30th Annual Salt River Clean-up

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Tools R Us

Tools R Us

Joined
Jul 20, 2004
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274
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23,204
Location
Chandler, AZ
Website
www.tontorecreationalliance.org
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Wow...I did that two years ago...scary experience. Way scary experience.

The best thing they could do is slowly raft down a couple boats and fill as they go on either side of the bank.
 
FJ40LVR said:
Wow...I did that two years ago...scary experience. Way scary experience.

The best thing they could do is slowly raft down a couple boats and fill as they go on either side of the bank.
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I don't know what scared you, but agree that it's a mess and that is exactly why it needs help from those who care. It is a volunteer effort, so no one is making touch anything that you don't want to. I have left things at every cleanup that I have done, there are some things that I'm not touching. Even if your scared level only allows picking up beer cans, that makes an improvement.

I agree that doing cleanups at places that are clean is less work, but I find it much more rewarding to see a big improvement in places that are a mess, even if the effect is temporary. This event is put on by Mesa District, so showing up shows care, support, for the forest and commitment to help. They are serving lunch, will have registration, etc, so if cleaning isn't your thing, I bet they will find something for you to do, donations of water, etc, would likely be welcome.
They are asking for help from people with boats, to float and pickup stuff in the river.
 
Josh may be referring of the AIDS laced hypodermic needles, spent condoms, soiled feminine hygiene products and baby diapers. I'll spare the group the more disgusting items that you will encounter.

I'd rather eat a Blinky than a fish from the Salt between the bottom of the dam and Mesa.

That said I like the idea of doing a bull dog run...and the S side of the river is less of a mess because normal people, as opposed to those of us who are abnormal, don't have a transfer case and low range. :)
 
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brittan said:
Josh may be referring of the AIDS laced hypodermic needles, spent condoms, soiled feminine hygiene products and baby diapers. I'll spare the group the more disgusting items that you will encounter.

I'd rather eat a Blinky than a fish from the Salt between the bottom of the dam and Mesa.

That said I like the idea of doing a bull dog run...and the S side of the river is less of a mess because normal people, as opposed to those of us who are abnormal, don't have a transfer case and low range. :)
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Agree, sadly this stuff is pretty much everywhere in the forest, don't need to go to a cleanup to see it.

As far as the "AIDS laced hypodermic needles" go, I have seen discarded syringes at most cleanup sites and on trail runs. They are one of those things that I abandon in place. I have no way of knowing if they are discarded by diabetics or from drug use, but most tweekers that I know are mainly urban, don't have the energy, financing, will, to go out of town? Have no way of telling if they are "AIDS laced" or the shelf life of the virus when exposed to AZ weathering?

As far as sex/family personal items, the highest percentage of total trash, that I have seen is at Fossil Creek. It seems that is a popular place to make and take a family. :hillbilly:

What is sad, is that people are pigs and cleanups are necessary. If others want to join in on this, I will check on getting a group Bulldog pass, so everyone doesn't need to go to the station to get it?
 
Scary =

1) Two volunteers were attacked by a "family" who didnt speak english and thought they were trying to steal from them rather than clean up the trash around their group of 20+. The proceeded to throw trash directly into the river (taunting) the rest of the time while drinking heavily.

2) I was told not to "talk" to anyone enjoying the river area (so as not to ruin their day):censor: WTF?

3) I seen more medical waste than my whole life - making stop #8 at 4peaks look like a marigold field.

4) 2 handguns were found deposited in the river - promptly bagged for use in crimes by the Sherrif's. Hmmm...never heard any mention on the news later?

I would do it again, its just scary what is has turned into vs. how it used to be in the 90's...I'm not scared to get a bit dirty; this would be a great opportunity to make a REAL differance in an area that is neglected and mistreated so badly (and seen by so many). It's just rough to see a place I used to enjoy going to 10+ years ago in such a degraded position.:cheers:

EDIT: I will order thos techtile gloves that resist needles to wear under work gloves if I ever do this again...
 
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Kevlar might be in order along with the gloves....I agree its a shame that people can ruin a good place.
 
Wow, you guys talk like it's boderline hazmat, has it actually gotten that bad?:frown:

I used to tube there in the early 80's, relatively clean. The main rule was not to wade barefoot, or stitches were in order.
 
justweldit said:
i have a canoe and possibly a second one to use..
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too bad we won't be able to make it - I have always wanted to canoe that section of the river :bang:
 
FJ40LVR said:
... I will order those techtile gloves that resist needles to wear under work gloves if I ever do this again...
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You're not touching anything or picking up anything by hand, are you? :eek: Cheap Kitchen tongs and bottle of bleach afterwards is where it's at...
 
I drop my girls off in our inflatable canoe a couple times a year and end the day they have a boat full just picking up stuff floating. As I wait for them to finish I see volunteer groups in canoes unloading, they have pickups full of trash every time.:mad:
 
FJ40LVR said:
its just scary what is has turned into vs. how it used to be in the 90's...
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splitshot said:
I used to tube there in the early 80's,
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90's were good Josh, but while you were in diapers, Splitshot and I were tubing down the river rocking out to Van Halens first album :cool:

The best was before Salt River Rec was founded. You just had to have 2 vehicles - one on top and the other left at the bottom. We would bring a valve core remover, let the air out of the tubes and all jump in my CJ7 which was parked at the bottom only feet from the waters edge. There was alot less trash back then because you had to work to go tubing. My friends and I even made a Pyramid shaped river stereo that mounted to a tube with a car battery secured on the inside. Rockin' on the river!:beer:

Back when before the forest service blew up blue point cliff so people couldnt jump off anymore and wreck themselves.

It too bad that its so trashed these days though...:frown:
 
murf said:
90's were good Josh, but while you were in diapers, Splitshot and I were tubing down the river rocking out to Van Halens first album :cool:
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I now have a mental picture of you guys in cut off jean shorts, and a bitchin mullet floating down the salt - am I close?:flipoff2:
 
FJ40LVR said:
I now have a mental picture of you guys in cut off jean shorts, and a bitchin mullet floating down the salt - am I close?:flipoff2:
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Forgot the cutoff mesh football jerseys and knee high striped tubesocks.
 
BMAN said:
Forgot the cutoff mesh football jerseys and knee high striped tubesocks.
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Really? I can't see Eric wearing the Knee highs...that sounds like a solid M-F wardrobe for Shannon however...
 
Murf... tubesocks? ABSOFRIGGINLUTELY!!!
 
Just super short 501 cut offs and tennies (too many flipflops lost downstream). Gawd I remember the sunburns and the bicep tube burn.. The tube that recieved the most tlc was the 11x22.50 which was inflated around the cooler..:cool:

Lol, Murf, that stereo....:hhmm:
 
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