I'm coming to BM again, and flying from Maryland to Reno. I'll probably rent a car and buy a tent from Walmart.
My problem last year was that I barely got any sleep because it was sooooo hot after like 7am in my tent. I know most of you will be like, "suck it up its part of BM", but I dont care, I want good sleep so I can function better. If you can function on 2 hrs of sleep all week, thats great for you, my body starts to shutdown on that.
So my question is : Whats the best way to keep cool for someone is who coming from the other side of country ?
Are there any camps that have a larger shade structure I can volunteer/pay for so I can put my tent under their structure ? Can I rent a van from anywhere (probably not) ? I would buy a swamp cooler if there was a way to power it.
I'm willing to spend up to $1500 on any means for the week to stay cool. Thanks for your suggestions and flames !
Keeping cool on the playa. Flying from the East Coast
Keeping cool on the playa. Flying from the East Coast
C++, Slashdot, reading, artificial intelligence, NLP
Get a large silver & brown tarp, two tent poles that are taller than your tent, some tent pegs, and some twine or thin rope. After you set up your tent, put the tarp over it (silver side OUT) and use the tent poles to prop the tarp up so there's about 6-12 inches of clearance from the top of your tent to the tarp. Then use the rope & pegs to nail that sucker to the playa.
It won't be like having a swamp cooler in your tent, but it's infinity times better than just leaving your tent out in the sun to bake.
Another tip is to put your tent on the west side of an RV or some other large structure so it blocks the first morning sun.
It won't be like having a swamp cooler in your tent, but it's infinity times better than just leaving your tent out in the sun to bake.
Another tip is to put your tent on the west side of an RV or some other large structure so it blocks the first morning sun.
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SilverOrange
- Posts: 568
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:38 pm
- Location: Chelsea
Buy a kiddy pool, put it inside your tent with your sleeping bag in it. For $1500 bucks I'll come to your tent every morning with four bags of ice and fill your sleeping bag. You should be able to get an extra three-four hours of nice cool sleep. Of course all arrangements would have to be made off playa. 
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swampdog
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:27 am
- Burning Since: 2004
- Camp Name: Rising Arms Pub
- Location: Bellingham WA
if you're really willing to spend $1500 for shade/coolage, your biggest problem is going to be getting rid of your stuff once its time to go home.
You've got TONS of options
You could buy a "costco" type carport at walmart or somewhere in Reno
You could buy the shade cloth and bring it with you and buy all the PVC and rebar in Reno needed to make a quonset style shade structure (my personal fave)
You could buy whatever shade structure you want locally and pay the $$ to have it shipped to Reno
You could even buy a cheap ass air conditioner (saw one for $150 at Lowes this weekend) and a cheap ass generator and ship them or plan to buy them at Reno. (be prepared for the hate on this one, cheap gear = NOISE = angry neighbors)
You might be able to buy something online for "in store" delivery from a major chain - then pick their reno location for delivery. You could probably get something pretty fancy from REI and stay within your budget (if they have a Reno outlet)
But you should seriously think about what you're going to do with it when you're done. Maybe identify a charity in reno that would accept your re-usable stuff (hopefully most of it).
You've got TONS of options
You could buy a "costco" type carport at walmart or somewhere in Reno
You could buy the shade cloth and bring it with you and buy all the PVC and rebar in Reno needed to make a quonset style shade structure (my personal fave)
You could buy whatever shade structure you want locally and pay the $$ to have it shipped to Reno
You could even buy a cheap ass air conditioner (saw one for $150 at Lowes this weekend) and a cheap ass generator and ship them or plan to buy them at Reno. (be prepared for the hate on this one, cheap gear = NOISE = angry neighbors)
You might be able to buy something online for "in store" delivery from a major chain - then pick their reno location for delivery. You could probably get something pretty fancy from REI and stay within your budget (if they have a Reno outlet)
But you should seriously think about what you're going to do with it when you're done. Maybe identify a charity in reno that would accept your re-usable stuff (hopefully most of it).
For $1500 I will deliver a carport and set it up. I will set up your tent inside the carport. I'll leave a mint on your pillow each night for you to have before you sleep even.
Of course for $250 you buy the carport yourself. For another $200 you could ship it to reno and have it held at any postal annex for another small fee. You could then, after your return, sell said carport on c-list and make back maybe $100.
Of course for $250 you buy the carport yourself. For another $200 you could ship it to reno and have it held at any postal annex for another small fee. You could then, after your return, sell said carport on c-list and make back maybe $100.
For $1500 you have tons of options.
Perhaps the cheapest is to buy a piece of aluminet shadecloth big enough to cover your tent and either fly with it or ship it out to Reno for pickup when you arrive. Once you've got your aluminet you've got a choice to make -- either drape it directly over your tent and stake it down OR maybe go deluxe and buy some PVC and rebar / stakes in Reno to create a frame so it is over but not in contact with your tent. The more deluxe option allows you to create a nice doorway, additional shade etc.
Or you could buy a shade shelter (say costco carport) in Reno. Use it on playa. Bring it back. Rent a year round storage unit in Reno. And use it again in future years. My storage unit costs $720/year for a 10 x 10 climate controlled unit near Reno airport. If all you're storing is a shade shelter you could get away with something a heck of a lot cheaper and smaller.
Or you could research truck rental in Reno, rent a truck, buy a small generator, and a small air conditioner and create a pseudo RV environment. I think it would cost you every penny of your $1500 but could be done.
Perhaps the cheapest is to buy a piece of aluminet shadecloth big enough to cover your tent and either fly with it or ship it out to Reno for pickup when you arrive. Once you've got your aluminet you've got a choice to make -- either drape it directly over your tent and stake it down OR maybe go deluxe and buy some PVC and rebar / stakes in Reno to create a frame so it is over but not in contact with your tent. The more deluxe option allows you to create a nice doorway, additional shade etc.
Or you could buy a shade shelter (say costco carport) in Reno. Use it on playa. Bring it back. Rent a year round storage unit in Reno. And use it again in future years. My storage unit costs $720/year for a 10 x 10 climate controlled unit near Reno airport. If all you're storing is a shade shelter you could get away with something a heck of a lot cheaper and smaller.
Or you could research truck rental in Reno, rent a truck, buy a small generator, and a small air conditioner and create a pseudo RV environment. I think it would cost you every penny of your $1500 but could be done.
