Anthropikon MMV
by Jason GodeskyOfficially announcing Anthropikon MMV, Friday - Sunday, 16 - 18 September, 2005, at Seneca Shadows campground in the breath-taking Monongahela National Forest in wild and wonderful West Virginia. We’ll be sharing a great weekend camping experience, sharing primitive skills and discussing all kinds of philosophical and pragmatic issues. There’s no agenda, but we think you’ll find this to be the closest thing to a tribe you’ll find short of a real one. Only 29 slots are still open, so contact us today to register!
Location
The Monongahela National Forest is enormous. In the northeast corner is the Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Seneca Rocks is an incredible cliff-face near Elkins, WV. About one mile south of Seneca Rocks on US 33 is the Seneca Shadows campground. We will be in group camp site E. You can begin arriving as early as 2 PM on Friday, 16 September, and we’ll need to be cleared out not later than 1 PM on Sunday, 18 September.
Goings On
Anthropikon eschews all forms of regimented agenda. We’ll hang out, enjoy the scenery, and be spontaneously primitive in a brief, tantalizing taste of rewilded tribalism. But for those who want something solid to look forward to:
- One participant says she’s looking forward to practicing making debris shelters.
- We’ll have some knowledgeable outdoorsmen on hand, so a hike through the woods to identify various edible and medicinal wild plants is a likely excursion.
- Another participant plans to show us how to make a bow drill, and how to start a fire with it.
- The drum circle is pretty much inevitable.
Registration
The camp site can only accomodate 40 people, so we’re taking registration beforehand. Email us at register@anthropik.com to reserve your space. Also, we will have to ask for participants to pay $5/person to cover our expenses: we are by no means a wealthy tribe just yet.
Gear
It’s a camping trip, so all of the regular camping rules apply. You’ll need a tent, sleeping bags, food (or at least money to frequent any of the local general stores and/or restaurants–and yes, your money goes farther in rural West Virginia than it does in the city), light, clothes, etc. The Tribe of Anthropik will bring some extra food to help make up for any shortfalls you may have, and we will be gathering some wild edible plants, but we’re expecting everyone to provide most of their own sustenance through the weekend.
Campground Rules
We’re staying at Seneca Shadows campground, so we need to play by their rules. Here they are:
- Tents must be on pads provided.
- All pets must be leashed.
- Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave natural areas the way you find them. Practice “Leave No Trace� ethics.
- Do not carve, chop, cut or damage any live trees.
- You must camp only in those places specifically provided or marked.
- All vehicles, RV’s, and trailers must be parked on your campsite or driveway. Driving or parking off road is not permitted.
- Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Please be considerate of others.
- Use provided trash cans for all garbage. The camp site has a full bathroom setup, which must be used for all related bodily function.
- Fires may only be built in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose.
- Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. Do not leave your fire unattended. You are responsible for keeping fires under control.
- Drivers must obey all traffic signs and operate their vehicles in accordance with posted regulations, and applicable Federal, State and local laws.
- Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only.
- Use of vehicles within campgrounds and other recreation areas is limited to entering or leaving those areas.
- Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas.
- Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas or sanitary facilities.
- Saddle or pack animals are allowed unless posted otherwise.
- Use of fireworks or other explosives within campgrounds and other recreation areas is prohibited.
- All visitors and users of the National Forests are subject to Federal Regulations. The points of conduct listed here are included and enforceable through Federal Regulations.
Please note we’ve been discussing this on the fora for a while, and you’ll find additional information there. Whether the conversation will continue here, there, or both, who can say?
Comment by Jason Godesky — 18 August 2005 @ 10:46 AM
Gear recommendations. As an example, here’s what we brought to our last camping trip to Seneca Rocks:
Comment by Jason Godesky — 18 August 2005 @ 10:51 AM
so far away…….
Comment by Scott — 18 August 2005 @ 11:49 AM
I am heartily laughing at the inevitable drum circle reference! At list “hippie” got dropped from the list of adjectives! (Ahhh, I remember back a year and a half ago, Jason emailing the group, speaking from his recently thawed heart: “Tony taught me how to jam!”)
