Advice appreciated and desperately needed.

[Kitten]

Hmm, where to start? I'm a first time burner who is becoming more and more apprehensive as the event nears, not only because my boss hasn't approved my vacation time but I want to be as prepared as I can and I just don't think I am. I'm in need of some advice. I will be traveling alone and have no camp mates. I have a small car so I can't bring too much equipment and nothing too bulky (shade structure, poles are too long), and I'm on a very tight budget.
My questions are:
Will a small inexpensive tent work as long as I stake it down with rebar or extra long stakes?
Is a shade structure a necessity or can I make due without it?
Should I bring along a cooler or stick to non perishables.
Would a BBQ grill out of the question because of the wind?
Should a first timer join a camp and how does one go about doing that?
Do some camps require a fee to cover expenses? Or do you just join and work for your keep, is food and shower facilities provided or do you bring your own supplies and have the advantage of shade, shower, or camping with a group etc for volunteering for the camp?

What is the absolute minimum for survival? Besides a tent, food, sleeping bag, sunscreen, water and container for grey water?

Last but not least ,before anyone flames me for being unprepared I've read the survival guide and will be reading it several more times. Maybe I'm just nervous because I'm going solo.

[Dork]

Some larger camps require dues to cover your share of camp "stuff". Sometimes this includes food, water, shower, etc. Most other more informal groups just pool what they have together. Best to start looking into this now if you want to go this route, which is probably a good idea in your situation. Post here, on craigslist, tribe, etc offering whatever you have to offer. I recall seeing a few posts for camps looking for members.

Non-perishibles and plain water can get pretty tiresome after a week. Most people bring a cooler, at least so they can have frosty beverages. Some chilly veggies and such are quite nice as well on a hot day.

BBQs will work but are big and take a lot of work you may not feel motivated to put in after baking in the sun all day. Probably best to save that space for shade unless you want to make a big production of it and invite neighbors over to share.

You can get quite a bit of stuff in a small car if you plan for it. If you won't have any passengers, consider taking out the seats. You can gain a lot of room by taking out the passenger seat. I'll bet you can get at LEAST 8 foot poles in there, which can make a mighty nice shade. You could even fit in a Costco carport, or something cheap rigged from PVC pipe and a tarp. You'll want shade over your tent. You could probably get by with just setting it up to the West of your car for a small amount of shade in the morning, but forget sleeping past 10 or so. You will need shade during the day - either something you bring, something a friendly neighbor sets up, or center camp. Probably best to have some sort of backup plan.

I would add shade and somewhere to sit to your absolute minimum list.

Don't psych yourself out too badly. Remember - since you're driving up alone, you always have the option of bailing and driving home early if you simply can't get by, or driving back to town for supplies and a night in a motel.

Don't ask your boss for time off. Inform him/her that you WILL be taking time off. Do it now so they can adjust as necessary. If they refuse it's probably a sucky place to work anyway.

[robbidobbs]

My questions are:
Will a small inexpensive tent work as long as I stake it down with rebar or extra long stakes?
Is a shade structure a necessity or can I make due without it?
Should I bring along a cooler or stick to non perishables.
Would a BBQ grill out of the question because of the wind?
Should a first timer join a camp and how does one go about doing that?
Do some camps require a fee to cover expenses? Or do you just join and work for your keep, is food and shower facilities provided or do you bring your own supplies and have the advantage of shade, shower, or camping with a group etc for volunteering for the camp?

In 1999 I went solo. I brought:
A small inexpensive tent & bedding
No shade structure
A propane stove w/ extra canisters
No cooler but several cans of food, water and assorted snacks
If you don't find a camp to join, it's not that bad to camp alone.
If you do join a camp, each one has their own rules. Bring no expectations. Bring beer, lots of it. It holds a lot of bang per buck with making friendly with strangers.
Bring everything you think you'll need for a week in the desert, and if you do get in with a group, you may be cheerfully surprised.
Once there, volunteer with Playa Info, this is an excellent way to participate w/o any pre-arrangements. I'm always going to them for volunteers.
See ya on the Playa,
RobbiDobbs

[run_w_xcors]

My questions are:
Will a small inexpensive tent work as long as I stake it down with rebar or extra long stakes?

I only had a tent (with extra long stakes thoroughly pounded into the ground...see your neighbors). Truth be told I only slept in it once, it was really more storage than anything.

Is a shade structure a necessity or can I make due without it?

Unless you plan on spending time in your tent during the daytime (which is could be a high possibility if the nightlife grabs you) you won't need it. There is plenty of shade if you're not afraid of meeting strangers.

Should I bring along a cooler or stick to non perishables.

