Let The People Speak

“PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY, THEN PASS IT ON TO EVERY BACKPACKER ENTHUSIST YOU KNOW.

Have you ever believed in an idea so strongly that you were willing to place your faith into making that idea a reality? A little over a year ago, a conversation between two backpacking friends became an event that was talked about for months afterward. Last December, over fifty people from all over the eastern United States drove to the Small Wilds campground in South Cumberland State Park to participate in a "backpacker's challenge" cookoff. For the most part, none of these people had anything in common other than a love for the outdoors, and a desire to share some good food and fellowship with kindred spirit. These folks were not neighbors, they had not grown up together, in fact with only a few exceptions had never even met prior to December of 2001. The event for the most part was publicized by word of mouth, support from several outdoors stores, and some backpacking websites.

In less than 30 days, the event is about to start all over again. The site is the Big South National wilderness area, and originally was going to be held at Charit Creek Lodge, but now that attendance estimates are reaching over three hundred, the National Park Service has requested that we consider a change of venue. Titanium Chef 2002 could easily be the largest multi-day backpacking festival ever to be held on the face of this planet, so I ask you again -- have you ever believed in an idea so strongly that you were willing to place your faith into making that idea a reality? Where to put all these people the National Park Service asked, and where will they all park? I spent a good hour talking with Frank Graham (head ranger for the Big South National wilderness area), and the National Park Service has recommended that we consider using another area within the parki boundaries, and with your permission we will go ahead with this plan.

Why would I need your permission you might ask? The original plan required paying $761.04 to Charit Creek Lodge in exchange for complete access to their property for the event. We had water, toilets, front porches, and firepits. That money was raised from donations -- from people who believed in the idea of a "backpacker's challenge" cookoff so much that they mailed in checks from all over the United States. These were not my neighbors, we had not grown up together, and these were not faceless corporate entities. These were folks who sent in money out of the good of their heart, to a guy on the Internet who wanted to see Titanium Chef 2002 even bigger and more exciting than last year. The excitement has been contagious. Early estimates put the crowd at over a hundred, but more recent counts think that three times that much is a more probable number to be expecting to show up for a multi-day backpacking festival.

So what do I do now? I have the street address and phone number of every single donation, and Charit Creek Lodge is refunding the money completely. We can cancel the entire event -- call it a bad dream -- tell everyone who was planning road trips and who has already purchased plane tickets to forget it -- stay home? Or we can take the National Park Service up on their offer. They are willing to give me a field within a half mile of hot showers, flush toilets and running water for a week if I want it. That field can easily hold a thousand people, maybe more. They will supply security, park rangers, and help direct traffic for the parking challenges that are sure to ensue. Titanium Chef 2002 could easily be the largest multi-day backpacking festival ever to be held on the face of this planet -- but not without a price.

How much you ask? Eight hundred fifty dollars, over a hundred dollars more than we raised initially, and we base that on an assumption that the folks who donated their money are willing to let it be used to pay the National Park Service access and use fee. Tell me what to do. Email me at towndawg@charter.net. If you donated to the original event, then tell me where you want the money -- mailed to your street address, or given to the National Park Service. If you are just hearing about this, or chose not to donate before, then tell me to make Titanium Chef 2002 a reality,or tell me to start writing refund checks. Either way, I will respond to each and every email with your instructions.

Finally, forward this message to every backpacking enthusist you know. Email them. Call them. Talk about this in your hiking trips, and your monthly meetings. Post it on every backpacking site you know, and put it in every outdoors store. Already we have gathered judges, prizes and secured entertainment and product demonstrations from outdoors stores like REI, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports and Cumberland Transit -- just to name a few. Titanium Chef 2002 could easily be the largest multi-day backpacking festival ever to be held on the face of this planet. Let the people speak.”

“TownDawg - How late can you accept reservations? I'm unsure of my schedule on that weekend right now. Sounds like a good time.”

“I've posted it on OAN.

