Hitchgathering/North-America
Contents
Organization/Discussion
Discussion is done via the North American Hitch mailing list
Organization is done here on this wiki - keep it updated as things develop on the list.
Date
Consider weather, holidays, we need time to organize Match up with 5/8/11 (or 8/5/11 as Americans write it, or 2011.08.05 :P ) August 5th 2011? Or choose our own date?
Consider other events around that time National Rainbow gathering (likely Washington), July 1-7 Burning Man- End of August/early September
Assume it starts on a Friday? Any reason not to?
Friday | Pros | Cons |
June 17 | ||
June 24 | ||
July 1 | Start of Rainbow Gathering and hitchhiking race from Texas to Canada | |
July 8 | Rainbow Gathering just ended, perfect timing? | Rainbow Gathering just ended, too soon? |
July 15 | Rainbow Gathering ended a week ago, allows people time to show up | |
July 22 | ||
July 29 | ||
August 5 | Same weekend as EU gathering, could be cool | Someone might want to attend both? |
August 12 | ||
August 19 | George is busy. Lily, too! Likely Robin, as well. | |
August 26 | Burning Man starts on the 29th, burners will be busy getting ready | |
September 2 | During Burning Man | |
September 9 | Burning Man just ended on Sept. 5th, burners will be burnt out and needing sleep in a real bed... |
Location
Considerations
Camping
Camping on BLM land or National Forest can be free at non-developed campsites This extent of available camping is not widely known, but the BLM/NFS can be called to get TONS of free, nearly unknown campsites.
Ease-of-hitching
Near to interstates? Or two-lane highways (Many, including the winning team in previous hithhiking races, say 2-lane highways work better and are more fun than interstates).
Within a hitch-friendly state such as OR, MT, WA, etc? --Where are hitch-friendly states defined? i got the middle finger and a "Get A Job!!" in Northern Cali before.
Access to resources (food/water)
Developed campsites offer this, but usually have a fee attached. *NOT ALL* -Larger cities have better opportunities for dumpstering? Though with communal purchases we should be alright.
Near to cities for social effect, or rural, for ease-of-camping
This depends on our purpose. Are flashmob-type-activies (a la 7/8/9) planned? If so, we need to be somewhere with significant population density. Or is a relaxing, Sines-type small town preferred? -for this i suggest we should go to cities for social effect/actions, and if no one shows, we all can dip out to a secluded area somewhere.
Possibilities
Boulder, CO
Pro: Well known to the attendees of HitchGathering North America 2010, *easy* hitching nearby Con: Free camping / cheap lodging hard to find, the place we camped in 2010 is down a long dirt road with little traffic - might not support rides for a medium- to large-sized gathering
Missoula, MT
Pro: Easy wilderness camping Directly on I-90 Con: Montana can be cold and a long hitch for some people
Slab City, CA
Pro: Several previous hitch gatherings have happened there, so it's a proven location Con: really hot during mid-summer months
Montreal, Canada
Pro: Amazing city Con: Requires US citizens to have a passport, passport card, EDL, or NEXUS card. A long way from the west coast. Even with a passport, minor criminal infractions are cause for not being allowed in.
Mexico City, Mexico
Pro: everyone (Canadian, US citizens) is welcome, no visas required (though Canadians would have to fly across the USA or deal with border patrol anyway) Con: There are nicer places in Mexico. Replace this suggestion with one?
Portland, OR
Pro: hitch-friendly, easy access to I-5, I-84. Camping (both legally and other) fairly easy within proximity Con:
Seattle, WA
Pro: hitch-friendly Con:
Madison, WI
Pro: good mid-summer weather, central location, camping close to town fairly easy, people accepting of hitchhikers but also closer to places where it's not as accepted. Con:
San Diego, CA
Pro: weather is usually great for gathering outdoors Con: not many places for free camping or gathering near the city
San Francisco, CA
Pro: open-minded, liberal place, East Bay is likely to have places to gather Con:
Joshua Tree, CA
Pro: super hitch-friendly, relaxed desert culture, BLM land nearby for free camping Con: could be *hot* in the middle of the summer, so this one depends on when
Yosemite, CA
Pro:An easy hitch, people are super friendly, camping "around" is easy Con: Bears. May be TOO populated. Need to get park permission (or camp on nearby BLM land)
Duluth, MN
Pro: Mid-continent, If you were farther away from any ocean, you would be closer to another. Next to Lake Superior. Young, open-minded Mayor who likes to support community. Any ov the summer months listed are the ONLY summer months. Cons: Smaller city=less coverage/less to see/only route away is backtracking. Maybe Minneapolis would be a better option.
Timeline
March 6
Start collecting pros and cons about various dates and locations
March 13
Start voting on a date
March 20
End voting on a date Start voting on a location
April 1st
End voting, decide on a location
May 1st
Establish camping area from possibilities surrounding Target, begin organizing pre-gathering meetings
June 1st
Media kits sent out, pre-meeting cities decided, target finalization settled