ItIsGee
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Posts posted by ItIsGee
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On 09/02/2019 at 20:25, Nick L said:
*waves*
Fellow tour 4 driver here.
*Wavess back* Hellooooooooo
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On 23/04/2019 at 21:50, Moby390 said:
Can’t wait to meet all tour 4 people , getting pretty close now watching the weather in USA daily now , never far from my thoughts .... no doubt I,ll get hooked and be an annual event from now on ....
Good morning sir! yes its getting close and yes it normally turns out to be an annual or bi annual thing from now on in! but i always say, if you have worked hard all year then why not treat yourself to a storm chasing trip to scare the bejesus out of you once in a while!
Again, I am flying from Manchester via Heathrow to Denver on May 7th. more than happy to meet up with everyone for a pre chase beer? ill be the one sleeping on a bench somewhere!
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Just now, mikeofmacc said:
That's the one!
See i knew what you meant!!!
i am in Delamere at the moment and its a nice 18c with the sun popping out baking the ground when it can! hopefully some 4k gopro action later!
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46 minutes ago, mikeofmacc said:
Feels very ready to go bang here in Macclesfield. Warm sunshine through a milky sky, and a South West-ish breeze. In fact you would be forgiven for thinking its the start of a day of severe storms in America. Time will tell later, will share if anything happens aroundh
SW winds? you meant to say SE really didn't you?
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2 hours ago, mikeofmacc said:
I never read stuff properly lol. Always ends well! Trying to buy a new lens for this year, a manual focus Nikon zoom lens, and product descriptions send me to sleep!
I think you misread what i meant!
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2 hours ago, mikeofmacc said:
Lol, so you did. Another Northern trait, don't read stuff properly lol!
sorry what did you say?
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6 minutes ago, Nick L said:
Bottle opener.
YES!!!!!! <---------------------------- This!!!
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9 minutes ago, mikeofmacc said:
Nah, gave that up years ago.
Back on topic, I bring two pairs of shoes, inevitably there will be muddy bits, so keep a pair clean for if there is a down day. Also, I tend to bring a laptop to back up photos off the camera, for back up purposes. Less to lose if the worst should happen with your camera.
Laptop and HDD – to upload the days pictures and videos. - i listed that!!!! READ IT PROPERLY!!!! LOLZ!!!!
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2 hours ago, mikeofmacc said:
I do that, must be a Northern thing.
just saving water and soap i suppose!!!!!
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3 hours ago, Nick L said:
I suppose I should be grateful that you do shower.
only on my birthday and storm chasing!
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59 minutes ago, Nick L said:
Or just wear them in the shower, apparently.
But yeah, bringing plenty of clothes is a must.
See, you’re learning!!!!
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1 hour ago, Nick L said:
I'm sorry...you wear t-shirts in the shower? What?!
You know!!! take it in the shower and wash it! makes it smell nice!!!
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Storm Chasing Kit List
Its not long to go until the trip of a lifetime OR the return of the one thing that is fleecing your bank account once again for the returning chasers!
The one thing that we are asked for the most is, “what shall I pack?” amongst other random questions! SO.. I thought it would be worthwhile to make a list of what I take (or should take!) and share it to make sure no one forgets anything!
This list is based on packing a standard size suitcase (hard style one!) with everything INCLUDING a kitchen sink!
Here goes based on 1 tour of 10 days!
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· Suitcase – the size and style depend what your bringing along. I pack 2 tripods in one side of mine and any smaller it wouldn’t fit!
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· Clothes – Remember, you’re on a 10-day storm chasing trip which usually means you are away from the UK (or whatever your origin is!) for around 12 days so make sure you have enough to go around! 10 T shirts can be excessive, but I always use the n + 1 formula, n being the number of days your going + 1! This way you have a spare. You can always wash/ rinse them in your motel rooms or do what I do sometimes and wear it in the shower! BOOM 2 birds, one stone! Worst case…Walmart! All of the motels that we stay in generally have a laundry room, so if you need to, you can wash your clothes once we get back to the hotels! A pair of jeans maybe a good choice in case we go somewhere nice for a beer?
