What to bring to SPSP 2006?

[wavelandscott]

This question is for the guys and gals hat have been to SPSP in past years...

What should I bring to have a successful SPSP...or what to not bring...

I am looking for any and all ideas from camping gear to scope gear...

Remember, I'll have wife and 2 young boys and this will be their "first" big camping experience...so let me know what "must have" things I need (besides having my head examined...

Thanks!

[h0ughy]

bring nothing that requires electricity. board games and reading material for the wife and kids, a few chairs, sunscreen, hats, a nagler for me, a few tarps just in case, water (20 litres or more) toilet rolls, money, more money to pay for naglers, red lights, your scope, food, a few drinks for the kids, more money for the scout tent, a tent that is weather proof, money for the markets on saturday, Keep wife happy items, junk food for kids, and a trailer to carry the lot!

[wavelandscott]

Thanks for that...any more helpful hints?

[h0ughy]

look for the IIs guys and gals

[xstream]

h0ughy are you going to bring your tarps for shade and eating shelter?

[h0ughy]

yes

[ving]

tiolet paper supplied?

[iceman]

Scott, I'd just check the "What to Bring" section in the IISAC page, most of that will be relevant for SPSP as well.

[wavelandscott]

I had not thought of looking there...thanks I will...Cheers

[Glenn Dawes]

Having been a long term attendee to SPSP, I would like to add my 2 cents worth.
* Camp as far away from the observing area as possible (in the camping area of course), that way you and your family don't have to be concerned as much with them generating light at night (in fact block your living area with your tent/caravan and car).
* avoid arriving and setting up at night (not a big no-no but just a pain, especially if pitching a tent). Cars are not allowed to drive in the observing area after dark.
* wrt food, for those without families I have found the Scout food is OK for a couple of days if you want to travel light. The Scouts is really the only hot food takeaway for many Kms (there is no corner shop!)
* The site has pit and even flush toilets (don't worry about toilet paper)
* There is rain water in limited supply, so bringing water is appreciated.
* there are hot showers, but be prepared to wait (you may not be surprised to hear that early morning are a good time to go if the night before was clear).
* if you appreciate a good port, don't buy the Mt Ilford stuff (although it might make a good drain cleaner!)
* The site is normally well signposted, once you take the Sofala road out of Ilford (drive along this about 9km and, if it is like previous years, you should see the first SPSP sign pointing to the left to a dirt road).
* For newcomers think about how you cover your scope when not observing and during the day.
* Cars left within the observing area may have to demonstrate to the light police you can disable your interior lights, including the boot (and think about the blinking external lights when some cars are locked/unlocked). Probably best to avoid having cars in the observing area totally (except setting up/packing up). Have a nice compact bag for all the naglers (with the name Glenn Dawes on the side - so I know which one to pick up )
* other than that usual starparty rules apply (red lights etc)
* and most important, HAVE FUN and don't worry about the weather - if you can't have a star party you can always have a party!

Regards

Glenn D

[spacezebra]

Hi guys

We are heading up to the SPSP - what access to we have to Powerpoints - electricity etc.:confuse3:

Regards
Spacezebra

[h0ughy]

they have a generator running that will allow you to recharge a battery during the day, but not juice for the observing field.

[wavelandscott]

Thanks for that...except for the Nagler bag I think I am getting the picture...

[spacezebra]

Does that mean that I have to leave the footspa and my hairdryer at home??:)

[h0ughy]

you'll need the hair dryer for the dew, get a 12 volt one

[spacezebra]

Thanks I appreciate the advice lol.

[gary]

Most importantly, you should be prepared for diverse weather.
Ilford is the type of place where you can get all four seasons in one day.

Therefore, ensure the family has hats and clothing for potentially warm/hot
weather for the day as well as plenty of thermal gear for the night. This includes
warm head-gear. You should bring raincoats for everyone and suitable
footwear for dust/mud. Bring something to cover your scope if it rains.

Sleeping bags are essential as it can get cold at night.

Bring thongs for the showers.

Bring sunglasses for exceptionally sunny days on the field.

Expect dew.

Bring a fold-up chair for each family member.

There is virtually no correlation between the weather in Sydney
and that in Ilford.

Though the chances of snow during the SPSP are near zero, it can
snow there in winter as it is at some altitude.

Hopefully the weather will be good and not extreme but statistically
it has rained at many of the SPSP's.

See you there!

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai

[wavelandscott]

Thanks Gary and everyone else for your helpful suggestions...

I just received the Registration Kit (confirmation) from ASNSW and armed with all of your thoughts and the material just recieved, I can now switch to supply collecting and gathering phase...

Cheers!

[ausastronomer]

Scott,

Everyone has steered you in the right direction already. The 1 thing I would add that I don;t think has already been mentioned is a ground tarp to set your observing equipment up on. A large % of the observing fields are a dustbowl and a ground tarp helps prevent dust being kicked all over your equipment as you move around it. Those cheap ones from GO Lo etc are fine. I paid about $5 or $6 for my blue 3m X 3m tarp at Go Lo. A fold up table is also a necessity IMO to set your gear up on.

CS-John B

[h0ughy]

Thats a good idea John, I might do that this year

[Orion]

Houghy just use the one that covers your ten and we can all putt our gear on it! (with room to spare)

[wavelandscott]

Thanks, I've already depleted the stock of "blue" quasi-tarps at our local reject shop...for ground use...

[robin]

Might try & get to SPSP next year.Need to start planning now though.How many hours past Albury is the drive given that its nth west of Sydney?

[iceman]

John and Anna travel from Albury, and it takes them about 9 hours I think.

[ausastronomer]

Mike,

That must be towing a large Caravan, or on horseback. It's just over 500km from Albury to Ilford. I haven't done that trip but I have done Albury to Mudgee. You turn left off the Hume Hwy at Albury and travel along the "Olympic Way" through Wagga and Cootamundra. It should take about 6.5 hours allowing for a meal stop.

CS-John B

[xstream]

Albury - Coolac - Cootamundra - Ilford is the quickest way 550km
Allowing for meal breaks/rest stops and road works 7-8hrs is about it.
Last year took 9hrs but road works held us up for at least 1.5hrs, I'd never come across the amount of road works like it and I was towing a box trailer.
So realistically Robin give yourself 7-8hrs from here.

[robin]

Thanks mate.I'd stay at the inlaws in Albury 1st night(6 hrs solid from Warrnambool-550kms) then onto Ilford the next day.Reckon it wouldnt be a problem.