When to arrive

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:01 pm

Here's another question. I'm wondering when to show up. I'm reading that people arrive as late as two or three days after the camp opens. I want to see as much as possible so I want to get in as soon as I can but I'm hoping I won't have to be stuck in my car for hours waiting to get in. Any suggestions? Would showing up late at night, like the hours after midnight mean less wait or is it just inevitable that I will have a long wait no matter when I show up?

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:32 pm

My first year (2010) I hit the end of the gate line at 1 AM.

This was when gate opened at midnight or 1200:01 Monday.

I wasn't parked in camp till 8 AM.

It may not take you that long, but be prepared.

Find a place in Fernley or Reno to take a nice long nap before the last push to the playa and you'll enjoy the wait.

Entrance line is like no other line!!!

digital · Post by **digital** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:32 pm

This question comes up often. In the future you might try the search function or Google.

Arrive anytime you like after the gate opens. Traffic is part of the experience so just go with it and get there when you get there. Both day and night arrival have pros and cons.

Bless · Post by **Bless** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:22 pm

Get there as soon as you can.

Post by **Eric** » Sat Jul 04, 2015 1:16 am

DerbyDave 18 wrote:but I'm hoping I won't have to be stuck in my car for hours waiting to get in. Any suggestions?

My suggestion - plan to be in line. Don't think of it as a negative, don't think of it as some awful torture you have to get through, think of it as part of the adventure. It's a rite of passage to the event, something we all do, and all go through.

Plan your packing so you have water (and some food) within easy reach, make sure you have a plan just in case the unexpected happens and you have to sit for hours somewhere between where you turn off the highway & your campsite (like when Gate was closed for 12+ hours last year due to rain - something that had never happened before). The friends I have who got stuck in that made due, and they said the party in line waiting for the roads to dry was one of their favorite parts of the year - it was spontaneous, and something not many people got.

When the lines happen varies from year to year - you're pretty much guaranteed lines most of Sunday & Monday, at all hours, but do you really want to wait until Tuesday or Weds to go your first time and miss two or three days (and possibly still hit a multi-hour line), just because you don't want to sit in a line for a few hours? Even if it takes you 8 hours from the road to your campsite, that's still 40+ hours longer on the playa that you'll have. It's a small price to pay.

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Sat Jul 04, 2015 3:36 pm

Thanks for the replies. This is really going to be a test for me. I am about the most impatient person around so I'm dreading this..especially if I'm going to be doing this solo. Maybe patience is one of the things I'm meant to learn from this experience. I don't want to miss time there just so I don't have to wait as long in line so I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 6:48 am

the best time to arrive is when you get there... no sooner.... no later..

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:44 am

DerbyDave 18 wrote:Thanks for the replies. This is really going to be a test for me. I am about the most impatient person around so I'm dreading this..especially if I'm going to be doing this solo. Maybe patience is one of the things I'm meant to learn from this experience. I don't want to miss time there just so I don't have to wait as long in line so I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

be sure to mark your vehicle and let us know, so we can point and laugh if your impatience boils over..............

Post by **trilobyte** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:00 am

If you want to see as much as possible, then you have no choice, get there as early as you can after the gates open at 10AM on Sunday (see this thread for tips). If you wait several days, or even half a day in the hopes that the line will be shorter, you'll still end up with a significantly shorter amount of time that you can use to see and do as much as possible.

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:34 pm

Ygmir, don't worry. If I do lose my patience and blow my lid you won't need any markings. You'll hear me screaming and see me jumping up and down on the roof of my car no matter how far you are from me.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:38 pm

DerbyDave 18 wrote:Ygmir, don't worry. If I do lose my patience and blow my lid you won't need any markings. You'll hear me screaming and see me jumping up and down on the roof of my car no matter how far you are from me.

Then you'll fit right in because that is exactly what the gate line party looks like!!!

burner von braun · Post by **burner von braun** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:54 pm

Speaking of impatience, and this isn't directed to you specifically DerbyDave any more than any one of us who has a tendency to get impatient..

Once you turn on to 447 for the hour+ drive up north until traffic slows to a crawl, please resist the urge to pass other cars. The road becomes trecherous under the conditions we apply to it with so many vehicles, some of them janky and everyone hauling all of the things. Burners have been killed on this road. Besides, and I've witnessed this firsthand, passing cars avails little. I remember a green Subaru stationwagon passing me and a string of others, frantically dodging in and out and all of that, until I finally lost sight of it. Turns out once everyone was lined up and at a standstill on gate road, sure enough, the next lane over and only three or four cars ahead of me sat that same green stationwagon.

