When is the best time to show up for BM?
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mikesieben
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:41 pm
- Location: NYC
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Bluetality
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:30 pm
- Location: New Mexico
- Contact:
The best time to arrive is before the event begins. Try to get early entry by volunteering. 
Several departments have people on the Playa days and even weeks before the event, I lucked out this year and got early entry the Saturday prior. It was blind luck though. I got on Playa Friday evening, and traveled up Twelve Mile Road to camp deep-playa outside of event. I slept on an open cot under the stars about 5 miles North of the fenceline. It was wonderful. No lights, no noise,no potty smells.
The next morning a perimeter patrol found , and I quess took pity on me. I was offered early entry if I would work perimeter patrol. I agreed.
There are advantages to working the event. Each department has their own unique advantages and difficulties.
I volunteered to work Center Camp coffee support, Airport intercepter, 3cubed ice slinger and Ranger mentoring shifts. I discovered I was not physically able to walk 6 hours and be a Dirt Ranger. My mentoring shift was Monday during the big blow and I could not hack it.
I had to beg off the ice slinging but did complete shifts at the Airport,Center Camp, and Perimeter. 
I did 9 shifts during the week. I would recommend finding your favorite job and stick with that during the week. I found my physical limit, but Rangering or Iceslinging may be right for you.
You might start your own camp and get administrative,setup, early entry.
You might design , apply, and get early entry for funded art.
You might volunteer for DPW and get onsite weeks ahead.
If you are unable to volunteer, I have found daybreak Monday to be best time to arrive. The first 2 or 3 days are entirly different than the last 2 or 3 days...
Several departments have people on the Playa days and even weeks before the event, I lucked out this year and got early entry the Saturday prior. It was blind luck though. I got on Playa Friday evening, and traveled up Twelve Mile Road to camp deep-playa outside of event. I slept on an open cot under the stars about 5 miles North of the fenceline. It was wonderful. No lights, no noise,no potty smells.
The next morning a perimeter patrol found , and I quess took pity on me. I was offered early entry if I would work perimeter patrol. I agreed.
There are advantages to working the event. Each department has their own unique advantages and difficulties.
I volunteered to work Center Camp coffee support, Airport intercepter, 3cubed ice slinger and Ranger mentoring shifts. I discovered I was not physically able to walk 6 hours and be a Dirt Ranger. My mentoring shift was Monday during the big blow and I could not hack it.
I had to beg off the ice slinging but did complete shifts at the Airport,Center Camp, and Perimeter. I did 9 shifts during the week. I would recommend finding your favorite job and stick with that during the week. I found my physical limit, but Rangering or Iceslinging may be right for you.
You might start your own camp and get administrative,setup, early entry.
You might design , apply, and get early entry for funded art.
You might volunteer for DPW and get onsite weeks ahead.
If you are unable to volunteer, I have found daybreak Monday to be best time to arrive. The first 2 or 3 days are entirly different than the last 2 or 3 days...
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pizzamancer
- Posts: 357
- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:56 pm
- Burning Since: 2008
You changed in your tent?DragginLady wrote:I... I can stand up in it; that makes changing costumes much easier for this ol' body. Also, tent was pretty much dust free...
As for dust, it will be the last thing on your mind after the second day. You will not even notice it after you clean the chunks out of your eyes in the morning.
2008 was my first burn, and the only piece of advice that I am still thankful for was to buy a pack of new socks and take them out of the bag one by on each day. New clean socks were a godsend. Of course my shoes were caked with playa, but my feet were happy feet.
Just get any tent, any sleeping bag, and buy a few cheap white Target sheets to cover your stuff with during the day. Spend your time and money on outfits and accessories. If your tent/stuff breaks, there isn't much you can't fix with duct tape anyway.
Just remember, you aren't going there to spend time in a tent.
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Major Mallet
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:27 pm
- Burning Since: 2007
- Camp Name: PlayaWaste Raiders
- Location: Siwa Oasis
Bluetality,
For two years I left at 5:30 am on the Tuesday morning after the event ended and just drove out. No problems at all.
Last year I used an old REI tent I had. This year, to save on shipping costs and to have a tent waiting for me for future burns, I purchased a tent similar to this one from WalMart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=4366673
It held up very well in the wind storms and came with 2 sleeping bags and two reasonably sturdy chairs. I would receommend covering the tent with some sort of shade or cammo netting to keep it cooler. Also, make a set of four rebar stakes to anchor the tent. Finally, get a nice air mattress and you are set. For less than $100 you are set up pretty well.
