Educated Questions

[SunflowerRz]

My husband and I are looking at 2017 to be our first burn. We're both virgins. I've been up and down burningman.org and many of these forums. I've learned a lot! I still have a few questions, though. Also, some things I just want clarify and make sure I have the correct info.

The first one may seem less educated. I really haven't seen a ton of info on it though. I've been reading obsessively. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure. So the man burn is Saturday night and the temple burn is Sunday night, right? Then exudus is from the temple burn to Tuesday?

Also, we're liking the idea of a monkey hut. I was considering two options for the shade: tarp strips, leaving a few gaps to let wind escape or shade cloth, which is porous and will allow wind to escape. I realize dust is part of the Burning Man experience and something you have to learn to love as much as the event itself, but I was hoping to get an idea of what others use as covering material to best keep shaded, keep dust out and keep the whole structure from blowing away. We're hoping to have an RV and a hatchback as well. I was going to put the RV on one end of the monkey hut and my car on the other. There will likely be a couple tents in the monkey hut and we plan on using some of the space as a hang out. It's going to be a relatively large structure as we're planning on bringing a few friends. The amount if people on this trip will be 10 max, 2 min (who will be required to pay a fee to help cover costs, help with set up and take down and be radically self reliant). I should note that the fewer the people wind up coming with us, the smaller we'll make the monkey hut. It's a pretty adjustable camp set up. I was also thinking about attaching a tarp to the roof of the t.v. that we could roll out over the monkey hut and attach to the other side in case it rains.

On that note, if we have an empty tub or something, could we collect rain water? We obviously wouldn't be relying on rain for water, but if it did happen, I mean...is that allowed? Is it useful? Or would it just be messy?

We don't plan on signing up with a camp. We'd like to just go and pick a spot. Do we sort of pick an area we might like in advance and try to wander around there until we find an open spot big enough for our camp?

As far as I've read, Gerlach and Empire aren't great spots to stop for gas and supplies. We were sort of thinking we'd get our water in one of the last stops along the way, as recommended in a few other threads, to lessen the wear and tear on the vehicles. Are Fernley and Nixon good ideas, or should we stop even sooner? Are they play to stop at for gas, as well.

I've read about a couple of grades that can be hard on a loaded vehicle. We're going to try to pack carefully and not overload the vehicles, but I'd still like to know where we're going to run into these grades. We'll be coming from Texas, up through northern New Mexico and Arizona, and probably take 95 to Fallon, I-50 in until we hit Fernley, then 447 to 34.

Say I'm all stocked up on fuel and whatnot. Is running the frige and AC in the RV a bad idea, dust wise? Again, I get that dust is a part of life out there, but trying to minimize it, would turning on the AC bring in a mountain of playa? Would playa get all up in our food if we turned on the frige?

Thanks y'all!

[AntiM]

Welcome!

You have the burn nights correct. Exodus is indeed after the temple burn and through Monday. While many people stay until Tuesday, the BLM hates that because the event ends on Monday. They miss out on a lot of fees.

Our monkey hut pretty much just gets soaked when it rains. We grab what we can and put it under the carports or in the tents, but we just roll with it and mop the floor covering later. A deployable rain cover sounds nice, but you'd have to be in camp, awake, and act fast. I heard thunder and woke the others up to get our rainwalls down the carports and bring in soakable stuff, and then we were stuck in place because of the mud for hours. Also, a rain cover could be a sail, as rain and wind often goes together. You might be able to make it work, but for me, it sounds like extra work for little benefit.

Collect the rain water? Why? How? I'd say no. We hid our small evap pan when it rained so we wouldn't be stuck with the muddy water to haul out.

We fuel up at the Love's truckstop in Fernley. I've seen people get water from a hose there, some years, but I wouldn't rely on it, or trust it. There are other places in Fernley to water up. You can buy water in containers almost everywhere in Fernley, the stores know to stock up for the event. All the stores. As you approach the playa, prices rise. Nixon is a tiny gas station. Empire has vendors and a lot of playa supplies, interesting to stop, if you can safely. Gerlach is just a zoo. We have never stopped in Gerlach, although some do. There are a number of good RV threads on eplaya, with sage advice about conserving water, how to get pumped, and more. Stuff like the fridge advice. We tent under carports with ice chests and swamp coolers, so I could tell you about those, but zip about RVs.

[SunflowerRz]

What do you cover your monkey hut with?

I've read a tiny bit about swamp coolers. I'm not fantastic with rigging. That's more my husband's thing. He doesn't have an account on here just yet, though, so if you have any advice that I could pass along to him, that'd be great!

[AntiM]

We use cheap garden shade cloth. Mostly for shade, we've quite trying to keep dust out of anything but the tents.

