Clinton War

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Clinton War is held annually over the August long weekend (first Monday in August) near the community of Clinton, B.C. Previously (at least since 1979) hosted by the Barony of Lions Gate, it has since 2009 been held as an non-SCA event.

On-site preparations for the War begin the weekend before with the Clinton War Work Weekend. Many people stay for the week between the Work Weekend and the War itself.

List of Events

Notes About Clinton War

General

My #1 tip for any event: Eat.

I always make sure to arrive at a site with a full stomach as it makes sure that i am less likly to strangle someone to death as we argue over how to set up the f#$%$%^g tent again and where to set it up.

Eat and drink during the day and stay away from Booze during the day. Bad combination no food and dehydration and Booze. Oooh bad scene.

Food and Water during the day. Low blood sugar is a very bad thing.

Have i mentioned that its a good thing to do is to eat.

Oh and don't forget the Hat.

--Rose from Frozen Mountian

Keep the water supply in your encampment always topped up. Always keep the water in YOU topped up. Nothing quenches thirst as well as water. Have cup or so every couple of hours. Its always preferable to visit the biffy many times than the chireo, chriou, ki urg....medical folks once. Beer or coffee will dry you out, Irish coffee too, no matter how tasty. Most teas will not dry you out.

If you can rest during the afternoon do so, try to keep heavy activity to the morning and late afternoon/early evening. Oh yah, peg down your tent as if a hurricane was coming. The valley is known to have sudden, severe wind quests and more than one tent was gone skyward, gear and all.

--Æric

If you can, angle your tent pegs inward. If you have a CostCo Pavilion, stake it down with 12" nails!! The BIG ones!! I don't want to have to chase your pavilion down and hang off the inside supports with 11 other people while you run into town for more pegs! Even though that was REALLY fun!

--Lady Amber

Weather/Climate

The site is classified as high desert. During the Clinton War weekend, average temperatures are high (30 deg C) during the day and quite chilly (14 deg C) at night, but has been known to reach 40c+(104f+) and near freezing at night.

One thing I can't stress enough is to be prepared for all types of weather. Better to bring too many blankets and not have to use them, than to wake up shivering in the cold and not have them. Oh, and bring an umbrella along even if the weather forecast doesn't mention rain. (It's my one bid at superstition, I bring it along and sure enough it never rains, forget it once...and I'm drowing ;)

--Cerridwen

The days tend to be quite hot and the nights (almost as soon as the sun goes down!) tend to get quite chilly indeed. Bring lots of warm and cold weather garb. It is quite likely you will need both. A cloak at night is really almost a mandatory thing. The chiurgeons do not wish to treat you for anything at all - but hypothermia I'm sure is one they especially don't want to see!

Lots of warm blankets of whatever sort you prefer are also very highly recommended for your bed - be it just a chunk of foam on the ground or something "fit for mundane royalty". Both over AND under you as your body can lose lots of heat through either side of you.

The hot, dry weather which is the "norm" for Clinton can dry you out VERY quickly during the day so wear a hat and drink lots of fluids. The sun is also very intense even perhaps if you re a "professional suntanner" type . You are going to be on a high desert mountain plateau, and the sun is stronger there than on any beach around Lions Gate (those from the interior are free to scoff at the wusses from the south west!)

Her Excellency, the autocrat, in her event copy mentions that it can be windy. Believe her! It usually is for at least some portion of the day. A Costco Portable garage used as a pavilion one year was picked up off the ground by the wind as it was inadequately secured. Fortunately no-one was injured when it fell back to earth.

So if such a large structure can be made into a kite, what chance does any other type have? The small thin pins that oft come with tents now are not sufficient to hold things down so get some large tent pegs or even big spikes from your local hardware store (or stop in at the Clinton Irly Bird at the south end of town, as they are very SCA friendly and appreciate "our" business!) Stake down your tie downs and tie down your stake downs may sound strange, but in reality, it's not a bad idea!

