Socal Burner Virgin

[schad00]

Hello all, I am very excited about Burning Man this year! I have been wanting to go for quite a few years now. I am now just working out the logistics. I have read the survival guide and spoke with a few other burners but any other advice is always helpful. I am currently working on trying to get a couple of friends together to go but some or most of them are not into going and checking out burning man or do not have the time. So I am looking to meet new people. I am also trying to figure out the transportation side of things.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

[schad00]

Thank you, I am very happy to become a part of this amazing experience and am looking forward to meeting many new people.

[TomServo]

Welcome! Where are you from? Driving out from the Bay Area can tend to be a logistical nightmare...and that's a mere 400 or so miles.

I've had sooo many friends, that wanted to go..a few that were ready to go, but backed out at the last minute. Wonder why that is?

A few tips...keep it simple, but over do it when it comes down to tying your shit down. Lots of water, sunblock, bloody mary ingredients, socks, shade and your own cup...

Again, welcome!

[schad00]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I am from Huntington Beach, I usually go up to Reno/Tahoe for a couple of weeks during the winter cause it is amazing up there. I have been reading the survival guide and some of the tips and tricks posts. But I am really worried about the wind. I am going to invest in rebar for tent stakes, and thought about attaching a couple of lines extending further out for extra support on the front and back. I have a two man tent that I was planning to use will that be sufficient?

[TomServo]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I am from Huntington Beach, I usually go up to Reno/Tahoe for a couple of weeks during the winter cause it is amazing up there. I have been reading the survival guide and some of the tips and tricks posts. But I am really worried about the wind. I am going to invest in rebar for tent stakes, and thought about attaching a couple of lines extending further out for extra support on the front and back. I have a two man tent that I was planning to use will that be sufficient?

Whatever you use, drive it at least a foot into the ground. Candy cane rebar works great, and is easy to pull, using leverage...but a pain in the ass to drive. T posts are the best, but not practicle for a camping tent...unless you're me. A straight piece of rebar works good. Wrap the end with tons o duct tape and maybe a tennis ball, to prevent slippage and foot gashes. Pull it out by using vice grips and twisting.

[schad00]

Yeah I think I am going to go the candy cane rebar route I found the "how to" section on the site and will be making myself some and a few extras just in case. What do you usually set up for your camp? Tent,R.V., different enclosure?

[TomServo]

Lately, I've been using carport frame tent type structures..duct taping each leg to a 4 foot tpost. If you go candy cane, make sure its a neat bend. If you get an ugly u shape, its a pain to drive. Bring a solid post or pipe, that will fit inside the rebar. Simply pry the rebar out. If you just have a small tent, you don't need to drive it that deep...1 foot minimum if you don't wanna worry. Also..that little tent will get hotter than hell, during daytime. Consider a blue or silver tarp for shade...that's where a little more work is involved.

[mudpuppy000]

Yes, the candy canes really suck trying to drive them in, lol. I could pull them out by hand though, just twist 'em around a few times and they'll pull right out. :)

The wind is baaad. Whatever you bring, don't buy any cheap EZ-ups. :) Mine died a horrible death the first day. I think the more expensive ones hold up better. Geodesic domes seem like they hold up really well in the wind. You could use one of those to shade your tent and hang out under during the day. Tying your tent to your car will pretty much ensure that it dosen't blow away too. :)

[ibdave]

Thanks for the words of wisdom.
I have a two man tent that I was planning to use will that be sufficient?

yes and no

[schad00]

I think I am going to do some more work on the tent situation. I found the post with how to make the dome enclosure. I might try that with the parachute cover. Has anyone tired one before or can tell me how difficult or easy they are to construct out there? And I have also came to the conclusion that my tent is too small. So back to the drawing board for shelter. I also wanted to say thanks to everyone for their input and patience with showing me the ropes sort of speak.

[mudpuppy000]

I haven't built a dome myself yet, but I was watching my neighbor put one up and it was pretty quick. (as long as you have a drill/screwdriver to tighten up all the bolts. Only problem I could see is if you make it too big, you'll need a ladder and several people to put it up.

[schad00]

I was thinking of an igloo design. but low profile maybe a modified igloo, and then depending on how much space I have for transport, and how much materials are. I might have another one for hanging out.

[Elorrum]

http://www.fetchaphrase.com/dome/

[schad00]

Awesome Link! Thank you very much, This will be rather helpful, now I just need to get a couple of mechanically inclined friends to help me build and assemble one of these.

