WTF happen to the "pulse" exodus thing?

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:06 pm

Savannah wrote:My fellow traveler and I left camp @ 7:50am Labor Day and were on the blacktop exactly 2.5 hours later. Pulsing did not seem to be in effect during that time. Oh well! After 6 burns, 2.5 hours seems totally normal and--on Monday morning--at least 30-60 minutes faster than average. Acceptance, a good attitude, and the knowledge that things could be way worse . . . well, it makes everything easier. We chatted, people-watched, and listened to Black Rock radio.

Anyone with a particularly low tolerance for frustration (should they survive the Burn in general) would probably be happiest departing their campsite at a truly weird time . . . I'm guessing somewhere between 3am and 6am might be optimum. This requires a lot of forethought in regards to breaking down one's camp the night before and somehow being fully slept. Easiest for RV people.

Oh yes, listening to Dr. Hal on BMIR while pulsing towards the highway was really great. He was not only entertaining but also shared my low opinion of the single-note rave music. He saved us from boredom as we waited. We also enjoyed watching two guys hitting golf balls alongside the line. It made me wonder why there aren't any playa sports teams? Or are there and I just missed them along with all the other great stuff?

TwoHott · Post by **TwoHott** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:18 pm

[quote="Marscrumbs"] ... I feel screwed again by the paid powers at be didn't delivery on their plans they had put down in writing. What happened here?[/quote]

I'm no expert on the subject but I have a good theory as to why there was not as much pulsing as you hoped for -- Not enough people went to http://www.burningman.com/participate/gate.html and volunteered to help!

Seriously, if there were an extra hundred pulsers and pulser leads willing to get out there and make it happen there probably could have been more pulsing going on. I invite all who are passionate about this subject to participate and make it happen. The things you are most passionate about often make the best participation opportunities.

Wouldn't it be nice if too many people volunteered to help with Exodus next year? I'm looking into doing it next year. Anyone else?

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:33 pm

ALL PROPS TO WHOEVER INVENTED PULSING! PULSING ROCKS!

Sorry for shouting. But damn, that worked well. Left Monday noon and took the expected 3+ hours getting to pavement but it was so nice. One of my good buddies ended up right near us in line and we got to spend some more quality time together. A car near us was playing a great CD. One woman was reading out sections of a romance (= soft core porn) novel for passersby. Instead of a hellish hot dusty grind I spent my last 3 playa hours in one pleasant little farewell party.

Pulsing ROCKS.

BetaBox · Post by **BetaBox** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:50 pm

BetaBox · Post by **BetaBox** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:52 pm

Edana wrote:We left at 5am on Mon morning, and it would have been great if the pulse was in operation then.

...Well, it was all fine until i was 2 minutes away from leaving BRC and the FUCKING LOST CHILD WAS REPORTED. ARGH... It wasn't a bad wait, but still, it immediately added 30 min to exodus (3.5 for me). people <18 should not be allowed at the event. yes that's a puritan w.a.s.p. stance, but come on...
30 mins my ass. I found the child. Maybe 5 minutes after I saw the ranger radio it in. I immediately RAN over to the Ranger with the kid and watched him radio in the all clear. Couldn't have been more than 10 minutes, 15 at the most.

And the child was exactly where she was supposed to be, just didn't hear anyone calling her name over the other ambient noise. There just happened to be a Ranger nearby who got involved. Probably would never have been an issue if someone had to go find a ranger, since the kid wasn't really missing.

well, shit, i didn't know you were sitting at the gate with me! The gate crew rocked, it's the game of telephone that added the time(close than re-open the gate). there's no on off switch.

As far as the kid issue goes, no matter how you frame it, bringing children to burning man is like parental supervision at a crack house. Better yet, let's start a school for children that only lasts one week a year because it's such a child friendly environment.

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:59 pm

It really doesn't matter what anyone posts here about children being at Burning Man. Larry Harvey said kids can be at the event and that's that.

bluesbob · Post by **bluesbob** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 10:17 am

Left the playa at 10:10 on Sunday night. I think we hit the highway at around 2:00 a.m. It took a long time, but the three of us in the car had a good time recounting our experiences during the week, and we got to yell at other Burners on the way out. It was a long wait, but it wasn't that bad.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:57 pm

kickstart wrote:Exodus pulsing was being done on monday (official exodus day) morning. It started at about 9 or 10am, but should have started much earlier.