--Alastair The Eastern Traveller

There was also one year the Jeffry McLean's well-staked-and-tied-down-and-securely-fastened-in-every-respect 200-lbs gathering area tarp (posts, pegs and all sundry attached to it!) was picked up by a dust devil, lifted 80 ft into the sky and dropped like a bag of cannonballs, thankfully at the End of the World, where no one camps. If a dust devil can pick that up, be sure that your ground pimple will not be "just fine with my armour bag and camping supplies in it." (Yes, it has happened, no, it wasn't at Clinton, and no, he never did get around to fishing it out of the lake until the end of the event)

--Lady Amber

Cell Phones

Most cell phones do not work in either Clinton BC or at the event site. Satellite phones work fine.

What I discovered last year (2005) was that my phone (on the Rogers network) lost service about 10 minutes north of Cache Creek or about 20 minutes south of Clinton. I could not get service downtown Clinton.The only person I know of to manage "on site" calls is His Excellency Devon - Baron Lions Gate who has managed to obtain cell servce from his in truck unit which has more power than portables. So the only way short of having a sattelite phone at present of making a phone call (emergencies clearly excepted) during the war is to go downtown and use the payphone outside of the Telus building. To BE contacted in the event of a family emergency etc. the only way is have the Clinton RCMP detachment contacted. * Alastair

Packing

There are some on-site food merchants at Clinton War. [...] also towels, shampoo etc, for there are showers and baths on the Clinton site. Going off site from Clinton can be a massive pain in the rear considering the road and distance. There is the stream to put things into for cooling, just make sure you have them in a container that can be roped securely to something so it doesn't take a trip ;) Others will have plenty of other good tips I'm sure. --Cerridwen

A handy container to keep things in the creek is a plastic milk crate as it has holes on all sides and the bottom so it sinks easily and water flows through it. If you have "way" too much for just a small crate as that, consider the "Superstore" greenbox (re-usable container for carrying groceries home) - just remember as Cerridwen advises to secure your container well! I tie a rope around mine and use a big plastic tent peg to anchor the other end into the bank.

Water

Many people think that the creek water is not drinkable and will readily attest that they have heard from a friend who heard from a friend who heard from a friend that "one year" people got sick.

It may be the case that some people who are so used to city water might find this water too different for their system, but remember it is the source of the town's drinking water and there is no "big city" filtration/chlorination plant to treat it.

If the water were unsafe, considering we have usually a population of over 1000, lots more people would be getting sick.

DO NOT drink the water from the drainage ditch! It is impure and I have seen reports of people who by their own admission regretted ignoring this advice !

The water in the stream supplies the town with their drinking water, so please don't wash your hair/hands/feet in it or throw your grey water there. Use it on the roads to keep dust down instead !

The creek water speaking from my personal 20+ year's experience is safe to drink. I have never had any problem what so ever caused by drinking it .

If you are uncertain about it, however, there is a spring at the far south end of the camping field that many people also use, or you can get tap water from town.

Alastair

Site

The fields are uneven and rutted, so watch your step should you want to wander - especially at night!

As you will likely find out from the site rules handout, the site is used for pasturing horses when we are not there, so respect their home and don't leave garbage around about. Cigarette filters (should you ignore the rules and smoke on the paths etc) are a HUGE no-no! They are poisonous to horses. So if you smoke where you shouldn't or in your pavillion area PLEASE don't just dispose of your butts "where you are" take them somewhere like the bath-house fire instead!

There are plans afoot for a re-cycling centre on site this year and also a composte pit in order to try and make the Clinton war the greenest event in the Known World. Please - at very least, even if you don't "care" to use these facilities, pack out your garbage with you! Use the big dumpster bin by all means but it really does get over full at the end and those who are the last off site really don't want to be cleaning it and/or garbage left by vacated campsites because someone was too lazy to do it themselves!

Three is also usually a small trailer for returnables (anything with a deposit) where you can leave your empties if you don't want to take them with you. This helps the local museum and so you can "afford" a charitable contribution instead of littering!

The biffies do get more than a little bit "aromatic" by the end of the war, so if that might be a problem for you - beware !