Do you have a webpage for it? I'll put a link on my homepage.”

“ummm, Where is the new venue? What part of Big South NWA?”

“It's Big South Fork N'tl Recreation Area..... not Wilderness Area, Tilt (sheesh, that's been argued before, don't get the freakin' wilderness people any further up in arms)

Ok, I'll be a "nay-sayer." This is about par for the course of what I've expected about this event ever since I started reading tons of questions about the logistics... and the pat "It's handled" answers from TD.

I hope it comes off. It would be a great event. It needs more of an organizing crew, however, me thinks.”

“Sounds like a backpacking "Woodstock". LOL”

“Yeah, I can see the "gear bragging" competition already.”

“Big South Fork... NRA?

LOLOL”

“I'm still in no matter where it will be held!”

“What state, pleeze?”

“Tennessee”

“Can i make green brownies or green nutbread there.”

“DON'T EAT THE CAMO ACID! IT'S BAD!

why dont you just go to steele creek on the buffalo river, it's plenty big enough. these people have tents i'm assuming...







then i could go, lol”

“Thank you for letting me speak.

This is the stupidest idea I ever heard. 300 people on a backpacking trip is a joke. No not joke, just a stupid idea. Are people so starved for companionship that they join strangers enmass in the woods?”

“I think a dollar donation at the gate would work!! It sounds like you are a tad over a 100 bones shy. Why not ask for one more simple buck at the gate if you are expected so many more to show. Make a flyer explaining 'why' the extra buck. It really ain't that much more to ask.

How about firewood??? You every thought about truckin in a truck load of wood to hawk for extra $$$!!

Yo! 'dawg this sounds like a blast. 300 bodies all eating backcountry chili,,,,, open flames all around,,,,,look out!!”

“Where is the Sierra Club when you need them? Hauling wood for a backpacking trip must make them weep.

LNT = "Screw the environment, I'm paying cash"”

“bacpac, crawl back in your hole and shut up. You won't join a hike in your backyard, there is no reason to believe you would have joined in on this.

lizs, the logistics on this are enourmous. All in all, I think TD is doing a pretty good job.

Walkindude, I concur.

Now, for all the naysayers....join in or jump off. While your concerns are warranted and will be heard, it is quite clear that everyone who participates in this has to contribute (in one form or another) but we all need to pull together if this thing is to be successful.

To the supporters, let TD know you are available to help as needed.

Count me in.”

“Ouch, the truth hurts.”

“hMm.. well there are some interesting responses.. and I have gotten some interesting emails.. I think I will give it a couples days tho before I report back..”

“does this mean we will have TC2 in your driveway????”

“One More Time For The West Coast....

Where is the new venue? What part of Big South Fork?”

“OK, i just won';t tell anyone my food is green how about that?”

“The location that NPS is suggesting is about a half-mile from Bandy Creek Campground. It has a name, but that escapes me for the moment -- Appolonian Field or something..

Basically all my responses via email are telling me to go it bigger and better.. and telling me how to get it done via Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, etc..

What I found surprising is all the postings in response to my message are more like "never heard of this, but it sounds fun."

Lisz: Sorry to hear you trash me, but I have found that you can't be everyone's friend -- but I will tell you this.. the things someone has to think through to put on an event like this -- It's hard to consider everything. I don't think its a question now of anything other than how huge do we want this to be.

Chili36: The paperwork from the National Park Service will be in my mailbox today. I will need to talk to you regarding some of the legal and liability issues we discussed.

HPM: More than ever, I need your help. What day are you coming in?

BB: Judging this will be a challenge, how many friends are you bringing with you -- I am sure we will need more judges.

JoshMan: I will be going be the Nashville and Knoxville stores and picking up the prizes. Hope you can come along.

Lyra: How's the entertainment package going?

Skully: I am going to need some of your scout experience to help get this layout work done. I will need tents or at least tarps. Can we borrow that one you brought to BSF that other time with you, me, my son, InaRae and her daughter?

