EXODUS

felony · Post by **felony** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:01 am

We left Chance and 3:30 at 10:09 am and made it out of the festival grounds at 7:17pm. Although The day was hot and the line was long, we shared shade, music and laughter with many new and old friends. Did anyone else experience a 9 hour plus wait to get out?

Post by **Eric** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:51 am

We left on Sunday about 7pm- BMIR was saying it looked like a 3-4 hour wait to get out, but we were on pavement in about an hour & a half. Didn't climb into bed until 6:30am, but getting through Exodus wasn't bad.

PlayaPetal · Post by **PlayaPetal** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:58 pm

We left Monday at noon from Fate and 6:15 - took us over 4 hours to finally reach the main road - but once on the main road, no problems at all - we had a great time partying on the way out...

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:21 pm

I left my friend's camp at 5:30 and Wheel of Fortune around 10 o'clock Monday morning and was on 447 about a half-hour later. Including a stop at the potties.

Here's what we did: we packed up our camp on Sunday, did the MOOP sweep around sunset, and went to the Temple Burn. My campmates took off around 11:30 Sunday night; I was too tired to drive so I went to crash at a friend's camp. I made sure to keep the night/bed essentials easy to access when I packed. Come sunup — Up, potties, into the car, go.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:33 pm

I left 2:30 (my street!) and Hope at 7 am and got to the gate at noon, when a guy in Hengehold rental truck behind me fell asleep and hit my rental car from behind at about 1 mph, and fucked up my bumper. God was looking out for me since I was luckily sober and not pot-smelling as usual. Pershing county Sheriff's were happy to make a police report, now to see what Enterprise loss collection division will do to me.
Otherwise a good Exodus, people in line were so nice, giving out lip-balm, cookie gatorade and smiles until the end.
I am still saying "Hello" to strangers now and they think I'm a crazy person.

s5 · Post by s5 » Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:34 pm

We only waited an hour and a half this year, not bad!

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:39 pm

Left camp at 1:30. Hit the road at 4:30. I was a passenger so I spent the time walking down the road picking up rocks (for necklaces) and moop.

golgotha-a-go-go · Post by **golgotha-a-go-go** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:48 pm

Left 2:30 & Fate at 10:30 am on Monday. Hit 447 at 6:30 pm. Wow, never thought I would experience that! BMIR kept on saying it was a "three hour tour, a three hour tour, the weather started getting rough" the little van just sat, if not for the courage of the fearless crew the, it really would have sucked. Had lots of fun with the cars around us and the remaining camps. That's what Burning Man's all about: improvising fun and frolic at all times.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:27 am

We left 8:30 about fourish and hit the pavement about 7 or so. About the same as last year. Takes forever to get the trailer packed, Larry won't allow half-assed packing of a load, he does it right even if it takes time. Sigh.

Nice moment, guy with a hot dog cart fed us yummy grilled franks on sticks. Just the treat we needed at just the right time! And we shared cookies with our vehicular neighbors.

Worst burner behavior: there was a gap in the line as folks got in their cars, and a big Winnebago with Oregon plates towing a double-decker art car sped across the now empty blocks and forced his way in. Ironicanally, the top of the art car was lovely and white with "truth" across the back. As we were in line, we could see trash bags piled up in the art car way up high, unsecured. Eventually we passed them at the turn in Sparks (?) and we couldn't see a single trash bag left up there. IMHO, that person became a line-jumping trash-spewing pig-fucker the moment they entered their vehicle.

TheSmokinMinister · Post by **TheSmokinMinister** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:45 am

We left 6:30 and Chance at about 5:30PM on Sunday and made it thru to the road (after leaving gum, gatorades, medical kit, etc. for the clean up crews) by 9PM. We took lots of pics of the line in front and behind us ... passed out sandwiches to others in line and had a great experience until we hit the road ... people were really inconsiderate back in the real world ... otherwise we had a wonderful first BURN and plan on coming back and bringing the WHOLE family!:lol:

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:17 pm

Sunday morning: 11:00 am. I managed to get in line but after moving maybe 40 feet in 30 minutes I turned around and went back to camp.

Sunday night: 11:45 pm. 35 minutes from camp to 447.

