Is low budget tornado chasing possible?

[AndreasWinsnes]

I'm going to backpack in Mexico, but if it is not too expensive and not too difficult to observe tornadoes in the areas around Amarillo, Denver, and Oklahoma City in May and June, I will visit the US for about two months, hoping that I will get lucky enough to see these phenomena.

The problem is that I don't have a driver's licence. And unless I can't find cheap motels which cost about 15 dollars a night, which is not realistic I guess, I have to tent in camping areas. I thought about renting a motorcyle, but with all the hail that comes with storms, I'll probably end up with a headache very quickly. Therefore, I more or less have to count on a tornado randomly passing my camping area, or find other low budget tornado spotters with a vacant seat in a car. Alternatively, since tornadoes often occur in the afternoon, is it realistic to count on buses, to get a little bit closer?

My only advantage is that I'm patient and have plenty of time, more than two months if necessary.

I am aware, however, that all this may be difficult, and I don't want to sound naive, but since I don't know much about the ammount of different people, storm spotters, out in the field of tornado alley, nor practical arrangements if one can not afford an expensive tour, offered by SCAT for example, I will be grateful if someone here can give some advice. Thanks!

 

[Zach Young]

Without a car, you really do have to rely on pure luck! In the cases of waiting at a campsite (which is total luck) or renting a motorcycle, a headache is the least of your worries. You could easily wind up dead. If your "lucky" tornado actually passes through your campground you'd have no shelter. Lightning could strike you down inside a tent and on a bike. Severe hail, especially if you're unlucky enough to get caught in 3inch+ size hail would demolish your tent.

Buses *can* be used to chase, to an extent. You already have to be lucky enough that a tornado is forming or passing pretty close. But if there is, you can use a bus to get a little closer. That is, if you're lucky enough that the bus is going where you want it to and they don't decide to stop running the bus while the tornado is in the area.

The best way for you to chase would be to get in touch with other chasers. Many people will bring friends or other chasers along with them to split the cost of gas. If you can't afford 1 or more tanks of gas ($25-$80), you could maybe off to buy them dinner or pay for the road snacks. Some people may be willing to take you out for free just because they love to share severe weather with others.

 

[AndreasWinsnes]

Thanks for your reply. In Denver there are hostels which cost about 16-20 dollars, which I can afford, if I cut down on costs while staying in Mexico, but what is the price of the least expensive motels on the plains?

Are there camp sites very close to the center of Amarillo, so that I can easily get in contact with other chasers?

I can use a 1000 dollars on fuel. With a little luck, is it a relatively good chance to find chasers which will let me ride with them if I pay that amount of money on gasoline?

If it is possible, where can I get in contact with them? On this forum for example? Or are there "hangaround" places, cafes and motels, where people usually meet in the evening or morning before setting of?

By the way, this will be my first time I visit the plains and the Rockies, and I am not used to large storms of any kind, which we don't have in the part of Norway where I live, so I expect that the trip will be amazing whether I observe tornadoes or not.

 

[Jason Foster]

Andreas, if you haven't found it already, put up a post in 2011 Chase Partner thread and describe your situation. There may be folks that are willing to grab you, even if for a few days in exchange for gas money. As the season gets closer, exchange Private Messages with folks here on the board.

Recommendation is that you pay a share of fuel and hotel (with can cost $35 to $75 per night for the lower end). If you read around this forum, you'll come across the better dates to chase (well, be available to chase). You'll be wasting money if you plan ahead for April or earlier or June or later. Aim for May...it is statistically your best bet.

What dates do you plan to travel?

 

[Adam Lucio]

Have you considered saving a little more and booking a tour? There are lots of tour companies out there, some cheaper than others but most prices are around the same. Although the duration of the tour is significantly less, you will be in the hands of some of the most experienced chasers out there, and even if the weather doesn't show itself, they know all the scenic stops throughout the alley to make the trip worth while.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Heck, if you're going to backpack through Mexico, why not chase the Great Plains on a motorcycle? But seriously...

Like Adam says, if you can save up for a tour, that would be the way to go. If you can't, I think your cheapest option would be to find three or four people to go with in one vehicle, splitting all the costs. Your hotel room goes down $15-$20 in most cases if you split it four ways, and a few grand in gas should definitely cover you for a couple months.

Do find people who have chased before. More than likely there are a bunch of people looking to split costs on here and that Chaser Partner thread is a great place to start. If you and three friends come over from Norway and have never seen a supercell before, I expect you guys will have a bunch of adventures and see some storms, but very likely will go home without a tornado.

If you do back pack through the Plains, you are almost guaranteed to not see a tornado, and instead you will have to focus on avoiding the weather. More than likely a severe squall is going to come through in the middle of the night and roll your tent. You absolutely need a car or truck. Back packing or taking a bus is a good way to see the scenery, and you might see some neat weather along the way, but you need to be actively chasing and doing so safely if you want to see at least a supercell.

 

[Jesse Risley]

In all reality, scoring a tornado from the left side window of a Greyhound traveling at 55 mph, if you were actually able to do so, isn't the best way to chase. I wouldn't recommend chasing on a crotch rocket either (obvious risks).

