Hitchgathering/North-America

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.

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.

- I agree. I think that the cities in the NW that were suggested (Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver) kind of solve this problem because they provide the city aspect, yet are close enough to nature and national parks that you would probably hitch though it. Also, since there are a bunch of people living nearby, it might encourage more people to come or to try hitching for the first time. And those cities are supposedly hitch-friendly.

Possibilities

Boulder, CO

Location Scouting Volunteers? 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

Location Scouting Volunteers? Pro: Easy wilderness camping, Directly on I-90, near lots of national parks, including Glacier National Park, pretty close to Canada too, *close* to the rainbow gathering (in Washington) Con: Montana can be cold and a long hitch for some people (~the temperatures don't look that cold, ave high is about 75-80 in summer. Also, the hitch may be long for some people, but it will probably be an easy one, especially since a lot of people visit the national parks)

Slab City, CA

Pro: Free camping, Several previous hitch gatherings have happened there, so it's a proven location, details here: http://gathering.digihitch.com/slabmaps.php Con: really hot during mid-summer months, not a lot of traffic.

Montreal, Canada

Location Scouting Volunteers? Pro: Amazing city Con: Requires US citizens to have a passport, passport card, EDL, or NEXUS card. A long way from the west coast (~is that a requirement? Why would that matter?). Even with a passport, minor criminal infractions are cause for not being allowed in. Could prove to be a potential language barrier for people who don't speak French.

Mexico City, Mexico

Location Scouting Volunteers? 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? Also, could be more difficult for non-spanish speakers.

Portland, OR

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: hitch-friendly, easy access to I-5, I-84. Camping (both legally and other) fairly easy within proximity. Hitching on the interstate is LEGAL in Oregon as long as you are facing the traffic. *close* to the rainbow gathering (in Washington) Con:

Eugene, OR

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: hitch-friendly, easy access to I-5, populated but not too populated. Camping (both legally and other) fairly easy within proximity. Hitching/walking is LEGAL on any highway or interstate in Oregon as long as you are facing the traffic. *close* to the rainbow gathering (in Washington) Con:

Seattle, WA

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: hitch-friendly. close to the rainbow gathering (in Washington) Con:

Vancouver, Canada

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: right on the border so ideal spot for Canadians and Americans, weather in the 70s, *close* to the rainbow gathering (in Washington) Con: border could be an issue, for people without passports, people with dogs, minor criminal records, or even people with minimal funds.

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

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: weather is usually great for gathering outdoors Con: not many places for free camping or gathering near the city

San Francisco, CA

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: Decent weather, traffic; open-minded, liberal place, East Bay is likely to have places to gather. Many hitchhikers may already be there. Con: Unpredictable weather.

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

Truckee, CA

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, Pro: Access to I-80, not a difficult hitch, nice summer weather, lots of camping, legal or not. Close to Lake Tahoe, hiking, swimming, biking. Con:

Yosemite, CA

Location Scouting Volunteers: George, 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.

Date

July 15-17!

Old date discussion section

Timeline

March 6

Start collecting pros and cons about various dates and locations

March 24

Start voting on a date

April 1

End voting on a date

April 8th

Start voting on a location

April 15th

End voting, decide on a location

May 1st

Establish camping/lodging area from possibilities surrounding Target, begin organizing pre-gathering meetings

June 1st

Media kits sent out, pre-meeting cities decided, target finalization settled

Draft of Invite Message

Hitchhikers of North America!
Planning has begun for the 2011 North American Hitchhiking Gathering.
Do you have an opinion about where or when the HitchGathering should be?  (Or where or when it *shouldn't* be?)  
Vote on when it should be!
Join the e-mail discussion list!
See the organizational document (and add your ideas!)
Happy Trails!