Hikers to mark love day in Pagat Caves
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 03:34
Variety News Staff
(GBM/WAG) -- The Guam Boonie Stompers and the We are Guahan organization are leading the public in a free-of-charge Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Feb. 14.
On the popular holiday associated with romance, the coordinating organizations are encouraging residents to show love to their island and enjoy the diverse collection of individuals in support of efforts in the island's best interest.
Located on Guam's eastern coast, Pagat caves is one of Guam's most significant historical sites. The caves once provided fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and is one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and lattes dating back over 3,500 years.
While organized hikes are often led to the caves, local families and individuals also frequent the site in less formal groups to enjoy the water and take part in one of the many activities that make life on Guam unique. The joint effort to organize the clean-up seeks to provide an opportunity for education, constructive action and friendship.
The draft environmental impact statement plans identify the recreation spot and cultural site as an area needed to accommodate a Marine firing range, which would restrict both civilian and non-civilian access to the site.
Currently, the Guam Preservation Trust is advocating to have Pagat included on the list of the country's most endangered places. Many worry that the presence of a firing range will damage the ancient artifacts, injure efforts to preserve and share Chamorro culture with locals and visitors and will further limit options for outdoor recreation.
Those interested in attending the clean-up are asked to meet at 9 o'clock am, in front of the trail entrance on Route 15 (immediately North of the Anderson South gate).
Hikers and volunteers should bring their own cleaning materials, such as trash bags, gloves or tools. Clean-up organizers welcome volunteers capable of providing trucks, backhoes or equipment that could assist volunteers in removing larger materials.
Those who would like to provide trucks or backhoes in order to remove larger pieces of debris are asked to contact Dave Lotz of the Guam Boonie Stomper's association for additional details. All attending are asked to bring water, appropriate shoes, gloves, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a snack and swimming attire.
Showing posts with label Hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hiking. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hike seeks to beautify Pagat Caves
Hike seeks to beautify Pagat Caves
Posted: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
Updated: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - Guam Boonie Stompers and We Are Guahan will be holding a Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Sunday, February 14. According to organizers, the event is an effort to provide education, constructive action and friendship.
Pagat Caves is a beloved recreation spot and cultural site that could potentially be used to accommodate a firing range. The Guam Preservation Trust is attempting to have Pagat included on the list of the nation's most endangered places.
The cleanup will be held on Sunday at 9 in the morning in front of trail entrance on Route 15.
Posted: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
Updated: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - Guam Boonie Stompers and We Are Guahan will be holding a Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Sunday, February 14. According to organizers, the event is an effort to provide education, constructive action and friendship.
Pagat Caves is a beloved recreation spot and cultural site that could potentially be used to accommodate a firing range. The Guam Preservation Trust is attempting to have Pagat included on the list of the nation's most endangered places.
The cleanup will be held on Sunday at 9 in the morning in front of trail entrance on Route 15.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Endangered boonie hike trail on Ague Cove
Endangered boonie hike trail on Ague Cove
Posted: Jan 13, 2010 8:32 PM PST
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - For the month of January, the Guam Boonie Stompers are featuring trails that are expected be closed to the public according to plans outlined in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Before the hike began the Guam Boonie Stompers gathered at the Chamorro Village and the hike's leader, David Lotz, asked everyone there to sign a petition against restricting public access to hiking trails.
Ague Cove is property of the Pangelinan family, who granted the Boonie Stompers special access to the trail for this hike. Co-leader of the Boonie Stompers Roger Edson is an avid hiker and works at the National Weather Service.
Edson said, "There are a lot of coastlines that are privately owned, but then you can at least talk to the family. If the military takes it over you have a whole new set of bureaucracy."
75 people came out for the hike, but most hikes attract between 50 and 100 stompers. Aaron Jackson and his girlfriend Mandi Swander are first-timers, with the former saying, "I better go now before I can't."
Robert Mangahas is in the military and works in the laboratory at Naval Hospital. Robert is a frequent boonie hiker. After trekking through the jungle, we finally made it to cove.
A lot of people enjoy snorkeling and jumping off the cliffs and it is also one of the trails that the military listed in the Draft EIS as one they will have to close off to the public during the buildup. The trail is also popular for families.
Sarah Vinch loves that she can bring her little ones along, saying, "The hike coming down here is very doable for families and is one of the most beautiful coves on the island. I love it here. It's my favorite hike; hopefully we can keep hiking down here."
There are three more hikes left in January that are listed on the endangered trail list. Whether you want to see a new part of the island or if you've already been, it's best go before it's too late.
Posted: Jan 13, 2010 8:32 PM PST
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - For the month of January, the Guam Boonie Stompers are featuring trails that are expected be closed to the public according to plans outlined in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Before the hike began the Guam Boonie Stompers gathered at the Chamorro Village and the hike's leader, David Lotz, asked everyone there to sign a petition against restricting public access to hiking trails.
Ague Cove is property of the Pangelinan family, who granted the Boonie Stompers special access to the trail for this hike. Co-leader of the Boonie Stompers Roger Edson is an avid hiker and works at the National Weather Service.
Edson said, "There are a lot of coastlines that are privately owned, but then you can at least talk to the family. If the military takes it over you have a whole new set of bureaucracy."