—–
I could bring about 80 amp-hours of solar PV power if we feel it might be useful (enough to run some lights, laptops, musical keyboard…) I could just haul the battery and inverter, and leave the bulky panels behind. It’s the same ol’ schtick y’all seen before… and there is likely a standard power outlet available at the site. So let me know what you think…
Jason, any plans to blog this thing live, and any desire to do it on solar power? (I imagine a ‘net linkup is the hard part…)
Likewise, I could bring a 20×30 wall-less canopy for a large rain/cooking shelter, but it is even bulkier than the solar gear. Again, let me know what folks think…
-Jim
Comment by JCamasto — 18 August 2005 @ 1:37 PM
Hmph. Makes me wish I could join all of you.
Best luck at the site and I hope you can blog it!
Bill Maxwell
The Sunny Southern California Native.
Comment by Bill Maxwell — 18 August 2005 @ 2:12 PM
You’ll be missed, Bill.
Jason, any plans to blog this thing live, and any desire to do it on solar power? (I imagine a ‘net linkup is the hard part…)
The thought crossed my mind … they may have electricity there, or not, I’m not sure. I know they have some campsites with electric hookups, but I don’t know about the group sites. I am looking at data cables so I can use my cell phone as a dial-up modem, so I might be able to pull it off. Blogging on solar just has a certain appeal to it, though, doesn’t it?
Likewise, I could bring a 20×30 wall-less canopy for a large rain/cooking shelter, but it is even bulkier than the solar gear. Again, let me know what folks think…
I have a similar canopy that I’ll be bringing. Might be good to have two, but if yours is a pain, mine at least is a little bit portable. Never did figure out how to put it up, though … maybe I should try when it’s not raining.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 18 August 2005 @ 2:18 PM
For what it’s worth, those statements are all untrue, as far as I know.
The camping event was not created as an alternative to the conference because of complaints, but to complement it as an opportunity for conference-goers to get together in a different environment. If you’re referring to me as the “administration” of IshCon, you’re incorrect that I didn’t like the campout - I had a great time and would do it again under the right circumstances. And there are still tentative plans for a IshCon-ish get together or two yet this fall/winter, just nothing concrete.
I’m not sure what purpose it serves to characterize the trip you’re putting together as such a contrast to IshCon-sponsored gatherings. If you have some underlying frustration to be addressed, I hope you’ll communicate with me/IshCon folk about it more directly.
Chris
Comment by Chris Hardie — 20 August 2005 @ 1:18 PM
I have removed the section Chris has quoted above, and have emailed him personally to work out what appears to be a misunderstanding of the motives and history of what has transpired over the past year. I’d like to apologize publicly to Chris and everyone at IshCon for first misunderstanding your intentions and motivations, and then publishing those misunderstandings to the entire world as fact. Once something is on the internet, it’s difficult to ever entirely pull back, but I have made it exceedingly difficult to retrieve the preceding, objectionable remarks. Hopefully, this apology will spread more quickly and more widely.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 21 August 2005 @ 4:41 PM
While I honestly got no offensive vibes from the explanation, I can see how it might have been misleading, especially when one does not know the people involved. For my part, I’d like to say that I value both events equally; I think they each bring a unique structure and sense of community, and they address very different but vital issues and concerns. So thanks to everyone involved in both gatherings. I look forward to many more!
Roxy
Comment by raku — 21 August 2005 @ 5:04 PM
i don’t have much to say here, as i haven’t been to either events yet. i didn’t take what jason had said negatively, however, because it jived with the impression i got from postings over at ishcon……my take mainly being that chris was ok with campouts or gatherings as long as we didn’t link them to ishcon, or imply that they were ishcon sponsored. i remember a brief discussion about a new years gathering, where this issue came up. which is fine, i can understand the reasons behind it. but that is why i was quick to suggest to jason we use his fora for the planning spot.
i am excited about the campouts because the conferences don’t work for me…sleeping in buildings and no dogs allowed being the main things. so i’m grateful for campouts, and the opportunities they provide me.
that said, i love ishcon, and i love anthropik for the different things they offer me. thank-you chris, and thank-you jason!!!!!!
Comment by kate — 22 August 2005 @ 1:31 PM
awesome, i led a camping trip there this summer! what are the odds. its a beautiful place, i reccomend you guys check out the view from Lion’s head. also, despite how tasty and tempting the nectar of the mountain laurel is, it is toxic. i know that now. would be nice to come, i’ll see if i can!