For two years I left at 5:30 am on the Tuesday morning after the event ended and just drove out. No problems at all.
Last year I used an old REI tent I had. This year, to save on shipping costs and to have a tent waiting for me for future burns, I purchased a tent similar to this one from WalMart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=4366673
It held up very well in the wind storms and came with 2 sleeping bags and two reasonably sturdy chairs. I would receommend covering the tent with some sort of shade or cammo netting to keep it cooler. Also, make a set of four rebar stakes to anchor the tent. Finally, get a nice air mattress and you are set. For less than $100 you are set up pretty well.
Back to Burn in 2016 or Bust!
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Captain Goddammit
- Posts: 8589
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2003 9:34 am
- Burning Since: 2000
- Camp Name: First Camp
- Location: Seattle, WA
Here's a piece of advice not yet mentioned; my tenting campmates all put up a 10x20 Costco carport structure, roll some old carpet in it, then put up their tents under it. It works fabulously well to protect them from dust and heat. If I were ever to use a tent I'd definitely do that.
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."
Timing
I wouldn't (especially for your first time out) shoot for a 12:01 AM arrival when the gates open... but if you can get in early that same morning (say, by 8 or 9 AM), you'll have a stupendously easy arrival. Same goes for the next day. Doesn't matter where you're coming from: just shoot for an early AM arrival on the playa and you'll sidestep most of the traffic.
Our first year on the playa had us arriving in the early evening... mid-week... and we spent several hours getting through the gate and (in the dark) finding a temp camp site... before moving on to a permanent one the next day.
Trust me -- you'll be happy if you get up at o-dark-hundred and arrive at BRC early.
Similarly... if you want an easy exit, don't leave right after the man burns. Stick around, get to know your remaining neighbors even better... and aim for a departure a couple of days after the man burns. It's really nice to hang out, take a leisurely pace when striking camp, and exit without spending hours idling as you inch your way toward the gate.
Go early. Stay late. It's worth it.
Our first year on the playa had us arriving in the early evening... mid-week... and we spent several hours getting through the gate and (in the dark) finding a temp camp site... before moving on to a permanent one the next day.
Trust me -- you'll be happy if you get up at o-dark-hundred and arrive at BRC early.
Similarly... if you want an easy exit, don't leave right after the man burns. Stick around, get to know your remaining neighbors even better... and aim for a departure a couple of days after the man burns. It's really nice to hang out, take a leisurely pace when striking camp, and exit without spending hours idling as you inch your way toward the gate.
Go early. Stay late. It's worth it.
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falk
- Posts: 415
- Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:15 am
- Burning Since: 2004
- Location: Silicon Valley
- Contact:
Yes, REI is probably the worst solution. As you've already observed, their tents are mesh tents and very expensive.Bluetality wrote:Ah, that does make sense.
Thanks anyway (about the camping stuff).
I've been checking out REI and the like, but the prices are pretty steep, and most of the decent tents I've found are like 40% mesh, and I'm trying to avoid that if I can.
I have a Sierra Equinox, which has served me well for two years, but friends who have the SpringBar tents swear by them. The Equinox will still leak dust in a storm, whereas the SpringBar owners say the only dust in their tents is that which they track in.
SpringBar is also very expensive, but from what I've seen, worth it.
As for shopping, check out the nearest army surplus store to where you live; you might find good deals on stuff.
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Fire_Moose
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pizzamancer wrote:
2008 was my first burn, and the only piece of advice that I am still thankful for was to buy a pack of new socks and take them out of the bag one by on each day. New clean socks were a godsend. Of course my shoes were caked with playa, but my feet were happy feet..
OMG who ever invented bringing a fresh bag of socks to the playa is my hero. If not for those new socks i would have been miserable.
One of my shoes has a spot where the stitching came undone so more then the average amount of playa would get in my shoe. After so long of walking and sweating the playa would cake around my toes and such....had to let them dry and pick off the mud the next morning most days hahaha
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theCryptofishist
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Lord Of Ruin
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:22 pm
- Burning Since: 2017
Some points and suggestions...
