Umm Tays Ramble with QGS
This weekend we will have not one, not two, but three exciting activities in cooperation with the Qatar Geological Society. Feel free to mix and match: you may participate in any subset of these, as you wish.
Dave Puls, the leader of these activities, would like to know about how many people to expect, so please send me an e-mail saying which activities you plan to participate in and whether or not you have a 4x4 car.
1. BEACH RAMBLE AND CLEANUP
This activity has been organized in conjunction with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning.
We will meet in the parking lot at the Pearl roundabout in Al Shamal at 8:00 a.m. Take the North Road towards Al Ruwais; the Pearl roundabout is the first roundabout you come to in Al Shamal. This is about 90 minutes from Doha, so plan accordingly - time and tide wait for no man. There is a satellite map on the web site at http://www.qnhg.org/Rambles/Umm_Tays.
From the parking lot, we will caravan out to the island across the tidal flat as directed by the MMUP. We will walk the barrier beach of Um Tays and clean it up. Garbage bags will be provided by our hosts.
Be prepared: we may be out in the sun for 6+ hours. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and have other clothes to cover up. Plenty of water is required as are walking/water shoes.
2. OVERNIGHT CAMPING
We will have a campsite on the beach at Al Musfar (see map). Bring your own camping equipment, food, and water. Plan to meet at the campsite at 16:00.
3. WALKING TRAVERSE OF UM TAYS PRESERVE
We will meet at the Pearl roundabout (see above) at 8:00 on Saturday April 4. As I mentioned earlier, I will take the first 20 people who send me an e-mail after 15:00 tomorrow, Monday 2009-03-30. Be prepared to walk about 1 km across the tide flat (water up to knees) in hot sun (hat, water shoes, drinking water required). You should download the field field guide on the QGS website (www.qgeosoc.com) after April 1.
See you this weekend,
David Mundie, QNHG Ramble coordinator.