Best time to leave Burning Man?

kinkykimberly · Post by **kinkykimberly** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:02 am

Last year we left on Sunday - it took us 8 hours of inching forward in our car just to reach the road. We are hoping to pick a better time to leave this year.

I've heard of some people striking camp and packing up late Saturday, going to the Burn, then jumping into their vehicles to leave Saturday evening. I'm wondering if anyone tried that, and how much congestion they encountered in getting to the road. Or if anyone has heard how this worked for others. (We would probably stay at a motel on Saturday night, rather than drive all the way home.)

We're thinking the other extreme is a possibility - striking camp and packing up late Monday, then staying Monday night at a motel somewhere around Reno. Anyone try that or know of anyone who tried that?

Also, what happens if one tries to stay overnight from Monday to Tuesday? I notice that there's an event on the calendar at 10:00pm on Monday night (Sept 5th). Do burners stay until Tuesday morning? Or will the powers that be attempt to eject those who try to do so?

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:20 am

The event is over on Monday.

Permit requirements for the event specify that all attendees must be off of the playa by 11:59pm.

Post by **AntiM** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:25 am

Please note, we were headed east into Utah, we drive out west all in one shot, but break the return trip into two sections, to Reno, then to home.

We've never tried Saturday after the burn as the drivers would be too tired. Breaking camp after dark practically guarantees you'll leave behind MOOP in the dark anyhoo.

We've often left Sunday morning before 9 ayem, that was relatively quick, but the drivers were still tired because who actually sleeps after the burn?

We left on Monday last year and stayed in Reno. That was good for the drivers, but we listened to "advice" on the radio and didn't strike camp until later in the day, check in was at 4 pm so we weren't in a hurry. We ended up in a huge back-up anyway, but visited and chatted so that was alright.

447 gets clogged up too, so no matter when you leave, just relax and go with the flow. And no matter when you decide to leave, there's other folks thinking the same thing, so you might hit a jam even during a supposedly "clear" window. Just be certain your drivers are rested and sober, m'kay?

kinkykimberly · Post by **kinkykimberly** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:45 am

Well, thanks for the input, but I already know all that - this will be my 10th burn. I'm not expecting any "clear" window (in fact, if there is one, I'll start asking people what the event is and what have they done with Burning Man).

I'm all for going with the flow, but I'm also all for people researching their options and picking one that is best for everyone - including the community. Ergo, I am realizing that there will be times when 447 will be less congested; having some people choose to leave then will make things less congested for the rest of the exodus.

As for the drivers- we don't do drugs. We don't even drink alcohol. And we've regularly been up on jobs until 5 am. Driver sobriety and alertness simply won't be an issue.

kinkykimberly · Post by **kinkykimberly** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:03 am

Hey Badget, thanks for the info. That's what I had heard as well. Nice to get it confirmed.

Post by **AntiM** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:09 am

Hey, just sayin'. Not everyone who checks this board is as experienced or careful, so hopefully my remarks aren't completely wasted.

Now watch everything change this year.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:12 pm

We spent all day Monday last year breaking camp and left just about at Sunset. It wasn't too bad.

kinkykimberly · Post by **kinkykimberly** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:24 pm

Hi ya Geekster! Nice to see you around. :-)

Well, I got some good suggestions from an email I sent out to fellow burners.

L' s Tips for Getting the Hell Outta BMan:
1. Reserve your hotel room now. Reno fills up over that Holiday Weekend.
2. Fill up your tank in Reno on the way into BMan. Don't plan on
filling your tank up on the way out of BMan at anywhere else other than
Reno.
3. Leave before the Burn. (!)
4. If #3 is not your game plan, then pack up Saturday, mostly. Turn on
the radio and listen for reports of how bad it is at the Gate (they
usually start reporting Sunday morning.) Leave when reports sound good.
5. Plan on sitting in your car for (at least) a couple hours to get out
the gate. No matter when you leave.

headquarters · Post by **headquarters** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 2:08 pm

i've left at about 7am on monday morning the last two years and get out in about <1 hour. i just have everything packed up on sunday sans the tent and then go to the temple burn then just boogie out early monday morning. even if it takes a little longer then 1 hour its still not that hot. then we get a yumster breakfast in alturas. the black bear!