Bacpac: If you will consider showing up, I will personally serve you dinner (and put on a good show doing it) as any good waiter should.”

“TownDawg,

First you crash the internet. Now you crash the National Forest Service. Kudos to TownDawg. Move the site. If you already haven't considered these suggestions:

Have armbands, hats or other identifying badges for the event organizers for the participants to ask questions, cause you are going to get a lot of questions during the event. Have backup staff for unexpected no-shows, and staff who leave early. Remember, you can't fire a volunteer, so have extra volunteers on hand.

Train your volunteers. Staff members can't be drinking on duty. Police officers can eat donuts on duty. Have a paramedic give them a 15 minute lecture on emergency first aid to your volunteers. Burns, cuts, heart attacks, overdoses, headaches for the organizers. Issue gloves so nobody can say they got aids from treating somebody's cut. Tell the staff to be on the look out for unusual packages or bags that have been left unattended for over 15 or 20 minutes. Have a trained police officer, and nobody else, check out such packages for bombs. It ain't going to happen, but if it does, such foresight will keep some slick lawyer from sueing your ass off.

Have at least three hand outs for every participant that shows: 1) Rules for the campsite. 2) Rules for the cooking event. 3) Activities for the spectators, like day hike maps, games, places to see in the area.

Have emergency contingencies for medical problems, crime, traffic. Try to identify if any of the participants are doctors, paramedics, and off-duty police officers that wouldn't mind helping out in an emergency. All event staff should have cell phones with ambulance, police, tow truck numbers listed, and know the location of participants with special emergency skills.

Make a simple notification to the local Chamber of Commerce. The event will bring in a small amount of revenue for the local businesses, and you want the business community making sure the law enforcement community doesn't do anything to stifle these goals, like setting up a speed trap, or filling up the jails with misdemeanor cannabis possessions. Local Chambers put subtle pressures on the police to go along with the program.

Consider getting event insurance. Maybe $100 to $500, but worth it.

Have extra supplies on hand if anyone runs out, like toilet paper, garbage bags, Coleman fuel, food. Ask a vendor to have a supply of raingear for sale. You and I both know that some people will inevitably show up without any, and should be able to purchase raingear on site.

Local fire departments, police departments, rescue squads often will put on free demonstrations. At one scouting event, a paramedic helicopter crew landed and gave a lecture on how they respond to emergencies. It went over quite well. Be sure to get landing permission in advance from the Forest Service.

TownDawg, TC2 is a great idea. Do you regret it, yet?”

“let the dogs bark

ruff”

“I'm still in, and I'm sure I could enlist tarabull to be a judge. If bink's ain't cookin', he'd make a perfect judge. Rabbitman & the missus are still judging, correct?

I plan on giving you some cash when I get there - count on me for $20.

BB”

“Great Googly Moogly!”

“tilt, ya coming, and if so, what other west coasters are attending?”

“I'm workin' on it...

But I'm "on the coast" of the Savannah River, between Georgia and South Carolina (upstream from the Atlantic Ocean about 160 miles).”

“oh”

“Just because I don't agree with Stratdewd's politics, it doesn't mean I'm from California, LOL

Them folks out ther is WERD.”

“Will stratdewd be playin' the guitar for us?”

“Binkley and tarabull are too picky. Neither one will eat a few major ingredients. No onions, Tarabull might taste it, mushrooms, no way! I don't say this to be mean, just don't want you all to have judges who won't eat the food, lol. ;) I wish I could go...I might be a perfect judge! I'm a bottomless pit, who loves food, all kinds of food!”

“Not averse to The Fungi, I take it?


Heck, if it's only a half-mile from the campground, Stratdewd might be Electrified, <G>”

“If the field can accomodate 1000 people, could it accomodate 300 plus vehicles? Prolly. $5.00 per vehicle. That would generate about $1000.00.

These aren't tourists needing everything provided for them. They're backpackers - they'll have their own stuff... rain gear, first aid, etc.

