First timer from Berkeley

dancinbabe · Post by **dancinbabe** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:55 pm

Hiya,
[b]So, today I decided..I"m gonna do it! [/b] Scared sh..less, but that must mean it will be a blast. No girlfriends to go with me, and I don't have much camping experience, and no gear. But there is no turning back now.

Plan to drive in with all my stuff, really want to connect with an established camp. How do I find one ahead of time that I'll like?

Sounds like there are some you can pay a membership? to and they take care of food and ice? That might be the best way to go on that. Can anyone give me advice on these topics?

Thanks!

Dancinbabe[color=indigo][/color]

Jiva · Post by **Jiva** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:40 pm

dancinbabe wrote:Hiya,
So, today I decided..I"m gonna do it! Scared sh..less, but that must mean it will be a blast. No girlfriends to go with me, and I don't have much camping experience, and no gear. But there is no turning back now.

Plan to drive in with all my stuff, really want to connect with an established camp. How do I find one ahead of time that I'll like?

Sounds like there are some you can pay a membership? to and they take care of food and ice? That might be the best way to go on that. Can anyone give me advice on these topics?

So you'll really want to read the survival guide:

http://www.burningman.com/media/doc/pre ... _guide.pdf

You will need a few things for yourself. Some theme camps provide most of the amenities for their members, but most don't. That's all stuff that needs to be arranged beforehand, though--don't expect to show up and waltz into a theme camp; remember, no commerce on the playa.

dancinbabe · Post by **dancinbabe** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:23 pm

Thanks, yes, I"m reading everything. Just thought someone might know of a camp with cooking stuff, etc I read that some are out there. Anyone else with ideas on this?
dancinbabe

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:32 pm

Here's a list of the camps http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/09 ... ill_a.html

If I were you I'd get busy finding some that sound interesting to you and contact them.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:00 pm

Enable your bbcode and smilies.
I suggest enabling email.
Everything should work in preview.

Post by **Sham** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:43 am

dancinbabe wrote: So, today I decided..I"m gonna do it! Scared sh..less, but that must mean it will be a blast.

Scared st..less was the way I was the first time I went. Most of Berkeley attends this party in the desert. If you are looking for a camp to join, try to find some people that are going from the area.
As far as food goes, try to plan now on bringing what you will need for yourself to survive the week. Dried foods, canned foods, and premade lunch things you can keep in a back pack. I am part of a theme camp, but often miss meals and have to break out a can of ravioli or tuna cups to tide me over. I work each meal in my mind and plan for back up stuff. I always bring too much and share with neighbors or people passing by.
You can buy block and cube ice at a few spots, so bring a cooler for your food. You may end up just camping in an open camping area, but if you bring a little extra food to share, I'm sure you will find people nearby who will do the same, and you can all share.
Don't forget a shade structure and camping chairs.
Good luck and see you on the playa!!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:18 am

This is actually pretty late in the game to be finding a camp with infrastructure. They have already made their plans and are soon to get placement and are very focused on getting to the playa and getting their camp up and running. They are pretty much out of time to "interview" new members. Can you afford a camp stove and propane? Can you eat directly out of cans? Can you live off trailmix for a week? Are you willing to accept food from near strangers? (This last is more important than it seems at first blush. People can and do get dosed.) Of course if you camp near people who have a stove and you help with dinner and clean up and add your food to theirs, you might get by. (Consider offering to help pay for propane/butane. Not if you're over there only a time or two, but if it becomes regular. Just do it in a way that doesn't scream "I'm paying for food." We hate that here. My point being that theres officially no commerce on the playa, but that doesnt' mean we love freeloaders either. Fine line.) Be open and have some sort of food back-up plan that doesn't depend on others.

dancinbabe · Post by **dancinbabe** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:59 am

..that a stove and pots and bringing food would be easy enough since I will be driving in. I'm not a stranger to cooking, so I could even bring "real" food....
what about coolers/ice? Is there enough ice to keep food cold enough to not spoil (things like chicken/fish?) Or is that just too crazy to try t do?

Dry ice? combo dry ice and regular ice?

If I do that, the focus will just be on finding nice people to camp near...and something to keep sun off..something to hook onto the car and do a lean to?

dancinbabe

Minxy · Post by **Minxy** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:03 am

I'm strongly of the mind that you shouldn't try to attach yourself to an established camp your first time.

IMO, a big part of the Burning Man experience is the radical self-reliance and the harsh environment. You go out there, alone, and you alone are responsible for ALL your needs. Shelter/shade, water, food, medicine.

Yes, in reality, there are dozens and dozens of people you'll get help from (ie probably get fed here and there as a gift) and you will help in return, either the same people or others.

Don't depend on a camp! Depend on yourself. :) Bring everything you need to survive alone...then when you randomly meet some people across the street who you click with, you'll probably adopt a new group of family/friends.

Definitely read ALL the information on the Burning Man website...twice. And there are tons of good, informative threads on eplaya about preparation, food management, shade ideas, etc.

Come and have fun! :)

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:40 am

I believe there is a dry ice thread in Tips and Tricks forum. Also, plenty of cooler threads or food threads that reference coolers. Poke around a bit, I'm sure a couple of hours will reap you big rewards.

Token · Post by **Token** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:42 am

Do your research here this weekend.

Get some camping gear, a cooler or two.

Grab some friends and go camping next week somewhere local. Be sure to camp in a spot with no shade. Have some fun.

Then you just figure out how to do that for 8 days.

It is just camping. Nothing scary about it.

dancinbabe · Post by **dancinbabe** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:54 am

on tips...thanks!

Startin to feel this is pretty do-able after much research. Wanna be prepared so I can have lotza fun

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:15 pm

I agree with Minxy. I'm trying to figure out why so many people are posting in desperation about getting into a camp. Don't freak out about going on your own. I've done it twice and am doing it again this year. Once you arrive, you aren't alone! I like camping, and I like camping gear, so I enjoy that aspect of getting together the stuff I need, and fine tuning it as to what works, what doesn't etc. My first year I forgot cutlery, and found a taco bell spork in my car door that lasted the week wonderfully. Revel in your self reliance! Look at the photos of the varieties of camps. See the cars with the tarp hung off the roof, and the people napping beneath it. They may or may not be part of a theme camp, but you can see how it works without one. Keeping it simple, and going solo means you can really let the event take you anywhere, just step out and go.

In addition to the Survival guide and all the essential information there,

2 sites I really got good info from
http://www.cieux.com/bm/bmtoc.html#abodes Cicilized Explorer Burning Man site

http://www.ae-zone.org/tiki-index.php?p ... %20camping Alternative Energy Zone Playa Camping

First timer from Berkeley

First timer from Berkeley

Re: First timer from Berkeley

Re: First timer from Berkeley

beginning to think ...

great dry ice info

Solo so doable!