Leaving Burning Man Early?

[jorza]

Hi Guys,
My girlfriend and I are from Australia, looking to make 2015 our first Burning Man Experience. Our Visa's have been finalised however we need to depart on 3rd Sep 2015. Meaning we're going to attend first few days of BM and return in 2016 to do the WHOLE thing.
Does anyone know how we can leave early or what methods of transportation other than hire car there are to leave the event to get back to Reno?

Thanks,
Jorza!

[theCryptofishist]

Check out the threads on the Burner Xpress Bus.

[Elderberry]

Welcome to eplaya.

How are you planning on getting to the burn? I'd assume you'd use the same mode of transportation to leave. If you're planning on coming on the Burner Express Bus from San Francisco or Reno, this year they began return trips on Friday. Probably will be the same next year, if that will get you out in time.

If you've got the bucks, you can buy a ride on a charter plane from BM to Reno departing on whatever day you make your reservation for. There's a pretty scant weight limit on the amount of luggage you can take on the plane.

And of course you can rent a car or truck.

[jorza]

I've had a look at Burner Xpress,
I cant seem to find much info on if it does daily trips or not.

[Elderberry]

The bus has trips at the beginning of the event and at the end of the event starting on Friday. There is no scheduled service during the week. http://burnerexpress.com/faq/

[Jovankat]

What visa are you guys coming in on? If you're planning on visiting anywhere else in the Americas that is not the US at the end of your trip you could maybe come back in on an ESTA visa waiver and get another 3 months.

You could also just overstay. I know a few people who've done that without consequences. YMMV though.

[jorza]

I'm on a tourist visa which is strictly monitored as a Waiver of Ineligibility because I have a criminal record, so my visa is generally approved or declined based on the length of my trip, as this was a last minute addition.
I would overstay, but i've also got a working visa underway, and i don't want to do anything to hurt the chances of that succeeding.

My issue is, we are wanting to get to burning man on 31st August, and Leave on 3rd.
On the 31st we will be checking out of our LA hotel,
whats the best way to get to burning man and then back?
If the burner Xpress runs daily, can i just head back to San Fran and fly..etc.

We can't hire a car.

[AntiM]

Looks like charter flight is your best option.

Honestly, I would not risk it, you have a lot at stake. If it rains, you are stuck on the playa, they close the road and the airport. This happened this year, it could easily happen again.

[Doctor VonBacon]

Looks like charter flight is your best option.

Honestly, I would not risk it, you have a lot at stake. If it rains, you are stuck on the playa, they close the road and the airport. This happened this year, it could easily happen again.

+1 for AntiM.

You want to attend half the burn, and by doing so expose yourself to unnecessary risks to your livelihood (your work visa) and your chances to get a return visa for 2016 to do the entire burn.

Do yourself a favor, and postpone until 2016 where you can stay for the whole burn and plan for weather or other contingencies which will alter your travel plans. You have a LOT at stake here.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

[AntiM]

If it were not for the work visa hanging over his head, I'd say go for it, but a few days up front are chancy and could mean a fat forever fuck you from the US government if anything goes wrong.

Try Yosemite or our other amazing parks and monuments. The US is amazingly varied and vast, lots of good choices.

[Eric]

Another one agreeing with AntiM - there are too many variables that can close the Gate unexpectedly, and you could get stuck out there for a long time past your deadline. Burner Express starts doing return-rides on the Friday of the event, which would be Sept 4th in 2015, so that won't work. The only option would be flying out, but even then you run the risk of a whiteout or rain (or a missing child) closing the airport down for anywhere from a few hours to over a day. It will still be there in 2016, and you'll be in a safer place to attend.

[purcitron]

need advice please.
never been to BM.
want to avoid exodus traffic.
-can i drive out on saturday night, shortly after the big burn, around 2am (sunday)? (what time is the big burn itself?)
-allowed to drive at night (to leave)?

thanks!

[digital]

Leave whenever you want!

I highly suggest Thursday or Friday, however. Nothing to see after that.

[some seeing eye]

Exodus is different each year. Last year's waits are at https://twitter.com/bmantraffic. No guarantee of being able to follow Twitter on the playa. But they are also broadcast live on BMIR FM radio. Many people pack completely before the man burn.

[maladroit]

Driving out Saturday night right after the burn is NOT a way to avoid Exodus. A lot of people have the same idea.

[purcitron]

Driving out Saturday night right after the burn is NOT a way to avoid Exodus. A lot of people have the same idea.

good point, but surely there are less people leaving saturday night than monday?
-what about driving during darkness.... is it permitted? is it practical?
thanks

[Sham]

Again, each year is very different and there is no real answer now.