I'd rent a half-dozen or so porto-johns, tho.

Mebbe have an EMS on hand, tho - they could prolly stand while on duty.

Sheriffs deputies could prolly hang out as well. Mebbe hire one off-duty for the night shift(s).”

“Sarabelle's diction is greatly improved....”

“Towndawg:

--I worked on the board of the Nordic Fest in our fair town for two years, with its monthly meetings throughout the year, bi-weekly meetings the month of the event, and post-event analysis meetings.

This event attracts upwards of 40,000-60,000 people to town for the weekend. The whole downtown street is closed to cars to allow public use.

We have a printed program/schedule, a parade, an advertising plan and budget, entertainment from Norway, all kinds of shows and hundreds of volunteers (including those running about 25 food booths, stands and church dinners). And it's all nonprofit.

By the way, the food booths keep the money raised by their sales, except for a 10% "tax" on their total, which goes back to Nordic Fest. I mention this in case there's some way to incorporate this.

--I just visited the Highland Scottish Festival in Rio Rancho, NM, an event in just its third year. It was easy to see its growing pains. Looks like a good event for the future, with a few changes as it grows. For example, it had a nice printed program with ads, but a real generic schedule of events... and no diagram showing what vendor's booths were at what location, always handy to know.

--I watched a young guy with a band ask a City Council about holding a benefit event for their town. To help him out, they ran down the whole gamut of questions: Liquor?? Sponsor?? How to verify age of attendee?? Advertising?? Event insurance?? etc, etc. It took him 3 appearances over 4 months to finally wrap up the requested planning.

--I book motorcoach tours. That includes being total anal as to such little details as knowing how much time to plan at an attraction (remember the gift shop!!), knowing if senior citizens can take the pace or asking just how many steps that historic church has, knowing if an attraction will keep a student's attention, remembering to get phones shut off for outgoing calls in students' hotel rooms, having a back-up plan if weather doesn't cooperate for an outside event, making sure deposits go into hotels and attractions on time, and making sure to keep our numbers accurate as to trip participants (if numbers drop, we need to call that attraction/hotel and let them know, or we'll be billed according to the already-sent contract at the higher number... And if the number goes up, maybe we'll get more of a discount per person).

I know from whence I speak how easy it is to overlook any one detail... and can imagine how overwhelming it would be as the one main organizer for what is becoming a big event. You need a "checks and balances" of a group of people, in addition to their superb help.

The e-mails you've been getting sound like they have great ideas. I wish you the best and hope TC2 goes very well indeed.”

“See, you guys are starting to see this as I am seeing it. The field becomes the base camp.. to which we all head out each day on separate public and/or private hiking trips.. and come back each afternoon/night to discuss how our day went..

We can go crazy in the field.. tarps, tents.. booths.. food/hawkers, music.. it could be quite a circus.. wow.. I wish I had envisioned everything about 3 yrs ago to plan.. but ya.. it is going to be a little sloppy this year.. but the idea is sound -- and I get the feeling it will catch on.”

“TD I was waiting on you to confirm a date to get together.

Sorry about that. I'll email you soon.”

“I will be in Nashville this weekend.. picking up prizes, and in Knoxville the following weekend picking up prizes.. Just got off the phone with the stores.. heh.. They are really excited.. and planning to bring in some large tents/tarps.. and do some PR on gear and stuff.

Also emailed the two chamber of commerce places (Jamestown and Oneida) to let them in on the fun if they so choose.

I can see why folks who do this for a living.. stay very busy planning and getting ready for it.”

“umm...entertainment package? i think Tilt is going to sing folk songs? that should about cover it.
;-)

i was hoping i'd be able to go to this, but since i'm taking off the entire week of Thanksgiving, it looks like i'm not going to have any vacation time left. sorry...
:-(”

“Something Folkie for a cook-off...

I've got it.

Jimmy crack corn and I don't care!”