Comment by felix lufkin — 25 August 2005 @ 12:33 AM
Hope you can join us!
Comment by Jason Godesky — 25 August 2005 @ 9:36 AM
Also on upcoming.org and IshCon.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 29 August 2005 @ 3:35 PM
Yeah I’m down!
Anyone making a New England trip, too? Let’s share a ride.
I’ll be happy to take everyone out,and I’ll bring my mushroom books, and we can have a litle foray.
We can have a fire by friction drill! The fastest spark wins! hahahah
About camping and Ishcon: We want to see our friends more than a once a year conference! Ishcon is probably themost frugal and valuable conference I’ve ever been to. Now maybe if they would subcontract the food, I know these two guys who are going to be cooking a lot…heheheh….
for those of you who thought what you thought, it’s a good thing you were thinking.
It’s going to be so much fun camping.
Tent Mahal will rise again!
Love and Strength,
TonyZ
Comment by TonyZ — 5 September 2005 @ 10:44 AM
Okay, guys –
I got it cleared with my parents, but I still need some help. I have a number of options for bus tickets to West Virginia, but I need to hook up with someone when I’m there or else figure out some public transportation to the campground.
If I buy the bus tickets 7 days ahead (read: today, if I leave next Thursday; or tomorrow, if I leave next Friday), I get a huge discount — over 60 dollars. I’ll likely be riding the Greyhound bus up there. What would help me tremendously is if you could look at your transportation routes and timetables for if/when you will or could be in these cities:
Beckley
Bluefield
Charleston
Clarksburg
Huntington
Morgantown
Parkersburg
Wheeling
(all of these are in West Virginia. Map)
Does anyone have any room anyway? It seems like people are already crowded.
Another option, if no one is traveling close to these cities, is that I could meet someone in a different state, but I’d still need to know where/when.
I have plenty of money, and will contribute for gas. The only other logistical concern other than catching a ride with someone is that I may or may not be able to haul a cooler of food with me, and so would need to stop at a grocery store on the way.
I’m counting on being able to get that discount, and so it’d be nice if I can figure out what my options are for riding with people rather quickly. Then I’ll know whether or not I need to look into catching a second bus from Wherever, WV, to Elkins, WV, where I would still need a shuttle of some sort to the campground.
Thanks, everyone! I hope I’ll be able to make it.
(Cross-posted to the forums, I just posted it here for visibility)
Comment by Devin — 8 September 2005 @ 1:50 PM
Hey –
We will be coming through Clarksburg — looks like its is probably @20 miles from the park.
We will be full… but for a short distance we could fit you in if you don’t mind dog
We are planning to NOT haul a lot of food… figured we would set up at the campsite and then go into town for supplies. Just makes more sense when we are going so far.
As far as timing goes… we are planning to leave here Thursday night, drive ’til late, then crash for a few hours and drive the rest of the way in the AM. So that means we should be fairly flexible. So if no one else has room, just tell me when and where and we’ll make it happen
Janene
Comment by Janene — 8 September 2005 @ 2:50 PM
Janene,
I think I’ll be doing the same thing, leaving Thursday night, catching a few Zzz’s, then heading to West Virginia in the morning. Hopefulyl I’ll ahve timet o nap beforethe rest fo ya’ll come to invade!
Comment by TonyZ — 8 September 2005 @ 5:05 PM
Tony, where are you coming from?
Comment by Raku — 9 September 2005 @ 9:22 AM
I’m coming from Maine,but I’m nto headed back. I’m finished with Americorps, so I”ll be headed out Thrusday night,and be there friday. So maybe I coudl give some on a ride, but I”m not headed back the way I came.
Looks like Opelia is bringing rain. Be prepared!
Peace,
TonyZ
Comment by TonyZ — 13 September 2005 @ 11:17 PM
oh and who’s going?
Comment by TonyZ — 13 September 2005 @ 11:19 PM
Right now, it looks like me, Giuli, Steve & Crystal, Ben & Miranda, Jim Camasto & Kath, Janene, Jim & Ian, Felix, Devin and maybe Roxy. So, we’re looking at 14-15 total.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 13 September 2005 @ 11:25 PM