Bluetality
Since this is your first burn, I'll make some suggestions. I've done both the tent thing (in prior years) and did an RV this year so I've done it both ways.
Some points that color my recommendations:
First, know your own body. For some, they can go days without showering, brushing teeth, etc and feel totally "in the moment, man." Not so with me. I don't mind getting as dirty and grimy as I can, but I really need to get clean periodically.
Second, I am no longer in my 20s (43 to be exact). I still drink as much as I used to, dance almost as much, stay up as late. But all of those have ramifications for me now. So, for me it is very, very important that after a marathon walkabout/party session that I can finally get some good, deep sleep, if even for a few hours. To others, they do not care about this. Be sure you know where you fall on that scale.
When I first attended, I devoured everything I could from all web boards, camp mates, etc. I made up a list broken into sections: critical, necessary, wanted, nice to have. Spend most of your time, plans and money on the first, going down the list. This way, whatever is of core importance to you will work out the best, generally.
Next, when planning for BM, it's sorta best to plan like you're going to do the first moon landing. It's not so much planning for the event/place. It's more preparing yourself for whatever circumstance comes your way. For instance, I bring two pairs of clean socks for each day. I bring multiple small cheap flashlights. I bring multiple dust masks and sunglasses. Lots of underwear. A couple of good fluffy towels and biodegradable soap. A shitpile of vodka. With this stuff, no matter what else happens I know I can thrive, have a good time, and even enrich the lives of those around me.
On your tent. You'll see two season, three season and four season tents out there. Google four season tents and you'll be amazed at the prices. Four season tents simply have features that allow you to seal them completely against severe elements. Of course, these would come in handy at BM! You can buy a good three season tent early, then simply sew female (the soft side) velcro around each window. Then you take sheets or blackoutmaterial and simply make little velcro-able panels you can put over them. This allows you to use your tent.
I second the shade structure. Unless you are completely immune to heat discomfort (and I'm talking about the interior of your tent getting to about 130 degrees) you should find a way to shade it. A Costco carport is just about the pinnacle of cost/benefit. You can do itcheaper, you can do it easier, you can do it sturdier. But the CC is about the best mix IMHO. VERY sturdy, and depending on how you set up your camp, provides a nice little shaded sitting area to boot....perfect for personalizing/decorating!
Last, I second the calls for volunteering. My first year I worked 7 shifts for a department. It was amazing...I met so many new people, had a great group that I was now a part of, etc. But I also agree....doing the volunteer thing for too many departments in a single year isn't the best. You never really form a bond, and never quite feel like you belong to any of them. Many volunteer opportunities yield benefits: I believe cafe workers get free coffees, many departments feed you on shift, etc.
One final suggestion for thought: You can very, very easily join a theme camp. Read all about them, but basically you will normally pay some nominal fee, then camp in a designated area with your theme camp. Most theme camps are made up of people that come together for this, so don't worry about them all being best buddies. They thrive on new blood. Although its important to find a theme camp in line with your personal tastes (don't join a sound camp if you don't want blasting music for most of the day, etc).
Theme camps can provide a lot of advantage for new people:
Protected "base" for your stuff to venture out from.
Good mix of experienced and new burners that can guide you/give recommendations
Potential for shared infrastructure: shade structures, potties, showers, kitchens...all may be included in your camp dues
Potential to participate in the camps art projects/cars.
Lots of theme camps have dues in the $100 range that gets you showers, kitchen, etc. which is a TON of crap you don't have to buy/haul there.
More to follow, but that's my $.02 for now.
Since this is your first burn, I'll make some suggestions. I've done both the tent thing (in prior years) and did an RV this year so I've done it both ways.
Some points that color my recommendations:
First, know your own body. For some, they can go days without showering, brushing teeth, etc and feel totally "in the moment, man." Not so with me. I don't mind getting as dirty and grimy as I can, but I really need to get clean periodically.
Second, I am no longer in my 20s (43 to be exact). I still drink as much as I used to, dance almost as much, stay up as late. But all of those have ramifications for me now. So, for me it is very, very important that after a marathon walkabout/party session that I can finally get some good, deep sleep, if even for a few hours. To others, they do not care about this. Be sure you know where you fall on that scale.
