1 - Print out the phone numbers of everybody who is coming. If you happen to break down on the way or need help getting there, help unpacking, a question about the last store or closest Wal-Mart or city? You'll be able to contact somebody to assist you.
2 - Remember to pack a flashlight and fresh batteries. One per person would be advisable. The mountains are out in the boontillies of North Carolina and the closest street light is probably 7 miles away. Point being, it's pretty damned dark out there. There is actually more light coming from the stars than the cabins themselves.
3 - Bring some extra rolls of toilet paper if you plan on having guests come to your cabin to listen to your rig. We have about 40-45 folks coming this year and while the cabins supply toilet paper? They only do it once, not daily.
4 - NO BOSE. As part of the unspoken rules of Carverfest, anybody who brings BLOSE into the cabins will immediately have to check it in at the door to offer it as a sacrifice to the audio Gods. A ceremony will have to be scheduled to find out when we all can watch it being thrown off the side of the mountain.
5 - Bring an umbrella "just in case". We will be in Nature's house this upcoming weekend and even though weather patterns have been dry lately, it has rained at every single Carverfest held. Think of it as insurance for your gear as you are packing or unpacking if you don't mind getting wet.
6 - No smoking in the Cabins, no exceptions. Do not flick your butts in the forest either. If we see you flick your butt off the side of the mountain, the next thing going over the mountain will be you.
7 - Don't forget your swimsuit. This is optional for the women, of course. There is a jacuzzi at every cabin....why deny yourself the luxury?
8 - Bring a selection of your favorite music and test tracks. There will be many rigs that will be setup throughout Carverfest and you may be very interested in hearing your favorite tracks or reference material on some of them. Got something killer you would like to share with the group? Bring it. A description of what you hear won't work as good as the actual music.
9 - Bring power strips or heavy duty extension cords. This mostly applies to folks that are bringing a rig or two but if you have one you can pack? It may come in handy for someone. The reason this was mentioned is that we have had some issues in the past with outlets at the cabins not being placed where they are at your house. If you want to place your rig in the optimal acoustical spot, there may not be an outlet [or outlets] to supply your rig with power.
10 - Bring your favorite cup/mug/coolie. I am requesting that you take this into serious consideration. It's not a rule, it's a suggestion to help the main cabins. Here's why. It happens every year that the main host cabins either have 28 glasses when they should have 15, or they have 4 coffee mugs when they should have 10. With so many people going in and out of any and all cabins for various reasons an untold amount of times per day, it is impossible to keep track of what mug/glass goes with what cabin. Every freakin' year we have to waste an hour or three while packing to reclaim or figure out where the hell things went. While this is really nobody's fault, it will improve [and has improved] dramatically if you have your own personal cup/mug/coolie.
11 - Take photos of the interior of your cabin before you go setting up your rig(s). Some cabins require some major changes to the cabin in order to accommodate the rig to optimal acoustics. While this is no problem [moving furniture], if you don't set it back up the way you found it? You may have a hefty fee tacked onto your bill, especially if it takes two people to move it back. Please read the cabin agreement that you have to sign for all the terms and conditions. This is not a rule, but a suggestion that has come in handy every freakin' year we have attended. To date, no fee has been charged and if we keep this up? There won't ever be an additional fee.
12 - Bring some cash. You never know what may pop up for sale. Those that don't like shopping and haven't contributed to the food fund? Well, if you can't figure that one out......you will when you get hungry.
13 - Bungee cord your trash at the cabin!!! The cabins provide two trash cans with locking lids. Unless you want to pick up all the trash in the morning, it is strongly advised that you use these lids and lock them with the bungee cords! They do have bears, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, bobcats and other "critters" that would love nothing more than to rummage through your trash and they will stop at nothing to get that opportunity. There will be no overnight security trash detail provided.
