€ Rap 107 below zero €
The most important thing to remember is that it is going to be COLD out there! It will be important to be prepared to take care of yourself and to keep yourself warm---it will be far more difficult at this time of year than at any other Gathering to care for those who come unprepared, and not being prepared is more than uncomfortable---it is dangerous. If everyone comes prepared, everyone will have a fine time; if even one person suffers from freezing, everyone will have a rougher time of it.
Personal items you will want to bring
€Many warm clothes, including one complete change to keep in a vehicle to be sure it doesn't get wet. Include long underwear, boots, warm socks, warm gloves, a good hat, a scarf and/or balaklava, sweaters, vests---layer your clothes, and bring more than you think you need!
€A good weathertight tent with a groundcloth, a good insulating sleeping pad, and a very warm sleeping bag with extra blankets or comforters. I am told that a candle lantern can help warm a tent some, but be careful! Keep it away from the tent material, and be sure there is enough ventilation.
€Cup, bowl, and utensils.
€Cross-country skis and/or snowshoes will be useful (we hope).
€Chapstick, sunblock, and sunglasses.
Group items we will need
(Remember the rule: if you pack it in, pack it out. This means that even if what you bring is a generous gift to the family, if it hasn't been used when you leave, please pack it back out unless someone else explicitly takes responsibility for it. In the circumstances of a Winter regional it is preferable to try not to bring more than will be used)
€Love, respect, caring
€Teepees and large shelters
€Pots, pans, utensils
€Insulated water containers
€Firewood and woodcutting equipment
€Toboggans to haul gear
€Some sort of floorless shelter, like a screen house, to cover the latrine
€Perhaps some sort of heater for the latrine
€Tarps, ropes, tools
€Rocks for a sweat lodge (very few rocks in the area)
€5 gallon buckets
€Medical supplies
€Bleach
€Good food
€Cold-resistant musical instruments
€Warmth and energy
€Don't bring pets---they can freeze, too.
Basic winter good sense:
€If you get wet, get warm. Hypothermia is the biggest danger.
€Wear a hat. The head is the body's greatest radiator of warmth.
€Don't drink alcohol---it makes you feel warm by dilating the outer blood vessels, which actually makes you lose heat faster.
€Layer your clothing. You have better control over temperature change.
FAMILY SHELTER WANTED!!! The '95 Winter Regional, where we didn't have a large shelter, showed us how useful one or more large shelters where folks can gather out of the wind and weather could be. This is the single item we are most in search of! If you can provide such shelter, we would like to set it up at the beginning of the Gathering. Please contact gonzopolis@aol.com or dougstar@aol.com to make arrangements. We love love love you.