When I first attended, I devoured everything I could from all web boards, camp mates, etc. I made up a list broken into sections: critical, necessary, wanted, nice to have. Spend most of your time, plans and money on the first, going down the list. This way, whatever is of core importance to you will work out the best, generally.
Next, when planning for BM, it's sorta best to plan like you're going to do the first moon landing. It's not so much planning for the event/place. It's more preparing yourself for whatever circumstance comes your way. For instance, I bring two pairs of clean socks for each day. I bring multiple small cheap flashlights. I bring multiple dust masks and sunglasses. Lots of underwear. A couple of good fluffy towels and biodegradable soap. A shitpile of vodka. With this stuff, no matter what else happens I know I can thrive, have a good time, and even enrich the lives of those around me.
On your tent. You'll see two season, three season and four season tents out there. Google four season tents and you'll be amazed at the prices. Four season tents simply have features that allow you to seal them completely against severe elements. Of course, these would come in handy at BM! You can buy a good three season tent early, then simply sew female (the soft side) velcro around each window. Then you take sheets or blackoutmaterial and simply make little velcro-able panels you can put over them. This allows you to use your tent.
I second the shade structure. Unless you are completely immune to heat discomfort (and I'm talking about the interior of your tent getting to about 130 degrees) you should find a way to shade it. A Costco carport is just about the pinnacle of cost/benefit. You can do itcheaper, you can do it easier, you can do it sturdier. But the CC is about the best mix IMHO. VERY sturdy, and depending on how you set up your camp, provides a nice little shaded sitting area to boot....perfect for personalizing/decorating!
Last, I second the calls for volunteering. My first year I worked 7 shifts for a department. It was amazing...I met so many new people, had a great group that I was now a part of, etc. But I also agree....doing the volunteer thing for too many departments in a single year isn't the best. You never really form a bond, and never quite feel like you belong to any of them. Many volunteer opportunities yield benefits: I believe cafe workers get free coffees, many departments feed you on shift, etc.
One final suggestion for thought: You can very, very easily join a theme camp. Read all about them, but basically you will normally pay some nominal fee, then camp in a designated area with your theme camp. Most theme camps are made up of people that come together for this, so don't worry about them all being best buddies. They thrive on new blood. Although its important to find a theme camp in line with your personal tastes (don't join a sound camp if you don't want blasting music for most of the day, etc).
Theme camps can provide a lot of advantage for new people:
Protected "base" for your stuff to venture out from.
Good mix of experienced and new burners that can guide you/give recommendations
Potential for shared infrastructure: shade structures, potties, showers, kitchens...all may be included in your camp dues
Potential to participate in the camps art projects/cars.
Lots of theme camps have dues in the $100 range that gets you showers, kitchen, etc. which is a TON of crap you don't have to buy/haul there.
More to follow, but that's my $.02 for now.
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
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Bluetality
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:30 pm
- Location: New Mexico
- Contact:
Oldguy - That is a great idea. Thank you for your suggestions. I most likely won't be able to show up too early, I'm having to take two weeks off of work (a week just to drive there and back), and any longer than that, and I put my job in jeopardy. As much as I love the idea of BM, and helping out, I'm one of the few people who honestly love what they do, and I'd really like to keep this job. I DO enjoy the idea of being able to contribute to the event in some way....I checked out the forum pertaining to all of that, but it didn't seem to clear on how I actually went about becoming a volunteer, and what jobs are available and all that. I have a year to find out! So, thanks again for the ideas!!!
pizzamancer - Changing in the tent sounds like a grand idea. It's not so much me being shy, it's more me protecting the eyes of the innocent (and the not-so-innocent), haha. I'm kind of neurotic about having clean, new socks, so that is definitely a given for me. The master plan is to have a few packages of new socks. If I end up with too many, I can always gift them to others. I'm aware I won't be going there to spend time in a tent, and I'm going nuts planning the things that will help my experience and comfort outside of the tent as well, but I figure I'd ask the seasoned experts what the best was to ensure decent sleeping accommodations. =)
Cap'n - I am definitely planning on checking out the carport. I dig the idea of a raw, desert experience, but sweating my proverbial nuts off in a tent is not my idea of a good time, haha.
mk-ultra - Yeah, I wasn't planning on showing up in the middle of the night. Since I'm still a little fuzzy on how it all works (finding a spot, setting up and all that), I'd like to be able to see what I'm doing! Go early, stay late...not a bad idea at all. Thanks.
falk - I've pretty much decided on the SpringBar...I've heard too many good things from a lot of people, and I think the investment would be worth it (because hey, it'll come in handy for years to come if all goes well). Yeah, I've found some great stuff for filthy cheap at various surplus stores already. My bank account is grateful, haha.