My advice is to get into that happy place in your mind as you turn on to 447, relax, and make that be the beginning of your burn experience.

Maybe consider saving some of your favorite music to listen to until then.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:04 pm

Yeah - have a plan B. If you get in at 0200, simply set up a tent and put your bag in it, go see some of the city. then crash, set up in the morning.

Also - you must accept the fact that you WILL NOT BE ABLE to see it all. its just not happening. BRC is so dynamic and changing that it is different from Monday to Friday. Artists are literally still assembling their projects Friday since they got hung up, or their labor pool baled. Case in point on seeing it all. My mate Kyle and I ride our bikes on every street at BM (or try) early in the week one day, and then later - it is a completely different city. Now I have opportunity to drive every street multiple times and am STILL finding new stuff every day.

Every year I get home, assuming I saw it all only to see picture online of some amazing kinetic sculpture 30 feet tall, covered in smiles and burners only to ask "Where the eff was that?"

so relax, take it easy and all will be well. Make friends, take pictures, but dont live behind the lens.

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:06 pm

Well things just took a turn for the better. Instead of driving up I'm going to be a passanger with a couple of people who'll be driving up so the chances of a blowout are greatly diminished though not completely eliminated. They're also virgins..birgins(?) who want to get there early so they can see as much as possible. I know I won't see it all but I'll give it a hell of a try.

Post by **Eric** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:53 pm

DerbyDave 18 wrote:I know I won't see it all but I'll give it a hell of a try.

There's a mantra for everyone, from the freshest virgin to the most jaded old-timer, to follow: No Expectations.
It's the easiest thing to say, the hardest thing in the world to do. It will, however, save your Burn. Go in planning on seeing what you see, but don't go in planning to see it all, or even most of it. It's simply impossible (you'll understand once you're there). The drive to see more limits you from "being in the now", and letting yourself just fall into whatever happens.

It's been said on other threads, but the best answer is always "yes" (you're free to say "no" if you're not ready to push your boundaries as far as what's being offered, but do try to push them). Example: last year I was wandering with a friend and we sat down at a camp with a fire tornado for a while. I got a bit restless after about an hour and wanted to move on, he wanted to stay a while longer. We ended up being there all night, getting "adopted" by the camp, and having one of the best nights I've had at the Burn. Laughing our asses off, playing with fire, getting drunk & bonding with strangers. All because I said yes to not seeing more.

You've got a good attitude, I think you'll have a blast.

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:55 pm

Thanks, the only expectations I have are that this is exactly what I need right now and it will do me a world of good. By my tons of questions I've been posting I think it's pretty clear that I am freaking out a bit but I'm not letting that stop me. Can't wait to meet all you good people.

skippy3k · Post by **skippy3k** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:25 am

Eric wrote:There's a mantra for everyone, from the freshest virgin to the most jaded old-timer, to follow: No Expectations.

Oh boy, is this ever true. I used to say this to others as well, thinking I had it all figured out. But it took me YEARS to fully understand this and even now I'm not even sure I can do it, but at least now I know what it really means. When I've looked back on years past and any drama that happened between me and my friends, wife, etc....it was all centered around having expectations. I've always felt going and NOT having expectations is very similar to telling someone to trip and fall, but forget to hit the ground. But that is really what it is. So Eric, yes, it cannot be said enough. No expectations.

Now, to DerbyDave. I, too, am extremely impatient and anxiety ridden, especially with lines. I can't even stand in line at the grocery store sometimes. I won't tell you that I'm all good and happy waiting for hours to get onto the playa, but I will tell you that it really is part of the experience and something that I love/hate. I love it because it's part of the experience....truly part of it. It's fun in a really, really weird and painful way for those of us who hate lines. It's a wonderful buildup to an amazing experience. And of course I hate it because I'm convinced that the city will fill up before I get there and they will turn me away at the gate or I'll end up camping out on the outer ring away from everything. (And no, that doesn't and can't happen. But it doesn't stop me from thinking it.)

So enjoy the line. Enjoy the people. Enjoy watching them all jump out and pee. And enjoy watching them all scurry back to their cars at the first sign of the line moving. You won't see it again for another year.

maladroit · Post by **maladroit** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 12:09 pm

DerbyDave 18 wrote:see as much as possible

OK, as a group of virgins you get a free pass this year...but in the middle of all that spectating, don't forget that you're also able to reach out and participate in what's happening, maybe even make some of your own ideas happen.