75 people came out for the hike, but most hikes attract between 50 and 100 stompers. Aaron Jackson and his girlfriend Mandi Swander are first-timers, with the former saying, "I better go now before I can't."
Robert Mangahas is in the military and works in the laboratory at Naval Hospital. Robert is a frequent boonie hiker. After trekking through the jungle, we finally made it to cove.
A lot of people enjoy snorkeling and jumping off the cliffs and it is also one of the trails that the military listed in the Draft EIS as one they will have to close off to the public during the buildup. The trail is also popular for families.
Sarah Vinch loves that she can bring her little ones along, saying, "The hike coming down here is very doable for families and is one of the most beautiful coves on the island. I love it here. It's my favorite hike; hopefully we can keep hiking down here."
There are three more hikes left in January that are listed on the endangered trail list. Whether you want to see a new part of the island or if you've already been, it's best go before it's too late.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Military to hikers: Take up indoor hobbies
Military to hikers: Take up indoor hobbies
Friday, 18 December 2009 04:21 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
SINCE bonnie stompers are likely to lose access to jungles and cultural sites on island, the military is suggesting that hikers switch to indoor hobbies.
The Marine Corps Community Service has proposed various quality of life facilities such as hobby shop, indoor physical fitness centers, indoor recreational resources such as bowling, skating rink, youth center, theater and recreational pavilion.
These are among the alternative recreations cited by the military in the draft environmental impact statement.
“By presenting alternate recreational options to the potential users, impacts to the recreational resources on non-DoD lands in north Guam could be lessened,” the study cited.
A significant portion of nonmilitary acreage on the east coast of the island, in addition to the loss of some of the island’s recreational and cultural sites, may be confiscated as a result of the training range complex construction alternatives proposed within the draft environmental impact statement.
According to the impact study, “There are several recreational resources that the public would lose the access to, and the use of the features if the proposed action were implemented: Guam International Raceway, Marbo Cave, Pagat Trail and associated trails near it, cultural gathering activities (suruhana), and off-shore fishing near Marbo Cave.”
Through the possible implementation of Training Complex Alternative A, the U.S. military would look to acquire 921 acres of nonmilitary land located east of both Andersen South and Route 15. This alternative would also require 1.7 miles of Route 15 to be realigned. Alternative B could possible would see the military take 1,129 acres with no realignment to Route 15.
If conducted, both of the training facility options would consist of live fire ranges under the classifications of known distance, unknown distance, pistol, square-bay, and machine gun; in addition to range control, range roads, range towers, and proposed special use airspace.
Additionally, the study cited that “Implementation of [Main Cantonment] Alternative 1, regardless of the Training Complex Alternatives A or B, would cause the cessation of the present activities at all the resources mentioned because the Known Distance Range Complex is proposed in that location. The loss of Guam International Raceway land and use would be an adverse impact. Therefore, [Main Cantonment] Alternative 1 would result in significant impacts to recreational resources.”
“Heightened awareness and education about environmentally sensitive areas,” will contribute toward “minimizing deterioration of resources,” the draft study says. “The general wear and tear of the amenities available and the conditions of the recreational resources would likely be accelerated due to the presence of potential users.”
Friday, 18 December 2009 04:21 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
SINCE bonnie stompers are likely to lose access to jungles and cultural sites on island, the military is suggesting that hikers switch to indoor hobbies.
The Marine Corps Community Service has proposed various quality of life facilities such as hobby shop, indoor physical fitness centers, indoor recreational resources such as bowling, skating rink, youth center, theater and recreational pavilion.
These are among the alternative recreations cited by the military in the draft environmental impact statement.
“By presenting alternate recreational options to the potential users, impacts to the recreational resources on non-DoD lands in north Guam could be lessened,” the study cited.
A significant portion of nonmilitary acreage on the east coast of the island, in addition to the loss of some of the island’s recreational and cultural sites, may be confiscated as a result of the training range complex construction alternatives proposed within the draft environmental impact statement.
According to the impact study, “There are several recreational resources that the public would lose the access to, and the use of the features if the proposed action were implemented: Guam International Raceway, Marbo Cave, Pagat Trail and associated trails near it, cultural gathering activities (suruhana), and off-shore fishing near Marbo Cave.”
Through the possible implementation of Training Complex Alternative A, the U.S. military would look to acquire 921 acres of nonmilitary land located east of both Andersen South and Route 15. This alternative would also require 1.7 miles of Route 15 to be realigned. Alternative B could possible would see the military take 1,129 acres with no realignment to Route 15.
If conducted, both of the training facility options would consist of live fire ranges under the classifications of known distance, unknown distance, pistol, square-bay, and machine gun; in addition to range control, range roads, range towers, and proposed special use airspace.
Additionally, the study cited that “Implementation of [Main Cantonment] Alternative 1, regardless of the Training Complex Alternatives A or B, would cause the cessation of the present activities at all the resources mentioned because the Known Distance Range Complex is proposed in that location. The loss of Guam International Raceway land and use would be an adverse impact. Therefore, [Main Cantonment] Alternative 1 would result in significant impacts to recreational resources.”
“Heightened awareness and education about environmentally sensitive areas,” will contribute toward “minimizing deterioration of resources,” the draft study says. “The general wear and tear of the amenities available and the conditions of the recreational resources would likely be accelerated due to the presence of potential users.”
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