What is the meaning of the colored survey flags?

markinsf · Post by **markinsf** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:51 am

What is the meaning of those 12"-tall colored survey flags on the thin wire stakes? They are omnipresent even in the outer streets like H and I.

If they are theme camps is there a downloadable map somewhere so that I can target a location in advance that is not already reserved?

Last year we avoided them, but the camps that ended up there didn't seem like theme camps to me.

Thanks!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:01 am

They mark the street edges, just leave them alone. No reserved camping outside of theme camps & staff facilities.

markinsf · Post by **markinsf** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:11 am

Thanks for the quick reply Bob!

So if I understand you correctly, they are merely remnants of the street surveying (which should not be touched). They do not represent reserved spaces?

I just want to be sure, because I don't want to set up camp and have to move. Thanks again.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:20 am

When in doubt, ask someone who looks like they know a thing or two, but reserved areas are usually clearly marked w/ rows of printed signs.

markinsf · Post by **markinsf** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:24 am

Trying to help myself a little here:

I know this may seem obvious, but please confirm that if I am looking at the BRC map PDF, I can camp anywhere that is not blue?
http://www.burningman.com/media/doc/pre ... 08_map.pdf

To most of you this may seem obvious, but after driving all night and trying to choose an available campsite without letting down 15 of your friends things get confusing, especially with all those colored stakes everywhere.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:33 am

Bob wrote:When in doubt, ask someone who looks like they know a thing or two, but reserved areas are usually clearly marked w/ rows of printed signs.

That leaves me out...

phil · Post by **phil** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:44 am

Colored flags? Colored stakes? Puhleeeze. It's flags of color and stakes of color.

I appreciate your effort to camp where you should. Here's the way I'd suggest. At the greeters station you should be given a map of BRC which will show where the theme camps are - you should not camp in a theme camp. So look at the map you're given, match it up with what you're seeing looking out your windshield, and go where camping is allowed. The map will have street names, and there will be street signs on the playa so you can avoid any complications with flags of color - just go the the streets where the areas are not reserved and find an open area.

It is not possible for mere Burners to reserve areas for themselves. However, there are some who _want_ to claim areas for their friends who will be arriving Any Day Now. When you find a likely spot, ask the neighbors already there if this is a good spot to camp. If they have some objection, thank them for their time and move on to another good looking spot. Ask again there. If they have no objections, ask what their particular camp is about. Some run a generator 24 hours a day to supply electricity to their rock band which plays all night. If you're cool with that, go for it. If no, go.

I understand the problem of driving all night. I've been awakened more than once by someone arriving at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning and whooping with delight at finally arriving. If you arrive at dark:30 in the morning, kindly consider pulling into the temporary camp area and taking a nap till sunrise. Then you can avoid pulling into a theme camp and waking everyone up and finding that you can't camp there after all.

I appreciate the idea of working all this out ahead of time, but when you get to the playa, the stomach starts flying out of your mouth, the spit starts running down your chin, the butterflies all swarm out of your head, and things are very, very different. Take the map from the greeter, look at the map and the ground, and you'll be fine. None of the plans you make now will work. And that's a good thing. Go with the chaos. Drive with your window down and your head hanging out the window breathing in the odor of the playa. Say hi to everybody. Find a place by chance and make friends you'll remember for life. Don't plan. When you get there, say to yourself occasionally

Be Here Now

and breathe in the powder. Take off your clothes and your plans and wander around. What you're looking for will find you. Unplanned.

Or not. It's Burning Man, so do as you wish.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:52 am

If you have people arriving at different times, just pick a general area eg a street intersection to shoot for. Make up a unique name for your group, so your first arrivals can leave a message about your camp on the computers at Playa Info in Center Camp, and later arrivals can search under that name to find your street location.

markinsf · Post by **markinsf** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:00 pm

phil wrote:Colored flags? Colored stakes? Puhleeeze. It's flags of color and stakes of color....

lol. Good advice. Thanks.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:31 pm

markinsf wrote:Trying to help myself a little here:

I know this may seem obvious, but please confirm that if I am looking at the BRC map PDF, I can camp anywhere that is not blue?
http://www.burningman.com/media/doc/pre ... 08_map.pdf

To most of you this may seem obvious, but after driving all night and trying to choose an available campsite without letting down 15 of your friends things get confusing, especially with all those colored stakes everywhere.

yep you got it..those are reserved for theme camps.

ice is at center camp..3 o'clock and 9 o'clock..so I hear