First time/from Australia

[Munkyslap]

Hi. My name's Ashton and I'm from Australia. A friend and I are coming to Burning Man this year (2017). I purchased prr-sale tickets as I wamted to gaurantee I'd get one, and had to start planning my trip early. I forgot to purchase a vehicle pass at thr pre-sale and tried to putchase one at the normal sale, but apparently the tickets were sold out in 35 mins so it looks like I'll need a tent. Anyway, I have a few questions to start:

Do I need to register for a camp/how do I go avout doing that?

How do I go about getting a bike? I'm thinking of just buying one when I get to the US.

I knownit sounds odd, but do I also need to purchase and transport my own tent? Again, I'm probably going to have to do that when I get to the US

How much supplies should I bring? Obviously I can't carry unlimited gear.

Any extra advice/site links would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Popeye]

Hi Munkyslap
I've had other Aussies tell me they saved on air fare and car rental by buying in the presale and being able to make early reservations. Hope you did too.

Sounds like you haven't done much research, follow these links, read everything twice then google Eplaya: your question, if this doesn't give you all the info you need come back and ask.
http://survival.burningman.org/ http://burningman.org/event/preparation ... ers-guide/

Browsing this site will give you a lot of info too.

[Ratty]

Monkeyslap, Welcome to ePlaya. congrats on getting tickets and you should be excited to go to your first burn. It requires that you prepare. Start by going to the Burning Man web site and looking around. Read about survival and preparations. There are a lot of australians with an extra vehicle pass. You need to find one or come in on the burner bus. Either way you can buy a cheap tent to bring with you. Read some stuff, then read some more. We can fill in the blanks for you.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Munkyslap]

Ok, so I've done a bit more research and I've found the necessities. I've been on t he survival guide, and again, a lot of this stuff, I'm going to have to purchase once I reach Reno. It looks like the Burner Express bus seems to be the best option for getting there although there's still a few things I'm unsure of. Secondly, it seems that you can just sort of join any camp, first in first served sort of thing. I did think I had to bring a tent but some the stuff I read had made that unclear before. Still a few questions:

If I catch the burner express bus, I have a limited amount of luggage I can put on the bus (62 linear inches). I have no idea how that translates to actual luggage. I don't know how big my tent will be, because it's not going to be purchased until I'm in Reno. Are there better options?

They say bring 1.5 gallons (Roughly 5.5 litres) of water per person, per day. How am I suppose to transport that much water if I'm catching a bus with limited luggage?

Any foreigners done this before or figured out the logistics? Any Australians want to maybe meet up and hash some things out or cooperate?

Oh. One last major question. There seems to be two sets of dates. The Burning man website is talking about 2016 and says from 28th Aug-5th Sep. Google says "27 August - 4 September 2017", which I assume is correct but would like to clarify, and in the regard, is the burning man website correct about the date of the burning of the man. Or what date do they burn the man?

Again, thanks for any help?

[Papa Bear]

Secondly, it seems that you can just sort of join any camp, first in first served sort of thing.

No, that's not how it works. There is plenty of open camping space for the taking, but you can't just plunk down in the middle of a placed theme camp (or anybody's camp, really) and expect it to go over well. You can't camp in a placed theme camp unless you are already part of that camp, and even in open camping you should check in with the neighbors to make sure you're not taking, say, the spot they had planned to set up an art piece or evap pond in.

If I catch the burner express bus, I have a limited amount of luggage I can put on the bus (62 linear inches). I have no idea how that translates to actual luggage.

The definition of "linear inches", as well as the answers to several other questions you have (such as what to do about water) can be found in the Burner Express FAQ: https://burnerexpress.burningman.org/bu ... ss-bus-faq

I don't know how big my tent will be, because it's not going to be purchased until I'm in Reno. Are there better options?

Assuming you plan on buying from Walmart or some other established retailer, you can usually find those dimensions in their online store.

The Burning man website is talking about 2016 and says from 28th Aug-5th Sep. Google says "27 August - 4 September 2017", which I assume is correct but would like to clarify, and in the regard, is the burning man website correct about the date of the burning of the man.

I don't know where you're seeing the 2016 dates, but the Aug 27- Sept 4 dates are right there on the front page of burningman.org. The man is always scheduled to burn on the last Saturday (Sept 2nd, in this case).

[Popeye]

I did think I had to bring a tent but some the stuff I read had made that unclear before.

Even most placed camps will want you to bring a tent.

If I catch the burner express bus, I have a limited amount of luggage I can put on the bus (62 linear inches). I have no idea how that translates to actual luggage.

YMMV but if an airline will accept the bag BE will also.

I don't know how big my tent will be, because it's not going to be purchased until I'm in Reno. Are there better options?

Conventional wisdom is to use a 3-4 man tent if you camp by yourself. I use a 4 man. Look for one with minimal mesh and a large rainfly. Cover any mesh.

They say bring 1.5 gallons (Roughly 5.5 litres) of water per person, per day. How am I suppose to transport that much water if I'm catching a bus with limited luggage?
What Papa Bear said+

You can pay extra for more baggage space. Starting last year BE began selling water for P/U on playa. You still need to bring your own container which is a PITA, collapseable ones break so buy carefully. Also remember ice is water and ice can be purchased at Artica. Keep it in your cooler in a large ziplock bag and pour it into your cup/camelback/whatever for cold water.

Any foreigners done this before or figured out the logistics?

Not a foreigner but I fly from Ak. and use BE every year. I fly in 2-3 days early to get used to the heat and buy food, propane, EMT, etc. in Reno. Sometimes a bike from Walmart.

Spend the time to read all the good advice, BS and snark on Eplaya. You could not have read and absorbed everything in one day.

[Munkyslap]

Appreciate the advice Popeye. What's YMMV btw?
Any idea rougly what a bike and a tent may cost me from walmart? We don't have walmarts in Australia and I imagine lricing of general items is quite different from Australia

[Dr. Pyro]

Appreciate the advice Popeye. What's YMMV btw?

Your Mileage May Vary. In other words, expect different results.

[Papa Bear]

Any idea rougly what a bike and a tent may cost me from walmart?

They have a website, you can look it up yourself easily enough. I'm not sure it would be appropriate to add a direct link to the site here (besides, we expect a certain amount of self-reliance around here), but you shouldn't have any trouble finding it.

[XPTom]

Seems like you have an excellent opportunity to make new friends.

https://rideshare.burningman.org/event/burning-man-2017

If you are not into backpacking, seek advice from someone who is. You know your toothbrush still works if you cut half the handle off? Half a pocket comb works also. Pack a tube of toothpaste that is 90% used.... etc..... Leave most of your 5 piece mess kit home. Freeze dried foods are light, and only require the pot(also your plate). Boiling the water you're going to scrounge up is a good idea anyway. Cut your problems in half before you leave and they are easier to solve.