Coming from England

[disruptive]

Hi All.

I'm coming from England, flying into San Fran and taking whatever means I can from there to get to the Playa. However there are a lot of things that I need to bring that I may buy out in states. So really my questions are thus:

1. How can I minimise what I need to bring
2. How best should I get there.
3. Do I really need a bike and will I be missing out?

Thanks all.

[Elorrum]

I can speak to question #3. You won't miss out if you don't have a bike. Last year I brought a bike and never rode it due to the playa being like a beach mostly. It was fine, and I noticed a lot more walking through the camp area on my way to the playa. There are also community bikes, painted green, called "yellow bikes," use one and set it down for the next person. Do not lock it. Do not hide it. Two years ago, my neighbor didn't have a bike, and somebody lent him a spare for the week. It happens.

Question one: I studied up on some minimalist camping and travel info sites. I like Sgt. Rock http://hikinghq.net/site_index.html this gives you a super minimalist approach to camping that helps get you in the mindset of needing less than you think, then you can modify bigger. Avail yourself of all the information in the burning man website... what you want to know is likely contained there. I like the Alternative Energy Zone site.

[disruptive]

Great...thanks for that.

Another question about Wi-fi, should I bring a WiFi tablet or device, will it be likely that anyone will have WWW access? I heard that mobiles...so I am doubting that anything will work....is this the case?

[commander]

I think a bike's pretty nice to have to get around the Playa. Check craigslist.com upon arrival and get a clunker. In any event get busy on this board and find a ride, make some new friends, or rent a van. Craigslist might be good too for this. Read the Survival Guide closely - it's hard to be minimalist when you need lots of water, clothes for a week, food, shelter, etc. The Playa can be harsh at times, you just never know. Don't mean to scare you but you do need some preparation here.

In any event Welcome!

[phil]

> 1. How can I minimise what I need to bring

See Louise's page at
http://civilizedexplorer.pbworks.com/CivExReno

You can wait and buy everything you need in Reno. Depends on your budget and timing. You can even get bikes in Reno. You can also buy stuff in San Francisco, of course, but big stores in Reno are more likely to have everything in one place for less in cost than you'll find in SF. Louise lists the big stores and gives a map keyed to freeway exits for your consuming convenience.

> 2. How best should I get there.

One way is here:
http://www.greentortoise.com/adventures ... tival.html
If I'm reading it right, Green Tortoise includes your food and water but not your camping gear - please confirm through them (if they still have room). People on Green Tortoise camp together, so you've got instant friends all the way from SF to BRC and back.

Other ways include ride share in San Francisco - I think there's a ride share link on ePlaya. If you're planning on shopping in Reno, please be sure your ride share friends know and are okay with it.

Good luck and have fun.

[disruptive]

Thanks.

I took a look at the green tortoise, however it takes a long time to get there and dos not stay the entire period and seems quite expensive as well. I think getting to Reno and getting a ride share might be the ticket.

I'm still pretty daunted by the food and water requirements. How is the best way to get the water stored? 1.5 gallons per day is quite a bit!

One other note is the temperature...will I be able to make do with a 2 season sleeping bag? Or will I freeze at night?

Thanks again.

[AntiM]

You will freeze. Come by our camp and ask for a second sleeping bag, we have spares. Just return it early enough Monday for us to pack it back out.

Anti M's Home for Wayward Art, Hushville, 5&D/E

[H.G.Crosby]

read the damn survival guide, TWICE!


then ask your stupid fucking limey questions.