Zombie Con VII - 6/22/2011 - 6/26/2011

[iloveash]

ZCON 2011- Informational email #2
ZOMBIE CON 2011

Hi everyone,

So, by now you have submitted your request for time off of work, signed up for ZCON 2011,and have a list of supplies you'll need to keep nature from killing you (goodbye tax refund check). Congrats on making it this far, sucka!

In this email you will find the following VITAL information, please read it all the way through at least 5 times...there will be a quiz!

-Navigating your way to ZCon
-Contact info in case you suck at maps or are abducted by polar bears
-Parking
-Checking into camp
-Getting to Base Camp
-Where to pitch your tent
-ZCON RULES


Bumfuck, Mo.- It's right between Illinois and Kansas but South

Make sure you download and print the attached map!


I’m not lost, I just can’t find it!
Your best bet is to stop and ask for directions, locals know the area.

If all else fails you can call the ZS hotline at 1-888-495-4052. Be aware that cell phone reception is limited in the area. If we are unable to receive your call, leave a message and we will be checking for voicemails periodically.


So I’m Here…Now What?
Congratulations, you scored high on your map reading skills!


PARKING: There are three options
#1 -At the base of camp-accessible ONLY by 4 wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. It is extremely rough terrain and a mud bath after rain. Parking at the base of the camp is first come/first serve and will be limited to about 8 vehicles this year.. PLEASE, DO NOT BLOCK OTHER VEHICLES IN!!
This causes CHAOS for shuttle transport, when people need to get out, or when we are setting up caravans to the shooting range or the float trip. If you choose to park in the "road" or blocking anyone in, you car will be moved for you, one way or another!
If you have to stop and think if you may be blocking the road, you probably are! Proceed to option #2

#2- Parking across the road from the base of camp- Again this area is accessible ONLY by 4 wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. It is, also, first come/first serve basis. There will be between 10 and 15 spots available depending on the amount of rain we get prior to ZCON. Please, keep in mind that there is no easy way to turn around (by easy , I mean not a chance in hell), so park strategically to allow you and everyone else the ability to get out easily.
I can not stress enough the importance of not blocking others in or parking in the “road”, Driving home with Douche Bag spray painted on the side of your vehicle is no way to end the greatest week of your life.


#3 -At the Cabin- plenty of parking for non-4WD vehicles and overflow. The cabin is a ¼ mile walk by road to the base of camp. You can dump your gear at the entrance to the base of camp before parking to lighten your load while hoofing in or you can wait for a shuttle from the cabin to base of camp. To contact the shuttle use the GRMS Radio available at the entrance to base camp parking (hanging in a waterproof bag on the gate) or use your own. We use channel 15. Please, make sure you turn off the radio after you have reached someone for a shuttle to keep the battery charged. Shuttle service will be available from 10a-4pm on Wednesday.


CHECKING IN:
Make your way to the back of the parking lot at the base of camp to check-in.

At check in you will need :
-To have pre-paid for ZCON 2011 (no walks in’s allowed)
-Produce a copy of your Drivers License/ State ID /Passport
-Sign a liability waiver which will be provided at check-in (we are not responsible if you are eaten by wolves)


CHECK IN TIMES:

-You can check in on Wednesday from 10am until 4pm
-If you are coming in on Thursday, Friday or Saturday you must notify us by email, prior to June 20th, with your expected arrival day and time to set up your check in.
-If you are arriving after 4pm on Wednesday we must be notified in advance by email prior to June 20th

For safety reasons: ABSOLUTELY NO CHECK INS WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER DARK!


GETTING TO CAMP ZCON:
After you register, you will be shown the way to base camp.

For first-timers, we recommend that you take a “small” load over on your first trip…the terrain in quite treacherous and can be dangerous until you get your footing down. Please, do not make us drag your carcass out before you have even set up your tent!



The Path (of death) to Base Camp:

-First you will be crossing an old mine creek that will require some boulder jumping...the creek bed is slippery rock, so just walking through is a difficult option. If it has been raining, the water moves pretty quickly.

-Once you cross the creek, you will head up a steep narrow trail…then up a hill of loose rock to reach base camp.

YES, it sucks! But you are here to test your skills and overcome all that nature can throw at you, right? Remember to wear good shoes (no flip-flops) and take your time.

By the end of the first day, I guarantee you will be traversing the path like a pro.


YOU MADE IT!