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· Equipment – Without preparing like you are getting ready to land on the dark side of the moon, we all love our little gadgets and home comforts so its always good to see how you can minimize the amount of dung you drag though he airports with i.e if you have a phone, kindle, camera that share the same cable then bring one and not 12! This is also a good thing as the airport security guys don’t think your planning to gate-crashing someone BBQ! The main things I bring with me to charge/plug in etc include – charging cables for cameras, phone, laptop, Pauls sextoy. Obviously, the charging cables for cameras double up as data transfer cables too. NOW to plug them all in – a 4 way strip plug with ONE USA adaptor is the way forward, always good to bring a spare adaptor but this way you only need one!
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· Toiletries – Remember, you are on a 10 day chasing trip, sitting close to strangers (who will become your new BFF’s!) for nearly 2 weeks in close proximity – for the love of God, have a shower in the morning! There is nothing worse that sitting next to someone who has worn the same T shirt for 4 days and isn’t a morning shower person! Shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant, hair gel (Tom) are all available from Walmart (whether its Dallas or Denver, you are not too far from somewhere were you can stock up on personal items) This is advisable as it cuts down on your luggage allowance for the plane and it’s pretty much the same stuff.
- · Shoes – now, wearing trainers is really comfortable but there are places where there is uneven ground and could be tricky but in general, whever you feel comfortable in, just no flip flops as you may be asked to in the car quickly and tripping over some sort of sandal could hurt. Walking boots/shoes/trainers things are quite popular and are fairly cheap from Sports Direct (Karrimor) as long as its supportive, you should be ok!
Now to write specific list of the kit that I’ll bring!
- · Suitcase – as described above!
- · Clothing – same as above!
- · Jacket – even though you may have put sun cream on at 10am, it can change quickly and you will need a jacket as it can get cold.
- · Electronic equipment – cables etc
- · 4 way strip plug
- · 2 USA adapters
- · Toiletries – some deodorant and tooth paste (I have lots at home!)
- · Sun cream – you maybe chasing lemon weather but good weather is needed to fuel those bad boys! Its easy to get burned especially in 100f heat (its possible!)
- · Bug spray – insect repellent, sometimes is buggy! You can buy in Walmart.
- · Camera gear – Tripod x 2, DLSR x 2, GoPro x 1 – Batteries, memory cards etc
- · First aid kit – we will have one for the team but its always good to have your own stash of plasters and creams etc. a bite/sting cream is with bringing just in case Paul sees a money spider the size of a pin head!
- · Memory card readers
- · Bin bag – for those dirty clothes
- · Dryer sheets – for putting in said bin bag and making your suitcase smell nice!
- · Tea bags – if you have a specific brand, bring some. Better than crap coffee from days inn!
- · Laptop and HDD – to upload the days pictures and videos.
- · Headphones – not only for the long flight but if you’re in the lead car, Pauls stories can get boring and he does like to waffle!
- · Currency card – cash is king and its good to have some to pay for tips etc but carrying a lot of it could mean its all cash that can be lost. I use a Multicurrencypassport card which allows you to top up your card via an app and it lets you switch your balance between different currencies – those going to Canada, this would be helpful as we are more than likely going to pop over the border back to the USA. - https://www.multicurrencycashpassport.com
There may be some things that I have missed but in general this is what I look at packing. We area all different and some people might be happy bringing absolute minimal stuff and washing their clothes every night! Whatever suits you, we are happy but please do not bring 2 suitcases as we do not have the room in the cars!
Feel free to add to this list via a reply and I am sure we can put together the ultimate list!
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· Suitcase – the size and style depend what your bringing along. I pack 2 tripods in one side of mine and any smaller it wouldn’t fit!
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On 15/02/2019 at 22:09, Nick L said:
Hi Richie, I think you need to email your prediction to the address above!
What makes you think that Nick?
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On 06/04/2019 at 19:54, Cloud Iris said:
Hi guys, I’m the newest addition to tour 4! I was booked onto it originally but dropped out in November and deferred my place. But I found out I can go this year after all, and there was one space left so I’m back! Looking forward to meeting everyone (Jodie P I already know, and Paul of course) - I was on tour 1 in 2017 and looking forward to seeing the high plains this time!
not got a flight yet as there are no good deals. I’m hanging on to see if anything good comes up. Will be flying from Heathrow on the 7th.