Lord of Ruin -
1. Good call. I am a very clean person, and am slowly but surely working out the kinks to make sure I can clean myself well everyday. I don't mind getting dirty, and staying that way for the better part of the day, as long as I'm able to get clean at LEAST once a day, even if it is just for a few hours.
2. I sleep like a dead person. Noise isn't an issue to me, so luckily, I don't think it'll matter where I end up camping. When I'm ready for sleep, as long as there is a decent place to crash, I'm a happy human.
3. Still working on that list, and making myself (and everyone else) nuts. =)
4. Oh, I'm going to have an obscene amount of shit, and I probably won't be using a lot of it, but dammit, it's good to be prepared! Like you said...
I've pretty much decided on a tent, so all is well on that front, and also, if I'm able to find it, I'll get one (possibly two) carports from Costco as soon as I have the money. I'm sure I said it earlier, but I love the idea of volunteering, but I'm going to have to save that planning for later in the year once things solidify, and I can get more info on that front. Thanks for the classic advice!
pizzamancer - Changing in the tent sounds like a grand idea. It's not so much me being shy, it's more me protecting the eyes of the innocent (and the not-so-innocent), haha. I'm kind of neurotic about having clean, new socks, so that is definitely a given for me. The master plan is to have a few packages of new socks. If I end up with too many, I can always gift them to others. I'm aware I won't be going there to spend time in a tent, and I'm going nuts planning the things that will help my experience and comfort outside of the tent as well, but I figure I'd ask the seasoned experts what the best was to ensure decent sleeping accommodations. =)
Cap'n - I am definitely planning on checking out the carport. I dig the idea of a raw, desert experience, but sweating my proverbial nuts off in a tent is not my idea of a good time, haha.
mk-ultra - Yeah, I wasn't planning on showing up in the middle of the night. Since I'm still a little fuzzy on how it all works (finding a spot, setting up and all that), I'd like to be able to see what I'm doing! Go early, stay late...not a bad idea at all. Thanks.
falk - I've pretty much decided on the SpringBar...I've heard too many good things from a lot of people, and I think the investment would be worth it (because hey, it'll come in handy for years to come if all goes well). Yeah, I've found some great stuff for filthy cheap at various surplus stores already. My bank account is grateful, haha.
Lord of Ruin -
1. Good call. I am a very clean person, and am slowly but surely working out the kinks to make sure I can clean myself well everyday. I don't mind getting dirty, and staying that way for the better part of the day, as long as I'm able to get clean at LEAST once a day, even if it is just for a few hours.
2. I sleep like a dead person. Noise isn't an issue to me, so luckily, I don't think it'll matter where I end up camping. When I'm ready for sleep, as long as there is a decent place to crash, I'm a happy human.
3. Still working on that list, and making myself (and everyone else) nuts. =)
4. Oh, I'm going to have an obscene amount of shit, and I probably won't be using a lot of it, but dammit, it's good to be prepared! Like you said...
I've pretty much decided on a tent, so all is well on that front, and also, if I'm able to find it, I'll get one (possibly two) carports from Costco as soon as I have the money. I'm sure I said it earlier, but I love the idea of volunteering, but I'm going to have to save that planning for later in the year once things solidify, and I can get more info on that front. Thanks for the classic advice!
If you have no voice, Scream.
If you have no legs, Run.
If you have no hope, Invent.
If you have no legs, Run.
If you have no hope, Invent.
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swampdog
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:27 am
- Burning Since: 2004
- Camp Name: Rising Arms Pub
- Location: Bellingham WA
When to arrive?
Regarding when to arrive, I definitely agree that the earlier you can make it the better. The event is just different as you move through the week. To me, it seems like a much more neighborly vibe early in the week. People are getting their camps together, building their art, pacing themselves. I prefer that part of the week. Usually Wednesday is my peak day. After Wednesday the pure party vibe starts to take over. Maybe it's just that I'm an old guy and my endurance wears thin. You may prefer the later week vibe. But it's not at all about convenience of setup or location of camp, there's always room to camp and one hot dusty day is as good as another for putting up a tent. The longer you stay, the more ways you get to experience the place, and many of us prefer the early part if we had to choose.