I still think there needs to be 2 more gates, 1 for traffic heading North on 447, another for those who intend to take Jungo Road to Winnemucca. Perhaps it's time to ask the BLM to consider this for the years ahead.

I also find it interesting that an event that promotes it's environmental aspects of Leave No Trace bungles Exodus to the point there are thousands of vehicles belching pollution....sitting there idling for hours upon hours. Any time I suggested additional gates in the past the ideas were ignored...perhaps it's time to bring a portable air quality station out there and see if the data it produces could be used to force change....it might take a year or two but by the end of the 5 year permit maybe things could be handled differently....

trocar · Post by **trocar** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:34 pm

A bit of thread drift...

Had to stay home this year. I am wondering how the trash on the road situation was this year? In years past, the trash on 447 has really bummed me out. It really looks bad for the event. Plus, what is the point of LNT to just to spread a 100 mile trail of garbage from BRC to Reno? I hope it was much better than years past.

felony · Post by **felony** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:38 pm

Trocar--- there was garbage all over the place, some still in bags, some blowing around the side of the road. There were water bottles, pillows, tarps...all kinds of things that weren't secured properly- all the way to 80 and beyond. No better or worse than last year. Still bad.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:43 pm

Two hours for me, not bad. Think it is the BLM that is holding out on gates. Some people whined about the large vehicle lane. I think it helped. Except for the pig fuckers that jumped in wth cars. A wreaker was removing two cars as we got to the road. Had to wrap my arm in a windshield reflector.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:45 pm

The problem with an exit to Jungo Road is that it's difficult and dangerous to travel, even for those familiar with and prepared for it. I know we consent to a waiver and acknowledge that this is a perilous venture but the authorities don't want that on their heads. Knowing them, they'd probably hold up the line going that way with inspections to vehicles to make sure they're properly loaded, carrying a gas tank and 2+ spare tires, et alia.

pbmaniac2000 · Post by **pbmaniac2000** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:52 pm

My exodus took about 4 hours. I did get pissed at the people who would go outside of the flagged exit road. They would then drive up to the front and try and jump back in line. That irratated me. The trash was descent when i left. It was the broken down cars all over that gave me a good laugh though. Felt bad for them, but it was just funny. A car every 100 feet.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:05 pm

This was the first year I saw trash along Jungo Road so if that's any indication it wasn't a good year trash wise. There's some serious awareness issues going on here that will be interesting to address.

As for Exodus....special lanes, etc it's still dumping everyone to 447 and a single file line. I wonder if the ORG and NDOT would consider setting up 447 in a contraflow configuration for a short period of time. Contraflow for those that don't know what I mean is used in hurricane areas to convert say North and Southbound lanes of an Interstate highway to all Northbound traffic for a specific length.

In the case with 447 my initial thoughts are to setup 447 in contraflow Southbound configuration and run it that way in short blocks of time. To do this will be a pain in the ass to the locals though so to mitigate that....you could run contraflow traffic in 1 hour blocks. First off if it's something everyone approves on the locals are alerted via the media and if costs can be kept low, perhaps a direct mail notice. Next, consider the use of "pilot cars". When Colorado has rock slides that shut down mountain roadways, a bypass around the obstacle is established and a pilot car is used to shuttle groups of cars slowly through the zone. Using a pilot car in the contraflow proposal would keep traffic moving steadily and let officials know where the traffic / block of cars is along 447. That way if a local needs out or an emergency vehicle needs through they will know where the traffic is at any given time....

I'm also thinking of cost....I don't have cites here but the ORG is already paying out the nose to cover LE costs. The quicker the bulk of people are moved off the playa, the less need you'll have for LE coverage which might end up offsetting the new costs or maybe it generates a cost savings.

I'm tossing this out here as merely an idea...it's not perfect by any means. But perhaps it can inspire solutions...I'm kinda tired of bitching, I'd like to see the community come up with something that the ORG, NDOT, LE agencies, and the locals can all agree on. What we have now is woefully inadequate and with a 5 year permit and projected growth being taken into account....it's only a matter of time before Exodus becomes our next "wetwipes in the Portapotty" possible event killer issue. Hopefully that can be prevented.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:25 pm

kenetic, your still dealing with the BLM. They will not allow a second exit ramp.

trocar · Post by **trocar** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:27 pm

there was garbage all over the place, some still in bags, some blowing around the side of the road. There were water bottles, pillows, tarps...all kinds of things that weren't secured properly- all the way to 80 and beyond. No better or worse than last year. Still bad.