Please remember not to drop anything down the biffies! Cans, juice containers, used sanitary napkins, garbage are some of the items I have seen carelessly thrown into our biffies! Please please remember that in the 11 and a half months we are not there, Nature takes care of the problem of natural wastes herself, but man-made items remain a long, long time! Also keep in mind that you do NOT need to throw lime or anything like that to keep the smell down... lime and chemicals kill the bacteria that decompose our waste!

As it is a wild site, if you have any serious allergies (especially to stinging insects) make sure you are properly equipped/prepared. It takes the ambulance quite a while to get up from town even at their best rate of speed !

Dogs have "traditionally" been allowed to roam freely on site, and meat left on low tables to thaw for dinner may prove too tempting for even the best behaved of dogs ! Keep such and anything else that might appeal to animals during the day - out of reach, and at night - secured !

Alastair

Vehicles are not allowed in the encampment area except to unload/load. If you drive above walking speed through the site to your spot, be prepared to get yelled at by anyone and everyone since it kicks up a TON of dust. Keep it slow.

If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs or just don't sleep. :) During the day, the war is loud. During the night, the drumming is loud but usually ceases around midnight.

--Kira/Ceara

There is no cell phone service either at site or in town. There is a pay phone in town on the main drag.

There is a general grocery store, basic selection some prices higher than normal in town.

40 Minutes north in 100 Mile house is Safeway and Overwaite and some chain stores and fast food.

40 minutes south and a turn off east is Ashcroft and a couple more stores.

Slightly north of Cache Creek on the way is Horstings farms market. Lots of fruit veggies and some baked goods and preserves.

Certain parts of the creek are perfect for drawing water from because of depth, clarity and ease of access try not to block them or mess them up.

The valley echoes so noise travels better than one would think. Tag children and pets with safety lights & reflective colours at night to see them by.

Tag your rope lines with something to make them show up better in the dark. Yellow or white ribbon works well. Don't leave things lying around on the ground in the dark where people will step on them. Cover your gray water holes with a board to avoid the pit trap effect.

Remember your privacy is only as good as the thin wall separating the tents. Your neighbours can hear everything. Interior lights creates shadow puppet shows on tent walls.

There is no shortage of folks who could use a hand with something. Keep an eye for those that are doing themselves in and tackle them down if need be. Some folks just don't know they are about to keel over from sunburn, heat stroke etc.

--Adela

Make sure when you bring first-time SCA Eventers that they try not to camp with their tent abutting someone else's.

Approximately half-hour West of Clinton (take the Highway past the Irly Bird to the "residential" street peeling west) is Kelly Lake. Excellent swimming at any time, however, be warned the lake IS GLACIER-FED and, as a consequence, very silty and approximately 4C, even on the hottest day. The shore is maybe 10-15 feet wide, please make sure your children do not go too far out, and if you are leaping in, please choose a spot further down the beach where there are less children!

- Lady Amber

Crime Potential

For such a large gathering, crime is really quite small, but beware of your personal belongings and don't leave temptation in plain view.

Keep valuables on you or well hidden.

Some have had liquor or beer disappear although these seem to be isolated cases. Use your personal judgement on where to keep such.

Ladies: If you are concerned about walking alone at night, find a friend (or make a new one!) and travel together. Or should something untowards appear to be happening either to you or close by, SCREAM blue murder at the top of your lungs ! I'm sure most would rather help a lady who even thinks she may be in danger rather than find out too late "something" bad happened. I know I would !

--Alastair

Pictures

Memories

My first Clinton was in 1983, if I recall correctly. I remember driving up with a Gentle who no longer plays; Alastair McCauly was an old timer then and the main trainer of newbies. I was in for just under a year at that point. In those days nobody camped above the main bridge. It was a small war against Montengarde, and only arriving Friday night and leaving Monday. Avacal and Tir Righ were maybe dreams in some people's heads in those days, but it was not talked about. Anyone who is familiar with Clinton and my field heralding voice may judge the size of the event by the fact that I could get everybody's attention in just 2 bellows! It stayed small for the next few years.