In 2013, there was a threat of rain, so large crowds left at the same time to avoid getting stuck in the playa mud. In 2014, I left my camp at 9:00am on Monday and never stopped all the way out to the pavement. Our group was expecting a several hour delay, and was so surprised that we had the whole day out in the free world.

Traditionally over the years, I have left my camp at 8:00am on Sunday morning and had little to no delay leaving.

What really helps me, are all the people leaving early to avoid the crowds. Some leave immediately after the Man burn, and others leave after the Temple burn. All these thousands of people with different theories help to clear out the city and alleviate traffic.

I have also found that once you hit the pavement, there is no stopped traffic unless there is an accident. Getting enough sleep prior to leaving is very important. So many people head out on the roads deprived of sleep for many days.

[purcitron]

Again, each year is very different and there is no real answer now.

In 2013, there was a threat of rain, so large crowds left at the same time to avoid getting stuck in the playa mud. In 2014, I left my camp at 9:00am on Monday and never stopped all the way out to the pavement. Our group was expecting a several hour delay, and was so surprised that we had the whole day out in the free world.

Traditionally over the years, I have left my camp at 8:00am on Sunday morning and had little to no delay leaving.

What really helps me, are all the people leaving early to avoid the crowds. Some leave immediately after the Man burn, and others leave after the Temple burn. All these thousands of people with different theories help to clear out the city and alleviate traffic.

I have also found that once you hit the pavement, there is no stopped traffic unless there is an accident. Getting enough sleep prior to leaving is very important. So many people head out on the roads deprived of sleep for many days.

right.
-what about driving during darkness (the man burn ends around 3am?).... is it permitted? is it practical?
thanks

[FIGJAM]

Yes.

You can drive anytime.

[lucky420]

Again, each year is very different and there is no real answer now.

In 2013, there was a threat of rain, so large crowds left at the same time to avoid getting stuck in the playa mud. In 2014, I left my camp at 9:00am on Monday and never stopped all the way out to the pavement. Our group was expecting a several hour delay, and was so surprised that we had the whole day out in the free world.

Traditionally over the years, I have left my camp at 8:00am on Sunday morning and had little to no delay leaving.

What really helps me, are all the people leaving early to avoid the crowds. Some leave immediately after the Man burn, and others leave after the Temple burn. All these thousands of people with different theories help to clear out the city and alleviate traffic.

I have also found that once you hit the pavement, there is no stopped traffic unless there is an accident. Getting enough sleep prior to leaving is very important. So many people head out on the roads deprived of sleep for many days.

right.
-what about driving during darkness (the man burn ends around 3am?).... is it permitted? is it practical?
thanks

If your night vision is good, your well rested and not fucked up you're good to anytime

[purcitron]

Again, each year is very different and there is no real answer now.

In 2013, there was a threat of rain, so large crowds left at the same time to avoid getting stuck in the playa mud. In 2014, I left my camp at 9:00am on Monday and never stopped all the way out to the pavement. Our group was expecting a several hour delay, and was so surprised that we had the whole day out in the free world.

Traditionally over the years, I have left my camp at 8:00am on Sunday morning and had little to no delay leaving.

What really helps me, are all the people leaving early to avoid the crowds. Some leave immediately after the Man burn, and others leave after the Temple burn. All these thousands of people with different theories help to clear out the city and alleviate traffic.

I have also found that once you hit the pavement, there is no stopped traffic unless there is an accident. Getting enough sleep prior to leaving is very important. So many people head out on the roads deprived of sleep for many days.

right.
-what about driving during darkness (the man burn ends around 3am?).... is it permitted? is it practical?
thanks

If your night vision is good, your well rested and not fucked up you're good to anytime

terse AAAND eloquent.. i like it.

-can you please tell me at approx what time the man burn & temple burn take place?
thanks

[Elderberry]

That's an interesting question, I've really never checked the clock. I'd guess a bit after dark, maybe 8-9 ish? Then the fireworks and burn itself and it's over before midnight. It also depends on the weather. If it's too windy, they wait, and wait, and wait until it calms down. Should that be the case (and it has been in the past), all bets are off as to when it's over.

[Sham]

I have always planned my flights for late the following day after I leave the playa. It's really a nice down time after leaving the dust to decompress and explore the Reno area before heading back to reality.

I know that purcitron is looking for a solid answer to a question, but there really is none. One might say that if you leave immediately after the burn of the Man on Saturday night, you would get stuck in that traffic. If you wait until 3:00am, all that traffic will be gone and you can drive right out. That might all change due to weather or weather predictions.

[digital]

-can you please tell me at approx what time the man burn & temple burn take place?
thanks

We usually get the go ahead to light the man around 9. This is hugely dependent on weather / wind conditions.

