Attention Astro Campers

[Jen]

Gday guys/girls
Im a bit excited i am finally going on my first astro camp @ Snake Valley Ballarat in October wooohooooo
Feels sorry for that lot putting up with me all weekend
Anyway i was wondering what i should take So far i have a big esky and a tent that i have never put up yet (better practice that before i make a fool out of myself)


What is on your MUST take to camp list

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Ok, on a DON"T FORGET list I'd add....
Double check your toiletries, I always forget either soap or shampoo
Snake repellent
a plastic backed picnic blanket, for your afternoon nap, spread it under the nearest shady tree
back up alcohol cause you don't want to run out just when you're starting to have fun
snack foods that can double up as main meals. cheese and crackers, corn chips and sour cream, once you've had a few drinkies, you won't feel like preparing a full meal.
Vitamin Pills because your eating snack foods as main meals. Got to look after yourself Jen.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Vitamin Pills because your eating snack foods as main meals. Got to look after yourself Jen.

LOL!!! Teaching by example Jeanette! Gotta love it!




Good idea too...

[Jen]

oh yeah that reminds me take berocca after a big drinking session so i can do it again the next night

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

At Astrofest I was having one in the morning and a couple at night. By the end of camp though, no amount of multivitamins could make up for the 42hrs of sleep I'd missed out on.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

At Astrofest I was having one in the morning and a couple at night. By the end of camp though, no amount of multivitamins could make up for the 42hrs of sleep I'd missed out on.

[marki]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

At Astrofest I was having one in the morning and a couple at night. By the end of camp though, no amount of multivitamins could make up for the 42hrs of sleep I'd missed out on.

You will need a little more then multivitamins for those kind of hours JJJ.
Mark

[Octane (Humayun)]

Snake repellant!

Regards,
Humayun

[matt]

I like your style, jjj

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

haven't you ever read the fine print on a bottle of Jack Daniels "H"

"drink contents - throw bottle at snake"

geoff

[Wavytone]

Well I do make a list... basically everything on it is a MUST !

Partner (the most important)
Tent and sleeping gear
Scope, mount, eyepieces, battery and cables
iPhone

I can cope if any of the rest is left behind.

[astro_nutt]

Ok!!!..must haves...well the (full) esky and tent are a start..a comfy air mattress and pump..pillow..sleeping bag..(mimium..minus 5c!!..trust me!!!)..cotton wool to plug your ears..heaps of snacks..plus a few apples...and some fresh clean water!!!
If you have a dome tent...peg the corners of your groundsheet first..assemble the poles and thread them through dome clips...put the end of the poles into the corner stakes...place the flysheet over the dome and secure it to the corners and peg the sides..peg guy ropes if necessary...and if you're worried about hammering the pegs..use a pair of pliers to hold the pegs when you hammer them...better the pliers get hit than your hand!!!..have fun!!!
Cheers!

[sheeny (Al)]

Swimming togs!

Some people get embarrassed when I forget mine.

Al.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Al!! You wouldn't, you didn't,

[erick (Eric)]

Jen, find all your insect spray cans and lock them in the cupboard before you pack! Buy a couple of Aerogard roll-ons. Be sure that no-one sprays anything near telescopes, eyepieces, cameras etc.

On the field at night, you need snacks (muesli bars are good) and drinks (water, sports drinks) and maybe a flask of something hot, if you don't want to break off to the kitchen and maybe lose your dark adaption.

Red light torches for all the family.

Weather can swing from cold, wet and blustery, to hot and sunny, to dewy and even icey at night. Sorry, you'll need a range of clothes.

Some pegs to hang your towels on the washing line.

DVDs for the kids - I expect we can get the TV/DVD working.

CDs to play on the field - as long as it is Pink Floyd OK, P!nk will do - close enough!

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by astro_nutt

If you have a dome tent...peg the corners of your groundsheet first..assemble the poles and thread them through dome clips...put the end of the poles into the corner stakes...place the flysheet over the dome and secure it to the corners and peg the sides..peg guy ropes if necessary...and if you're worried about hammering the pegs..use a pair of pliers to hold the pegs when you hammer them...better the pliers get hit than your hand!!!..have fun!!!
Cheers!

Assembly instructions vary. My dome tent is poles first (and only in the right order) and pegging second. Consider a door mat to help keep the tent clean, especially if the area is dusty or sandy. Try to position the tent where it will get max morning shade. (If your new to the area a compass is helpful.) I always use a rubber mallet to drive in tent pegs as they are less inclinded to bend the pegs, especially if you have very hard or rocky soil.

[rat156]

My tent instructions are;

Remove from bag
Throw in air
Peg it down where it lands.

Mind you, putting it back in the pack requires a degree in origami.

Cheers
Stuart

[Jen]

awsome thanks for the tips guys
What by what ive read so far no telescopes, no laptops, cameras and lots of leads etc etc go on the MUST take list

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Jen

awsome thanks for the tips guys
What by what ive read so far no telescopes, no laptops, cameras and lots of leads etc etc go on the MUST take list

Funny....I was just about to say that you will need a scope!!!!

[Ric]

Yep, don't forget the telescope.

That could be a tad embarrassing.

Cheers