Post by **Eric** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 12:59 pm

skippy3k wrote:Oh boy, is this ever true. I used to say this to others as well, thinking I had it all figured out. But it took me YEARS to fully understand this and even now I'm not even sure I can do it, but at least now I know what it really means.

It has bitten me in the ass more than once as well - and not in a good way. That's why I say it's the hardest thing in the world to do, but if you keep the idea in your head, it makes it easier to get through those drama moments. It's a life-long playa goal, and one that I don't know I'll ever achieve fully, but I have more fun for trying.

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:14 pm

Maladroit, by saying I want to see as much as possible I don't mean look and not participate. I can't wait for all the things that I'm going to experience and get involved in. Not to sound all dorky and all I'm just really excited about this.

maladroit · Post by **maladroit** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:43 pm

DerbyDave 18 wrote:Not to sound all dorky and all I'm just really excited about this.

Don't worry, the more excited you are, the less dorky you sound

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:58 pm

Really? Usually it's the other way around.

skippy3k · Post by **skippy3k** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:51 am

DerbyDave 18 wrote:Really? Usually it's the other way around.

Now you are getting it...Welcome to Burning Man.

DerbyDave 18 · Post by **DerbyDave 18** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:29 pm

I'm hoping it's alright if I ask something. I don't want to come across over emotional or a cry baby or whatever but I asked another question on another topic and I got some really negative responses, mainly it looks like from veterans. I was told they're tired of people asking the same old thing and that I'm not doing my research properly or maybe I'm not meant for the experience and things like that. I guarantee I am doing everything I can to find answers but some things I just don't see I was told some old timers can be jerks online and it sure looks like that may be true. What's up with people?

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:40 pm

I think you've received a lot of helpful info, peppered with some gentle snark.
Don't jump to judgment, you'll be surprised, if you come to the eplaya MnG (please do) at the friendly faces behind the crusty dusty netfolk.

Google + eplaya + keyword is your new best friend!

maladroit · Post by **maladroit** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:44 pm

You are kind of an emotional crybaby who isn't doing the proper research, but hey...we all were once.

vargaso · Post by **vargaso** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:58 pm

Get there on Monday afternoon/evening if you don't want to sit in traffic and still be fairly early.

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:08 pm

DerbyDave 18 wrote:I'm hoping it's alright if I ask something. I don't want to come across over emotional or a cry baby or whatever but I asked another question on another topic and I got some really negative responses, mainly it looks like from veterans. I was told they're tired of people asking the same old thing and that I'm not doing my research properly or maybe I'm not meant for the experience and things like that. I guarantee I am doing everything I can to find answers but some things I just don't see I was told some old timers can be jerks online and it sure looks like that may be true. What's up with people?

If you're not enjoying the social milieu here (it's admittedly not for everyone) I would recommend switching to Read-Only for a while and being the competent, patient researcher that you know yourself to be. You probably already know more than I did my first year, which means you will almost certainly be fine on the playa--if you prepare to the teeth and let go of your expectations. People are ultimately kind and knowledgeable here, but a bit rough and tumble (this is ePlaya, not THE playa) . . . and they're not going to prove their goodness or softness to anyone specific, or beg to be liked or understood. Luckily, you don't have to like us to read everything and enjoy the fruits of our experience. Take Eric's tips about how to find the info you need. Everything you've asked so far has been covered many times. It's all here. If you have a very unusual question, I'll admit it--it'll excite people. But if not, keep reading and searching google with eplaya + keyword.

If you really want to know us, you might come to the ePlaya Meet & Greet and Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro on Wed of the event, 6pm, and see what folks are like with the benefit of facial expressions and nuances. If you attend, bring a snack or drink to share.

Post by **Eric** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:00 pm

gaminwench wrote:Google + eplaya + keyword is your new best friend!

I know I'm hammering this in, but I'm trying to get the old-timers on here to use and recommend this format as well (is that a subtle enough hint?

). It will only bring up ePlaya results, and you will cut your search time down by at least half, if not more: site:http://eplaya.burningman.org(space)(search term/s)

site:http://eplaya.burningman.org sunblock
site:http://eplaya.burningman.org Figjam cooler
site:http://eplaya.burningman.org food AND "no cooler"
site:http://eplaya.burningman.org best things for a bar

note - this will work on any website when you're looking for something specific, but you must include the full site name with no spaces until the search term/s (see examples below)
site:http://cnn.com plane crash
site:http://espn.com "women's world cup"
etc

Yes, I google a lot as part of my paying job

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:05 pm

Yes and YES! Eric it's wonderful. I didn't listen before but now I'm a believer. Thanks

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