Yeah, my husband does our swamp coolers. They lower the temp roughly 20 degrees and make a hot day bearable. They are not AC, but we can run them on a battery which we recharge with solar. We're in a no generator village, so it makes sense for us. Just evaporative cooling. We have one on top of our house at home, so using small ones on the playa is easy because we already have the pads, and he's good with such things. If you have people in tents, they may be interested in having one, it makes sleeping in pleasant. I can nap in my tent in the afternoon with one. MyLarry used the info on the figjam cooler thread to build ours. Tons of info there.

[SunflowerRz]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

[Captain Goddammit]

The AC draws air from inside, not outside. Keeping the rig shut and using the AC will keep dust out.
The fridge has no vent to outside air. Of course you should run the fridge, that's one of the best parts of an RV! No your food won't get dusted.

[Molotov]

There is a rest area on I-80 around MM 43 just west of Fernley/Wadsworth. You can dump your holding tanks for free, and there is free rinse water and potable water available. At exit 40, just past the rest area, you can turn back eastbound to hit the Wadsworth/Pyramid Lake exit leading to the highway to BRC. If you are coming back by the same route, this rest area is a good place to empty/refill before continuing your return trip.

I recommend hitting the stores like Lowes/WM/etc. in Fernley to stock up on supplies before heading to BRC.

Depending on where you live in TX, you might consider going straight north on I-35/135 to Salina, KS and continue on US 81 to York, NE, before turning west on I-80 that takes you all the way to Fernley, NV. Even though it's a couple of hundred miles farther, the driving time is about the same, the tallest mountain pass is 8640 feet near Laramie, WY, and you may get better fuel mileage in your RV on this non-stop route. Plenty of safe places to overnight for free on this route like the Wyoming welcome center MM 401 rest area, the MM 11 rest areas at West Wendover (Utah side) and the previously discussed Fernley area rest stop.

[SunflowerRz]

I had been mulling over that route. I just wasn't sure about time and it seems like it'll be putting some miles on. It could be something to consider if it's easier on the vehicle, though. We're coming from central Texas, so I-35 would be a great option. There's a lot less highway switching and those rest stops don't sound like a bad idea, either. I do love me a good rest stop. I may be a virgin burner, but I've been on many a road trip cross country and they sure come in handy. I'd love to see WY. I've heard it's beautiful!

I'm the most worried about the grades. Don't wanna burn out the vehicle before we get to the burn! Thanks for the suggestion.

[SunflowerRz]

The AC draws air from inside, not outside. Keeping the rig shut and using the AC will keep dust out.
The fridge has no vent to outside air. Of course you should run the fridge, that's one of the best parts of an RV! No your food won't get dusted.

Thanks! I'm not at all tech savvy, obviously. Lol.

[Eric]

On that note, if we have an empty tub or something, could we collect rain water? We obviously wouldn't be relying on rain for water, but if it did happen, I mean...is that allowed? Is it useful? Or would it just be messy?

If you relied on this, you would die. Seriously. Rain is an exceedingly rare occurrence on the playa, even though the big rain storm in 2014 that shut the event down for a day makes it seem otherwise. At best there might be a light dusting one day, but usually there is none.

For water, we pick up the 2.5 gallon "suitcases" in Reno (we come from the west), you should get them in Fernley. As people have said, that's the spot to get your heavy stuff (like water) & last minute supplies as there aren't any steep grades from there to the playa. Fill your RV in Fernley - we top off in Gerlach just to be on the safe side, but the gas is going to be a lot more expensive there. That way we know we can make it through entrance and as long of an Exodus as it ends up being, and still not need a refill until Nixon on the way home.

Side note: if you're not used to high elevation desert, start drinking more water & water with electrolytes (I prefer coconut water for that) in the weeks leading up to the Burn. Get your body used to more intake.

[AntiM]

If you are not used to coconut water or other electrolyte drinks, be sure to begin drinking them now, find out what you like and will drink, and what is on your "nope" list.

[ZigZag]

I've been trying these electrolyte energy tabs in my camelback whenever I go for a bike ride. (I have been riding most days now trying to get my butt broken in to being on a bike a lot). I just drop them in and sip during the ride. They are a little pricey but taste good and I seem to drink a lot more.

[SunflowerRz]

As I said, we wouldn't be relying on rain water. I guess I just feel like if it DOES rain, extra water can't hurt. Meh. Maybe a dumb question.

The electrolyte water isn't something I had thought of really. That sounds like a plan man!

[Sham]

None of your questions are dumb.
Prior to my first trip to BRC, I really needed someone to help me with the lay of the land. All the tiny details were big mysteries to me. Your thread here helps many first timers sort things out.
There are also some great videos on this internets thing that will help you get a good feel for the event.
As others have said, don't plan on capturing rain water. Should we get a rare rainstorm, the pail will be filled with sand prior to getting an inch of water in it.

