Getting picked up at the gate...

[avirx]

Hello, and I apologize in advance if this info is already in the forum somewhere, it's so hard to find!

I am getting a ride in to Burningman, and am considering having my parents pick me up (They live right off Pyramid Lake, and seem excited to have the opportunity to maybe peek into Black Rock City).

If I tell them to meet me at the farthest right gate entry, for example, at a certain time, how far is it for me to walk and lug my stuff out there? I see there is a walk-in camping area...is that close to the gate entrance?

[Sham]

It's a long freakin' walk to the gate. Maybe a few miles. Depending on the day they pick you up, the gate guards leave their posts and allow access. I am not the expert here, but I think after Sunday, anyone can drive in if they wish. At very least, your parents should be able to talk the greeter into letting them in--after all, the event is virtually over by then.

Maybe someone else has a better answer.

[ygmir]

typically, there is only one lane in by then, it's all about exodus by that time.
They need to be very careful, driving in.
There will be gate staff.
I'm not real sure, the protocol for coming in that late, as far as Gate goes, but, I know if they're not using the approved entrance, Perimeter will pick them up and try to steer them right.

[avirx]

Well I was going to have them pick me up sunday morning. I wonder if that is late enough in which Burningman is considered "over" for them to enter. Actually I can just have someone drive me closer to the gate. Or take the shuttle bus to Gerlach, perhaps.

[SnowBlind]

I'm not sure if the shuttle bus still operates on Sunday. If it does, that's probably the best solution.

If your parents do get in on Sunday (and I don't know if they would or not), they'd also take forever to get back out, as the exodus traffic is pretty bad. Probably better for you to hitch a ride to Gate or Gerlach and meet them there.

[ygmir]

yeah, if you can hitch into Gerlach, (which I'm told is fairly easy to do), that'd sure save them a nightmarish (Probably) drive from Gerlach to gate, or beyond, the whole way against (often) stupid, tired, dehydrated, burned out drivers, in a hurry to get home.

[TomServo]

They've allowed delivery drivers in before. If its pre arranged, I don't see why your parents wouldn't be given a temporary permit....even if escorted. Its Sunday, and almost over. I doubt even the BLM are that callous. Call the Burning Man Headquartes, I'm sure they have the answer. Best of Luck!

[percussivepaul]

If your parents drive into the city they will have to join the line leaving, which is hours long. Like 2 to 6 hours. It is fairly easy to hitchhike out if you are only going to Gerlach as tens of thousands of friendly burners are headed there. The gate is a mile away from the city -- FAR -- and not a pleasant walk; full of cars and dust and exhaust.

Now... I swear I remember something about BM offering fairly cheap day access to local residents (only) as a courtesy for those who feel the impacts of the event and want to check it out. I can't find any mention of this on the website so maybe I just dreamed it. Your parents can look into this and maybe come up mid-week to scope the event if this is actually a real thing.

[CapSmashy]

Now... I swear I remember something about BM offering fairly cheap day access to local residents (only) as a courtesy for those who feel the impacts of the event and want to check it out. I can't find any mention of this on the website so maybe I just dreamed it. Your parents can look into this and maybe come up mid-week to scope the event if this is actually a real thing.

I believe it is a free art tour for local residents. I do not know anything about it other than we did actually see one of the groups last year on like Wed or something. They were in some kind of shuttle bus thing.

I can't find any immediate info on it, so it would probably be worth a call to the org.

As for getting access to the city on Sunday, I would be willing to bet something could be arranged, but as said, they would be leaving in the exodus lines, which will take hours to get out of the city. Of course, they did want a glimpse at the city.

[some seeing eye]

What has been mentioned is true. For local access, I would have the parentals inquire in person at the Gerlach office. In fact, if they became friends with the Gerlach office and the ranch, all the better. They might even get an onsite org tour. It's to the advantage of the org that local county residents, especially any with political pull, see the city in the best light. They don't want the event to be seen by local voters as a dangerous confab of fire breathing mind-altered fornicating naked heathens requiring ex(p)tensive LE adult sup(t)ervision. In fact, maybe they can visit the temple and stay for its burn with you. That would make for some interesting conversation on exodus with them after.

