Bare Bones Burn

Omnithought · Post by **Omnithought** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:26 pm

I'm running short on funds and was considering selling my ticket, but really don't want to.

What would you folks say was the bare minimum one could get by with as far as supplies to bring?

Thanks!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:34 pm

If you already went through the First Timer's Guide on the main website, what else do you need to know? It's just a camping trip in the desert.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:37 pm

I think you don't give enough information to get a good answer. What have you got already? Is this your first time? Do you have friends going? What's your transportation?

hsdavis · Post by **hsdavis** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:38 pm

There really is no bare minimum. You're going to be dealing with self reliance, not a week of begging your neighbors for sunblock, water and food. Read the survival guide again and if it seems like too much to plan for the trip, you might consider putting your first visit off for a year.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:12 pm

My idea of bare bones:
Ticket: Check
Transportation: You may be able to bum a ride with a friend or share gas with some people.
Shelter: If you drive alone, most cars work for that, otherwise a tent.
Sleeping bag: It can get cold at night.
Food: One bag of granola (bars) with all wrappers removed (if applicable). You'll probably need 2000 calories a day. You can mix in raisins or other dried fruit.
Water: You can get a 7 gallon container from WallyWorld for $7 and that'll do for drinking for the week.
Clothes: You can get by on one outfit for the week for day and a second for night. A back-up set is recommended. For the daytime expect to have all day sun exposure. If you're dark skinned, you may be able to get away with naked all day without sunblock. I, being light skinned, prefer a white T-shirt, long shorts, socks, heavy boots and a large brimmed hat. At night it gets cold so bring warm clothes. I can get by comfortably with my long German coat and wool cap.
Goggles: These are a must have. There is a lot of dust and though I love the event I would not have fun if I didn't have a pair.
Bag: To carry all your junk.

Things you should bring:
Cup: While you don't need this, it helps you drink and you can fill it with eatable gifts from others. It's nice to have a way to clip it to you.
Bike: You can have a great time without one, but if you can manage it, you'll probably be glad you brought it.

If you plan now you can probably get all of that stuff for under $100 from friends or second hand stores, if you don't already have it. A lot of that cost will cancel out based on the water, electricity and food you'd consume at home. If you have ticket and transportation figured out, there is little reason to not go.

There are a lot of other little things you'll probably want to bring, but fall out of my idea of bare bones. Baby wipes, some other foods, gatoraid, some other outfits, more water for showers, first aid kit, maybe some alcohol.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:34 pm

I've survived on coffee, tequila, powerbars, beef jerky & Tri-X for a week, and so can you.

hsdavis · Post by **hsdavis** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:25 am

Case of Red Bull, beef jerky and a tent. Oh ya, shoes!

Omnithought · Post by **Omnithought** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:21 pm

Cool, got a few good ideas from ya, and now have a local veteran burner friend who's giving me the lowdown as well. Thanks!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:33 am

Burningman should not be an exercise in consumerism. Maybe what you can bring is a demonstration of how little money needs to be spent.

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:12 pm

2005 Kyle and stopped at a gas station in Winnemucca, and fueld up on 50 bucks in snack food, chips, crackers, 8 cans of stew, granola bars, etc. Had ablat and brought more back than we ate.

your appetite does diminish at BM - drink more water.
haha

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:14 pm

mdmf007 wrote: your appetite does diminish at BM - drink more though.

Where can I get some though, and what proof is it?