When: Probably the weekend of September 6th or September 13th.
Where: On BLM or National Forest land in Northern California, or Oregon, or Southern Washington. The location could be a designated campground but could also be on distributed aka 'unimproved' land.
We should actually designate a few potential spots so we have backups in case smoke or weather is bad at our first choice. Some thoughts regarding site selection and use:
- It should be reasonably close to town/services. We're not trying to be 3hrs from the nearest paved road.
- You should be able to get to the site in a rented Corolla.
- There should be ample space for people to set up camp and spread out a bit, and for us to set up a central "hearth" gathering place.
- It should be beautiful. Bonus for near water (stream or lake).
- It should be relatively private so we can get our ERE vibes on without scaring the neighbors.
I'm open to the idea of staying at a campground if that's what everyone really wants to do, but hear me out:
- Campgrounds are full of other people and idiots with lighter fluid and generators and TVs they screw into trees.
- Campgrounds are in locations that are not dope.
- Campgrounds often cost money.
- Campgrounds are a Disneyfied simulation of an outdoors experience, one small part of the commodification of natural experiences.
- In the west, where BLM/NF land is bountiful, the purpose of campgrounds is to corral the noisy people in known subpar locations so the rest of us can have some peace and quiet in the beautiful places.
Q: What services will be provided by the Fest Organization Committee?
A: None. It's Bring Your Own Everything: food, sleeping gear, cooking equipment, bathing infrastructure, etc. PS there is no committee.
Q: What about toilets if we're not at a campground?
A: Yeah, we'll have to figure that out. In most places in the West there's too many people to responsibly cathole - it's pack it in pack it all out. Ideally we'll be able to bring some compost toilets for the group to use.
Q: Is a group camping on BLM/NF land legal?
A: Yes.
Q: I'm scared of America. Won't there be drunk rednecks with guns crawling all over the place?
A: Our reputation proceeds us, I see. You have nothing to worry about: the drunk armed rednecks actually have hearts of gold and will be much more likely to offer you some of their whiskey than "accidentally" shoot your propane tank.
Q: I'm not sure I know how to do this. Maybe I won't come.
A: Naw, come and learn! Ask questions here and attend the virtual workshop I'll give well ahead of time on how to responsibly camp on distributed public land in the US West.
Q: Will I be able to public transport to the site?
A: You'll be able to get pretty close via Amtrak and buses, and then it should be trivial to coordinate carpooling with someone else.
Q: What happened to QH? Why not have fest there?
A:
1) There are a lot more forumites within a couple hundred miles of central Oregon than there are to QH. I think more people will (be able to) come, and the travel miles per attendee will probably be lower.
2) We'll have more ability to dodge smoke or bad weather (with backup locations).
3) We can use Fest as an excuse to scout potential ERE City locations (a high % of them were in this general area).
4) We'll almost certainly be able to find a spot with more pleasant weather (less wind, more shade, possibly some water).
5) A bunch of forumites gathering on undeveloped land is closer in line with my original vision for Fest. The amenities at QH are cush and hard to say no to when they're right there. I hope the structure of undeveloped-land-gathering will emphasize the 'cooperative self-sufficiency' vision for Fest, and move it away from "conference venue + tent" vibe that was happening at QH.
6) Fest at QH feels like a solved game to me. My intj nature can't tolerate one more rep of that.
7) Being on public land will de-emphasize the vibe of "Axel is the host" hierarchy.
Q: Will there still be workshops?
A: Yeah probably! And also group hikes and other activities dictated by the location.