Depending on what you eat/drink, you may want several coolers. If you're OK with canned/bagged type of foods (I'm a fan of Trader Joe's Indian dishes packaged in pouches) you're in a good spot. Putting them on your dashboard during the daytime gets 'em nice and hot too.

Look for suggestions online about the use of dry ice and how to keep your food from contaminating other food.

Would a BBQ grill out of the question because of the wind?

You're worried about space and want to bring a BBQ? Heh, I'd save the space for an extra cooler. If you really need to eat some meat or something, consider helping a camp out in exchange for use of their grill.

Should a first timer join a camp and how does one go about doing that?
Do some camps require a fee to cover expenses? Or do you just join and work for your keep, is food and shower facilities provided or do you bring your own supplies and have the advantage of shade, shower, or camping with a group etc for volunteering for the camp?

There are numerous posts for theme camps here on eplaya. While it's not necessary to join a camp, it might be a little more comforting as a first timer. Regardless of how prepared you are (though you could surprise us and yourself) it's highly likely you're going to forget some stuff, or more likley, not even know you need it.

For instance, I had a really hard time with the dust. I had dust masks, but they were the cheap kind and didn't do squat for me. By the end of the week I could barely talk. Some people can handle it just fine. I had plenty of water, but no Gatorade or equivalent. When someone gave me a Gatorade I felt like they'd just given me gold nuggets. YMMV. You may drive away thinking the only thing you missed was your favorite pink elephant costume....so bring it.

What is the absolute minimum for survival? Besides a tent, food, sleeping bag, sunscreen, water and container for grey water?

You don't really even need grey water containment. Just run behind the watering trucks for a shower..;)

Piss clear (yeah, I stole it), stay fed, protect your eyes (with goggles preferrably), protect your nose/mouth/lungs (doesn't have to be crazy face masks, just use a scarf or something), protect from the sun (hats, sunscreen, long sleeves and pants even), protect yourself from the cold nights, protect your sexual organs, light your body/bike at night (you didn't mention a bike)...have fun, have fun, have fun. Be creative. Share. Talk with strangers.

Last but not least ,before anyone flames me for being unprepared I've read the survival guide and will be reading it several more times. Maybe I'm just nervous because I'm going solo.

You should be nervous, going blind into Burning Man could be potentially fatal. Sounds like you have the basics down, keep reading, asking questions and come to Burning Man. If you're there for the right reason(s) you'll get along just fine.

[AntiM]

You're doing fine, you're asking the right questions, and it sounds like you're going to come in as prepared as yuou can be.

Keep an eye on eplaya, as camps are placed, many of us post our locations, I know you'd be welcome to hang in our camp and chill out with a cool beverage some hot afternoon.

[trilobyte]

I think you're going to be fine... You're asking good questions, and doing what you can to be prepared. Others have done a great job of answering your questions - but I'll chime in with my 2 cents.

Will a small inexpensive tent work as long as I stake it down with rebar or extra long stakes? Absolutely.

Is a shade structure a necessity or can I make due without it? You can get by without one. Your tent will be insanely hot during the peak hours of the day, so you'll probably want to get sleep at some other time. Thousands of people camp in tents without having a shade structure, and they not only survive but keep coming back.

Should I bring along a cooler or stick to non perishables. I recommend a cooler. If you don't already have one, look for what are called "endurance" or "5-day" coolers, they cost around $5 more than a cooler that isn't. They use some kind of next generation insulation, and do a great job of keeping things cool. You can buy ice at center camp for a couple bucks a bag to replenish the cooler.

Would a BBQ grill out of the question because of the wind? Not at all. You probably won't be using it during a heavy dust storm, so you should be fine. We've got one of those mini gas grill things ($20 at Target) as well as a camp stove, they work just fine.

Should a first timer join a camp and how does one go about doing that? It's not a requirement at all. Check out the list of Theme Camps and Villages, and if you see a camp you'd like to try and be a part of, check out their site or email the contact and see if they're accepting new members.

Do some camps require a fee to cover expenses? Or do you just join and work for your keep, is food and shower facilities provided or do you bring your own supplies and have the advantage of shade, shower, or camping with a group etc for volunteering for the camp? Every camp does its own thing. If you talk to someone in a camp that interests you and they say they've got room for you, ask about that.

I'll also recommend that you join the Burning Man 2006 Virgins tribe on Tribe. Lots of other first timers asking good questions, as well as veteran burners offering answers and ideas, and generally helping to reduce those anxiety levels.

Good luck!

~Trilo~

[Hoolie]

I have a small car so I can't bring too much equipment and nothing too bulky (shade structure, poles are too long)...