Sure it will work out.

[Sham]

Every year, I think on Wednesday, the Gerlach Senior Citizens bus comes out to the playa so the old folks can see the amazing art out there. They were pulled over by the BLM last year for going over the 5mph speed limit. The driver was surprised that he was called on it. He must have thought he was immune. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE watching the senior citizens pressing the collective faces against the windows of the bus when they see a naked person. That scene always makes me smile!

[avirx]

That's awesome, thanks for all the info! My folks are senior citizens technically, but would probably be partying it up with all of us. I should just drag them out there next year for the week.

[essjay]

Keep in mind that there is not much to see on Sunday . . . it looks like a wasteland compared to Saturday. Try to get them in earlier if possible - it will be a much more impressive site than on Sunday. And like it was said before, you do not want to be caught in Exodus on the way out and the walk from the paved road to the Esplenade is prohibitively long and dusty.

[AntiM]

The shuttle definitely does not run that late.

[Mojojita]

There are also no Greeters on Sunday.

[Lord Of Ruin]

Ok, some input.

The closure order is still in effect: no tickie, no entry. Depending on the mood, they might not get treated so well at the gate, as it's not designed as a shuttle stop for people. YMMV depending on how long we've been out there, how bad Exodus is going,etc.

Your by far best bet is to arrange to hitch a ride OUT with someone and rendevous with them further downstream. This is very easy to do, will lighten the load on 447 (both them coming in and waiting in the exodus back out). Remember if they pick you up, you'll all still have to wait in the entire exodus process at that point....so they might not be so happy with you after that.

I'd personally go further than Gerlach if they live by Pyramid Lake...why not have the people drop you at the store in Nixon, say? Anything to get you as far as possible away from the traffic center would be good.

LoR

[portaplaya]

You can arrange a ride out of the event on the rideshare board: http://www.burningman.com/calendar/year ... hp?id=4526
In fact, you can probably just stand on the roadside anywhere in the city (e.g. your camp) and hold out a sign asking for a ride to Gerlach. As long as your gear is piled up next to you, cars can easily determine if they have room for you.

Once you are in Gerlach (however many hours that takes) you can use a payphone to call your folks for a pick-up. Then they never have to wait. Be nice to your parents; make this pain-free.

As for the access for locals. That is for residents of Gerlach only. Pyramid Lake is out of the "locals" territory. At least, that is my understanding.

Regarding delivery drivers:
This is how it works. The camp that ordered the delivery driver pre-buys a ticket for him, which is waiting at Will Call. The drivers shows his manifast, gets the ticket and a wristband, makes the delivery and gives the ticket and band back when he leaves. Then the ticket price is refunded.
When the box office was open during the event, it was possible for a driver whose camp failed to leave a ticket to buy himself a ticket (and get a refund on the way out). This required him to have cash/card for over $300 (ouch!). With no ticket sales at the gate, I'm not sure how this is going to work this year.

[Clar-i-ty]

Ok, some input.

The closure order is still in effect: no tickie, no entry. Depending on the mood, they might not get treated so well at the gate, as it's not designed as a shuttle stop for people. YMMV depending on how long we've been out there, how bad Exodus is going,etc.

Your by far best bet is to arrange to hitch a ride OUT with someone and rendevous with them further downstream. This is very easy to do, will lighten the load on 447 (both them coming in and waiting in the exodus back out). Remember if they pick you up, you'll all still have to wait in the entire exodus process at that point....so they might not be so happy with you after that.

I'd personally go further than Gerlach if they live by Pyramid Lake...why not have the people drop you at the store in Nixon, say? Anything to get you as far as possible away from the traffic center would be good.


LoR

The NDN Taco stand between Nixon and Gerlach is probably a good bet too. I've been stopping there for years. Very friendly, very tasty!

[mrchiff]

Ok, some input.

The closure order is still in effect: no tickie, no entry.

^^^ THIS ^^^