Concerned about attending alone as first-timer

[sculptthesky]

Hello all,

I bought my BM ticket months ago,
And had planned to attend with a group of friends.
Unfortunately, they've all dropped out,
Leaving me with the option of attending alone,
Or dropping out as well.

The last thing I want to do is give up on my opportunity
To come experience the Burning Man community.
However, I'm a little concerned about attending by myself as a first-timer.

Does anyone have any advice to lend as far as
How to survive on my own, or possibly how to join with another group?
I of course would be willing to contribute in every way,
I simply don't know what else to do.

Thanks for any ideas you may have,
I'm really going to try to make it out.
It just seems to be a bit of a challenge.

Take care, everyone.
And I hope to see you soon.

[TomServo]

Getting to Burning Man has always been a challenge for me. But is worth it, each year. Their are a few camps still looking for campmates...some posted on eplaya. Theres nothing wrong with going alone...trust me..you won't be alone for very long. Just read the Survival Guide, and figure out what you will need, and what you won't.

Half the people Iv ever known, that said they were going, never did. Id hate to see someone give up, because everyone else in the group did. Come with no expectations, and an open mind...and I'm willing to bet you WON'T regret it!

[dragonpilot]

GO! DO NOT NOT GO! You will be fine as long as you read the Survival Guide and take it seriously! Read everything you can on these forums!

You may be able to find a travel mate if you look at the Rideshare link and/or craigslist for the area you coming from...which is where...just curious?

This year is going to be awesome! Don't miss it!

[thirt33n]

yeah, what they said.

hey, just take care of yourself, get there, set up your camp meet your neighbors and realize you're camping with 40,000 people.
your "friends" are already going to be there. you just don't know them yet.

a blessing in disguise. you only have to deal with yourself now. much easier.

[nebulachic]

I'm a first timer going alone too... if it helps you feel any better!

[sculptthesky]

Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement,
I really appreciate it.

I suppose my real concern is in the fact that I have absolutely no camping experience.
If I were to show up with an open mind and willingness to contribute in every way to the other campers' setup, would it be reasonable to think I could simply join another campsite?
I'm worried about not having the funds to support myself beyond the basic costs of transportation and food, etc.
How plausible is it to think that I could crash with another group who is somewhat more experienced and stable?
I'd of course have my own food/water/gifts and such, but it's the idea of setting up camp alone having never done anything like it before that worries me.

Any suggestions?

[TomServo]

money is always an issue...if you need help setting up, ask for it! if your too shy..come by Black Rock roller Disco.ask for Jeff and Ill be more than willing to help!

[Marscrumbs]

Make sure your will is up to date. Always a good idea, but especially if you headed out to BRC (Read back of ticket.)

[CLARKcon]

...set up your camp meet your neighbors and realize you're camping with 40,000 people.
your "friends" are already going to be there. you just don't know them yet...

Indeed. Just set up in the middle of one of the blocks (10 0'clock is farthest left of arc, 2:00 is on the right) Pick a letter between A-K (without getting into the Theme Camp reserved sites). Soon enough you'll have tents all around you and folks to talk to. Camping experience? Simple, it's like being at your house just outside Get an easy set-up 3-4 person tent (make sure to get other, larger stakes to pin down)Mind you the ground is not grass-- dry dusty lake bed (so don't bring anything to fancy for equipment or gear, as there is a chance the dust will own it . It may seem alittle difficult (the travel, directions, etc.) but the r e w a r d of 1.) conquering your temporary fear, and 2.) a week of pure discovery. Follow your instincts, your heart, and take it very, very easy. Hope you deceide to go !

[LeChatNoir]

Hello all,I bought my BM ticket months ago,And had planned to attend with a group of friends.Unfortunately, they've all dropped out,Leaving me with the option of attending alone,Or dropping out as well.The last thing I want to do is give up on my opportunityTo come experience the Burning Man community.However, I'm a little concerned about attending by myself as a first-timer.Does anyone have any advice to lend as far asHow to survive on my own, or possibly how to join with another group?I of course would be willing to contribute in every way,I simply don't know what else to do.Thanks for any ideas you may have,I'm really going to try to make it out.It just seems to be a bit of a challenge.Take care, everyone.And I hope to see you soon.

You should go, sculptthesky. It isn’t as scary as you’d think it, and its much more surreal. Don't miss the chance you have been given.

Every year we have at least one person who came alone and simply happened to pitch a tent near us. They are always drawn to our dome because there’s people coming and going and lots of conversation happening at all hours.

Soon they are spending their days in the dome making new friends, and only use their tent for storage and sleep.

And we’re just one of thousands of places like us out there. Get to know your neighbors. Always contribute in some manor, preferably one that you enjoy, and you will make friends without any problem at all.

[Papa Thanatos]

I'm in the same boat, first timer heading on my own, but I at least I knew from the start that it was only going to be me.

I'm flipping from excitment to nervousness every five minutes, i'm as prepared as I can possibly be but i'm still running round like a headless chicken worried i've forgotten something or somethings going to go wrong.

I've come to the conclusion that at times you just have to grab life by the horns and ride it till the end. At the end of BM i'm either flying home in my seat on the plane or in a box in the hold, but at least i'll have crammed some living into those 7 days.

[TomServo]

my girl is irish...and fucking daft!! she likes to hit

[Marscrumbs]

Hello all,

I bought my BM ticket months ago,
And had planned to attend with a group of friends.
Unfortunately, they've all dropped out,
Leaving me with the option of attending alone,
Or dropping out as well.

Show your friends this:

[sculptthesky]

Thanks again for all this encouragement,
I really am going to do everything I can to make it out there.

Just out of curiosity,
Is where you park your vehicle and where you set up camp the same plot of land? Or are the cars parked outside the grounds?
I'm asking simply because I'm very short on funds,
And may not be able to afford a tent in addition to the cost of gas/food/other survival needs.
Is sleeping in your car an unreasonable idea?
I don't mean to sound ignorant, I just have no idea how Burning Man works.

[MozyBonz]

Thanks again for all this encouragement,
I really am going to do everything I can to make it out there.

Just out of curiosity,
Is where you park your vehicle and where you set up camp the same plot of land? Or are the cars parked outside the grounds?
I'm asking simply because I'm very short on funds,
And may not be able to afford a tent in addition to the cost of gas/food/other survival needs.
Is sleeping in your car an unreasonable idea?
I don't mean to sound ignorant, I just have no idea how Burning Man works.

yes you can sleep in your car. But I would still get some kinda shade for the car.
it gets hot out there.

Black Rock City

[Orchid]

Your car will get very, VERY hot during the day. You can get tents for pretty darn cheap at your local big box store, or if you're feeling adventurous, hit up the Goodwill and/or go garage saling. It would also be very smart to get a reflective tarp to put over your tent.

Welcome home!