You'd be surprised how much you can fit into a small car. Last year, I was going to borrow my dad's pickup truck for Burning Man, but it broke down a couple days before I was supposed to leave. I ended up taking my car instead, a 2-door Honda Civic. I made a lot of extra room by turning down the back seats to make a continuous space from the trunk, removing the rear headrests, and also by removing the front seat on the passenger side. It's pretty easy to do on most cars. If you look down at the tracks the seat slides on, you can see they are bolted to the floor. Use a socket wrench to remove the 4 bolts, then unplug the seat wiring (can be done by hand as there are usually plugs connecting the wires). The seat then comes right out and this creates a large amount of extra storage space. I fit lots of stuff in that car including a 10x12x7 foot shade structure I made out of PVC pipe and shade net.

What is the absolute minimum for survival? Besides a tent, food, sleeping bag, sunscreen, water and container for grey water?

One thing I think is a necessity, not for survival, but for a better Burning Man experience, is a bike...preferably a mechanically sound beater bike (an old one speed cruiser is ideal). It's so much easier to get where you want to go, and you can cover so much more ground. Also, you enjoy a nice breeze as you ride along, whereas when you walk in the hot sun, it tends to really beat down on you. Take one if you can. For bike transport, I mounted a bike rack to the rear of my car...another way to maximize carrying capacity.

My other neccessity would be a good, wide-brimmed, well ventilated HAT for sun protection.

[unjonharley]

Bring what you think you will need. There will always be some one near to help if you have trouble. Just ask. There are more friends in Black Rock city than you will ever have any where else.

[ibdave]

what they said above...

[Kitten]

Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated more than you know. Ok, I can do this (talking to myself) even on a budget. Right?
The grill I have is quite small and portable but I'm still debating whether I want to deal with charcoal etc.
I really want to bring a bike but I'd have to disassemble it to fit it in my car and I'm not the most mechanically inclined person. I suppose I'll take a look at thrift stores to see if I can find an inexpensive bike.
Volunteering with Playa Info sounds like an idea, I'll have to look into that.
AntiM , thanks for the encouragement. I feel as though I know you from your posts, you have a sort a maternal way about you, and I like that. I just may take you up on the offer of a cool beverage.
Maybe I'll get lucky and find a nice friendly group to hang out or camp with.
You've all been so helpful, thanks again.

[ibdave]

Kitten, a few more words from me if you will......

all of what I'm going to point out is just about true wherever you park your ass and tent.. As you look for a place always ask the camps around the area that you find if its ok to take said spot.. This will do a few things. It will let you feel the vibe of the group. Very Important!! If you get a good vibe then hunt around for a BBQ sitting around. Gas or charcoal you might beable to fit your meaton the grill also... The bike.. So many of us know how to use tools and have them with us, just ask for help... Next thing you know your bike if built for you and you made a group of new friends to boot.

[Lady V]

Kitten, you can buy a bike for $10 or $15 in Gerlach just outside of BMan. We strapped ours to the top of our car for those last few miles with bungee cords! Definite beater bikes, but well worth it!!!

I put up lotsa' tips gathered from the eplaya for first timers on our website to ease anxiety. We were first timers last year and verrry nervous--but everything ended up working wonderfully! There are So Very Many Astonishing People Here!

~Lady V
Hearts Gone Wild

[dr.placebo]

Lots of good suggestions already here. Yes, you can do this on a budget. You are doing roughly what I did my first year and I had a great time. Here are a few quick additions to the advice already given.

A bike is much more important than a BBQ grill. A small camp stove is probably better than charcoal, but I've brought the same gas stove for the last 3 years and have not used it once, since I've found folks who have bigger stoves who like my cooking.

Clothing should be fun and practical. Bring layers. Temps range from over 100 F to under 40 F. Bring a hat!

[dragonfly Jafe]

...dust storms are common, tents that are mostly mesh with a rainfly get filled up with dust pretty quick (it goes under the rainfly and into the tent). If you cannot find a tent that can "seal up" completely, bring an extra 5x7 tarp to cover your bed and stuff with so you don't have a layer of dust over everything when you decide to crash.

When you arrive, the Greeters will ask if you have a camp. When you say no, they will give you some tips as to where you could go. When you get to the city, start looking around for some space between the bigger camps. When you see a spot that looks good (or you are tired of looking / driving) stop, bring a water bottle, and walk around a bit (a bit! don't get lost...) and talk to your neighbors. If the vibe is right, ask if you can camp in between them. Within a day or two, it will most likely be as if you were a member of their camp all along (unless you are a total case).

Good Luck, and if the heat gets to be too much, look for Blunderland (with our cool chill space).

[AntiM]

Our small tent has a mesh ceiling, we leave the rainfly off and use springclamps to hold a comforter or quilt on top. Has kept the dust out fairly well for the past six years. Although covering your bedding is important also.