Besides cavorting around with 3-4 others to split fuel costs, your ideal situation would be to find other chasers who either enjoyed camping, or would be willing to spring for the cheapest motels possible (i.e., $30-$50/night). As far as food goes, the cheapest route would be to pack your own sandwiches, snacks and drinks, if possible, and opt for the dollar menu at fast food restaurants if you have to dine out.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

The thing you most need to understand is how vast the plains are, and how much you really would need to rely on a car for transportation to do any sort of storm chasing. We just do not have practical transit outside of a personal vehicle here. A trip from Amarillo To Denver, for example, would take you 7 1/2 hours. Denver to Oklahoma City would be somewhere on the order of 10-11 hours of straight driving. Oklahoma City to Mexico (Eagle Pass) is approximately 10 or more hours.

Hotel Rooms are going to be no less than $40 a night after taxes.

 

[Tyler Allison]

Since it sounds like you are a backpacker...here's a stat that might help with the size of the issue involved.

To hike from mexico to the canadian border (on the PCT) it takes about 6-7 months, assuming you walk 20 miles a day. The domain of tornado activity is about 10 times that.

There are people who have all the technology in the world and spend weeks at a time in a car and don't see a tornado. And they are _trying_ to see a tornado. Wandering the highways and byways of the plains in hopes of a tornado is going to be like winning the lotto and never having purchased a ticket

It can be done I guess, but boy is that a crap shoot.

And that $40 hotel room...don't sleep on the bed...throw your sleeping bag on the floor. *shivers*

 

[Jordan Hartley]

Its only possible if you have wheels. Remember me, while your in Kansas assuming you go through the area. If theres a chance to see a tornado ill pick you up and take you along wouldn't even mind dropping you off where you needed for a little gas $$. Other than that I think it would be pretty cool. It simply isn't happening while on foot. You could get lucky and have a storm near you, but unless your in the right position at just the right moment when it passes by your likely not going to see much. If your outside during the storm you will be in danger. There are times when you just need to be in something and its always nice to be able to get out of the way when you need to. Taking the greyhound or any other bus service will actually decrease the time you have and chances of seeing a tornado so thats not an option. Catch a ride with someone, with a little luck you might bag a tornado on the great plains in 2011!

 

[AndreasWinsnes]

Thanks for all your replies and advices. Appreciate it a lot. A reality check is always wise. When it comes to backpacking I don't mean walking on foot, though a friend of mine, Cyril, whom I met in Siberia, walked from Northern Russia to India. I take trains and buses, from Oslo to Anchor Wat for example or MC to Lima. And I'm used to sleeping outside for months winter time, but will not take any chances with a supercell. Sharing a motel room or sleeping in a car, in a parking lot near a motel, is the best option, it seems.

I plan on arriving around first of May, perhaps a bit earlier, and will stay until the 16. of June, if necessary, but May is first priority. I know I have to be lucky to see a tornado, but it is one of the few genuine dreams I have left, and if I had the money right now I would take a tour, but I will return the next time I visit the US, so no worries.

Thanks for your offer, Jordan. If I go to Kansas, I will contact you, definitely. I'll write more in the chase partner thread, but now it is pretty late at night in my part of the world, so I'll continue tomorrow. Good night!

 

[Scott Weberpal]

You mentioned you have $1000 for gas - I spend less than that chasing alone for a week, so even if you find only one other person to chase with and split hotel and gas cost, you can surely chase for a week with no problems.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

I chase regionally (usually no further than 4 hours from home) and spend roughly $70 per chase on gas and awesome food (this means couple of snack pit stops and a good sit down restaurant at the end of the chase). Of course when I get others to join me, the price of gas goes down considerably.

Give me a hollar if you're around Amarillo. If I have room, you can tag along for a chase.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Andreas,

You've been given some great advice in this thread. A chase tour would certainly be ideal, but I understand the money issue. It sounds like you are a very resourceful person when it comes to working within your budget and having fun no matter what.

Definitely add a post to the 2011 Chase Partner thread and stay in touch with people once your trip gets closer.

Heck, I'll do my part to help you out if the timing works out. I have several Norwegian friends from a different hobby/past-time and I've found that Norgies are always fun to hang out with. I will probably spend a cumulative total of 18-22 days on the plains in May and June. My wife and I chase together quite a bit, but she's only with me about half the time. When she's not chasing with me, I always have an open seat in the car. If I'm in your neck of the woods, and the timing works out, you're more than welcome to chase with me for a day or two. I'm a firm believer in sharing the joy of chasing with others.

Bryan

 

[J Tyler]

I'm actually more concerned for his safety while "backpacking in Mexico"! I'd rather face an EF-5 with a broken leg, to be honest. You may want to check out the latest travel advisories for Mexico before going there. Especially the areas you are going to. It is a free for all war zone of drug violence that is only slightly safer than backpacking thru Iraq or Afganistan right now.

If you can, overlay a map of Europe onto the United States, and that will give you a good idea of the distances involved. The "states" in the plains are REALLY big.

Best of luck to you, and I do hope you have a great time in the US.