The burn itself can last anywhere from half an hour to multiple hours as we saw last year. Unfortunately, certain factors prevented us from using desired materials and the structure remained standing longer than planned. We will not suffer from this in 2015.

As others said, many people have the same idea to leave right after the man burn. You will not avoid exodus. In fact, you will be in the middle of it. Why not just enjoy burn night and leave Sunday after a good rest? Exodus isn't necessarily bad... Some people love it with the impromptu parties created after pulsing began.

[purcitron]

-can you please tell me at approx what time the man burn & temple burn take place?
thanks

We usually get the go ahead to light the man around 9. This is hugely dependent on weather / wind conditions.

The burn itself can last anywhere from half an hour to multiple hours as we saw last year. Unfortunately, certain factors prevented us from using desired materials and the structure remained standing longer than planned. We will not suffer from this in 2015.

As others said, many people have the same idea to leave right after the man burn. You will not avoid exodus. In fact, you will be in the middle of it. Why not just enjoy burn night and leave Sunday after a good rest? Exodus isn't necessarily bad... Some people love it with the impromptu parties created after pulsing began.

thanks for the advice.
it sounds like the traffic is worse at 3am sunday than 9am sunday.

is the temple burn also around the same time as the man burn, but on the following night?
-is leaving around 3am on sunday reasonable?
thanks.

[mgb327]

Good God, is it page 2 yet?????

[some seeing eye]

Temple burn is a little earlier, targeted for 8. Since the population cap is likely to increase in '16, '15 should be a great year for exodus. There will be plenty of guidance and info on exodus closer to the event, you can read last year's ePlaya threads and subscribe to Jack Rabbit Speaks emails.

(it's too early for page 2)

(and it's never too early to start on packing lists, costumes and meeting burners in your region)

[Eric]

it sounds like the traffic is worse at 3am sunday than 9am sunday.

It might be. Or it might not be. It is never the same.

As has been said responding to your question, there is no way to know in advance how exodus is going to be, or at exactly what time anything at Burning Man will happen. It doesn't run on strict schedules, and the weather can play a huge part in deciding how and when things happen - things are very different out there. Even "scheduled burns" (or what some people call "the big Burns" - the Man, the Temple, major pieces of art) are on approximate times, not exact.

As for exodus - it could be great, it could suck. You could drive all the way out without stopping (incredibly rare) or you could be in traffic 6-8 hours (way more common). All you can do is listen to BMIR starting on Saturday night or Sunday morning, depending on when you are rested enough to leave, and hope you hit a good window. It's part of the zen of Burning Man, just accept it. Bring something to read, something to snack on, something to drink - but absolutely no alcohol (because nobody want to be the person who rolls their vehicle on 447, which has happened almost every year)

We used to leave right before the Man burn, because it was smooth sailing - until it wasn't anymore. The last time we did it we ended up in an hour long exodus (still not bad, but we did have to stop & go at the end). Depend on nothing going like you want for exodus, and you'll be much happier.

(it's too early for page 2)

Incorrect. The question has been answered fully, which is what we hope will happen before the snark flies. Have at, if you must.

[purcitron]

it sounds like the traffic is worse at 3am sunday than 9am sunday.

It might be. Or it might not be. It is never the same.

As has been said responding to your question, there is no way to know in advance how exodus is going to be, or at exactly what time anything at Burning Man will happen. It doesn't run on strict schedules, and the weather can play a huge part in deciding how and when things happen - things are very different out there. Even "scheduled burns" (or what some people call "the big Burns" - the Man, the Temple, major pieces of art) are on approximate times, not exact.

As for exodus - it could be great, it could suck. You could drive all the way out without stopping (incredibly rare) or you could be in traffic 6-8 hours (way more common). All you can do is listen to BMIR starting on Saturday night or Sunday morning, depending on when you are rested enough to leave, and hope you hit a good window. It's part of the zen of Burning Man, just accept it. Bring something to read, something to snack on, something to drink - but absolutely no alcohol (because nobody want to be the person who rolls their vehicle on 447, which has happened almost every year)

We used to leave right before the Man burn, because it was smooth sailing - until it wasn't anymore. The last time we did it we ended up in an hour long exodus (still not bad, but we did have to stop & go at the end). Depend on nothing going like you want for exodus, and you'll be much happier.

i see. thanks for the practical advice.
but just to confirm.. the man burn is on saturday night & the temple burn is on sunday night?
thanks.

[Sham]

Purcitron, it shows that you will not be attending until 2017. That's 3 years from now. Who even knows if the event will be still going on then. Who knows what the population there will be. The event may have additional exits in 3 years. It may be in Iowa then. Why worry now, about something that is barely an abstract now?