Once the pulsing started, it was a really good system. No overheating engines, no wasting gas while inching forward, and some good time to hang out and share playa stories with folks outside the cars while waiting.

Hopefully in the future they will include the pulsing in the late night saturday and sunday traffic to help those that leave right after the man and temple burns.

Hear, hear! I didn't realize over 6 years of burning that Exodus was a scheduled event. Assumed that pulsing would begin when many people start to leave...right after the Man burns. I knew that it wouldn't necessarily mean that we'd get to the blacktop any faster, but that it would be easier on men, women, and machines without the herky-jerky stop and starts. Yes, I too hope the pulsing extends into the drive home earlier in succeeding years.

sgtcrispy · Post by **sgtcrispy** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:44 pm

I left just before sunrise, (can't remember the time 4-6 ish?) monday morning and was on the highway shortly after sunrise . The only volunteer I saw at that time was at the highway entrance, waving bursts of cars ahead.
It was still quicker than my first burn (08) when I left around 8am and was on 447 at noon.

Other than people speeding, the only other annoyance was the two cars parked on the other side of the banner divider on the rightside exit lane. The lady driving had woken up I guess and decided she was going to pull in front of me across the banner and cut in line. Mind you the traffic was bumper-to-bumper even then. She hopped out and chewed my ass for not letting her in.

Yeah right. Cut in line and also pull hundreds of yards of banner with you. She should have just drove along side and tried to hop in line at the exit instead.

Oh and the dumbass bicylist riding a wide ass trike that caused a accident going up a hill.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:00 am

Pulse sounds like it worked when it was working.. Maybe more pulse time next year.. I would love to see some smart ass speeder get there wait time increased waiting for a ticket..

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:14 am

Longest exodus ever for us. Hated it. I think they stopped 'pulsing' once we got close to the gate. We left on Monday around 2ish...waited so long in line we missed our 9:00PM diner reservation in Reno.

JK

Tengerguy · Post by **Tengerguy** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:58 am

I left about 10 am Tuesday, only a few other cars, and no wait at all. Road was very bumpy and dusty, but not bad or unexpected. Lots of activity Monday afternoon and evening. Some fireworks late Monday night. BMIR Radio was warning of high winds and low temps forecast for later Monday, and said something like "If you're still here by noon, rangers will start asking you to leave." Really enjoyed the one night on the palya looking at stars without all the loud techno from the camp that had been blasting all week. Next year I think I'll plan on leaving on Tuesday as well. But am also wondering, What is the latest you can stay?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:08 am

I want to plan a hot springs bath on Mon. Then a soft 250 miles home Tue.

kman · Post by **kman** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:39 am

We left 2-3 hours after the temple burned, somewhere just after 10pm I think? Took about 3 hrs to hit the asphalt, if memory serves. No pulsing, which disappointed me... I was looking forward to seeing it in action. I hope they start it sooner next year!

Pink Daddy · Post by **Pink Daddy** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:45 am

They had started it sooner, but stopped on Sunday around 6pm. Not sure why...

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:47 am

Sounds like pulsing was a success when it was running but Exodus needs more volunteers to extend it. Put me down for some exodus time on Sunday afternoon.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 2:05 pm

...apparently it was also determined through trial and error that the pulse works good during the day (requires ~20 Volunteers to work), but does not work during the night (safety reasons).

So, if <20 Volunteers, or night, and no pulse.

I also liked the pulse. Much less stress on Driver and Vehicle.

mars · Post by **mars** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:31 pm

I leave at pretty much the same time every year---monday afternoon--pretty much the worst possible time. And this year, with the pulsing, it was the best exodus ever. Between that, and my decision to stay in reno rather than drive all the way back to santa cruz, made me, my honey and my vehicle very happy campers.

googbox · Post by **googbox** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:19 pm

As many others have concurred, our crew loved the pulsing. We found it as a way to continue with the event. Plus it was a great way to unload all our leftover veggies and hummus and chips and popcorn and drinks. We came upon a group of people and asked if they wanted some veggies and hummus. They were starving and their food (if they had any) was buried.