At base camp you will find ZCon Staff (easily recognizable by their hideous orange bandannas) who will help you get oriented and find your way to a camp site. We have expanded the camping area this year to help accommodate the number of participants. So, even if you have been to ZCON in previous years, please check with a staff member for updates.


CHOOSING A CAMPSITE:

In the past many people have chosen to camp at Base Camp because it’s the first place they find and the idea of hauling their gear any further just plain sucks. While Base Camp is an easy choice, it is very loud with activity going from 7am until 3am, and does not lend itself to privacy.

If you prefer a bit more privacy and maybe some sleep, follow one of the two main trails at Base Camp. They lead to other camping areas and the latrines. Your helpful ZCON Staff will point you in the right direction.

Remember, you will be camping on the side of a rocky hill. There are a few camp spots that are “relatively flat” but you will still need rope/paracord to tie down in most locations. ZCON veterans will tell you that a sleeping pad, air mattress or cot are vital if you’re planning on actually sleeping at ZCON.

PLEASE, do not camp in the middle of trails (yes, we’ve had people do this)! If you chose to camp in a trail, we will promptly burn your tent/hammock to the ground. K? Thnx.

ZCON BASE CAMP:

At base camp you will find:
The main pavilion
*Houses the water purification system
*Daily schedule and information
*Houses many of the seminars
*Home of ZCon After Dark

Fire pit- for all of you cooking and socializing needs
Trash cans for recycling, burnable and non burnable refuse.

*Please, do not leave personal items at base camp (mess kits, food, condiments, clothing etc. You may leave coolers if you are willing to share their contents .


ZCon Rules:
Our Goal is for everyone to have a great time. To ensure that, all rules must be followed or DIE!

Glass Bottles are not allowed at the camp site. Broken glass on the trails, in the creek, or in Manbath will make nature sad. Cans and plastic bottles are fine.

Trash: There are 3 trash cans labeled at each camp.
*One is labeled for recyclables (cans, & plastic containers). Crush your recyclable and place them in there.
*The second can is for non burnable trash Styrofoam, laminated paper
*The third is for burnable trash which will be burned throughout the day at camp. Burnable trash includes paper, orange peels, etc.

Biodegradable Soap: Only biodegradable non-toxic soap can be used on the property or in Manbath. You can pick up camp soap from camping stores, just check the label to make sure it is biodegradable. You can, also, buy castile soap, which you can get at just about any market that carries organic foods (Trader Joes, Whole Foods).

Fires: Fire are limited to designated fire rings set up on the property, base camp and top camp. Fires may not be built in any other areas of the property.

Firearms: Firearms are not allowed on the property at any time! All firearms must be locked in your vehicle or we can lock them in the cabin for you

Fishing: There is plenty of fishing a short hike from camp and on the river during the canoe trip on Friday but you’ll need a license. On the map with directions to the Z-con property there is a Blue dot at the intersection of Highway 67 and 8. That’s a Wal-Mart. You can get a fishing license there or order one here: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/regs/permits.htm


Respect aka Don't be a douche!

Fellow Campers: Remember that the people around you come from all walks of life. Zombie Squad is an organization made up of men and women from all ethnic, political, and religious backgrounds. Show everyone the respect that you'd like in return. Being a jerk will likely earn you a swift departure from camp and will get you banned from future ZS events.

Z-Con property: The property is private land whose owners are gracious enough to let us camp here. Show your gratitude by keeping it clean and leaving no footprints.


Thanks for taking the time to read all this information. In future emails you will receive information on the seminars that we will be hosting, the canoe trip, range day and ZCon After Dark. We have some great things planned for you this year and feel honored that you are taking time away from your life to spend 5 days on a rocky hill in Nowhere, Missouri with us. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to shoot us an email.


See you all soon!
Kristan Nickels
(Iloveash)

[Rebel Pariah]

let the excitement begin

[Biggin]

let the excitement begin

Dude I can't wait.

[Rebel Pariah]

any last minute suggestions folks?

[Horatio_Tyllis]

I'm thinking of bringing oil, potatoes, poutine sauce and cheese curds. Make up a buncha poutine for y'all. Anyone going to be lugging a medium/small dutch oven I could use as a deep fryer?

[whisk.e.rebellion]

Poutine...I am equally repulsed and intrigued but more than willing to try it.

[Biggin]

Poutine sounds like something I REALLY need right now.....

[JTNieman]

biggin--

[Hawk]

I'm hoping to blow the dust off my bag this weekend. I'm sure my junk has cobwebs on it. I want to pitch a tent in the back yard, hopefully the neighbors don't stare. It is really small though, they might not even notice the bulge.

