1. Plans for food. Andy and I are going bare bones this year. Without an RV, there's no fridge, no stove. Which means no perishables and (unfortunately!) no pancakes. Our food is going to be along the lines of: Breakfast = granola + dehydrated milk + water, Lunch = Crackers + PB + fruit (like raisins/oranges/stuff that is ok in the sun), Dinner = Instant India to the max! Snacks = trail mix, energy bars, soy nuts (for protein in place of jerky for us weirdo vegetarians).
My proposal is that everyone kinda makes their own food plan/approach, since different people like to eat different things. Then when we're there, of course some of it will get mixed and matched and shared in a friendly manner. But the idea is still to just figure out what you need for yourself and pack it.
2. Lighting. Who had those lanterns last year? Those kicked ass. Andy and I are only equipped with tent lights, head lamps, and possibly a flashlight. Will we need to throw in some bucks for general camp lighting?
3. Drinking water. All of Andy and my big water containers are in Portland-- do Shaun/Ian have big water receptacles? I'd like to take that approach as opposed to plastic water bottles. The benefits are threefold: --- It costs WAY less. Less environmental impact (I know I know, but still). It's very easy to just refill your waterpacks, reusable waterbottles, and camp cups. --- So, I'm hoping that there are big containers available, and the four of us (five if Kevin wants a share of water) could split the cost of carting the weight to the playa.
4. Propane. Is this needed for lighting or some sort of portable stove? I don't know about this stuff. Boys-- discuss.
5. Other details that I missed. Feel free to add on to this list and contribute to me feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, and broke! I will gladly ignore your suggestions. ;-D
1. Agree with food plans. Might even be able to do pancakes with "just add water" and a camp stove.
ReplyDelete2. I still have a couple battery operated light sets that we can wrap around poles or entry ways. Lanterns would be great. I only have a propane one, but it's a good one. The battery operated lantern we had last year, was Ian's.. I think. A couple of those would be awesome. Does anyone have a battery operated blacklight? Think we should just stick with batteries with the exception of maybe the one gas lantern.
3. Si. Still have the four 7 gallon water containers and I have a 50 gallon barrel. Would prefer the 7 gallon containers, but for 5 people that would leave us short on "recommended" daily water. Would have to figure out the proper way to sanitize for drinking water, but agree with not bringing a bunch of little containers.
4. Think the portable stove & lantern should be included. I don't have a portable stove, but I think Ian said he has access to one. I do have a small portable bbq that can come along. It would serve as a good hand warming station. Still have 5 of the small propane canisters. If we bring all of the above probably need a total of 10.
5. Have some artsy ideas, but we can all chat in person to see if we have time, $$, & motivation (as in the opposite to procrastination).
Oh yea.. will have the two coolers we had last year too. How much cooler storage do we need? Dry ice or ice from center camp?
Once i can finally get some money saved (ie, not go out the night i get paid and drink it all away) ill buy the glowsticks in bulk. I think its a bit more sticks than we need, but we can just be very very glowy every night to have some to give to darkies. And, who knows, maybe a nice conversation can get started.
ReplyDeletedoes your barrel have some sort of dispenser?
I think ice from center camp is convenient enough to just get that.
We would need a new hand pump for the 50 gallon barrel. The smaller 7 gallon containers (4) are the green ones we had last year with the reversible spout cap.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been thinking about the drinking water. Spoke to Ian about it to. I am going to stick with the 2.5 gallon containers for my drinking water – think Ian wants to do the same. Water is in a sanitized container and already has a spout. Not all that interested in trying to put drinking water in the containers or going through the sanitization process. Not to mention that with a late arrival into Reno, not sure what drinking water fill-up resources will be available to us and I do not want to haul a 50 gallon water barrel over the mountain full. Depends on what you two would like to do, but I think sticking to the 2.5gal containers and using the barrel for potable water (filling up with hose at the Reno store) is the best route.
Coupla updates.
ReplyDelete1> Bought the glowies. 400 bracelets, I think we will be appropriately glowy.
2> A friend from SF, henceforth known as "Kevin" has bought his ticket and plans to go.
From this I have a few assumptions/bits of truth to share.
a. He will be driving from SF with his stuff.
b. We will (hopefully) be riding with him (flesh only, all other stuff with you guys in the van.
c. I don't know how the shade is coming along, but if there is a few for getting under it, I'd pass it on to him so he knows/ if he'd like to get in on it. Otherwise he'll just camp out next to us, i guess.
d. He's a virgin.
Back to numbers.
3> 2.5's are fine with me too, since they are nice and stackable, and can be used to fill small and large water vessels (our concern was more with the cases and cases of 12 oz water bottles necessary to make it through the week)
4> Do we even need potable water if we all stick to the 2.5 jugs?
1. Friggin awesome!
ReplyDelete2. What was Kevin called before? :P
a. Maybe a caravan Sunday night? Think we are planning a caravan with Dave so we end up close to eachother.
c. Shade supplies are purchased. We are opting against a test run... I know.. :\, but we want full structual integrity on the poles & I'm opting for laziness. Ian & me went to the hardware store. Purchased 1X1's to act as a splint to the metal poles to avoid the 100% mark-up they have put on the steel poles. At any rate, I think with the idea we are rolling with, we should be able to do 6 tents easy. Rose has decided to camp with us. She was okay with a $50 chip in, so... Tents: Andy/Sophia (in 1 I would imagine..), Ian, Me, Rose, & Kevin. I think we are good!
d. Love me some virgins!!
3. Yea, screw the 12oz bottles. That would suck! Ian brought up a great point too. With the 2.5's, we don't have to worry about water going bad for everyone. If I remember right, they were about $2.50 each and 4 a piece should be plenty of drinking water (or less if you want).