Then one winter, tragedy struck! An old barn that was used for castle battles, (way way up the creek, it is now the site where the Sargeantry start their stroll on Sunday mornings with the Baroness of Lions Gate and any other Baronesses in the region of the day!) burnt down. Word reached the ears of Sir Harold of Warrington, and he proposed building a castle. So up a lot of us went 2 weeks before the War and built a Castle. (No event that weekend but there was the next!) Of the original builders and assorted folk that were there that weekend, not that many play anymore, Sir Oak, myself, Mistress Maelen, Sir Scellanus, Baroness (Yeah I know she is a Viscountess, but she was my Baroness for so long, it is hard to change her title!) Amanda and Alastair the Eastern Traveler are the only ones that I can think of. There is a photo by Zoe lurking around somewhere of Castle Builders union local #1, if I find it I will see who is still around.

The next year we went back for a weekend and stayed and puttered on the site for a week. The official work stopped Sunday at roughly 4:00 P.M. This changed after a few years, when too many came up after 4:00 P.M. Sunday and did nothing the rest of the week. No one has ever put a time clock on anyone but some work is expected from all in attendance. It has been pointed out to some concerned gentles that cooking and looking after a campfull of workers counts as work for the site!:-) (The Lady in charge of a large camp was worried and asked permission "just" to do that little! If only some others did nearly as much, however I digress.)

The Castle and the event grew slowly, then suddenly King Gunnar and Queen Gabriella, having heard about this nice little war, came and graced us with their presence. A lot of people came with them, suddenly Clinton was a big event and we were not prepared! No roads no formal boundaries nothing! It was so large that the local Mounties came up to see what on earth was going on! They were impressed with the Castle battles, especially after His Majesty stalked away from the Castle in mock anger having fallen to a pike shot. "They can't do that to me, can they?! I'm King darnit!"

Well all those people told two friends about Clinton and they came the next year, and they told two friends etc etc etc!

Other memories involve King Rorik (First King from what is now Avacal) who was mundanely an Edmonton City Policeman. The local Mounties again came to see the war, and on learning that a "cop" was King they had to meet him. On hearing His Majesty explain that in An Tir HE WAS THE LAW, and did not have to worry about small things like lawyers and courts etc, it could be seen that the Mounties thought seriously about joining and bringing in some of their favourite clients! Also that year as Her Majesty was also Baroness of Borealis, His Majesty let his knights know that he was joining his Queen, who was joining with Baroness Amanda on a pleasant Sunday morning stroll, so his Knights had best join him, as there were rumours of Brigands in the woods. I have been in on all the walkdowns, I forget what year they started, Amanda or Melissa (of the incomparable memory) might, but never has there been such an easy stroll!

This has gone on far too long and there are many other memories floating around, so if you want more, drop by my encampment any evening of the work week, or for a morning coffee before the work party meeting, and dredge my memory bank. My SCA year like a number of other Gentles revolves around Clinton, and as long as there is a Clinton War and I am able, I will be there!

Colin Mackay of Balmaghie

What was *your* first Clinton? What do you remember?

I think it was Clinton 3. We showed up and it was raining. Everyone onsite was under Gerhard and Amanda's sunshade. The green and yellow one - remember it? I miss it. Colin was sitting just at the edge. I'm the bossy type, so I told him to move in closer to the center because rain was running down his cloak and into his clothes. Folks were depressed.

But the site was beautiful. The air had that clean edge we city folks forget. There was a scope and a feel to the site. Like being next to the ocean and looking out - knowing the next land was Japan. Clinton is like that. The next land is... I wonder.

Sometimes I just want to put on a pack and walk in a straight line - anywhere. Just to see what's there. Clinton draws me out.

I don't remember much else from that even, except that all of us spent most of our time where the Royal Encampment is. The castles hadn't been built. I don't even remember what I did that weekend. But we were delighted that you could come Thursday, so we showed up early the next year. We even camped around the corner (north of the car bridge). Folks asked us why we wanted to be so far away. We said we were concerned it would be noisy. We camped there for years, as the war grew around us...

I remember arranging Friday Night Light inspections for a few years. Herding marshals is harder than herding fighters! Setting up check-sheets so we didn't forget anything, running lights between us juniors (to check for competence and do armor inspection) and the Seniors, who checked lights for safety. The last one was a huge, loud, confusing crowd. It was wonderful, though I had to bounce someone for demonstrating his form in the middle of the crowd, by putting arrow to string and almost shooting. Straight ahead. At a group of people. (Clinton taught me that some folks shouldn't play with war toys.)