That really sucks. The folks in Gerlach and other towns must really see people that go to the event as a bunch of yahoo hypocrites. Sure, leave no trace in your back yard but to fuck with mine.

I know I am preaching to the choir, and most likely everyone reading this isn’t the problem, but I am going to rant anyway. I see this as a major issue that hasn’t been dealt with properly, or at all.

What is so damn hard about securing your shit down when leaving? Everything seems to get out there just fine. The road doesn’t look like that on the way to the event.

I really don’t buy the idea that all the garbage has innocently fallen off the vehicles. I really feel 95% of it is from laziness, and a non-verbalized “Hey, it fell off the vehicle. What am I supposed to do, stop? Now I don’t have to deal with it. How was I to know bags of empty water jugs and tarps need to be tied down on a vehicle that will be going 55MPH.” BTW: I would never suggest someone stop on 447 during the Exodus. That’s really dangerous.

I understand the garbage is a real pain in the ass to deal with. After being out there for a week I just want to get a real shower, meal, and bed. The last thing I want to deal with is a number of hours in a car with garbage and grey water, but we do. It can be pretty painless if planned properly. Every year the garbage is stored in the vehicle with us until we get to the dump or a place to properly dispose of. I know a majority of people who go out there are also doing the same. The ones that don’t take personal responsibility really put everyone going to the event in a bad image.

OK rant over.

JRoyale · Post by **JRoyale** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:43 pm

diane o'thirst wrote:was on 447 about a half-hour later.

Not to be to fussy, but the road from last stop sign in Gerlach to the Burning Man turn off is labelled 34, not 447.

See:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q ... 11658&om=1

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:45 pm

unjonharley wrote:kenetic, your still dealing with the BLM. They will not allow a second exit ramp.

What is banned today may be embraced tomorrow...

I'm also thinking that approaching this from the "Green Man" theme perspective along with some other things means there's a chance at pulling it off. And even if it doesn't work I could still get more experience at dealing with all the parties involved.

I'm taking it on...if I fall flat on my face at least people can laugh about that and not at the fact I was too afraid to try.

And JRoyale you seem to be right. But if there was ever a swimming upstream project, changing everyone's thoughts to referencing that stretch as Highway 34 is gonna be tough.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:52 pm

On a happier note. I ride around all day playing good tunes and picking up moop. I pick up the little things. In years passed I could fill a sack in an hour or so. This year it took most of the day. Buttsw/filters,battries,feathers and those thin glow rods. I leave the larger stuff for others. I don't have the bio safety to pick up half eaten food or other things that had body fluids on or in them.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:58 pm

Kenetic, Good for you on taking it on. I'm sure other will want to jump in and help you. I am working on another project of the Greening of Burning Man.

Bitterman · Post by **Bitterman** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:00 pm

There are equal amounts of trash @ Pyramid on any "holiday" weekend - pig fuckers are pig fuckers, no matter where they spend vacation....
i would like to personally thank the butt pilots who threw all of their alkaloid-stained "belongings" over my work fence in sparks (glendale/stanford/mccarran area) - what a wonderful gift tuesday morning!!! did you also pass us on the way out? or pass us while we were
speed limit driving (an obvious thorn in your side) on the 447?
and another special "Thanks" for all of the debris hitting our windshields...
how many bikes did you free from their formerly oppressive owners? or was that indeed you who broke my bikes frame with your revelry in a non-comprehending response to platonic methodology?

fuck you, you fuckin' fucks! show some goddamm respect for the circle outside of your world - or do i have to bitchslap you as a reminder that
"its not at all about you" - and next time, you fuckin dimwits
learn how to
tie a fuckin rope!!!
is it too much to hope that these eediots!! get work crew at somepoint?

i'll be back on the black rock for some nonpopulated winter camping, totally aware of how easy it is to be personally responsible while tying my own knots..........