Make your bed!

[Silver 2]

Last year I took a $25 K-mart tent and it was fine (three man tent, uh huh, very small or very friendly or both). Not long before the event I was in Target and picked up a triangular shade thing for about the same amount of money (about 50% off).

An option that you might want to consider is LampLighters, a little work and a ready made community. I have never done it but have at least one friend that goes back year after year.

I know or have met three women that went out alone for their first time and they had no problems. Exception, one who is very young and very good looking said that she got more help than she really wanted, but that the guys all behaved themselves.

[Kitten]

Silver 2 did the shade structure pack compact? I was looking around for supplies today and tents sure come in smaller packages than my old childhood long poled never fit in a small car tent.

[DoctorIknow]

Someone above mentioned Trader Joe precooked packaged Indian food. I don't know if Trader's has their own brand, but they have some Tasty Bites products. The brand has Indian and Thai precooked food and meals. I've been using them for years at BM, four a day sometimes, and they never get boring. Far from bland. They have specials running most of the time, and have a larger selection than you'll find at WholeFoods, and online will cost much less, even with shipping:

https://www.tastybite.com

I believe most would agree that MUCH less food is needed for the body at BurningMan, and some things you think you'll love out there go un-eaten. Group dynamics can change the amount of time around and the quality of food, but when I'm eatin' as a single person, I just want it to be
1-tasty
2-filling, calorie rich
3-quick
4-easy clean up

Since water will be at a premium for you, and dish washing can take as much water as a shower, bring disposable bowls, dry 'em in the sun, and dispose of them back home.

BTW, if you are dying for a shower and see some of your neighbors have rigs set up, take over a full gallon of water and ask 'em if you can use your water in their rig. Even if a neighbor offers you a shower and you say "yes, thank you" take water when you go. They will be amazed as a burner bringing water isn't the response they usually get. Don't get me started! LOL

---Roast $20 worth (less bulk than you'd think) of almonds in soy sauce. Protein packed, salty and tasty, can't stop eatin' 'em.
---Rice cakes perfect for peanut butter or tahani or honey. No mess. Light.
---Get two boxes (about $9) of EmergenC at TraderJoes or more expensive healthfood stores. One packet of those 1000mg VitaminC (and some have minerals, too) will make endless water drinking much more fun and give you energy.
---Don't bring messy or soft fruits. Apples, pears, bananas for the first few days are good and don't have to be isolated from cooler water. Yeah, nothing like finding open cheeze packets floating in cooler water...

For shade, a great burner method that's cheap is to use your car as support for a tarp. There is one explanation of that here:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... highlight=

A bike takes up too much space in the car, and I wouldn't count on finding one in Gerlach, but instead of getting an "off the back of the car bike rack" I would suggest you get a rack for the top of the car. Lay a blanket on the roof and you can strap quite a lot up there, including the 2x2's if you go with putting shade off the side of your car. Just lay the bike down on your "base" and strap it down. If you don't know how to tie 100% secure knots, buy some straps at HomeDepot, Lowe's, etc. However, if you have a Harbor Freight Tools near you, you can get tarps, straps, duct tape much cheaper.

Don't forget to get at least 12" (18" would be better) stakes for the tent. Rebar is cut that length at Home Depot. You won't need a 3pound hammer as for sure there will be one you can borrow within 100feet of where you set up. If you use 12" stakes, toss your heaviest cooler in the tent when you leave for extended playa excursions, as the 12" stakes might not work if the playa conditions are a way they are sometimes.

And a small and cheap item that many of us swear by and others think are silly are disposable latex gloves. Setting up and tearing down your camp, and especially picking up MOOP, is not hand friendly. Although you might think washing later will be enough, and it is, the big advantage to gloves is just having your hands isolated will make you feel better and not subconsciously avoid some task that's gritty and dusty. You'll get into the work instead of just seeing it as necessary. (well, at least I do...) A pack of 10 pairs will be enough, but you can get a big box (drug stores) for pretty cheap and then give them to neighbors when you see them doing labor intensive stuff.

Have a great time!

[Silver 2]

Kitten,

The shade thing packs to about 4x6x24 or thereabouts and weights under 10 lbs. And yeah, 30 years ago my tiny backpackers tent took up almost as much space. At one point I had a cabin type tent rated for four people and it took up more space than my 18x11 tent does now. The big differences are the materials and the wonderful shock corded fiberglass poles.

These new tents are a lot easier to put up than in the old days but I always suggest practiceing beforehand though if you have trouble there will always be someone around who will help out. Not one BM was gone by that I haven't helped put up at least one tent for someone.