New burners from the East Coast need logistics advice

[BeeLee]

Hi everyone,

Can't wait to hopefully meet you on the playa this summer! This would be our first burn for my wife and I.

I've been doing a lot of research online, read many posts here and on other blogs. Read the Survival Guide, learned about the 10 Principles. In short, I did my homework.

I still have one big question mark on my list, I just can't figure out the best way around this...

I know what to bring, I just don't know HOW. We'll be flying from NYC to Reno. From there, I know where to rent a car, bikes. I know where the Walmart is, things like that. So technically I know I could get everything we need in Reno. But what to do with it once we go back? That's where I'm lost...

I guess there are two options:

1) We buy cheap stuff knowing that they'd last one burn and then we would either dispose of them or more ideally gift them.
2) We invest in sturdier, more expensive items (tent, etc) and find a way to leave it there. I was thinking U-Haul kind of storage but that's at least $50/month (i.e. $600 every year...)

Anyone in our situation? I'd love to hear how you guys do it? Are there any recommendations for tents, sleeping bags and other necessities that are light/compact enough to travel in a couple checked-in suitcases?

I was also thinking about ordering things online and having them shipped directly to Reno - using a mailbox service like UPS with a physical address. But then I'm back to how I'll bring this back...

Sooooo, how about you guys?

Thanks! Can't wait!

[some seeing eye]

Welcome to ePlaya! You are not alone! About 17,000 burners fly into Reno.

There have been some threads on post-event Reno donations, but they may not want a dusty tent. There was a Reno ePlayan who collects and reuses fly-in burner kits, but they don't need 10,000 Walmart tents.

All my clothes, tent and bedding are machine washable, so can be used year around at home. On this topic there was a similar thread with suggestions on shipping. There are thousands of NYC/NJ burners to discuss with in person. And https://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic ... 95&t=73796

And good for doing some research! Another source of tips is to subscribe/read back issues of Jack Rabbit Speaks.

[VultureChow]

Welcome fellow east coasters(I'm in Jersey)! You are now discovering the different difficulties we have when trying to burn in relative comfort. If you can invest in a good sturdy tent, I suggest you do so. When I fly out I fly with two or three checked bags.

1) holds my Kodiak Canvas tent (the canvas part) and whatever other shit I can fit in a large suitcase
2) holds the poles for the tent, stakes, ribar and whatever else fits in
3) Usually some art project

You can use a cooler as one of your checked bags and fill it with clothes or supplies. You can even fly with a camping stove, just not fuel.

Don't bring a ton of costumes. You'll probably find yourself just wearing a few things over and over again, so just accessorize.

Maximize your carryon, right down to what purse or laptop bag you bring.

First year I came without a bike. Now I share storage with some other people and keep a bike out there. If you had to choose, get a great tent and either go bikeless, buy and donate the Cranbrook from Wal-Mart or rent from the various people who do bike rental there.

Buy all your food out there. Unless you have some really tough dietary restrictions, you'll find it all in Reno. Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Costco, etc.

Finally.. . explore theme camp life. There are MAJOR benefits to them if you are flying into reno. Shade, food, even just socialization.

[Captain Goddammit]

buy and donate the Cranbrook from Wal-Mart

Just to focus on the bike for a minute - do get a Huffy Cranbrook beach cruiser bike. They're cheap, work great on the playa, and most importantly of all, the Cranbrook is the bike used for Burning Man's yellow bike program. If you want to donate your bike after the event, it has to be that model, for parts interchangeability reasons.

[whiskeywhore]

Not sure where you are on the East Coast, if NYC is too much of a drive, but Boston, Philadelphia and< I believe, DC have containers as well.

[Drawingablank]

By far the least expensive way to ship round trip is the NYC container. Just keep in mind that it loads / unloads in Jersey City so if you have to pay bridge or tunnel tolls it may not be such a bargain. Plus once on the playa you will need to pick your stuff up and return it to the container for reloading.

It fills up fast so if you opt for this watch the NYC regional list and jump on it when announced.

I would not consider a storage locker until you have been there at least once. Once you have been if you plan to go every year a storage locker is a great idea and can greatly increase your comfort level on the playa by letting you have bigger shade structure, more comfy tent, cots, chairs, etc... Most offer a discount for prepaid yearly rentals and in the long run it allows you to have more stuff out there so you ship less and have to toss or donate less as well so it can be a good value.

[BeeLee]

Wow, thanks everyone!

