Is polycampery wrong?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:25 pm

So after a great year last year, planning on going this year, then planning on not going this year, I am once again planning on going this year. Yay. See you at the meet & greet!

So after being the ramrod last year for 5 other people (including 3 virgins, yay) and having a great camp and a great time, I'm not doing jack shit this year and letting someone else do all our planning. I guess we're camping with some other camp I never heard of.

So two questions...

1. If that camping situation sucks, where else can I go? I've been off the board a while so I'm not sure what the "refugee" camps are anymore.

2. Would it be entirely morally wrong to have a secret, backup camp to camp with in case things go terribly wrong at the planned camp?

p.s. Andre if you're reading this -- I trust you absolutely, brother!!!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:52 pm

Intensive sucking up--starting now--could get you a back up spot in Eplaya Bar Camp.

Is it wrong? Not if you're my slave, baby.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:56 pm

Is eplaya bar camp closed to new participants?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:59 pm

Sput is using collage techniques like overlapping to get all our tents on the map. I don't know that we've locked the gate, but we had to go to a back up plan of unknown utility.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:02 pm

I keep trying to shrink my footprint after the 3playa whining / exclusion debacle a couple of years back but I don't think it's small enough yet. I'll just look a bit further out for space.

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:12 pm

My theory is to have a backup for everything - tent, shade, campsite.

There's an old and honorable tradition in the West called "pulling up stakes." If things get sucky, pull up stakes.

http://www.abbeyweb.net/reflections/pulling_stakes.html

Also known as plucking stakes, but that's another story.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:20 pm

Kinetic IV wrote:I keep trying to shrink my footprint after the 3playa whining / exclusion debacle a couple of years back but I don't think it's small enough yet. I'll just look a bit further out for space.

I don't know. It's sort of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:22 pm

I agree with Phil - have a back-up plan for everything (including the back-up plan!!)

You can always line or corner jump between 2 or 3 or 4 camps - this is used successfully by some "rogue" campers. Of course, with camps like The Bar and Apokiliptika, ya takes yer chances... >giggles<

But actually, consider this, as it may be the only viable way out of a shit situation. Also, another idea - DON'T set your full footprint for a couple days, until you know who yo're camping with. That way, if it doesn't work, you can up and scram to another location PDQ, with less drama.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:31 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:
Kinetic IV wrote:I keep trying to shrink my footprint after the 3playa whining / exclusion debacle a couple of years back but I don't think it's small enough yet. I'll just look a bit further out for space.
I don't know. It's sort of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

Nah, it's just my perception issue at work again. I'm the type that if i'm slighted and it's harsh enough then I never forget it. On the other hand I won't think twice about going out of my way to help someone that's been nice to me in the past.

In hindsight they didn't like my truck and trailer combo, they said I was taking up way too much space with it. The funny thing is Tiara's tent and her Jeep took up just as much space...actually more so. But would anyone have complained about that? No.

Anyway the fallout from that mess still lingers, this year I'll have a tent that clips on the back of the SUV, next year my tent may end up on top of the racks on the SUV itself...I doubt you can get a more minimal footprint than that.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:39 pm

VW Westy vans are minimal footprints. Lived in one for a while. That, a portapotty in back, and shower & curtain built into the hatch and sloping roof, there's NOWHERE you can't drop camp and live the good life!!

Then if you're *really* kewl you put an inverter next to your deep cycle battery. 1000 MW is enough to run a tiny TV, a boombox, etc., and you set up shore power to recharge it... Oooh yeah.

Fuck, I miss my old westy!

bb

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:44 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:Intensive sucking up--starting now--could get you a back up spot in Eplaya Bar Camp.

Is it wrong? Not if you're my slave, baby.

We need to talk. If nothing else, I'd be a good on-demand hugger. Hm. Hug Patrol. Hm...

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:16 pm

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:VW Westy vans are minimal footprints. Lived in one for a while. That, a portapotty in back, and shower & curtain built into the hatch and sloping roof, there's NOWHERE you can't drop camp and live the good life!!

Then if you're *really* kewl you put an inverter next to your deep cycle battery. 1000 MW is enough to run a tiny TV, a boombox, etc., and you set up shore power to recharge it... Oooh yeah.

Fuck, I miss my old westy!

bb

1980 Westy Campmobile Deluxe. Lived in it for 3 years. I miss mine too.

(Now I've got '93 VW Eurovan. Bed, but no pop-top or camper equipment.)

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:36 pm

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:I agree with Phil - have a back-up plan for everything (including the back-up plan!!)

You can always line or corner jump between 2 or 3 or 4 camps - this is used successfully by some "rogue" campers. Of course, with camps like The Bar and Apokiliptika, ya takes yer chances... >giggles<

But actually, consider this, as it may be the only viable way out of a shit situation. Also, another idea - DON'T set your full footprint for a couple days, until you know who yo're camping with. That way, if it doesn't work, you can up and scram to another location PDQ, with less drama.

