Boston Birgin

[BostonBurner2Be]

Um...HELLO!!!

I promise: I'm a lot more interesting (or so I like to think) in person! I just never know what to say when I'm first starting out, especially via text, in a new community. Let's see, I've camped in perfectly wonderful weather, in mud deep enough to bury halfway up to the vehicle doors, in snow/sleet/snain/snish, tornados, a sad excuse for a tropical storm...so now I've set my eyes on the Black Rock Desert!

I've spent countless hours (that should have, probably, been spent studying for my college exams) reading the official literature (First Timer's Guide, Preparation, etc), first hand accounts and articles (both positive and negative, to have an equal balance of "flavor"), countless ePlaya threads (please be gentle on the snark; it's my "first time" here, after all! ), and now I only have to wait two more summers or so to go! Oh, well, fortune favors the prepared, so by then I shall be very prepared! Haha! Yes, I'm a bit of a geek/nerd/"current fitting term d'art".

Cheers!

P.S. Anyone else catching the meteor shower tonight? They're beautiful!

[Sham]

Welcome BB2B. Thanks for the reminder on the meteor showers. I will look now. I hope I didn't miss them all.
There is a fairly active community in the Boston area. You may want to go here and register for the notices and emailed information and banter. http://regionals.burningman.com/us_ma_bos.html
Why a 2 year wait? You have a long time to prepare for this adventure.
Make yourself at home here, read and search for info, and ask if your can't find what you need.

Sham....

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Drawingablank]

Welcome.

[BostonBurner2Be]

Welcome BB2B. Thanks for the reminder on the meteor showers. I will look now. I hope I didn't miss them all.
There is a fairly active community in the Boston area. You may want to go here and register for the notices and emailed information and banter. http://regionals.burningman.com/us_ma_bos.html
Why a 2 year wait? You have a long time to prepare for this adventure.

Thank you for the Boston group tip! I'm looking forward to meeting up with them some time that I don't have T-Th classes...and, alas and alack, therein lies the reason behind my two year wait! Right now college is really sucking up my time and financial resources. Need to save up for my Kodiak Tent ($500 or so) plus gas (est. $950.72 roundtrip) plus two tickets (one for my co-driver on the trip, so $818-($390x2, plus fees) if I wasn't able to get them for cheaper), etc, etc. But, that's what budgeting and the forums are for---so that I have the proverbial carrot dangling in front of my nose to keep me going while I labor away in defaultia!

[theCryptofishist]

You might be able to buy a used tent, from relatives or craigslist, temporary or Kodiak (that might mean a longer wait) or even borrow one. And you might find someone from Boston area who will pay for her/his own ticket.

[illy dilly]

Welcome to eplaya!

I have the proverbial carrot dangling in front of my nose to keep me going while I labor away in defaultia!

Burning Man really is the ultimate 'carrot'! And just wait until you've been your first year, the desire to return will only grow.
On more than one occasion I've though "Screw this job! I'm gonna go do something thats easy." then I quickly realize that I couldn't afford BMan and pay the bills if I flipped burgers for a living.

Why is it that you absolutely need a Kodiak tent?

Good luck with school, it will pay off in the end!

[Savannah]

BostonBurner, a canvas tent keeps out the dust unusually well, but it's not a necessity. I have burned 8 times in a tent, and my favorite one costs $125 and was used in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Points in its favor: tall enough to stand in. (Key to my comfort.)

If you have relatives who gift you at the holidays, put camping stuff on your Wish List.

[BostonBurner2Be]

Hey guys! Regarding the Kodiak, it's not so much that it's a necessity, per se, but more that my current tent situation, aside from the mildest of conditions in the White Mountains is...sad, just sad...haha! With the proper modifications (tarp under, tarp over), Ol' Blue is still water resistant (never tried dust storms before), but far from comfy for an extended period of living. Two people + cots, and your head and feet are pressing against the ends. Perfect for a hobby camping tent (until the bear wanders right by your head in the middle of the night and bumps their shoulder into you), but definitely not playa-grade from what I've read.