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Intubater69
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:26 am
- Location: Detroit Metro Gulags
- Contact:
True words of wisdom there Philphil wrote:> I'm just excited, and trying to get my shit together so that when
> the time comes, I'll be ready.
You're doing it right. (You won't be ready, but you'll think you are till you get there. :-> It's like nothing you've ever seen.)
Blue. read read read! The survival guide, countless websites relating to the burn, many exp. burners out there have put together good sites. You've already found eplaya, devour it like you just got out of the desert, like we did
Campmor is a great site, LOTS of gear, most of it reasonably priced, check out army surplus stores, home despot (you think I'm kidding, just wait)
Make lists like Santy Claus, check em twice, even thrice. Read some more. Dream. Wait in agony. Start hydrating now
Soon you'll be Home
I get to drive the ambulance how fast?!!
SailMan
SailMan
A habit of mine that I thought might be a drawback, has eliminated a huge burning man problem for me. After years of being at work at 6:00 AM, I mostly sleep at night. I don't go in the tent during the day. It's hot in there. I have a shade shelter that gives shade to me, but not to my tent. The shade is perfect for a little snooze to recharge if needed. I haven't had to curse the hot tent, or covet an air conditioned R.V. (gun to head: I do covet an r.v.) because I couldn't sleep. If you sleep at night, you might save some money on gear.
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Bluetality
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:30 pm
- Location: New Mexico
- Contact:
swampdog - Yeah, I've pretty much decided that the booty crack of dawn on the first day is the time for me to arrive. It'll give me time to battle with my tent and shade structure before it starts boiling outside, haha. Thanks for the two cents =).
Intubater69 - My poor brain is brimming with amazing advice, to-do lists, and information. My master plan this week is to start writing out a solid list on physical paper (easier said than done. I'm a bit of a scatter-brain). Thanks for the Campmor suggestion, that site looks like it'll save me a heap of money on the small things I need. I dig the "welcome home"...it seems like I'm preparing for that one statement to become a reality for me.
Elorrum - Yeah, I'm up by 4:45 a.m. M-F for work, so I'll probably be living off of cat naps during the day. That's a good idea, focusing on the shade structure for daytime relaxation VS shade structures for my tent for daytime sleeping. Thanks =).
Intubater69 - My poor brain is brimming with amazing advice, to-do lists, and information. My master plan this week is to start writing out a solid list on physical paper (easier said than done. I'm a bit of a scatter-brain). Thanks for the Campmor suggestion, that site looks like it'll save me a heap of money on the small things I need. I dig the "welcome home"...it seems like I'm preparing for that one statement to become a reality for me.
Elorrum - Yeah, I'm up by 4:45 a.m. M-F for work, so I'll probably be living off of cat naps during the day. That's a good idea, focusing on the shade structure for daytime relaxation VS shade structures for my tent for daytime sleeping. Thanks =).
If you have no voice, Scream.
If you have no legs, Run.
If you have no hope, Invent.
If you have no legs, Run.
If you have no hope, Invent.
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Intubater69
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:26 am
- Location: Detroit Metro Gulags
- Contact:
Drove by my local Buffalo Wild Wings this morning, saw people camping out for free wings for a year. Looking at the little tent village that had sprung up, listening to the music, checking out the peeps hanging out, SMELLED BACON!!!! Reminded me of the burn. 
it's gonna be a long year.
it's gonna be a long year.I get to drive the ambulance how fast?!!
SailMan
SailMan
I've arrived late Monday,/early tuesday, slept a little in car until day break, set up camp.
