DC/MD/VA Fall Camping Trip
Nov 12th, 13th & 14th
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Nov 12th, 13th & 14th
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After our last adventure (which can be found here) Kevin (Md 25v) and I decided that we would try and get out once again in early November. Right now we're aiming for the first weekend, November 12th, 13th and 14th; and once again we're putting out feelers to see if any other BladeForums members would like to come along?
What Is It?
It's a very low key weekend of enjoying the wild. There are plenty of sharp objects, fires, and good company. I know that Kevin likes to spend time making traps, practicing friction fires, and other WS&S activities (I usually just watch, learn, and help when necessary). If we had enough people interested in coming I'm sure we could wrangle together enough supplies to a short class or two (though it's completely up to Kevin). As I'm in Washington, D.C., and Kevin and Kristen are in Baltimore, we're looking to go somewhere no more than a few hours drive away.
I will also be inviting other non-WS&S folks along. So be prepared to meet new people and come with an open mind and a willingness to teach and learn. Most of the people I'm inviting probably cannot sharpen their own kitchen knives, but they're good people (and that's the important thing).
When Is It?
It will probably run from late afternoon on November 12th, through late afternoon on November 14th.
Where Is It?
We now have our location.
Lake Anna State Park (Virginia)
The link above will take you to the Park's home page. It should answer most of your questions.
This link, Virginia Outdoors will give you an overview of the trails in the area:
I plan on calling and finding out whether or not we can rent kayaks, or if you can find a place to rent them and then bring them to the park. Friday will probably be a half day dedicated to setting up camp and getting things organized and laid out, Saturday will be full of hiking, kayaking (hopefully), and just bumming around having fun, and Sunday will probably be a very low key day as well with cooking and clean-up.
Here's a Google Map of the Park.
Google Map
What Do I Need To Do?
If you'd like to join all I need is a commitment by October 23rd (25th at the absolute outside). Hopefully, this will give everyone enough time to organize without cutting it too close. I don't imagine that the parks will be super crowded in November, but I don't want to find out the hard way.
How Much Will It Cost?
This is probably the most important question, and one I cannot answer definitively. But, you can expect to spend money on at least the following:
Transportation & Parking
(I encourage carpooling if at all possible, and helping your ride with gas and parking fees.)
Site Fees
(Shouldn't be much per person, and I'll cover what I financially can)
Food, Water, and Consumables
Firewood
(Firewood may or may not be an issue, it depends on how many people show up)
Gear Purchase and Rental
I'm sure we'll cover what we can, but you might need to rent or buy some equipment
The actual campsites themselves will run roughly $30.00 per night. Each campsite probably won't fit more than 6 people comfortably--so figure $10.00 or more for camp fees (it shouldn't be more than $15.00 to $20.00).
Food expenses are entirely up to how well you plan on eating. I would guess it will cost around $40.00 as a base cost per person.
Travel will be on a per car basis. I highly encourage helping your ride with gas money, and about $15.00 parking fees per car. So maybe $60.00 between however many people are in your vehicle for the weekend.
What equipment you need will also add to the cost. I've attached a PDF of my gear checklist, it isn't complete by any means, but it's a rough start to what you'll probably want to have. Borrow what you can and I'll do my best to provide what I can.
If you're interested in Kayaking that will also be an unknown amount. I need to call and ask about the possibility and the potential expense.
Weather:
The weather should average around the mid to low 60's. So please bring appropriate clothing, sleeping gear, etc. I highly recommend some kind of ground sheet so that the Earth doesn't leach all of your body heat during the night.
Who's Coming?
Duzzy+3*
MD 25v+1
*Most people I invite almost never show up, so for now consider this a tentative +3
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