Wanna burn, need to prepare

empressmichelle · Post by **empressmichelle** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:18 am

Hi, my name is Michelle and I have been aware of Burning Man for about 10 years.

I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province. I am part of a thriving arts community here. We live close to nature and the ten principles are never far from the way we exist daily. I dance, I sing, I play music, I paint, I love costumes and participatory art. I do not have a project in mind yet, but I will....

In 2016, I will turn 50 and I want to celebrate at my first burn. That's why I am starting NOW, to make sure I am ready in every possible way for what the playa will throw at me.

This might sound lame to some of you, but here goes.

I fear that my days of sleeping in a tent are over. I love the idea (and have done it lots) but the reality is that one night in a tent equals a quasi-sleepless night and a full day of back pain for me. I want to be able to enjoy BM to the fullest, and I know I just can't do that without a bit of decent sleep. I do sleep with earplugs, so noise is not an issue.

I must admit that all my camping has been in Canada, near lakes or oceans, which tend to be humid, especially at night. Camping in the desert is a whole different beast. I plan to do lots of research between now and 2016, but if any of you fine folks have any advice on making a comfortable bed on the playa, I would be forever grateful.

Besides that, I am self-reliant as Hell! I am a very adaptable person, and contributing to the Burning Man community is as important to me as being there.

OK, so this is Step 1 to Black Rock City. Can't wait to meet you all.

Post by **Elderberry** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:51 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:18 pm

I think it's more likely to be sleeping on the ground than sleeping in a tent that's the issue with your back. Look into a cot and put some padding on top. A lot easier, cheaper, and less prep/cleaning than renting an rv.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 2:54 pm

Welcome to ePlaya, Michelle!

Now... what's wrong with turning 49 and celebrating that in 2015? Me, I celebrate turning 49 every year!

A motor vehicle with a comfortable bed permanently installed. Many bonus points if it also has a bathroom.

Joeln · Post by **Joeln** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 3:01 pm

My Annie had the same concern.
She bought a 3 inch thick inflatable camping pad and was skeptical when she first saw it.
At the end of the week she said she slept beautifully!
If you have any friends with camping pads, give one of these a test-sleep on a hard surface.
If they only have the 1 1/2 inch kind, try two of them.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:15 pm

Welcome.

I can sleep on almost anything but really enjoy the few hours a day I get at the burn on a cot as mentioned previously. I also have used an air mattress, but find it a lot easier to get in and out of a cot.

spacetime · Post by **spacetime** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:33 pm

Welcome! Getting started early is a great idea, I think.

I am just getting to where I appreciate a good sleeping surface. This year I did a thermarest pro light plus and sleeping bag and was pretty comfortable.

But I had a friend with this awesome circular sleeping surface made out of foam and a plush cover. It looked and felt great to lay on.

I agree with thecryptofishist that getting up off the ground may make the difference for you. I plan to go to a cot or other elevated solution for this next year. Maybe something a bit bigger and more inviting.

jneilvindy · Post by **jneilvindy** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:49 pm

I used the walmart camp bed double frame. Each half folds up separate for travel but unfolds and locks together with wingnuts to form a double bed. It puts you about 18 inches off the ground. Then I bought a 4" futon mattress and also used two 2" memory foam bed tops.

Slept awesome the entire burn. The futon is the bear here to haul around as even folded in half it's still bulky. I ended up wrapping it in plastic and using it as a roof rack base with the bed frames and my bike all piled on top of it and strapped down.

The whole setup was around 300.00 maybe a bit less but totally worth it, a breeze to setup and was the envy of the entire camp I think!

Course you gotta have a tent big enough or just go with 1/2 of the double. Can even set it up as 2 single beds but you'd need to have 2 futons. The first night I just tossed it all off the roof of the car around 3am and set a single frame under the camps monkey hut, folded the futon double and slept on that.

spacetime · Post by **spacetime** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:44 pm

jneilvindy wrote:The whole setup was around 300.00 maybe a bit less but totally worth it, a breeze to setup and was the envy of the entire camp I think!

Sounds plush! What tent did you pair with this? You almost need a bedside stand / chest of drawers to go with it!

empressmichelle · Post by **empressmichelle** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:50 am

Thanks for all the great advice folks and for immediately making me feel welcome. I think I will try out a few different set-ups in advance and figure out what is best.

Going in 2015 sounds like a great idea, except that I am on the other side of the continent, so just getting to Nevada is going to take a lot of resources, not to mention gear, art and costumes. Flying seems like the easiest and cheapest plan, but that creates a big old gear conundrum. I am hoping that through my network of friends, I can develop a solution that will involve storage, shared vehicles and resources.

I'd like to hear more about spacetime's friend's circular surface - sounds cozy.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:31 am

empressmichelle wrote:... except that I am on the other side of the continent, so just getting to Nevada ...

In 2013 a lady came to BRC from Ontario, Canada, on a BICYCLE.

Blueschaser · Post by **Blueschaser** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:10 am

My lady has back issues too. Check the Kelty inflatable queen mattress; comes with rechargeable pump that inflates/deflates in under a minute!!! Gets you about 5 or 6 inches off ground. I was super skeptical at first---now a fervent convert. And fits into bag size of re-usable grocery tote. Big win!
(Around $175 or so.)

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:15 am

welcome! read all the info you can and prepare a bit each month. it helps a lot!

spacetime · Post by **spacetime** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:48 am

empressmichelle wrote: I'd like to hear more about spacetime's friend's circular surface - sounds cozy.

I asked my friend Cheese about her setup.

The sleeping pad was at the bottom of a really cool Thermos brand canvas tent from the 60s.

The sleeping pad was simply a Queen size mattress top foam. It was covered with leopard fabric she got from the bins in Portland.

There isn't a photo of the surface, but here's a pic of how luxurious the sleeping could be on this thing.

Despite the photo It was quite big enough to get a whole being and another in there. I had the pleasure of using it Sunday night so I could have all my gear ready for the BxB exodus early monday.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:30 pm

Welcome! You will be right at home in costumes!
There have been many discussions on shipping things in by package carrier or parcel post for burners coming by air.
Packing lists for the event searchable online are a good start for your personal packing list.

Wanna burn, need to prepare

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