So, since I've at least two years to wait out anyway for school (the fall semester start date would cross with Burning Man plans and my program isn't the most understanding to begin with), I can afford to indulge in my magpie tendencies and save up!

Ooo, I've definitely put camping stuff, as well as handmade accessories (belts, hats, vests, etc) from my craftier family members, on my Wish List! Got my dear, ol' mum so excited that now she wants to go, too!

[illy dilly]

The Kodiak tents are very nice. And, if you're willing to pay that sort of cash for a tent then its a very good investment. I was concerned that you might have the impression that only a Kodiak tent is acceptable.

We also have different tents for different camping environments and duration of camping. I love our little 3 pole dome tent for 2-4 day mountain camping trips. It doesn't breath for shit, and has only 2 windows, so it sucks at Burning Man, but kicks ass in the mountains.
Most importantly, I can only stand up in the very very center, which also happens to be right above the bed. Having to hunch over all week to get anything out of your tent will make your back ache more than you'd think. Having to sit or lay down to change our pants, and kneel to change a shirt gets really old really quick!
The Kodiak tents are nice wall tents that you can stand up in, almost all the way around, depending on height.

[BostonBurner2Be]

Thank you. Originally, it did seem like only Kodiak and (the name escapes me, but Kodiak's major competitor) were the only viable options, period. But then I looked at the fact that I was going to be looking at upgrading my cheap-o Walmart tent anyway, so I wanted something roomy, durable in multiple climates (I've read that Kodiak can survive a bit of snow even), that I could stand up in. And suddenly, like you said, it seemed more and more a worthy investment.

[illy dilly]

What sort of other camping do you do?
Is it all pretty much car camping? If so, the then weight of the Kodiaks and Spring Bars isn't an issue.

[illy dilly]

Something worth looking at is the Guide Gear 10x10 teepee tent.
(I say that, partially because I want one.... just cause)

[BostonBurner2Be]

Yeah, I'd say 98% of the time, I'm either camping in an area that is---basically---accessible by car, or not too far off.

BTW, that teepee tent looks really neat! I'd be interested to hear how it does out on the playa!

[Savannah]

Yeah, I'd say 98% of the time, I'm either camping in an area that is---basically---accessible by car, or not too far off.

BTW, that teepee tent looks really neat! I'd be interested to hear how it does out on the playa!

The Guide Gear Single Pole Wigwam (beige one) is the very tent I have used successfully these last 4 Burns with a partial vehicle windblock and Coleman 10" stakes. I did not have it yet in 2008, which was the most severe weather I have seen, so your mileage may vary. Minimal mesh to sew shut/clamp closed with spring clamps.

The green Guide Gear TeePee (similar tent, but more mesh, etc) I can't speak for.

[BostonBurner2Be]

Well on my way to radical self reliance. We lost power during Hurricane Sandy, but:
1) I had stocked up on enough water for cooking, drinking, washing, and bathing (recycled as able)
2) Had the resources stockpiled to make a full "real" dinner over sterno and a cook tray (no electricity=no stove)
3) Had enough lights and batteries to last the night...and then some!
4) Tied everything down tightly enough so that it was 100% secure
5) Did MOOP patrol this morning for our neighbors' stuff that had gone flying


In all seriousness, though, we were relatively lucky. I hope everyone else weathered well and was safe.

[illy dilly]

Well shit!

We're all glad that you're ok, and that you made it through! And, well done being ready and prepared.

[Cactus Pete]

Whoa.
Holy awesome thread. I guess I need to check ePlaya more often in the off-season
Shambala is absolutely right, the Boston (and beyond) scene is actually quite large and dynamic.
If you can't make the Tuesday Meet & Greet due to class, I'd highly recommend that you subscribe to the Boston Burner mailing list. There is a whole lot of information that flies around there about cool projects, camps and events. Plenty of ways to meet people outside of Tuesday nights.

Plans are already in the making for our Regional event Firefly in July and FIGMENT a little after that.

Hope to hear from you soon!