New girl on the block, Burning Man 2024.

[Jojoxox]

Hi!

I'm Josina, from Vancouver, Canada. Last week, I returned from my first big EDC festival, it was phenomenal. I understand, Burning Man is a very different experience from others including EDC. Now, I'm looking to experience burning Man 2024. However, it's honestly overwhelming reading articles on the preparation and all. It seems joining a camp is near impossible, at least from my view. I don't mind camping solo and experiencing it on my own for the first time. Any tips for newbies camping alone?. Thank you in advance. I'm sooooo excited to finally experience Burning Man!.

[Sham]

Hi!

I'm Josina, from Vancouver, Canada. Last week, I returned from my first big EDC festival, it was phenomenal. I understand, Burning Man is a very different experience from others including EDC. Now, I'm looking to experience burning Man 2024. However, it's honestly overwhelming reading articles on the preparation and all. It seems joining a camp is near impossible, at least from my view. I don't mind camping solo and experiencing it on my own for the first time. Any tips for newbies camping alone?. Thank you in advance. I'm sooooo excited to finally experience Burning Man!.

Hi Josina and welcome to eplaya. Reading up on all the info and prep for Burning Man does appear to be overwhelming. Going solo seems to be a good way to go for many, as you will be in the open camping area. You'll quickly make friends with all you fellow solo campers and become your own group of playa friends. You won't be alone. There's no need to bring everything on the prep lists. If you need ibuprofen, someone will offer you some. Bring all your water and food and things to share. Others will share with you.
The last few years have been challenging. '22 being the first year back from covid. The organizers (the org) were a bit rusty, the heat was very high all week, it was dusty and windy. "23 was perfect weather, very little wind and much less dust. Then it rained Friday and things became really great.
For many, Burning Man can be life altering. Join you local regional group and make some friends there. https://regionals.burningman.org/region ... vancouver/
Gook luck with your plans and we'll see you in the dust.

[ygmir]

Probably our most experienced and bad ass solo camper here, is Elorrum.

[Popeye]

Hi Jojoxox and welcome!
I think the first question to ask is how are you getting there? If you are taking the bus you might want to stay in Hoverlandia which is a camp for all who travel in on the Burner Express.
Here is a list of camps that have asked for placement, https://burningman.org/event/participat ... p-listing/ This is not all camps, some others will not be asked to be placed and a few on the list will not arrive or not be placed but it's a good list to start with.
When contacting a camp don't just ask what the camp can do for you but tell them what you bring that will help them. What your gift is.

[some seeing eye]

Welcome to ePlaya and your first burn!

Burning Man in Black Rock City is a camping trip, so if you already camp you already know a lot. You need to figure out transportation, ride sharing or the Burner Bus BxB https://burnerexpress.burningman.org/ are your main options. Bringing a bike, and a lock are helpful for getting around.

The things that are different than many camping trips are dust masks, and shade over your tent, or a spot for your chair/living room, all with strong winds, think camping at the beach.

As Mr Sham mentions, many people in the Vancouver Regional were first time burners once, and now they are veterans who had to solve the same for their burns. With so many BC burners, there is a good possibility of ride sharing and new friends.

We stress the art here, and all the adventures you will have. There is also the Rock Star Librarian DJ list published about a week before the burn. The What, Where, When guide is your guide to adventures!

If you love outfits, it is never too early to start on that, many people sew or reconstruct themselves and accessorize. There are outfit camps like the Black Rock Boutique and Kostume Kult who help people with free outfits on playa. If you are not interested in outfits, some people wear normcore camping clothes. You have to prepare for cold, about 4C, to hot, about 40C, with layers. It would be very common to go from outside at 4C to an indoor space at 32C at night, even several times a night.

One big thing with the winds, is concentrating on making sure everything you bring can't shed. Those would be picked up by the wind and create cleanup problems which endanger our permit. So no camp or outfit things that can come loose.

Another big thing is that a lot of BRC happens at night with illuminated art and nighttime events. It is truly 24x7. So you need lighting to see where you are going and to avoid being struck by bicyclists and mutant vehicles.

See you there!

[Bless]

Whatever you do, don't go barefoot on the playa.