BM

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:00 pm

Alas, I expect to go it alone....but one person can make a difference. And on transportation issues so far every "official" project I've taken on in the past 18 months I've had success with at least here in the Midwest. This one....I'm not so sure. But that's what makes it interesting enough to try.

Bitterman · Post by **Bitterman** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:10 pm

oh, 9 hours for personal truck from anxious to pavement
7 hours for panel van - which is our main supply truck - extra full of "extra" trash bags from around our camp -
wheres my dump fees, bitches?
thats what i cant stand about the post burn - sh!t everywhere -
the portas had fuckin uneaten-still-in-the-wrapper candy bars....wtf??

beyond not cool to speed-load your car and bail out with no trash or effort given, you whiny little "i did too much_________, and now i'm tired" bitches!
I wont be fucking you or the dirty horse you rode in/out on.........
loads of engine killing, monoxide highs, sh!t drivers, and sensory deprived thoughts.

tuesday was awesome........8 days ago.......

BM

s5 · Post by s5 » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:14 pm

Yeah, if the BLM and the police really wanted to do something useful, they'd stop wasting everyone's time over drugs, and sit by the road, handing out $1000 tickets for littering. You can be damn certain that $1000 is going to motivate someone to strap down their trash bags just a bit tighter next time around.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:34 pm

s5 wrote:Yeah, if the BLM and the police really wanted to do something useful, they'd stop wasting everyone's time over drugs, and sit by the road, handing out $1000 tickets for littering. You can be damn certain that $1000 is going to motivate someone to strap down their trash bags just a bit tighter next time around.

That's an interesting idea. Yet it could go overboard fast....next thing LE will be asking to make it a primary offense that you could be stopped for...oh I saw something fall off your vehicle, here's your ticket, sign here. Also do we want a bunch of cops out there looking for littering violations which then leads to looking at equipment violations...oh sheesh, it's that slippery slope again, we're sliding, oh crap!

Ok, that was a little over the top but it may get the point across. Fines aren't the answer...some of the people that attend laugh at drug fines and other "petty" costs now. This will only bite the wrong people. Are there more ideas out there and does anyone have another side to this one?

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:44 pm

trocar wrote:
there was garbage all over the place, some still in bags, some blowing around the side of the road. There were water bottles, pillows, tarps...all kinds of things that weren't secured properly- all the way to 80 and beyond. No better or worse than last year. Still bad.

I understand the garbage is a real pain in the ass to deal with. After being out there for a week I just want to get a real shower, meal, and bed.

Last year in the very same sort of threat somebody posed the idea of a "Vehicular Bondage" camp where he didn't have to do anything all week until Exodus, at which point he would help people secure their shit to their vehicles using appropriate knots, materials, etc.

Was a great idea. Maybe with enough water the seed will grow.

In 2005 the trash on the side of the road was just plain embarrassing. Exodus could be renamed "Dipshits on Parade." One of our camp's RVs broke down in '05 and a cop pulled up beside them (they nearly pissed themselves.) The cop was very cool. They have a photo of him distracted a U-Haul driving past in which the driver forgot to stow the loading ramp, which was sticking out the back like a diving board.

People get excited to get out, and they just stop thinking.
-c

twothphry · Post by **twothphry** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:20 pm

I left the 3:00 Plaza on Sunday at 2:00 PM and hit the main road at 5:30 PM. Then it was a parade till I reached I-80. I didn't see an inordinate amount of trash on the sides of the road as in past years.
I did seem a little hat this year's exodus was longer than in the past. To have all that traffic funnel into one lane and then the main road took forever. I wish they could do some revamping of the exodus. This year the site on the Playa seemed futher out than last year. That made the length of the road to the main gate longer than in the past. I guess the lines help to funnel and control the traffic on the main road. The road to Gerlach was a bumper to bumper parade till you reached the other end of town when you could floor it and get up some speed.
Then there is the inevitable problem of people towing trailers having to go slower than cars and trucks thus slowing down the entire line of traffic. The entire trip home took more than twice as long as it usually takes. I was tired, fed up and said I wouldn't be back next year. 3 days later I'm rested and ready to make the trek again next year.

EXODUS

EXODUS

Where's Moses when you need him?