4. I can bring out a couple of the 7 gallon containers (green ones) and fill up with the hose at the grocery store. If we use it for cleaning, cool-off, etc, at least we will have some.
I know I was talking about doing the hieroglyphic/mural thing, and was excited for a day of hanging out with everyone working on it, but it's too much right now. Still have a bunch to get done structure, supply, and prep wise – plus still slammed at work. Thinking it would be best to just get all our stuff done so we can go with all we need and have a kick ass time! :D
ReplyDelete..and if you still want to come down to sj, that's cool too.
So, what about the supplies we still need and the cost for them? I’ve listed some things I can think of below. Everyone cool with a chip in on what’s left? Feel free to add to this or suggest drops:
Water: 3 or 4 of the 2.5gal containers per person @ $2.50ea
Propane: Maybe 4 or 5 more containers - they run about $3.00ea
Lighting?: The only lantern we have is my propane one. Should we purchase a couple of the $20 battery operated lanterns or battery operated string lights? Should we stick to flashlights and the propane lantern?
Stove: I left a voicemail for Ian to see if he has access to the stove he mentioned.
Beer/Booze: Bad me for listing this last.. this should be first!! :D Should we pick this up for everyone?
Other Items: Garbage bags, paper towels, Evaporation pond plastic, batteries (can get some from work maybe – new building not as easy), … that’s all I can think of right now.
Water- okey doke, and will tell Kevin. BTW we are having a "meeting" with Kevin to help him get prepared. You, Ian and Rose are welcome to come to said "meeting", preferably held at a bar, to meet Kevin-- if you feel like coming to the city in the next couple of weekends.
ReplyDeletePropane- okey doke
Lighting- I'm not sure which would be better, a few lanterns or the strings. Which is less of a hassle to put up?
Stove- Ok cool, but honestly I don't need a stove, wouldn't cry for lack of pancakes. Although of course it would be nice.
Beer/Booze- Andy and I have planned our booze out. We are bringing two racks of cheap beer, a half-gallon of Vodka, a fifth of whiskey, and a fifth of tequila, as well as some mixers. We are then hoping to share and share alike with the rest of campmates who believe that variety is the spice of an alcoholic's life.
Garbage bags- have some, will bring. Paper towels- meh, evap pond- argh, is this as complicated as I remember?! Maybe that was 2007. What is the evap pond situation? Batteries- Andy and I are planning on buying some as well.
I did a quick add-up of this list, and would another $60 your way cover the water containers, propane, and lighting? Are you shopping for this stuff? Don't want to put it all on your shoulders.
Lighting: Doubt that either is very much of a hassle. The string lights may add some ambiance. If you don’t have a preference, I can shop for best price.
ReplyDeleteStove: I WANT PANCAKES! :P Seriously though, having a stove is a smart choice for coffee, tea, cocoa, or any other hot food/beverage. If Ian doesn’t have access to the stove, it’s not a big deal.
Beer/Booze: Sounds like a plan!! There’s gonna be a full moon, so I’ll bring some wine! Spicy alcohol, what!!? :P
I can bring some garbage bags & paper towels. You might be thinking of a different year with the evap. Last year we barely used it, and it was a fairly easy set-up with our 2X4 border. Just need the plastic. I think we only used it a couple of times last year, but then again, the RV dump tanks were full.
Yea, I think $60 should be good for all of us based on 4. Should be even cheaper with Rose & Kevin. Don’t mind shopping for this stuff, besides it means that most of the stuff will be together for packing. Unless you two want to go shopping. I know it’s a mission in the city to get to the right stores. I can go next week.
Must have been tired when I wrote the last comment. Meant 30/each for the extra's. Called Ian & Rose and they are both cool with 30.
ReplyDeleteSupplies: All are purchased, minus a few small odds and ends. Does anyone have a battery operated radio?
ReplyDeleteRose: We should probably plan on 5 people for now. Rose may end up needing to join on, but it sounds like she has several options.
Bikes: I’m all about desert bike rides, though I end up walking everywhere. Looked at the precipitation levels for Gerlach, and it looks like there has been more rain this year than last, so I’m hoping there’s not as many dunes.
Lighting: Two small LED battery operated lanterns for under the tent structure, 1 large battery operated lantern for the MH, the propane lantern (which is REALLY bright), still have the 4 solar landscape lights for markers or entry way, plus a few battery operated light strings (blinking).
Food: Thinking either have food ahead of time to put in van or pick up on your way out.
Water: Part of the “NCF” will be for the drinking water (7.5 to 10 gal/ea depending on the total cost).
Departure: Planning on arriving in SF Sunday 8/30 at 4pm to pick up gear, being playa bound at 5pm, a stop in Reno at the grocery store on Keystone Ave, and *hopefully* an arrival on the playa by 3am. Are we doing a caravan? If not, I will register as soon as we find a spot.
Return: Planning on leaving Sunday night after the temple burn. I checked on burn nights – it is Saturday and Sunday. Last year it was so convenient to drop off garbage and recycling at the same grocery store in Reno.. if they are open, definitely going to do this.
Tarps: If you have extra’s that you want to bring, please do.
Van Load: Should have enough room for a duffle of costumes, duffle of clothing, and personal items (sleeping bag, blankets, tent, etc) for each person. I am using a big plastic bin for my clothes and costumes so that I can stack.
Cargo Van: Think we should keep the doors closed to avoid a huge clean-up when returning. The van will be due back at noon on Tuesday.
Dave Camp: Dave will actually have an address a week before the event cause his mom has an early pass, so we will shoot for that area, but won’t be caravanning and might not be next door neighbors.
Got on a tangent with the bike thing.. Ian & myself both have a bike going out.
ReplyDeleteFound a cheap-o am/fm radio that runs on AA batteries.