Field Trip Preparations

[Jjason]

So, four weeks from now, some number of us are gonna travel out someplace in the West Virginia mountains to meet with mysterious and quite possibly dangerous people. In between then and now, I think we need to get as prepared as is possible, to ensure that everybody makes it out alive.

So: Anybody have any ideas about what we can do? Advice for what people should bring? Genereal advice for camping in the mountains? Wilderness tips?

If we could find someway that people who go out could stay in some sort of contact with the people who'll be staying home, that'd be great. We've heard phones aren't allowed, but maybe some other sort of communication? Also plans for what to do if things go south.

Also, we've theorized that we might be heading to the National Radio Quiet Zone. So what useful information can we dig up about that area? I found a map but it's not a very good one.
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WHO IS SAINT FENLINE?

"We remain convinced that this is the best defensive posture to adopt in order to minimize casualties when the Great Old Ones return from beyond the stars to eat our brains." - from The Concrete Jungle by Charles Stross

[Transtar]

1st and probably most important: This book

But honestly, food, matches, flashlight, toilet paper, your own utensils and plates, and a mattress pad or inflatable mattress. But your going to need to know what to expect in terms of lodging. It sounds like it will be cabins though.
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Avatar from the Girl Genius Comic

[Mar_Vell]

I definately will be attending, and I must admit that I'm more than a little scared. I do, however, have a lot of experience in camping and surviving in the wilderness, so I'm not too worried about that aspect of the whole trip.

I'm excited to meet you all at last.

p.s. sorry, I've been away for some time. If you care why, just ask me in a message.
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"We dream of her dreaming of Emmet dreaming of her. " -Devon Conrad

[Unfictionrose]

hey guys

No matter what:

bring a compass and know how to read it

bring matches, etc but also ( and this is important) bring glowsticks - they are cheap, lightweight and easy to break open - no need to find stuff to burn.

bring first aid kit - one to leave behind and a small portable one to carry with you (add good tweazers and moleskin and nail scissors to the small portable first aid kit) , bug spray.

for real simple emergency pack: bring garbage bag (makes a great poncho in the rain and is very light), some duct tape rolled around something it can be peeled off fro - duct tape can be used to easily mark a trail as you walk, water (lots) and maybe water tablets - but I don't think you will need them. if you want to carry a great, lightweight and highly flammable material nothing beats....cheetos. (yes it works)

some kind of swiss army knife with blades you will use.

For staying in contact: this is a good question. I'm assuming we will have to go low tech here.

Take quarters for a pay phone? A short wave radio won't do you any good there? I would forget cell reception too - although you may be able to get text messages out.

Once we know where you are going, I might be willing to see if my sister and her husband, and possibly me, can arrange to be nearby to check in on you if needed?

My emergency preparedness alert is going on high for this trip for no matter who ends up going.
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Servers aren't part of the collective unconscious. ~HPHack

DC had us give B.A. the finger. I don't think you can get much more explicit than that! ~Y2K

[Mar_Vell]

All good tips as would be expected.

I know I'll be taking a carton of my favorite smokes. I'm not a chain smoker, but this situation could get pretty hairy and its nice (at least for me - and please no flames about lung cancer, I know) to have a relaxing cig when the going gets rough.
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"We dream of her dreaming of Emmet dreaming of her. " -Devon Conrad

[Dav Flamerock]

Pretty much everything Rose said, plus make sure you know who's bringing food for your stay (unless they provide meals - check on that) and I recommend bringing a journal or something. At least I would have to, because if I didn't write down every possibly important detail right when something big happened I would go and forget it all.

That way when you get back you don't forget anything.

[Tipsila]

Consider bringing some beef jerky and dried fruit/fruit leather. Also on my list would be a magnifying glass, a hand powered flashlight, binoculars (preferably with night vision), and an emergency form of communication -- an Acme Thunderer!
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“All life is only a set of pictures in the brain, among which there is no difference betwixt those born of real things and those born of inward dreamings, and no cause to value the one above the other.” ~H.P. Lovecraft

[Konamouse]

Digital Camera/Video recorder.
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'squeek'

[Unknown Quantity]

[Unfictionrose]

Oh I forgot - bring whistles..you guys can call for each other that way.

If you bring cameras and stuff, bring extra batteries.

I was seriously thinking about going on this trip - but man, even those pictures from Sapagoo's visit scared me. I'm the person who jumps at a loud noise at the movies. I'm not sure I could do this.

On the other hand, West Virginia is beautiful. Seeing other sentries, fighting evil.. priceless.
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Servers aren't part of the collective unconscious. ~HPHack

DC had us give B.A. the finger. I don't think you can get much more explicit than that! ~Y2K

[Jjason]

Maybe in addition to digital camera's somebody should bring a more low tech camera, in case they don't let you take them along. One of those disposable camera's at the least and if anybody has a camera with, you know, actual physical film and gears and stuff, they should seriously consider bring it along.

Apparently Microwave ovens aren't allowed in the NRQZ. Who knew?
_________________
WHO IS SAINT FENLINE?

"We remain convinced that this is the best defensive posture to adopt in order to minimize casualties when the Great Old Ones return from beyond the stars to eat our brains." - from The Concrete Jungle by Charles Stross

[Mar_Vell]

I think once we figure out who exactly is going, we should set a place a little ways out from the retreat to gather and plan and such. I mean, what if they sepperate us right when we get there?
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"We dream of her dreaming of Emmet dreaming of her. " -Devon Conrad

[Catherwood]

I don't think anyone has mentioned clothing. Bring layers, and expect to wear them. I have personal experience with trick-or-treating in the snow at Halloween in West Virginia. (ok, it was decades ago, but you can't count on global warming when you forget to pack your thermal underwear.)

[Jjason]

Someone should bring the craigslist dreams with them. All of them and probably both a paper and a digital copy if possible. If I have time, I'll look into finding a compact way of arranging + transporting them.
_________________
WHO IS SAINT FENLINE?

"We remain convinced that this is the best defensive posture to adopt in order to minimize casualties when the Great Old Ones return from beyond the stars to eat our brains." - from The Concrete Jungle by Charles Stross

[Jjason]