BM Virgin needs help with location

Misti · Post by **Misti** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:58 pm

I am trying to set up my new GPS to find Burning Man since I have never been before and it is asking for an address, I know there isnt an address to the exact spot but if I had an address that is close it would make it alot easier for me. I have found the co-ordinates but I dont think I can enter them in.

Does anyone know of an address that is close that I could use for the GPS, or know if Garmin has software for it that would have Black Rock desert in the locations?

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:04 pm

What model is your GPS? I have two Garmins, and they both allow entry of the location in degrees and minutes.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:04 pm

[double post]

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:08 pm

Misti, Try marking a location(any location) and then when it asks you to name it scroll down to where the coordinate numbers are and try to change them to the coordinates you found. Then go back up and name it Black Rock City!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:24 pm

Be careful. there are two locations that are used alternate years.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:04 pm

Just set it for Gerlach, NV. Or are you looking for more specific GPS location?

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:19 am

If I were to use such a device I think I would use the locations of the roads going in. Also make a location in Gerlach NV.. Brunos is right on the way so you know when yer gettin close. You also might want to put in some gas places and whatnot beforehand.

Bring papermap and directions, two copies.. as backup

Misti · Post by **Misti** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:39 pm

It is a Magellan Maestro 3225.

I think I have found some software that will let me put in coordinates, but now I am not sure if they are correct for this years location. Can I find this years coordinates somewhere? I tried to call the burningman hotline on the home page I didnt get an answer.

The GPS im using seems to need a street number to find places, I havent figured out how to make it just go to a city or to an exit. It could be user error though, I havent even had it a month yet.

I will take a paper map and possibly my older hand held GPS that allows for exits and cities to be used as destinations, it just isnt designed for detailed instructions and wont tell me "left turn here" but it might come in handy if I want to find a neat place again when inside the city.

I am looking at mapquest here and mapquest is sometimes wrong.
Please tell me if this is right, From Winnemucca I stay on 80 until Fernley, then travel 447 until I reach Gerlach?

From Gerlach do I take 34? and how far do I go on 34?
Will there be signs along the way?

Am I making this more complicated than I have to?
I know I have time to figure it all out, but I want to know I can get there ok before I buy tickets.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:48 pm

Take 80 to 447 all the way through Gerlach, then follow the huge line of cars with bikes and building supplies strapped to the tops. It really is that easy.

If you were coming from Seattle it would be more difficult, but from I-80 it's a piece of cake. The vast majority of the 50,000 odd people will be headed through Gerlach, so there are plenty of people to follow. Just follow the stuff in the survival guide - ALWAYS obey the speed limit, resist the urge to pass the converted bus that's going 2mph under the limit, don't swerve to miss rabbits, don't rely on getting gas in Gerlach after the event, get all your other supplies in or before Fernley.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:18 pm

The first time we went, we only had a road map and the directions in the survival guide. We made it just fine. It is easy, a GPS would only complicate matters.

Dork is right, once you hit 447 you cannot miss the entrance to BRC!

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:23 pm

> Magellan Maestro 3225

Dang. Sorry, I've got no knowledge of the Magellan interface.

I'd suggest a few emails to their customer support. I'm betting there's a way to put in lat/lon and they don't explain how in their user manual.

There are two locations for center camp, and the location depends on attendance. The difference in locations is maybe a few hundred feet between one center camp and the other. Driving to the exact location (whichever it is) will not be possible. I'm not sure when they determine which location will be used.

This is from 2004
http://www.burningman.com/blackrockcity ... html#2004C
and I'm not sure which location is given. You might compare this with the lat/lon you have already, just for kicks.

Post by **mdmf007** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:40 pm

Google Earth is good for lat/long. Bm is never in the same location though - rotates two locations and even then the Golden spike ends up all over I am sure.

searock420 · Post by **searock420** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:22 pm

Coming from the north take I-5S to Medford,take a left and then right on 447.
Just watch out going through some of the little towns,they're kinda trappy

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:13 pm

I have never even brought a map. I just follow other burners once i get close to Reno.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:24 pm

The problem is that you are using a car based navigation gps (or "Ican'tReadaMap" model) instead of a real gps. There is no address for BRC, so you have nothing to enter.

Pardon my snarkyness, but I really think things like TomTom & other devices for automotive navigation need a different name. A true GPS should be able to get you within 10-20 feet of anyplace in the world for which you can provide lat/long.

<begin old-timey rant>

When I first went to Burning Man, I drove to Gerlach & asked the buy at the gas station for directions. Then I drove into the desert and went South for 12 miles and East for for miles, without a working odometer, and drove right into center camp! Lazy kids these days!

<end old-timey rant>

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:36 pm

This will get you close enough to find it.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.7 ... &z=14&om=1

Latitude 40.752979
Longitude -119.275474

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:42 pm

> Then I drove into the desert and went South for 12 miles

Uh, yeah. :->

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:48 pm

searock420 wrote:Coming from the north take I-5S to Medford,take a left and then right on 447.
Just watch out going through some of the little towns,they're kinda trappy

Gotta watch out for the black hole that is Klamath Falls.
Scotty, we need maximum thrust to make it past this trappy little town or we'll be sucked into Waldo's for sure.

Misti · Post by **Misti** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:26 am

Thank you all for the help, I feel confidant enough to buy my tickets now.

From the sounds of it I will need to look into something to keep from overheating at the gates, another thing to add to the ToDo list before the trip.

By the way, looking at the maps I see a Jungo road that looks like it would be a shortcut, but I read somewhere the road is bumpy... Is it really that bad?

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:03 pm

for more information on driving directions, see wally's site:
http://gwally.com/directions/cat_routes.php
http://gwally.com/directions/pdf/or_map.pdf
http://gwally.com/directions/guide.php

I think you may find these three pages helpful in locating the Burn. :->

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:25 pm

Misti wrote:

By the way, looking at the maps I see a Jungo road that looks like it would be a shortcut, but I read somewhere the road is bumpy... Is it really that bad?

Jungo road is a "washboard" dirt road the majority of its length.
You MUST go at least 50 MPH or it will vibrate the glasses right off of your face.

I wouldn't suggest taking it unless you are seriously pressed for time.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:04 pm

From the sounds of it I will need to look into something to keep from overheating at the gates

Just do what I do, push your car once you hit the entrance traffic. You aren't going any faster than 1 mph anyway.

Do NOT take Jungo road! You will regret it.

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:52 pm

Everybody says that - every year about Jungo road. I have taken it every year, and at least 100 more times for work, and have never had a problem.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:46 pm

If there is a problem my understanding is that it's a lonely road with no services. Be prepared. Have you driven on unpaved roads before? If not, this may not be the time to start. YMMV

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:49 am

The first year that I went I programmed the co-ords into my Garmin and enjoyed watching the miles tick down...But since the entire trip is 2100 miles (one way) the GPS distance ended up being off by over 200 miles! Now I just set it for The Man when I first hop on 447. (Usually somebody posts his location prior to my departure.)
Navigation tip: The Man is always directly above the center of the Earth.

ron5657 · Post by **ron5657** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:44 am

8) Just set your gps to reno, nevada. You will need to get supplies: fuel, food, water, supplies etc.. before going to the playa. Once in Reno, just follow the 50,000 other ppl headed to BRC! You can't miss them! Black rock city is about 90 miles north of Reno give or take. Don't speed though, cuz the local police WILL cite speeders! Speeding there is unsafe and a waste of gas cuz once you get there you will have to wait in line with a bunch of other vehicles. Be safe and have fun!!