father’s (Bil Gangl) 2008 diagnosis, my family experienced an outpouring of support for my Dad’s battle with cancer. At this point in my life I have discovered a deep urge to give back to the people and institutions that were the rudders throughout our family’s journey. They worked tirelessly, exhausted every treatment solution, stayed optimistic, and offered patience in a time of shock, confusion, and panic. The moments that me, my family, and all of his friends, students, and co-workers had with my father following his diagnosis wouldn’t have been possible without these miracle workers by his side. That is all the motivation that I needed to ride 5,024 miles over three months, spanning 13 states on one of the greatest adventures in my life. All this in honor of my father and to raise nearly $13,000 for the Bil Gangl Memorial Fund at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. This fund enables the true heros at Regions to be able to continue to serve these families and offer a brief respite through dinners, trips to see loved ones, or whatever it takes to bring comfort to the ones that need it most. It would be an absolute honor to share this story, stories of my father, a St. Bernards alum, with the Rovers.

Presented by Joe Gangl

During the 2018 summer solstice, we took a 7-day trip around Iceland via the Ring Road.  Learn about planning a ring road trip, suggested routes, and of course, pictures.

Presented by Josh Brand

We will show pictures of the hike up 12,749 ft Snow Mountain and where we trained for the hike, for example Taroko Gorge, Elephant Mountain, and a few other places.

Presented by Mike and Nori

A photo journey through some popular backpacking trails on Isle Royale National Park one of our nation’s most remote, yet easily accessible, national parks. And no presentation about Isle Royale would be complete without an update on the wolf reintroduction program.

Presented by Audrey S.

Mike and Margo spent 24 days on New Zealand’s South Island last Jan & Feb, cleverly avoiding the MN Vortex! We spent the first week swimming with dolphins, kayaking the Tasman Sea and hiking Abel Tasman the Nat’l Park where we stayed in wilderness hut bunks several nights near the ocean. We then drove to Christchurch for a two-week tour with THRIVE ADVENTURES and 5 new friends. Highlights included an overnight boat trip on Doubtful Sound and a day in Milford Sound. We hiked on the Routeburn Trak, zip-lined in Queenstown, visited Franz Joseph Glacier, and other spectacular mountain and glacial lake scenery. We stayed at a great rental home on the ocean near Pancake Rocks that could accommodate 13 Rovers on a future expedition!

Presented by Mike H. & Margo H.

During the summer of 2018, I cycled 4,200 miles across the US on the Trans America trail, carrying all my gear. Since this is a long ride, this presentation is the second part. I went with a group from Adventure Cycling, which will also be described. We cycled up crazy-steep mountains and had a thrill coasting down. We went through the amazingly flat, straight, and dull roads of Kansas, up the Rockies, and through deserts. I got used to drinking hot water from my water bottle, but I never got used to hot Gatorade. A final part that I’ll briefly mention is that I completed this ride with cancer. Sometimes, other cancer survivors called me an inspiration, and honestly, it doesn’t feel comfortable. But if I can inspire a few more cancer survivors to hang in there, I will.

Presented by Steven Malikowski

I had the opportunity to solo through hike the Ice Age Trail from April 3 to May 30 this year. I will share that experience starting with a brief history of the Ice Age Trail and talking about the highlights of planning and the journey itself.  Finally, I will offer suggestions and resources for anyone interested in traversing the Ice Age Trail and answer any questions. The Ice Age Trail is a 1,200 mile trail entirely in the state of Wisconsin, it is one of 11 national scenic trails in the United States.

Presented by Laura S.

In 2017 and 2018 Mike trekked in Ladakh, a sparsely populated province at the northern tip of India. This mountainous region lies above 10,000 feet and most residents are of Tibetan heritage. It is a center of Buddhism and has a long and rich history. Surprisingly, this peaceful, low-cost, summer trekking destination sees few American visitors. Mike will share photos and videos of the landscapes, wildlife, and culture of Ladakh, and provide some practical tips for travel there.

Presented by Mike Farris

Scott will talk about a bicycling trip last winter in Patagonia and Chile, starting in Bariloche, and ending on the island of Chiloé.

Presented by Scott Nelson

Multiple safaris led us to see the Big 5 as well as many other animals. We had the opportunity to visit Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and other spectacular places. We had village visits where we engaged with the Maasai people and learned about their culture. Relaxation and a few more adventures happened in Zanzibar. Truly a trip of a lifetime!

Presented by Darcy Amnuel

Quality used gear from people who know their stuff.

* Got Gear? Unused gear cluttering your house? Sell it at the Swap!

* Need Gear? Trying a new sport? Looking for advice? Find it at the Swap!

Set-up starts at 6:30 p.m. in Como Park in St. Paul (first outdoor meeting of the season). Open to the public, feel free to bring friends and family.

If you email me ([email protected]) with what you have to sell or what you are looking for I will add it here.

Examples of items available: Backpack rain cover, Canoe Paddle, Canvas Utensil bag, Flashlight, Fold up saw, Frame Backpack, Hard plastic jug, 3-gallon, Hatchet, Map case, Plastic Trowel, REI brand green womens hiking pants size 12 P, REI brand green womens hiking pants size 14, REI brand khaki womens hiking pants size 12 P, Stuff sacks, Toiletry kit, Water filter, Waterproof  Camera bag, Mountain Hardware Meridian 1 backpacking tent.

What will you be hunting for? No hints in the text here. But there might be one in the photo. Come to Como Park for a fun night of outdoor puzzling and clue finding. Kids are welcome, but each group will need to have at least one adult.

Organized by Megan C.

If you have any inflatable or foldable outdoor equipment, like stand-up paddle boards or kayaks, please bring them to the meeting to show them off. If you don’t have any inflatable or foldable equipment but are interested in what is available, please come and check them out. So far we have inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and foldable bikes and kayaks.

Facilitated by Tina B.

There will be no meeting tonight because it is National Night Out. Please go to your local gatherings and tell them all about Minnesota Rovers.