July-September 2013 - Sierra Club - Angeles Chapter

Adventure Travel CalendarCanadian Rockies National ParksJuly 29-Aug. 4O-rated: Come along on a tour of threenational parks in the Canadian Rockies: Banff,Jasper and Yoho. Visit the Columbia Icefield,Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, MoraineLake, Medicine Lake, Emerald Lake, andmany more. Participants also visit JohnstonCanyon Falls, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Fallsand other majestic places in the Yoho Valley. .The trip is sponsored by Angeles and LomaPrieta chapters. $1,900 for members, nonmembersadd $100. Contact leader FredDong (madelinesdad@earthlink.net) and coleaderStephanie Gross.Iceland: Hiking and Exploring anExtraordinary IslandAug. 17-28C/O-rated: Eleven-day exploration in the landof Vikings, fire and ice. Visit Reykjavik in thesouthwest, Akureyri in the far north and travelsouth through the remote, barren interior tothe brilliant-blue hot spring Hveravellir. Drivealong the roots of volcano Eyafjallajokulland further southeast to view majestic glaciersfrom the Vatnajokull icecap. Board aboat in the Glacier Lagoon Jokulsarion andtake a relaxing swim in the cobalt coloredwater of the Blue Lagoon. Hike and exploretowering cliffs, remote fjords, majestic waterfalls,volcanic craters, geysers, boiling mudpits and more. The trip is sponsored byOrange County Sierra Singles. $3,190 formembers, $3,290 for nonmembers. Contactleader Donna Specht (714-963-6345, donnaspecht@juno.comand co-leader Ana Cadez(ana.cadez@bt-store.com).Bali Island and Komodo DragonsSept. 9-24O-rated: Join us on our second Chapteradventure to peaceful Hindu Bali and FloresIsland, home of the famous Komodo Dragons.Experience this fast-growing travelers paradisewith its unique culture, history, and traditions.The land package explores the famousisland of Bali and to the island of Flores,spending varying number of days in eachlocation. The trip is sponsored by the AngelesChapter. $1,695 per person. Contact leaderJohn Lajeuness 818-248-5763 lajeunes@pacbell.net,Andrea Lim 818-249-8584 a19dragon@yahoo.comand abandoned. Visit highlights like the historicUrumqi’s Great Bazaar, and Tian Shanmountains and lakes; the ruins of ancientJiaohe city and beautiful Imin Minaret, oldcity, Tuyu Valley, and more. The Great Walland Xian, which holds the famous Terra CottaWarriors and Museum, are on the itinerarytoo. The trip is sponsored by the AngelesChapter. $3,195 per person. Contact leaderBruce Hale, 3025 Alabama St., La Crescenta,CA 91214; (818) 957-1936. Co-leader: FredDong.New Mexico AdventureOct. 12-19MIKE SAPINGFIELDO-rated: Come and experience theAlbuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Santa Fe, Taosand Taos Pueblo, Acoma Sky Pueblo, ChacoCanyon, Los Alamos, and Bandelier NationalMonument. There are more attractions onthis fun filled exploration of the “Land ofEnchantment.” The trip is sponsored by theAngeles Chapter, Sierra Singles and SierraSage. $1,195 for members, $1,250 for nonmembers.Contact leader Mike Sappingfield(mikesapp@cox.net); co-leaders Mary Moralesand SappingfieldDestination Costa RicaFeb. 14-28, 2014O-rated: ExploreCosta Rica onthis 14-day tour,from the Pacificbeaches to thewild NorthernC a r i b b e a nwith stops atManuel Antonio,Monteverde/SantaElena, Arenal,MIKE SAPINGFIELDTortuguero and SanJose. Visit volcanoes, rain forests, ecologicalreserves, wildlife refuges and see spectacularwildlife. Cost is $1,650 per person for SierraClub members; $1,750 for non-members.Registration is required by Nov. 15. Priceincludes midrange, locally owned accommodations(based on double occupancy),transportation on private 21-passenger airconditionedcoach, some meals, happy hours,boat transportation to Tortuguero, drivergratuities and some tours. Group airfare isextra. Sponsored by the Angeles Chapter,Sierra Sage and Orange County Sierra Singles.For itinerary, application, cancellation policycontact co-leader Donna Specht, (714) 963-6345; donnaspecht@juno.com. Leader: MikeSappingfield, (949) 768-3610 mikesapp@cox.net.Birds and Mammals of NortheastMongolia and the Gobi DesertJune 6-27, 2014O-rated: Join us for a 14-, 16- or 22-day nontraditionaladventure tour to see the wildlifeof Mongolia. You may select one or both toursof Mongolia (see below), which hosts the largestconcentration of wild mammals in Asia.Each group is limited to less than 20 participants.The 22-day trip combines everythingyou’ll see in the 14-day Northeast Mongoliaand 16-day Gobi Desert trips. Sponsored byAngeles Chapter, Crescenta Valley, VerdugoHills.Migratory Birds and Mammals of NortheastMongolia — June 6-19: See birds and mammalsin sparsely populated settings andother wildlife like the rare and endangeredMongolian wild horse aka Przewalski’s horse,neolithic ruins, and more. Most meals, allinternal transportation, wildlife guides, parkadmissions, and lodging are included in theprice. Cost: $2,525 for those who sign upby Nov. 30; $2,600 after Nov. 30. Nonmembersof Sierra Club add $100 to perpersoncost. International group airfare toand from Mongolia is extra and available at adiscounted price. Contact: Bruce Hale, (818)957-1936. Leaders: Bruce Hale and FredDong, madelinesdad@earthlink.net.Gobi Desert — June 12-27See the beauty of the desert and birds andmammals found in its habitat and visit HustaiNuruu National Park. View the endangeredMongolian wild horse, neolithic ruins, andother animals as well as wild gazelles, wildmountain sheep, wild donkeys, camels,ibex, deer, yak, various birds. Most meals,all internal transportation, wildlife guides,park admissions, and lodging are includedin the price. Cost: $4,750 for those whosign up by Nov. 30; $4,850 after Nov. 30.Non-members of Sierra Club add $100 toper-person cost. International group airfareto and from Mongolia is extra and availableTRAVEL ADVENTURE/PAGE 8China Silk Road and Gobi DesertAdventureOct. 5-19O-rated: See seldom visited sights on theChina Silk Road and the Gobi Desert: mountains,deserts, living historic sites, rare wildlife6 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 SOUTHERN SIERRAN