Good advice. Thanks. You win a hug, a $19.95 value! Not available in stores. Call now!

Das Bus · Post by **Das Bus** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:58 pm

My advice is to not upack at all until you return home from the playa. No fuss, no muss!

Xta_G · Post by **Xta_G** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:13 pm

I can say with certainty that there's a certain virgin at Eplaya Bar Camp who is hogging a lot of space with a 12' tent... for just one person :)

Might want to suck up to some of Fishy's friends, too ;)

X.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:30 pm

I never go with my comfort and living quaters Dependant on others.. I do camp with others but I'm ready to stand alone if needed..I will not let others fuck my burn up....

seelivemusic · Post by **seelivemusic** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:41 am

I always have my trustly 2 person tent in case of a flare up or if I am being an idiot.

I too miss my '73 Orange Westy, aka the Cosmic Pumpkin.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:58 am

Xta_G wrote:I can say with certainty that there's a certain virgin at Eplaya Bar Camp who is hogging a lot of space with a 12' tent... for just one person :)

Might want to suck up to some of Fishy's friends, too ;)

X.

For some reason I don't think YOUR space requirements even if they tripled would be an issue.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:01 am

Kinetic IV wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:
Kinetic IV wrote:I keep trying to shrink my footprint after the 3playa whining / exclusion debacle a couple of years back but I don't think it's small enough yet. I'll just look a bit further out for space.
I don't know. It's sort of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
<snip>
In hindsight they didn't like my truck and trailer combo, they said I was taking up way too much space with it.

Dang, I thought you were talking metaphorically.

NOw that they've identified this important issue, I expect to see them all out there with tape measures, clip boards and slide rules to make sure that no one on the playa has a larger footprint than absolutely nessesary. That will keep them busy during the entire event.

What do you suppose the ideal size footprint is. I'm guessing...oh...maybe the size of a Dodge Neon?

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:18 am

The environment takes up too much space, for pete's sake.

By the way, that link I posted to "abbeyweb"? That's Ed Abbey, for those who have any interest in him.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:28 am

I just caught some PM flak for bringing that back up...but it did happen.

But since my scenario was inside a tightly packed theme camp, don't let it influence you if you're camping elsewhere. The playa has more than ample room, if you look at the map you can see where the ORG planned for more ring roads. So again it's no big deal....if you need the space within reason...take it.

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:37 am

Xta_G wrote:I can say with certainty that there's a certain virgin at Eplaya Bar Camp who is hogging a lot of space with a 12' tent... for just one person

X.

Gosh ... you know ... these new weight restrictions on the plane are making me have to reconsider bringing my tent ....

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:41 am

Kinetic IV wrote:I just caught some PM flak for bringing that back up...

And I got none for offering aid comfort and mockery? Just as well, but...

What I'm wondering about is how people manage to build glass houses on playa.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:44 am

And where do all the stones come from?

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:45 am

I always plan to (but never actually do) set up a "backup tent" on the opposite side of the city. I have some friends that camp over on that side that I think would allow me to pitch an emergency tent in their part of the world (I would use their space because I know how to find it when I am blotto). If I find myself way over on the other side of town, sans pants, no bike, and it's too far to get back to my camp ... I would have a safe harbor to crawl into and get out of the dust.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:59 pm

Bin Noddin wrote:And where do all the stones come from?

Glass houses often use stones in their landscaping.

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:03 pm

I would have a safe harbor to crawl into and get out of the dust.

All of Burning Man is a safe harbor to crawl into. I have known lots of people who have awakened sans pants in some strangers camp, welcomed and watered before wending their wayward way back homeward.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:10 pm

All of Burning Man is a safe harbor to crawl into. I have known lots of people who have awakened sans pants in some strangers camp, welcomed and watered before wending their wayward way back homeward.

True enough but honestly, unless I am invited, I feel squicky about just walking into someone's camp and crashing. Now if they have a dome with lots of blankies that is sort of set up for public use anyway and it's early enough in the week that the place isn't too sticky, fine, but when I am in that state of needing, stumbling upon such accomodations would be a matter of luck. I might seek something like that out if I know that I have a safe backup nearby. Otherwise I would just head for my safe spot. I tend not to make a good mooch unless I just want to borrow a screwdriver ... or $5.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 10:59 am

If someone wandered into my camp and said, my old camp turned into a fratfest, can I stay here? I wouldn't feel too squicked out about it.

regynalonglank · Post by **regynalonglank** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:09 am

we had a couple of people who were bi-campal last year, and that worked out just nice. course our camps are right next to each other...and we like our chothers...come to think of it i may have been bi-campal last year!!! oh my :)