“Good luck, TD.”

“Who all have you hit up in the Nashville area? I can help in getting some more prizes.

Also, I have 2 very large tarps you could use as well.”

“It would seem that the veracity of Bro TownDawg is called into question. Suddenly, we've gone from "Where are you guys getting this information? I have talked personally to the general manager, he is prepared to accept as many as show up. I have given him a number of as many as 350 people. He said "No Problem, bring it on". That is a special arrangement that is not public. If you call the general reservations desk they will give you the official answer of 48 people and 6 tents. The tent space they are referring to is across the creek. That is not the tent space I secured privately with the General Manager. My tent space is a large meadow that he agreed to bush hog prior to the event that will hold a thousand people if we can bring that many. We are fully prepared to accomodate anyone and everyone who shows up."
The bull$hit meter is registering off the friggin' scale! Dawg, it seems that your word is as good a Saddam Hussein's...”

“Father Goose: LMAO.. truly.. every word was true... that is exactly how is happened.. the Frank Graham (of NPS) called me on Friday and told me that he was getting slammed with emailed and phone calls, and would I consider moving this event from the lodge to a multi-purpose field.. I was smiling from ear to ear, because he is telling me that there was no way the historic nature of Charit Creek Lodge could survive that kind of onslaught.. and he was nice.. he told me that the park service wanted to help promote, and would help with security and parking -- and even Tim (GM for Charit Creek Properties, Inc) had already agreed to refund the money. So I called Tim on his cell phone, and he confirmed the conversation between him and Frank -- and told me that it was the NPS that was freaking out, not him really -- but the more and more he thought about it.. would I consider moving it to the field the NPS wanted to give me?

After talking this morning to Frank (Nashville BRMS, and Mike (Nashville Cumberland Transit), and Tom (Knoxville BRMS), they are even more excited now.. so Father Goose? Just what exactly are you accusing me of?..:)..”

“I'll reserve further comment until I get a reply from the folks @ LeConte Lodge, Ltd....”

“If I want to be served by a waiter I go to a resturant.”

“Worried? Confused? Don't know what to do or where to turn?












Have no fear.












ULTRAWanker is here!”

“Father Goose: Fair enough.. would you like Tim's cell number?

Bacpac: It's your choice bacpac, and hey was just offering.. I think a lot of people would love to see me groveling and being your personal waiter for a nice dinner.

Briar Rabbit: Thanks!.. The firewood idea might be a good idea. So will you being coming in on Friday to help with all the details?

BB: I guess I am going to have to call Danny (Rabbitman) and see.. I have not heard from him lately, but he did send me an email about two months ago, and told me to count him in, and I think his name is on my reservation list. I will have to check once I get home and see. By the way, will Ms Witherspoon be coming with you also?

Tilt: Glad to hear you are on the 'possible' list. I am going to need all the help I can get to pull this off smoothly.

Sassafras: Of course you can judge. I have no doubt that the judges are going to need additional help. I judged for a CASI competition earlier in the summer for Chili36, and they were recruiting judges even during the event becuase the turnout was so large. As I recall, you guys live in Michigan. I have gotten three emails in the last week, from people wanting to carpool. Can I forward them your email addy?

HPM: I know I can count on you, Mike. Friends always support one another. This thing should be reminiscent of a Boy Scout Jamboree ehh?

Lyra: Sorry to hear that you are not able to make it. I am sure you will be missed. If anything changes, please come on down. :)

Trolls: heh.. I have yet to see you at an event yet, but hey we can always enjoy meeting you for real. I think a 'guess who the trolls are' would make an entertaining event.

Chili36: Have you heard from CASI? How many is coming? When do we need to go buy trophies for their chili competition?

StratDewd: You are more than welcome to bring your guitar, you know that. Just no playing of "come by here" (how over you spell 'cume by ya')

WalkinDude: Looking forward to seeing you again. Does Florida and Tennesee play that day? Will you be bringing your satellite TV?..”