Welcome to eplaya and good luck with your planning.

Sham....

[SunflowerRz]

Thanks! I love watching those videos. Everyone has such different experiences. It's so interesting!

I'm still fuzzy on picking out a camping site. Is everyone who isn't placed just wandering around hoping for a good spot? You just drive around the side you want to camp on looking for an open spot?

[Captain Goddammit]

Yes, but it's not that difficult. BRC is a big place.

[AntiM]

Looking for a spot ... once you are through Gate, you will arrive at Greeter's and be given a map. The shaded areas are reserved for placed camps. It looks like there is not a lot of open on the map, but really, there is plenty of room. The map will be online beforehand, so you can get an idea of what will be where. Head for an area, ask the neighbors if they have any designs on the open places, and if not, camp.

Last year's map: http://burningman.org/event/black-rock- ... -city-map/

[SunflowerRz]

Phthalate nifty as fuck. I've seen a bunch of maps, but I haven't seen one with all of that info at the bottom. Thank you!

Where are portos generally placed? On every radial street or every other or?

[AntiM]

Two banks on every radial (different on six though), some out on the playa on three and nine and out by the temple. There's a few out at the airport (wander out there at least once, interesting). Finding a potty near center camp is difficult, you have to go over to 630 or 530 and back a couple blocks.

[Captain Goddammit]

Proximity to portos is a tricky logistic.
Too far sucks when you're at camp and it's late and suddenly you gotta go.
Too close doesn't suck because of smell like you would think - it's the noise of the porto doors constantly slapping shut!

[AntiM]

There's a reason pee jugs are a thing. Except we have a camping potty, because I suck with pee funnels.

[FIGJAM]

I think the porto's are at C and H on the radials.

[SunflowerRz]

That'll help me plan where we plant ourselves! I was worried about the smell, hadn't considered the noise. Would making camp half a block or a block away help? So still in walking distance but far enough away.

What...is a camp potty? Is there a special camping potty we can buy?

[Ratty]

Camp potty can be a 5 gallon bucket. Attach a (dollar store) swim noodle to the rim for sitting. These are normally only used in emergencies. If the weather keeps you in camp by wind or rain. I bring mine every year but carry supplies in it since it never gets used. Most people can use a wide mouth fabric softener bottle for pee. Search out the thread on which pee bottle is best. It's a conversation running for about 6 years now. Only on ePLAYA.

[lucky420]

best and cheapest pee funnels is one of the smaller oil funnels you can buy at an auto store for a buck or so...

[Sham]

best and cheapest pee funnels is one of the smaller oil funnels you can buy at an auto store for a buck or so...

This one seems to be the best (so I'm told) and I brought some for the girls in the camp. They gave me an honor and named it after me.

[lucky420]

best and cheapest pee funnels is one of the smaller oil funnels you can buy at an auto store for a buck or so...

This one seems to be the best (so I'm told) and I brought some for the girls in the camp. They gave me an honor and named it after me.

That's the one!

[BBadger]

For your monkey hut (MH), I would use a heavy duty, opaque silvered tarp (I used Harpster tarps) and NOT cut it up or poke holes in it. The MH is intended to flex under wind load, and also lots of ventilation. Adding holes or strips would just add spots where the sun can shine in and make things warm. Basically the MH gives you a nice cave where the heat from the sun wafts away out the top, rather than building up and lingering around below.

As stated above, use electrolyte drinks and try them out before attending. I bought some big-box-store brand coconut water, and only on the playa did I find that I didn't like the flavor over some of the other brands I had before. It would've been better if I had tried it out beforehand so that I at least knew if I wanted to have them on-playa.

Also, if you find that you feel like drinking water, but mostly just pissing it out, you're probably actually craving electrolytes and sugars. Stay hydrated on those and you won't have to drink quite as much water. Use the rest to clean up and stay cool.

[SunflowerRz]

And then just...empty the potty out next time you use the Porto? I guess it's just part of the experience you have to embrace? I've peed in the woods, in porta potties, in questionable gas station bathrooms, I've just never carried it around with me. Haha.

Thanks for the tarp info. I am DEFINITELY checking them out.

I've tried coconut water. It's okay on its own, but better with rum! Although that sort of defeats the purpose if I'm trying to hydrate, I guess. Lol. ,

[lucky420]

And then just...empty the potty out next time you use the Porto? I guess it's just part of the experience you have to embrace? I've peed in the woods, in porta potties, in questionable gas station bathrooms, I've just never carried it around with me. Haha.

Thanks for the tarp info. I am DEFINITELY checking them out.

I've tried coconut water. It's okay on its own, but better with rum! Although that sort of defeats the purpose if I'm trying to hydrate, I guess. Lol. ,

Yep just carry the jog to the portos to empty. It's a virtual pee jug parade most mornings...