Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

[noid]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

So the location is starting to sound like Sealand, without all the Waterworld jokes. Still, the Toorcamp folks just need it to be there for a week and they're good.

I'll post my pics of the Titan Site 1 if I can dig them up. The layout is identical to Titan Site 2 (the toorcamp location). Basically these Titan I sites were a stop-gap measure designed to operate in the short term while the Titan II was developed. They were built quick and decommissioned after about 10 years. Site 1 unfortunately has its silos flooded by a natural rise in the water table, but most of the site is accessible (with landowner permission). We go over to Site 1 a few times a year (schedule permitting).

[Dark Tangent]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

Well, before you go on about how cool it is, you should probably know that the reality isnt as awesome as your Snow Crash like fantasy. Uncle Ira owns one of those Titan sites (not the one Toorcamp is at though) and its absolutely beat to shit. DECADES of teenagers have been partying there. There's graffiti and trash going back 30 years. Ira's site is more reminiscent of the LA aquaduct.

That said, Toorcamp still has the potential to be cool, I just think some reality-adjustment may be in order for some folks.

A little digging shows this:
http://www.manta.com/company/mm5dpmt
Which seems odd given the information below. They claim 10 years in business at the same location, but it has been on and off the market via eBay as late at 2007.

Looks like it was bought after 9/11 by some Microsofties for secure data storage:
http://www.carrierhotels.com/news/Ap...itan0412.shtml

And here:
http://asuwlink.uwyo.edu/~jimkirk/titan1.html

"At http://www.gao.gov/GAO-01-1012SP/WA.html (link broken, see http://web.archive.org/web/200306280...1012SP/WA.html) this is apparently FUDS property number F10WA0349, Adams county, with $193,000 spent in cleanup costs and $676,000 to complete. An article by Kristin Alexander was published in the Tri-City Herald, dated March 22, 1998, which gives an interesting history of all three local Titan I sites, http://www.freshprose.com/titan1.html. She reports that there have been several deaths. An article appeared in the Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/1...l#anchor596414 (link dead, try http://web.archive.org/web/200605270...1999/0907.html) which discusses the purchase of this site by Bari Hotchkiss who hopes to do a $15 million fixup, mostly with donations. He had a web site at http://www.camptitan.com but I noticed on 3/21/2003 it's gone. However, archive.org has an old copy minus graphics, see http://web.archive.org/web/200205311....camptitan.com. On October 16 2003 I discovered this site is for sale on eBay, item number 2353756090 with a price of $3,950,000 (June 1 2004 the eBay item number is now 2397218266). It was also pointed out to me that the powerhouse roof has been cut open, if Siloman's photos at http://www.siloworld.com/568thSMS/site1batum.htm are indeed of that site. March 24 2004, the Oregonian newspaper had an article, see http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...3033127710.xml (that link no longer works, they now charge for archive access) which verifies the hole in the powerhouse roof. On March 27 the Seattle Post-Intelligencer picked up the story, http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/...missile27.html. October 1, 2004, I noticed he's now leasing space in the site starting at $350 per month, eBay item 4326558652. January 21, 2005, for sale again on eBay, item 4351448564, this time for only $500,000; March 29, 2005, the eBay sale is gone. April 12 2006 for sale again on eBay, item 4455060285. May 11 2006, sold for $778,080.02 to "wolvie2121" though eBay sales are not binding because eBay is not a licensed real estate broker. (Via feedback, Bari complained the buyer never intended to purchase the site, and wolvie2121 claimed "thought the auction was a joke and told seller this."). On July 15, 2007, it showed up again on eBay as item number 190132455924; the advertised price is $1,500,000 with $300,000 down payment; see also http://www.themissilebase.com (however I noticed on February 21, 2009, the web site was basically empty). On November 19, 2007, I noticed it was on eBay again as item 190162956846. On January 16, 2008, it was eBay item 190189655473, renting/leasing space. Scott Murdock drove by July 5, 2008, and took a few photos; see http://www.airforcebase.net/trips/orewash/orewash.html. "

[yotta]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

I've bought a ticket. :)

[xof7]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

I've bought my ticket. I'm over in Spokane so its not much of a drive. I've got a group of about 4 people going.

[xor]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

On the other hand, neighbors shouldn't complain too much about the noise.

I heard the local meth producers are complaining they can't sleep to the Sheriffs department.

xor

[shrdlu]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

Ok, you got me. What's the difference between "an hour and a half" and "90 minutes"?

Ah, crap. Officer, I plead guilty, with an explanation. Today was the first really nice day (it's been an unseasonably cool Spring), and I spent the day outside, gardening. Clearly, I was intoxicated by an overdose of Vitamin D.

Still, the drive from either airport is about the same. In fact, the drive from SeaTac is twice that (3 and a half hours, give or take), but is quite beautiful (once you're out of Seattle).

Dang, they sure picked an out of the way location. On the other hand, neighbors shouldn't complain too much about the noise.

[theprez98]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

it shows up as being an hour and a half out of Spokane (not the 90 minutes they're hoping for)...

Ok, you got me. What's the difference between "an hour and a half" and "90 minutes"?

[shrdlu]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

In the reference to the "private" airport, I am guessing they are referring to Grant County International Airport (http://www.portofmoseslake.com/gcia.htm)....a private charter might be the only viable option.

I can almost guarantee that there are no airlines that serve that airport. Personally, considering the frequent high winds that Eastern Washington is known for, I'd prefer a nice, safe commercial flight. International Airport. Pretty funny.

