Camping near the playa

jhx · Post by **jhx** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:22 am

This will be my second burn. Last year I was camped somewhere around 7:30 and H, and I liked the location - it was relatively quiet but still not too far from the playa. This year I'm considering joining a camp on Athens, in the 5 or 5:30 neighborhood. My concern is the noise and general energy level. I obviously love the lights and sounds and energy otherwise I wouldn't be going to BRC, but I also like having periods of relative peace and quiet to regroup. How loud and how generally intense will it be camping at A, especially so near center camp?

A secondary concern: will the toilets be extra gross given that presumably there will be a lot more potty traffic from the playa and center camp?

Any experiences/advice appreciated, especially from those who have camped in similar locations.

Thanks!

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:30 am

Hi. we are located in that same general area. re: noise, I guess it all depends on who your neighbors are.. ??
I'm a "burbs" kid myself and was a little aprehensive re: the "A" location as well. the good news is, you will be able to walk to most things.

BTW. we rented our own porto-poty. It was spendy but worth it, becasue YES the toilets closer to esplanade get nasty sooner.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:38 am

Loud and bouncy with energy 24/8. No downtime whatsoever. Earplugs are a must.

JOTS get nasty in the morning hours before sunrise. The closer to the centercamp ghetto, the earlier the shit pyramids build.

I don't think A street is good for you based on your description of what you want.

Post by **Eric** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:08 am

I camped for years on the Ring Road in Center Camp- that area is definitely louder, and, yes, the blue rooms get nasty, esp towards the end of the week. Knowing the secret location of the First Camp poopers was a life saver on Saturday....

That being said- I've never had a problem sleeping there, and I can't stand ear-plugs. If you're a light sleeper, try a Tylenol pm. Works like a charm.

You also might want to meet a hottie with a tent in the 'burbs- always works for me for a nice night away from the noise....

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:54 am

Hehe,

ShutterSlut

Now I get it.

Post by **Eric** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:17 pm

Token wrote:Hehe,

ShutterSlut

Now I get it.

Shutter= camera
Slut= me

Got tagged with this moniker way back in the 90's when I first started doing club photography. Now it's my nom-de-club. Somehow it fits.....

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:20 pm

That close to Center Camp? You will hear EVERY act on the stage there. Just so ya know...

-Badger

Post by **Eric** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:22 pm

capjbadger wrote:That close to Center Camp? You will hear EVERY act on the stage there. Just so ya know... ;)

-Badger

in '05 we were on the 6:00 road between Center Camp & Ring Road. The speakers for the stage pointed back towards us.

There were a couple of 2am beat poets who almost didn't live through the event.

Pure. Fucking. Hell.

The tylenol pm got me through it, however...

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:11 pm

Eric wrote:
capjbadger wrote:That close to Center Camp? You will hear EVERY act on the stage there. Just so ya know...

-Badger
in '05 we were on the 6:00 road between Center Camp & Ring Road. The speakers for the stage pointed back towards us.

There were a couple of 2am beat poets who almost didn't live through the event.

Pure. Fucking. Hell.

The tylenol pm got me through it, however...

Camping with lamplighters in '06 was the same way. Thankfully I can sleep through damn near anything, but there were a number of times when the thought of "Holy crap they suck! Where's a gong?? (to hit them with)"

Would I do it again? Oh hell ya.

-Badger

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:24 pm

This is weird... I have camped at Center Camp Ring Road several times, with a few different camps. I thought it was QUIETER than most of the rest of town, at least late at night. Things at Center Camp seemed to die down, while the ends of town pretty much rocked all night.

And yes, knowing where the Secret Porta Potties are is awesome. In '08 they were in fact right in front of my rig!

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:33 pm

Says the man with 4 inches of insulated RV and a Blender habit.

Post by **Sham** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:45 pm

Token wrote:The closer to the centercamp ghetto, the earlier the shit pyramids build.

Token, thank you for that amazing mental graphic. This will be in my dreams tonight!

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:56 pm

Better than the morning blue splash!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:22 am

Near the playa? You'll be on it.

Or did you mean Esplenade?

jhx · Post by **jhx** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:05 am

^ Yes, meant esplanade - thanks!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:28 pm

Espenade is a high traffic area...complete with all the noise and sticky fingers. Id camp further back, and still keep valuables locked up.