I remember huge arrow-checking groups after every lights battle. Dump the arrows in a pile in the middle, everyone kneel on the edge. Check each arrow - is it broken? Is the blunt on tight? Toss the rejects in one pile (make sure the new lights don't try to re-use them), and the good ones in another (can't get your arrows until they're all checked!).

I remember watching a certain Yeoman come down the east side of the valley during the walk-down. About 20 or 30 brigands in the valley saw him. He was known for his accuracy. They ran into a copse of trees. The heavies yelled to the lights to go up the slope and Get Him! Get Him! The lights went up and flanked the Yeoman. It took them 10-15 minutes to get him into their best position, then they picked him off.

I was marshalling, so I also got to see the Sergeants and Yeomen of Lions Gate walk Amanda down the other side of the valley, in full view of this battle. Walk her across the bridge and to the second castle. I love Lions Gate!

I remember King (Rorik?) coming onto the field during another walk-down. There's been talk all war that the Sergeants and Yeoman would be badly outnumbered. I was marshalling at the End of the World. I heard a heavy drum, double-timed. Then around the trees and over the bridge ran a large man in yellow and gold, a black lion on his surcoat. Behind him were his guard, and the drummer. They ran across the field. His cloak flowed behind him. They ran to the beat of the drum. They ran into the woods. My feet weren't touching the ground.

I remember marshalling at that bridge when Amanda and her guards were passing over, at the end of another walk-down. Suddenly a fighter popped out of the brush. His sword came down on a light's head. The next thing I knew, my marshalling staff was between him and the light. Suddenly, everyone was stopping. I realized I'd called 'Hold'! Two more marshal staffs appeared. I'd never felt that way before. Outraged, angry, afraid, disbelieving, protective, justified, tentative, righteous... (It turned out it was his first war. He didn't know the rules.) The light wasn't hurt. I still get queasy thinking about it.

I remember working on the guarderobes (I don't think any I repaired still exist.) And working on the 2nd castle. And the gate house, the tavern, the bridges, and the bake house. Everyone should work on everything. This makes it part of them. (I painted that wall. I figured out how to put in the hinges so they don't tear out. I filled that hole so people don't stumble. I gathered wood. I grubbed out aspen over there... you know. If you've been to the work week, you know.)

I remember taking nectar from water bearers. Shooting my friends and being shot. Spending the day with Aurora, walking up valley until the tents of the war were touches of color in a green sea. I remember seeing bear and lynx and moose tracks. I remember amazing potlucks. Learning to bake in a Real! Stone! Oven! I remember walking down to the town, tieing white ribbons on the bushes.

I remember swallowing enough dust to grow a garden, slathering on enough sunscreen to protect an army of children, and using enough bug juice to scare every mosquito between here and Clinton (does anyone remember the Clinton that the mosquitos were armored?).

I remember when there were cows onsite, not horses. Anyone who complains of the horse dung... And the cow flies! They took chunks out of you.

I remember being stared at Thursday night, carrying that one last board we needed up to Tavern. Why wasn't I in garb? I should have said "Oh, you poor child. You don't know that the work week is more fun than the War, although the War is the best of events."

It soaks in your soul, Clinton does.

Meresigha

My best memories of Clinton are the work week, when you're repairing the Bakehouse or helping rebuild the Tavern... or even walking around with two other people carting as much water as you can hang off your pants to every person doing work on site! My favorite memories is the first year I helped repair the Bakehouse. I remember stripping down several heavily damaged boards and rebuilding the shop shades from where we sell our goods, or remudding the oven every year... even repainting and decorating the interior. Then there was the year I found the perfect board... Simply perfect. I picked it up and immediately thought "Alan would love this!" So off I went to track down Lord Alan of Rockfall, who then agreed with me it was the perfect board for a sign. I designed and painted the lovely "Castle Rockfall" sign on the walled encampment across from the McLean's. It's a moment in time I won't ever forget.

--Lady Amber

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