[Horatio_Tyllis]

No one else is coming from Niagara, so i'm flying. Looks like I can get a decent priced flight that will land me in St.Louis on the afternoon of Monday June 20th, and a flight home on the afternoon of Tuesday the 28th. Will someone be willing to put me up for a couple nights in St.Louis and also does anyone have a spare tent/tent space/camping chair I can borrow since space is going to be a little tight?

[Biggin]

Im gonna prepare for Zcon by doing the summer bugout contest.

[drewder]

I'm hoping to blow the dust off my bag this weekend. I'm sure my junk has cobwebs on it. I want to pitch a tent in the back yard, hopefully the neighbors don't stare. It is really small though, they might not even notice the bulge.

That needs to be sigged.

Can't wait to see everyone this year. Glad I will be part of the whole week.

[Rebel Pariah]

wasnt there someone who was offering to provide us with food all week for 20$?

btw... my honor system says I will hump my GEAR in,.... that said... will it be possible to make alcohol runs? or should we just stock the vehicle? If the drinking is going to be as intese as I've heard, I would like to have\bring lots of beer in addition to the liquer

[crypto]

I'm hoping to blow the dust off my bag this weekend. I'm sure my junk has cobwebs on it. I want to pitch a tent in the back yard, hopefully the neighbors don't stare. It is really small though, they might not even notice the bulge.

I'm starting to get stoked for Z-Con.

[crypto]

wasnt there someone who was offering to provide us with food all week for 20$?

btw... my honor system says I will hump my GEAR in,.... that said... will it be possible to make alcohol runs? or should we just stock the vehicle? If the drinking is going to be as intese as I've heard, I would like to have\bring lots of beer in addition to the liquer

The drinking gets hyped up a lot, but we don't want any sloppy drunks at Z-con.

People that get too drunk do stupid things that mean we have to worry about them. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up covered in blisters. They get sick and dehydrated. They fall and wreck joints and bleed a lot. And they get rowdy and get kicked off the mountain by force.

That said, the general consensus seems to be "leave the beer in manbath in the community beer net, bring flasks up the mountain to camp."

[Horatio_Tyllis]

Re-Bump: I will be landing in St.Louis on the afternoon of Monday June 20th, and fly home on the afternoon of Tuesday the 28th. Will someone be willing to put me up for a couple nights in St.Louis and also does anyone have a spare tent/tent space/camping chair I can borrow since space is going to be a little tight? I'll just buy a camp chair if needed and whoever i catch a ride with out to irondale gets a free chair when I leave.

[Rebel Pariah]

sloppy drunk?... nah.. nothing to worry about here..... I dont think I've ever actually been able to get drunk off beer alone come to think...

speaking of beer net in the man bath, whats the temp usually like?

[kyle]

wasnt there someone who was offering to provide us with food all week for 20$?

btw... my honor system says I will hump my GEAR in,.... that said... will it be possible to make alcohol runs? or should we just stock the vehicle? If the drinking is going to be as intese as I've heard, I would like to have\bring lots of beer in addition to the liquer

The drinking gets hyped up a lot, but we don't want any sloppy drunks at Z-con.

People that get too drunk do stupid things that mean we have to worry about them. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up covered in blisters. They get sick and dehydrated. They fall and wreck joints and bleed a lot. And they get rowdy and get kicked off the mountain by force.

That said, the general consensus seems to be "leave the beer in manbath in the community beer net, bring flasks up the mountain to camp."

Word. Drinking too much in the heat we will be in could put someone in the hospital.

[Horatio_Tyllis]

Word. Drinking too much in the heat we will be in could put someone in the hospital.

Or the morgue. I'd hate to see someone take a tumble off the hill by the fire or slip down the gravel slope into manbath because they were too drunk to be careful.

[Rebel Pariah]

I get it, moderation good lol...

but what is the man bath water temp?.

[Horatio_Tyllis]

I have no scale to estimate by. It's been pleasantly cool, and even downright cold. I've never seen it actually warm.

[Rebel Pariah]

I have no scale to estimate by.

Fahrenheit Celsius?....hell I would have even accepted kelvin

I guess I will have to live with cool to cold as an answer.

[crypto]

I get it, moderation good lol...

but what is the man bath water temp?.

It's brisk. low 70s, maybe? Its cold at first but feels positively lifesaving after a few minutes in it.

[Rebel Pariah]

sounds good