The best advice I've read on this thread is RELAX. I am all so excited right now about next year since it is still so close to this year. Any advice I might give is so tinged with that, and how I want to keep the feeling from slipping away from me right now. I am checking these boards every day. I would say to the both of us, "pace yourself." I have read it here, and it gave me a sense of perspective, it has helped calm me down when the planning got to be a bit much, that this is just a fucking camping trip. With that said, here's a bunch of input:
re: gear online, I've gotten some great deals from Sierra trading post. They don't have a comprehensive collection of gear, but stuff flows through there from time to time at great prices. I got a nice cot and sleeping pad from there. They always have some sort of coupon deal going on, you can check online coupon sites for codes. REI tends pricey, but their outlet has good deals, and if you live near a retail store of theirs, you might try their their semi-annual ( I think, or maybe only annual) garage sale. It's a crazy grab hands full sort of experience, returned items, slight damage, clearance, and rental stuff, but you can name your price on some things, and they just want to get items gone. You wait in line, get a number, and then enter a back area that resembles a kid's party jumping dome. Also regular garage sales are great dumping grounds for camping stuff that isn't being used anymore, or was never really used in the first place. If you have a year to accumulate stuff, and boy will you, you can have fun finding deals, or stuff made like they don't anymore. One neighbor of mine has a tremendous old canvas coleman tent, a small style they probably haven't made in 30-40 years, no mesh, a real score. Are you a camping sort of person, will you be using this gear for other things? Burning man fully prepared for years to come is such a huge investment. What if you find out you don't like camping much, or you find a theme camp that fits you well and has a tremendous set up? Innexpensive gear is not always cheaply made like it is trash... it is made for uses that don't need an everyday use sort of ruggedness, and often suits periodical use perfectly. The playa, it's true, tests equipment with an intensity that is hard to imagine. Guylines are a great equalizer, get it tight before it starts to flap around and rip, and like they say, "If you don't know knots; use a lot." One thing I've found play dust is good at is keeping knots and shoelaces from coming undone. Try tightening your shoelaces after a few hours there, and you'll see what I mean. I never knew that ropes and shoelaces could squeak so loud. Some of the things I spent a lot of time and money on, mainly lighted gizmos, I never used, or didn't really work. Phil said it, you'll know when you get there, what really works for you. I forgot utensils and had no trouble using a taco bell spork I found in the door of my car for the whole week. I would like to "sporkify" all my gear now if you get my meaning.
The best advice I've read on this thread is RELAX. I am all so excited right now about next year since it is still so close to this year. Any advice I might give is so tinged with that, and how I want to keep the feeling from slipping away from me right now. I am checking these boards every day. I would say to the both of us, "pace yourself." I have read it here, and it gave me a sense of perspective, it has helped calm me down when the planning got to be a bit much, that this is just a fucking camping trip. With that said, here's a bunch of input:
re: gear online, I've gotten some great deals from Sierra trading post. They don't have a comprehensive collection of gear, but stuff flows through there from time to time at great prices. I got a nice cot and sleeping pad from there. They always have some sort of coupon deal going on, you can check online coupon sites for codes. REI tends pricey, but their outlet has good deals, and if you live near a retail store of theirs, you might try their their semi-annual ( I think, or maybe only annual) garage sale. It's a crazy grab hands full sort of experience, returned items, slight damage, clearance, and rental stuff, but you can name your price on some things, and they just want to get items gone. You wait in line, get a number, and then enter a back area that resembles a kid's party jumping dome. Also regular garage sales are great dumping grounds for camping stuff that isn't being used anymore, or was never really used in the first place. If you have a year to accumulate stuff, and boy will you, you can have fun finding deals, or stuff made like they don't anymore. One neighbor of mine has a tremendous old canvas coleman tent, a small style they probably haven't made in 30-40 years, no mesh, a real score. Are you a camping sort of person, will you be using this gear for other things? Burning man fully prepared for years to come is such a huge investment. What if you find out you don't like camping much, or you find a theme camp that fits you well and has a tremendous set up? Innexpensive gear is not always cheaply made like it is trash... it is made for uses that don't need an everyday use sort of ruggedness, and often suits periodical use perfectly. The playa, it's true, tests equipment with an intensity that is hard to imagine. Guylines are a great equalizer, get it tight before it starts to flap around and rip, and like they say, "If you don't know knots; use a lot." One thing I've found play dust is good at is keeping knots and shoelaces from coming undone. Try tightening your shoelaces after a few hours there, and you'll see what I mean. I never knew that ropes and shoelaces could squeak so loud. Some of the things I spent a lot of time and money on, mainly lighted gizmos, I never used, or didn't really work. Phil said it, you'll know when you get there, what really works for you. I forgot utensils and had no trouble using a taco bell spork I found in the door of my car for the whole week. I would like to "sporkify" all my gear now if you get my meaning.