PREPARATION

Note: After you have studied this section, please review the Rules page.

The Survival Guide is a downloadable PDF file containing all the information in the Preparation and Rules sections (minus the gear checklist), along with a map to get you to the site. If you do not get one with an advance-purchase ticket, please print yourself a copy before heading out to the event.

Rangers

Rangers will be on duty throughout the event. These are trained volunteers who are there to act as non-confrontational community mediators and safety officers. By encouraging and facilitating communication, the Rangers promote awareness of potential hazards, from sunstroke to tent fires. Look for the folks with tan Ranger shirts if you have a question or need help with anything.

Self Reliance

Self-reliance is a must at Apogaea. The only amenity that will be provided is portable toilets. You must bring everything else you need to survive the weekend in the outdoors, including your water, food, and shelter. Although we will have medical staff on duty, they will not have prescription medications on hand. Please bring any allergy, asthma, or other personal medications that you may need. The nearest hospital is 40 miles away.

Water

You must bring all your own water. It could be hot during the day, so drink water all the time whether you think you need it or not. Try to drink a gallon per day, and bring extra for cooking and cleaning. If you feel tired or cranky, drinking more water will almost always help. Users of alcohol or caffeine are particularly at risk for dehydration. Dehydration can cause headaches, stomach cramps, abdominal pains, constipation, or flu-like symptoms. If someone you know complains of these symptoms or (worse) a case of the chills under the mid-day sun, get them to shade immediately and seek prompt medical help via a Ranger or an EMS staff member. They may be experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Food

You must bring all your own food. Be wise about reduction of packaging. Take any individually wrapped items out of the larger packaging. Remember the concept of Leave No Trace - *any* trash you generate must be removed by you (biodegradable or not). This even includes the leftovers on your plate! Consider keeping your meals simple and remember that cooking is to be done on propane stoves only (no private campfires). Any preparation of food done ahead of time not only saves you valuable festival fun time, but will also reduce the waste you generate at the event.

Suggestions for simple and easy food:

• precooked and packaged meals (tupperware is your friend!)
• Fruit with minimal waste (watermelons are not ideal)
• Jerky
• Trailmix
• Canned tuna
• Sandwiches
• Cereal
• Ramen

Weather

Apogaea is being held in a forested mountain environment at an elevation of about 9100 feet. Daytime highs in June average in the 80’s but nighttime lows could be anywhere from the 50’s to freezing. Sudden rain storms are a possibility. Please bring plenty of warm clothes, hats, and gloves for your nighttime wanderings. Bring raingear in the event of afternoon storms. Rain can make the temperatures drop dramatically at this elevation. Those participants traveling from out of state should keep in mind that the elevation means a quick sunburn for unprotected skin and possible altitude sickness from overexertion, insufficient hydration, or alcohol intake. Be sure to bring sunscreen and insect repellent. A wide-brimmed hat is highly suggested. If lightning is present, the safest place to be is in your car. Make sure your camp, structures and personal effects are safe and secure from high winds and rain.

Safety Issues

Happy Ass Ranch, the location for Apogaea, is BEAR TERRITORY! This means you must be extra-careful with food items. DO NOT store food, garbage, or cooking utensils in or near your tent. Do not sleep in the same clothes you wear while you cook. If you are camped near a car, keep anything that smells of food inside the car. If you have questions about bear mitigation or need more information, stop by the info booth.

There may be ticks in the grasses of Happy Ass Ranch. Be sure to check yourself for ticks often, being es-pecially aware of tight, warm spaces such as under socks or underwear. Ask at the information booth if you have questions about the best ways to remove ticks.

The ground is rocky and uneven. Comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots are recommended.

Bring extra flashlights and extra batteries. Attaching high-visibility flagging to guy lines is highly recommended. Covering exposed rebar stakes is a necessity (this is the most common source of injury at Burning Man)

There will be geodesic domes and other unusual, monkeybar-looking structures at the event. They are not to be climbed on. Doing so can break either the climber or the dome (or both).

Camp Placement

When you arrive at the event, greeters will welcome you and provide guidance on where you may park and camp. There will be limited car camping spaces available. Please be prepared to camp away from your car - we will probably need to have a separate parking area. If you are part of a theme camp, let the Greeters know so they can direct you to your area. Place your camp so that other cars can get past you to access other sites.

Gear Checklist

You Must Bring:

• Your photo ID.
• Water: 1.5 gallons per person, per day (for drinking, showering, washing and food). Keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
• Enough food/beverages for your entire party
• First aid kit
• Appropriate clothing: light clothes for during the day, warm clothing for at night (including hat and gloves).
• Bedding and shelter of some type; A good camp tent is recommended along with warm sleeping bags.
• Garbage bags - leave no trace!
• Any prescription medications, contact lens supplies (disposables work great), and whatever else you need to maintain your health and comfort in a remote area with no services
• Flashlights/headlamps and spare batteries.
• Sunscreen lotion and sunglasses
• Common sense, an open mind, and a positive attitude
• Good closed-toe shoes or boots.

We Strongly Suggest You Bring:

• Shade structures, umbrellas, parasols, sheets, canopy, tarps, tent, parachute; something to break the strong mid-day sun (in case you end up camping in a meadow rather than the forested part of the site)
• A wide brim hat
• Raingear
• A cooking stove if you expect to heat food or liquid
• Earplugs (if you're a light sleeper)
• Condoms (if you're not)
• Watertight protective bags (e.g. heavy zip-type) for cameras or electronic gear
• Lotion/lip balm to treat cracked skin
• Smokers: portable ashtrays (e.g. an empty candy tin, or film canister - remember, smoking in designated areas only!)
• Costumes, decorative lighting, blinkies and other things to decorate and light yourself.
• Art, musical instruments, props, banners, signs, and anything else you can think of that might make the experience more fun for you and your neighbors
• Camp marker (flag, flasher, distinctive marking)
• Plastic bottles or tennis balls to top and protect dangerous rebar stakes or other hazards
• Extra set of car keys
• Gifts for giving to new friends

Helpful Things to Bring:

• Rope and/or string and flagging to mark tent ropes/guy lines
• Stakes/Rebar and protective coverings for them
• Duct tape & Swiss army knife
• Toilet kit & Sewing kit
• Raincoat
• Insect repellent
• Spray bottle / mister to keep cool
• Portable shower and extra water
• Bicycle (and tire repair kit or extra tubes)
• Portable chairs and table
• Cooler
• Treats
• Toys
• Things to share

Prohibited/Leave It At Home:

• Fireworks or explosives of any kind.
• Charcoal grills (White Gas/Propane is ok)
• Weapons
• Bad and/or elitist attitudes
• Copious quantites of alcohol
• Any pets
• No vending - any type of vending will NOT be tolerated.
• Feathers of any kind e.g., boas (they shed, no matter what you do - try marabou instead)
• Glass containers of any kind
• Excess packaging from foods (For example, remove outer box from cereals and just bring the inner bag.)
• Glitter
• Anything that will break up and/or blow away in the wind (confetti, loose paper, etc). Be sure to secure any loose items before leaving your camp.