Christina
Hello!!
Ill be one of your trusted drivers for the tour(doghouse for T4!) I am also on the 1440 from LHR and well as Jodie so please join us!
Not long now, should be fun!
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22 hours ago, Nick L said:
Oh and the tour 4 thread finally wakes up
I thought the same!
thought someone shouted FREE BEER!
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On 09/03/2019 at 15:29, Jodie_Samantha25 said:
@Crashlanding Ermm don't leave me out of this, I'm always up for responsible drinks!
@Nick L it will be good to meet you!
Only 90 days to go.. Where is everybody else?!
I do apologise and meeting Nick L will not be that great....just bring a cow......................Sorry Nick...had to...JUST HAD TO!
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jut me and nick then!!! gunna be a quite tour!
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Should be an interesteing tour with Nick Squared! Animal hunting tour~!
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Hey Gang!
not long now! Who are heading out for Tour 4? Ill be flying from Manchester to LHR on 7th June, and on the BA flight to Denver....anyone fancy meeting up for responsible drinks?
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Anyone booked yet?
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18 minutes ago, Paul Sherman said:
Nowt
But I learned you should not chase a Warm Front over a LP and never Chase in North Dakota as long as you live.
Are you out today ? Might actually give this a crack up in Cambs/Lincs area today
We know its NOWT!
Or drive through a Tornado warned storm in Canada with no data!
tempted! just need to see where and when!
Gee
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9 minutes ago, Paul Sherman said:
Not to sound condescending but I think you need to read up online or from a book about what causes thunderstorms in given areas, it is not down to the pretty colours you see on charts and you have to include a lot of factors when looking at where storms will be likely.
Texas and Oklahoma in the States have had Cape Value and Heat of over 100f most of the last 3 months but have had hardly any noteworthy storms, but places further north which are cooler (relatively) and are closer to Upper Forcing and surface features have been getting hammered with storms with lower Cape but higher Shear environments.
You really will find it beneficial to read up on these things and wont get so wound up - Just my twopenceworth
WTF do you know about storms!?
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we are often asked by chase virgins, how close do we get to the storms? We make each and every decision based on facts that we have in front of us from radar scans, forecasts, surface obs and general common sense. We are always making sure we have exit roads in all/most directions just incase a bug out is needed.
we do have some hair raising moments when one of those factors has been eliminated!
For the first time, Netweather/Weatherholidays Chase tours ventured into Canada. this was a last minute decision to chase the biggest risk of the season. Moderate risk in North Dakota (SPC) and a High Risk in Canada (Environment Canada). We thought, 'well, we are here now, lets go!) a little bit hasty looking back at it.
One of the lessons we had learnt on this chase day was that the SPC/Allisonhouse/Radarscope cover radar selectivity/velocity in Canada BUT the Warnings that are given out in the form of Severe warning and most of all Tornado warnings, are ONLY available in North America!
Below is a video dash cam of the storm we got a little too close to the storm due to the lack of data. If we had the warnings to hand we wouldn't have got anywhere near this close!
The video description (below) give a more in depth reasoning for our positioning!
This was our first ever chase in Canada and was a last minute affair. We are a UK Tour Group with all the necessary tools - we had Baron Mobile Threat Net, GRLevel3 & Radarscope. None of our feeds where showing the warnings when we were on the Canadian side which we found out was crucial to our accidental possible intercept. We had planned to get ahead of the storm on a Southern road heading for the border but cutting off East allowing us to track the path of the storm and head for Pivotal US Border crossing. Our East road we found out it was a county gravel road which was unsuitable so we proceeded to head for the closer border control. We were approximately 7 miles South of Estevan on Highway 47. The storm motion was rapidly increasing and we admitted defeat once the core hit us. The moment we feel we where within the circulation of a deep area of rotation was at the 3:30 - 3:50 mark with the trees losing their leaves. IF our tools had showed us the Canadian warnings we would have never crossed the path of a storm of this strength. Typically, once we had entered back on to US soil, our warnings popped up!
Tour 5
in Storm Chase USA
Posted
Welcomes!!!!!