Words of wisdom from a Coloradan

[acupuncturejeff]

some things to think about:

* the gathering is high up in the mountains, so for all you sea level dwellers, altitude sickness is very likely. Drink lots of water the first few days you are there. Highly recommended. If you get a huge headache, nausea, and all you want to do is sleep, you probably have altitude sickness. It will you do you alot of justice if you drink lots of water the first few days, even if you aren't thirsty. Trust me.

* it is dry, very dry. be careful, don't have a campfire. be careful with your ciggaretes, with your joints. The last thing we would want would be a fire with 25,000 people.

* it will be cold at night, with no campfires, it will feel extra cold, so bring a winter jacket, gloves, scarf, etc.

* even if doesn't call for rain, the mountains are very unpredictable. It can downpour for an hour and be sunny again. Bring a pancho. they are cheap, even 99 cents at sporting good stores. You can thank me later.

* please take out what you brought in. It is beautiful up here and let's keep it that way

* I highly recommend cute women to come say hi to me at CALM and sweep me off my feet :)

* Love ya all, see ya there

[soaringeagle]

u forgot to mention..osha...if u do get the altitude sickness water wont help alot, ..ys it can help alittle to lessen the effects, but once your affected theres nothing like osha
goto calm & get ya some, it works wonders!!!

[Bumble]

this will be my first time up so high. I'm prepared. Thanks for the advice! I'm actually going up with soaringeagle. I'll say hi to you my friend!

[drumminmama]

other things up high: Lightning. Hypothermia. Yes, In July.
flash fllods (haven't seen the topos, but Strawberry Springs gets a mean arroyo each year.)

[soaringeagle]

wild temp swings..can be 90+ durrin the day & drop into th 30's at night

on the plus side...the stars that high are sooooo amazing u can stare at the tiniest point for hours & see more & more & more

also..storms can be pretty wild huge hail, even possibly snow in july altho not likely
us lowlanders may hzfta take it slo & ezawhile..very ez to get outta breath

chances are theres only pine around so careful bout breathin smoke too much, or ya get pine fever..but chewin on the pine sap helps that..so do the needles i jear..never tried but if the taste isnt as overpowering as the sap is might try that next time

other possibilities, if dry..dust!!! all them bellbottoms shufflin along & ya get a thick cloud that fills the air

pick up your damn feet when ya walk..lol sum of us will have enough trouble breathin

mosquitos..ive found nothing at all works but u can douse yurself with all sortsa crap & get bit..but i find after 2 days there..(wipe alittle mud on your bites) ya get alittl dusty & hangout by a fire enough (probly the diet helps too) bt after 2 days they stop bytin ya completely (unless ya shower with any sorta scented anything)

smellin like the earth sure beats bein eatten
lessee anything else? ahh if there is a swimmin hole on site..expect the water to be crazy cold

lastly i think 1 of he locals should fill ya in on any common piosionouse spiders snakes or scorpions
but generaly they leave ya alone..ya just should be aware your in theyre house

lastly..nooooo personal fires!!1 period..& no communal fires left unattended

for the purposes of this gathering communal fires shouldnt be concidered 1 for every camp with 10 or more people, nut onle at kitchens & possibly large well astablished (but kitchenless) camps
and every single firepit must be done properly..if you dont know what a proper rainbow firepit means dont dig 1till you find out

same goes for shitters..it sux to spend hours diggin ashitter only to have someone come fill it in cause its not in the right place


ok, lastly..just a last min thought since goin to bed & headed tothe gatherin 1st thinh in the morn
hipfurumers..lets al meet on the 3rd, main circle, after dinner
or..even at dinner..i kno the circle will be huge so, lets just say we meet, outter ring..west side..towardsthe setting sun....as it sets

pass the word & post at info
(or choose your own spot but let me kno...i'm ez to find)