We also found another fun way to enjoy exodus. We had "Burner Barbie" with us and we went around letting her meet all the various people in line and having their picture taken with her. We now have a full picasa album of Burner Barbie's adventures during exodus. She was quite the slut!

We left BRC about 1:30 pm and got to reno about 9pm. I don't know what time we hit the highway, but I was a little sad to finally have to say goodbye. Exodus was a blast.

Oh and if any of you were some of the fun, funny, zany people who met us and Burner Barbie, send me a PM and I'll try to get you your picture.

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:04 pm

There is something to be said about leaving on Tuesday.

What Exodus?

Eklypz · Post by **Eklypz** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:02 pm

[quote="Token"]There is something to be said about leaving on Tuesday.

What Exodus?[/quote]

Tuesday is da bomb! I love getting to be there Monday night with the reduced population to gather my thoughts and get a good night's sleep before hitting the road. Don't think I would ever leave on Monday again after the last few years of Tuesdays.

And we left at 5 pm Tuesday, no rangers telling us to leave lol.

epic · Post by **epic** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:07 am

Heres the solution: NO Amber Alerts! If parents are so negligent that they lose their brats tough fucking shit! Keep the line moving.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:10 am

Wow...

That's probably one of the most selfish things I've ever seen posted here.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:13 am

LeChatNoir wrote:Wow...

That's probably one of the most selfish things I've ever seen posted here.

epic is a valued member of the community as he teaches everyone how to use the ignore feature. Plonk is your friend.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:19 am

Believe it or not, I've actually not plonked anyone yet. I sort of take all aspects of it as one big messy thing.

As to the thread topic, we enjoyed the pulsing. Seemed it sort of fell apart toward sunset Monday, but getting out and enjoying time with others that you'd otherwise not meet was fun. A few more portapotties closer to the city might have been a good idea.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:24 am

epic wrote:Heres the solution: NO Amber Alerts! If parents are so negligent that they lose their brats tough fucking shit! Keep the line moving.

I have to admitt, epic is pretty rude.. This time I think he rang the (striker) bell..

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:00 am

Eklypz wrote:
Token wrote:There is something to be said about leaving on Tuesday.

What Exodus?
Tuesday is da bomb! I love getting to be there Monday night with the reduced population to gather my thoughts and get a good night's sleep before hitting the road. Don't think I would ever leave on Monday again after the last few years of Tuesdays.

And we left at 5 pm Tuesday, no rangers telling us to leave lol.

This.. yes. Gather your thoughts through Monday, have a couple drinks, and get to bed no later than 10-11 or so for a good nights sleep. Get everything ready to go the night before, and pop up at 7 am and bail. I was out of camp by 7:30am Tuesday, and on pavement around 9 am looking bright eyed and bushy tailed.

uski · Post by **uski** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:58 pm

The only thing I didn't like about Exodus at the time was that I had no idea how long it would take. No signs (excepted at the end), almost no announcements on the radio, nothing. I really, really had no idea at all that it was going to take 4-5 hours (left monday at 10am...)

First timers need clues about that!

Didn't have food on hand, had to ask someone (who gave us plenty of cereal bars - if you're reading this, I LOVE YOU, and I hope you're enjoying the piggie LED light

)

I'll be more prepared for next year's Exodus.

Rice · Post by **Rice** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:00 pm

Pulsing did not happen when it was dark!! Too Dangerous.... Would you want to walk in front of a bunch of impatient, tired, wired, careless drivers???

As a plan, it worked pretty good when I left on Monday afternoon. I suspect it will be repeated!!

It is awesome that kids go to burning man! It is unfortunate that children sometimes get separated from their parents. Don't you think it cool, that a city of 50000+ shuts its doors until that missing child is found??? I sure do. If you don't like it, go somewhere else you Loser ...

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:16 am

uski wrote:The only thing I didn't like about Exodus at the time was that I had no idea how long it would take. No signs (excepted at the end), almost no announcements on the radio, nothing. I really, really had no idea at all that it was going to take 4-5 hours (left monday at 10am...)

That's weird. We left at 9:30AM, were at the road by 1:15 and we heard several announcements on BMIR predicting 3-4 hours, which was accurate. We heard the announcements on radio both before we left camp and while in exodus.

WTF happen to the "pulse" exodus thing?

Re: WTF happen to the "pulse" exodus thing?

Left Tuesday morning