[schimmer]

I'm no veteran I've only been to last year's and this has nothing to do with tie-downs - only thing i can say to that is it's more important than you might know...having been fortunate enough to been taken last year by a friend who has a trailer I watched many tents around us get blown almost completely away in the blowing white out conditions. Speaking of dust - lol..this was my original tip for you but I took a minute to get there...anyway - make sure to bring more than one pair of sunglasses and don't forget clear ones for nighttime - dust blows when it feels like it. Don't forget to bring dust particle masks and/or at the very least bandana/scarves for your face/mouth. You will need plenty! I brought two and had to rinse and dry them before the week was up - my friend only had the scarves and the elements ate him up so he will be bringing a particle mask this year. Chapstick not a bad idea either. Don't let this scare you - it doesn't matter the elements you fight - Burning Man is worth it. Welcome and believe me you'll come back. :-)

[schad00]

Thanks for the advice. I welcome any and all helpful recommendations. I am glad you stressed the particle mask, as I was thinking about just bring a bunch of bandannas. And I will consider some extra sunglasses, I thought that they might get a little beat up and or lost. So the other question that I have that I have not found much reading on is. Where is a good place to camp? I know many will say anywhere is fine. However, I have heard that families usually camp around the 5:00 area. I was thinking about trying to get something in the 2,3, or 4:00 area. And does the prevailing winds come from the south?

[ragabashpup]

This has nothing to do with a place to camp. Sunglasses are okay but goggles are a million times better. Make sure you get some that dont have holes in them since playa dust will blow right in. You can normally find some inexpensive ones at a local Army Navy store.

[mudpuppy000]

Thanks for the advice. I welcome any and all helpful recommendations. I am glad you stressed the particle mask, as I was thinking about just bring a bunch of bandannas. And I will consider some extra sunglasses, I thought that they might get a little beat up and or lost. So the other question that I have that I have not found much reading on is. Where is a good place to camp? I know many will say anywhere is fine. However, I have heard that families usually camp around the 5:00 area. I was thinking about trying to get something in the 2,3, or 4:00 area. And does the prevailing winds come from the south?

It seems like the closer in you get, the crazier. If you want someplace relatively quiet, the outside rings are better. The middle of the "blocks" seems like they're quieter too, if that's what you're looking for.

The big sound camps are on either end of the city, so if you want to camp over there, be prepared for thundering bass the entire time, lol.

[MinusMikey]

Small two-man tent... good luck! Rebar is a must... always cover the ends with something... we use old dog toys. We are using an enclosed car canopy this year for shade. My group last year used the dome design and it proved problematic. Seltzer water for your feet will help prevent playa foot. It neutralizes the alkalai. We are bringing a travel trailer this year. Last year, many a tent went flying away the short time I was there. We are the "stay up til 2 am, crash out and wake up around 10 am sorta group. We will be staying away from the big sound camps and will be towards the middle and away from the ends. We are in the mountains near Bakersfield, my brother from Seal Beach may be joining us. If you get lonely, let us know. The more, the merrier. I am still considering this to be my first "real" burn. Last year didn't really count for me.
[email protected]

[theCryptofishist]

Rebar is a must... always cover the ends with something... we use old dog toys.

Must help the infection rate for when there is an accident.



Sorry, not helpful. Whatever works.

[MinusMikey]

Number one... old toys are laundered and treated with bleach and cidex - antimicrobial solution.

Number two... I deal with infectious fluids every day, so I might have a possible insight on what is and what isn't.

Number three... I would never set out to endanger a fellow citizen at BRC by something I did or by omission of my actions.

This is a forum to assist people with ideas and info. Dog toys are colorful, fun, overstuffed and rubbery... and sanitary is treated properly. They provide adequate visual and physical protection from tie lines and rebar if used properly.

Keep your diminutive attitude for your own family. If you meant this as a helpful post, then you should know your subject matter a little better.
Thank You.

[AntiM]

Ahem. Humor is allowed. This is an open and public forum. Thank you.

Moderator M

[MinusMikey]

No disrespect intended. However, I am on here trying to offer what little helpful information I know and have learned from last year and offer a free ride to a fellow burner; and someone out of the blue states something that seemed derogatory. Maybe I took it wrong, but I was not trying to upset anyone with dog toys or plush. And by your own admission, this is a public forum and I believe that it should be taken as a means to help anyone who needs it. I know that my wife Suzy used this forum last year and it made all the difference in the world in helping us get prepared for the couple of day that we were at BRC with our group. Thank you and sorry for the harsh feelings.

[FIGJAM]

Joke em if they cant take a fuck.

[AntiM]

The eplaya is a great resource and a wonderful mixed bag of oddity and unintended detours. Like the playa in that aspect. I trust that users can sort out what is useful and what is playful and what is just off the wall.

Eplaya can drive you crazy, or not. Fortunately, you get to choose.

Welcome eHome!