Lost & Found: People, Pets, Things

Every year people, pets and various objects are lost at the gathering or people not at the gathering fear people have been lost. 

Lost People

Every year people go to the gathering and their loved ones worry.  Just a reminder, that in the western mountains, we often don't have cell reception and even if there is some service near the gathering, it varies by cell service. Plus, phone run out of batteries, get dropped in the mud, or get lost.

If you haven't heard from your friends and/or family since they went into the gathering, odds are they are still down in the gathering and can't call you due to one of the above reasons.

Again, on the road where the cars and cops are is the area where problems occur. We strongly recommend that people stay inside the gathering. Going in and out increases a persons risk of a negative experience with law enforcement. Again, people on the land will strongly suggest to your loved one that they stay inside the gathering until it's over.  This may mean that you won't hear from your loved one for a few weeks.

That being said, if you're going to the gathering, call your Mama or someone else, let them know you are going in and will be out of cell reception until after you leave the gathering.

If something serious happened to your loved one, then they are no longer at the gathering and would be found in a local hospital, jail, or mental health facility. If you check those places and your loved one is not there, then they are probably inside the gathering.

Most people usually surface by July 15th as the clean up crew starts shrinking by then, but some people will be on the land until late July (and on the land means no or haphazard access to telephones).  If after July 15, you still haven't heard, email me at karin zirk dot net a recent photo and include this information:

    How old is he/she?
    Was this her/his first gathering? 
    Was he/she planning to camp with any camp in particular?
    Did she/he travel to the gathering with friends who have since left the gathering?
    Did she/he have any mental and/or physical health issues? 
    What kind of drugs (if any) does he/she typically use?
    Was there a specific previously agreed on plan for he/she to return home at a certain time or at least check in?

Lost Things

For those people who go to the gathering and lose something, found items are taken to Info or sometimes to the nearest kitchen so don't give up yet.  If you didn't check the lost and found items at INFO, your stuff may be there. Even if you did, many items are discovered during cleanup. At the end of cleanup, all the valuable lost and found items will be taken out of the gathering site. Check back mid-July for who to contact regarding lost things.  Keep in mind, lost and found at this level is for things like wallets, cameras, expensive gear.  We don't try to reunite people with lost t-shirts, bliss wear, etc.  After the gathering, call the 2024 Gathering Lightline  2024 Gathering Lightline (530)-ITS-INFO / (530) 487-4636‬ and leave a full description of what you lost or found and how we can reach you. If we have it, we will reach out.  If you have something, someone lost, we will do our best to make connections.

Lost Animals

For those people who left without all the animals they brought, please go back to the site and retrieve your pets. I do not care if you have to be back to work or whatever. If you brought an animal, you need to go home with that animal. If you don't, folks on the land will find a home for your pet and it won't be your home. We never leave any pets behind.  Every pet will leave the gathering with a human companion ~ hopefully the one they came with. If you can't go back yourself, try to connect up with a friend in the area to retrieve your pet. Just a reminder, pets on leashes don't get lost as often as those not on a leash. The gathering is a scary experience for animals who aren't used to it. Read the Pup Rap for more info.  If you are a local who feels we drop off pets at the local shelter, we never do that. Other people may be stealing loose dogs from the gathering and dropping them off, but we don't. All dogs brought to the gathering, leave with people who were at the gathering.  Same is true about cats, rabbits, horses, rats, and elephants!