"Grant County Int'l Airport and the Cities of Moses Lake and Ephrata are currently seeking an air carrier to serve the public need for air travel in Central Washington."

FYI, the Titan Missile Silo site they picture is ~36 driving miles and almost directly east of the airport. It appears that the silos were only operational from 1959 to 1966, and are repeatedly put up for sale on eBay.

Titan Missile Silo, Odessa, WA is the physical address, and it shows up as being an hour and a half out of Spokane (not the 90 minutes they're hoping for), and less than two hours out of the Tricities. Toorcamp looks like it could be fun, but getting there looks to be a slight bit of work (but you're all tough guys, so it'll be easy).

[theprez98]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

[QUOTE=shrdlu;103822]

...Into which airport are people considering flying?...QUOTE]

Gah. I hate following up in a separate post, but I'm now wondering if the airport they're talking about is at Moses Lake? On the Toorcamp website, it says 15 minutes, and I know, for sure, that it's two hours from Pasco, and at least that from Spokane. It'd probably be three from Seattle.

[Edit]

There's a private airport, and they're hoping to charter a flight. I think I'd make plans to just fly into one of the three, and then drive.

In the reference to the "private" airport, I am guessing they are referring to Grant County International Airport (http://www.portofmoseslake.com/gcia.htm). This airport is actually pretty busy with military/Boeing/etc other traffic. Although its been several years, we used to fly in there quite often. Then again, I don't know if there are any other smaller private airports in the area. As far as I know, there are no airlines that service Moses Lake although I could be wrong, so a private charter might be the only viable option.

FYI, the Titan Missile Silo site they picture is ~36 driving miles and almost directly east of the airport. It appears that the silos were only operational from 1959 to 1966, and are repeatedly put up for sale on eBay.

[shrdlu]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

[QUOTE=Deviant Ollam;103819]...Into which airport are people considering flying?...QUOTE]

Gah. I hate following up in a separate post, but I'm now wondering if the airport they're talking about is at Moses Lake? On the Toorcamp website, it says 15 minutes, and I know, for sure, that it's two hours from Pasco, and at least that from Spokane. It'd probably be three from Seattle.

[Edit]

There's a private airport, and they're hoping to charter a flight. I think I'd make plans to just fly into one of the three, and then drive.

[shrdlu]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

1. Into which airport are people considering flying? I just checked online and am finding prices to Spokane are on the order of twice what one pays to fly into Tri-Cities (PSC) and they're both about the same distance and time from the site. I saw mention of a private flight from SeaTac on the web site, but i don't really want to fly totally cross-country just to hope another plane eastward. A successful "hackers on a plane" happening could be cool, though.

Although there are more airlines that fly into Spokane than into the Tricities (Southwest for one), the trip to Moses Lake is going to be quicker, and the flights cheaper (always). It's mostly a coin toss as to total flight time, since most things are going to be those little commuter jets. SeaTac is not one of my favorite airports. In addition, that private flight is going to be on a prop plane. I hates 'em. Noisy in the extreme. On the other hand, it'll be Horizon, and that usually means free beer. Seriously.

2. Is there any word on facilities at the site, such as showers and the like? Or will it just be drinking water only? I'm totally fine with any sort of camping... but being able to bathe (particularly in that sort of climate that time of year) is a really nice benefit when possible.

I'm pretty sure that the announcement implied "food, water, toilets" so it sounds like the shower thing is just right out. As I said, *I* don't camp. It'll be July. It'll be hot. Really hot. There'll be something, or else I'll be able to smell the camp from my house (in the Tricities). Ew.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

A couple questions...

1. Into which airport are people considering flying? I just checked online and am finding prices to Spokane are on the order of twice what one pays to fly into Tri-Cities (PSC) and they're both about the same distance and time from the site. I saw mention of a private flight from SeaTac on the web site, but i don't really want to fly totally cross-country just to hope another plane eastward. A successful "hackers on a plane" happening could be cool, though.

2. Is there any word on facilities at the site, such as showers and the like? Or will it just be drinking water only? I'm totally fine with any sort of camping... but being able to bathe (particularly in that sort of climate that time of year) is a really nice benefit when possible.

[shrdlu]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

Well, before you go on about how cool it is, you should probably know that the reality isnt as awesome as your Snow Crash like fantasy.

[snip]

That said, Toorcamp still has the potential to be cool, I just think some reality-adjustment may be in order for some folks.

Yeah. What noid said. I'm way too claustrophobic to want to play anywhere that has tons of dirt above my head (although these tended to be closer to the surface than, say, Cheyenne Mountain).

So? Does that mean you're going?

I'm vaguely considering a request for a day pass, just to show up and say hi. *I* do not camp.

[noid]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

Well, before you go on about how cool it is, you should probably know that the reality isnt as awesome as your Snow Crash like fantasy. Uncle Ira owns one of those Titan sites (not the one Toorcamp is at though) and its absolutely beat to shit. DECADES of teenagers have been partying there. There's graffiti and trash going back 30 years. Ira's site is more reminiscent of the LA aquaduct.

That said, Toorcamp still has the potential to be cool, I just think some reality-adjustment may be in order for some folks.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Toorcamp (in the NorthWest) anyone?

a TOOOL presence is likely to be there, doing our typical Lockpick Village and Gringo Warrior, etc.

by the way, shrdlu, you neglected to mention one of the coolest details... ToorCamp will take place in a Titan Missile Silo.