Roberta Arpan On a recent brisk and sunny morning, 26 Sun Lake hikers met for another awesome outdoor experience. Their destination was Inspiration Point in the McDowell Preserve north of Scottsdale. Some may think desert hiking is all about sinking your boots in sand while looking over a stark grayish sea of small pebbles in…
Roberta Arpan Spring is in the air and the popularity of hiking among Sun Lakers continues to blossom! The Sun Lakes Hiking Club has now found it necessary to schedule several additional hikes each month to accommodate the number of residents who want to take to the trails. Club members (and “wanna be” members) have…
Roberta Arpan The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is one of the most active and fastest growing organizations in the Sun Lakes community. It was loosely organized in 1987 when a handful of hikers met each week to explore the natural wonders of Arizona. Today, 192 active members are offered as many as four hikes a…
Roberta Arpan While the Sun Lakes Hiking Club took a summer hiatus, club members kept their boots busy by hiking trails near and far. Some members set foot on European soil by hiking the Bettmeralp in the Swiss Alps, the Camino de Santiago in Spain and various places in Italy, including Cinque Terre, The Path…
Roberta Arpan As the snowbirds are flocking back to Sun Lakes, hike leaders are busy planning another exciting year of outdoor adventure for the Sun Lakes Hiking Club. The official welcome back picnic and first club meeting will be held at noon on Friday, November 6 at Oasis Park in Sun Lakes Country Club. Members,…
Roberta Arpan Imagine this: You are hiking high in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Wilderness late in the afternoon; thunder echoes in a nearby canyon, the wind is picking up and darkness is approaching when you finally reach your campsite. A steady rain is beginning to fall and you quickly put up your tent. Ah but,…
Roberta Arpan In the August issue of the Splash, readers were given advice on how to get in shape for the fall hiking season. Assuming all interested readers have been exercising to increase their cardio capacity, build their core and leg strength and improve their balance, we are now ready to discuss what every hiker…
Roberta Arpan Being in good physical condition is essential to one’s enjoyment of hiking up and down the trail. Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Mei-Mei Ahlskog, a Certified Personal Trainer. Mei-Mei is especially qualified to discuss conditioning for hiking because she has been an avid hiker for more than 20 years. According…
Roberta Arpan The numbers are in reflecting the accomplishments of the Sun Lakes Hiking Club during the 2014-2015 season. Between the months of November and April, the club sanctioned 24 Monday hikes, 24 Wednesday hikes and 21 Retread hikes. The average number of members per hike: Wednesday hikes led with 25; Retread hikes were close…
Roberta Arpan “Hiking Down is Optional, Hiking up is Mandatory.” This sign, as well as others of a similar nature, were posted along the trails leading in and out of the Grand Canyon. However, four Sun Lakes Hiking Club members were not deterred as they trekked 18 miles and ascended 4800 feet of trails during…