For the bikes this year we're renting, I can't remember the name of the place right now but it's pick up in Reno and $50 per bike. Unfortunately we can't stay the full week (booooo) so we're trying to save a few bucks where we can. But for next time I guess we will either go the Walmart route or probably invest in better bikes that we'd be able to customize if we can manage to find a storage.

I will definitely look into the NYC container situation (we're in Brooklyn and can get a Zipcar if needed), sounds like a great plan. Although if we don't stay the entire week it might not end up being the best solution but I'll do some research.

@VultureChow - what Kodiak do you have? I was thinking either the 10x10 or maybe 14x10 if we really want to splurge... I've read great things about them. Just not sure if both models will fit a suitcase, that's why I'm asking. Also, may I ask which airline you fly (if one in particular?)? I'm not super well versed in long distance flights so not sure where the best deals are yet, but again I'll do some research of my own

If things go well we might be able to join a friend of mine's camp (woohoo!), so maybe we won't have to bring too much stuff with us. But I'm definitely thinking about trying to find people interested in sharing a storage space that we could rent yearly to store the big things like tents, tarps, carports (yeah, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself right now...)

Again, thanks for all your advice. If I ever end up cycling by the Barbie Death camp I'll make sure to come and say thank you in person - looks great!

Cheers!

[Sham]

With two of you flying, you can get 4, 50lb. suitcases (plus some beefy carry on bags) onto the plane.
I used to pack a modest, but inexpensive tent right in my suitcase. You can buy a $75 tent in Reno and gift it to someone.
Consider wearing some of your playa clothing and packing the rest.
Also, you can get some good size boxes in Reno and ship your stuff back home. Also, some of your stuff will get hopelessly ruined and you can dispose of that in Reno.
You can also buy a good size cooler at the evil Walmart or other type of large box store.
I know if you are clever with your choice of things to bring and a bit of ingenuity, you'll do just fine.

[VultureChow]

The 10x10 Kodiak is luxurious. As in you can fit a queen size air mattress and store all of your clothes and items in there without feeling cramped at all. It's also easy to set up, take down and is sturdy as hell. It feels secure even in high winds. But it does get steamy pretty early if it's not shaded. Be prepared to nap outdoors in the shade.

For two people, I wouldn't go larger. You just don't spend much time in there besides sleeping and changing clothes.

I usually fly united because I go out of Newark. But every airline is different. If I were limited to one checked per person, I'd fly with the tent in two bags (I use a speaker stand bag for my poles), and whatever else I can fit. (Maybe a soft cooler bag so I could keep groceries cool that I buy in reno) Everything else I'd ship via container. That way, if you get in late at night or early morning before the container opens, you can still set up camp.

[Bless]

< I believe, DC has containers as well.

The District of Columbia definitely has containers. I can't speak more highly of their administration--run like a well oiled machine.

[Drawingablank]

If you fly out of LaGuardia, Southwest allows 2 suitcases, I carry on, and one personal bag. And their prices are dirt cheap.

[wolfraider]

All of the above solutions are what we found work the best. We are also coming from Brooklyn and have shipping boxes to ourselves and done huge checked bags. We also added in a longer drive from either Sacramento or Las Vegas as it keeps the costs of rental vehicles down, even when taking into account the mileage and gas. I also prefer the more leisurely in and out of having a drive so you can spend time thinking about supplies instead of scrambling in Reno. I keep a running list of stuff year round and just check things off as we find them. No stores really between Vegas and Reno so I try to shop there (only buying half the water we want however so we don't haul the weight).

In Reno we found a storage space for our camp and it was the best thing we ever did. Tons of space for stuff and it means our supplies are reusable and for minimal money each year we can add to our camp.

You're lucky you're only organizing for two people as it can be kept relatively simple. I'm working on getting in 12 from NYC right now... Flights, schedules, multiple vehicles, artwork, participatory camp structure, gifts. It's gets complicated quick. And I wouldn't like it any other way.

[deutlich]

When I flew from DC, I used Southwest to cut down on luggage costs. And as one of my checked bags, I used this:



Between that, a large duffel and the food stuffs I picked up in Reno, I was all set. For getting to and from Reno.

NOTE: Use zip ties to keep the lid shut and place an extra set of zip ties right on the top of the contents. This way, if TSA wants to check out the box they can seal the lid really easily again. (And generally do.)

[Simply Lesa]

I didn't notice anyone mentioning the Playa Dome Tent by Shelter Systems. They weigh in very light and can be carried in duffel bags?