How do you get all that stuff out there by plane?

skygnome777 · Post by **skygnome777** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:47 am

It seems like a number of people fly out for burning man, but how do you do it?

Just considering the big stuff I'll need to bring it's going to be rough.
A sleeping bag, and tent, is a suitcase or more full or stuff alone.
Let alone, a foam mattress, food for the week, lotions, costumes, and I'm really not the kind of person who comes under prepared.

How do you fly out there?

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:33 pm

Hi Sky, there are lots of threads on this. do a search. ( good luck ). but from what I've seen, most people either have their essentials shipped in advance to 'general delivery" OR they just purchase everything once they arrive. If you joined up with a "camp", alot of stuff will already be there, like shade, cooking equip. etc.

Have fun !! see ya playaside !

Tamino · Post by **Tamino** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:23 pm

Hey sky!

Where are you flying out from?

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:25 pm

http://www.portofentry.org

Tiger-tiger is airboss.

Some pilots backpack camp under their wings.

Others join their ground crews on Playa.

skygnome777 · Post by **skygnome777** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:24 am

I'm flying from CT to LA then driving 11 hours to Black Rock.
My plan is to take as much as I can plane wise then buy other stuff the day before burning man, but it will be tight.

FrankA · Post by **FrankA** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:43 am

that is my plan too sky except I am flying in to sacremento

Post by **Sham** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:49 am

Just remember, when you get to Reno, you will find every familar store that you know from back home and they stock very heavy for the BM crowd. Instead of paying the airlines overage for the weight, just make lists of things you want to buy in Reno. I always walk around those big box stores locally and make lists of things I will need for the week and then just check the list off. This will also save you from buying too much of the wrong stuff.

I was walking through one of the big department stores last year and saw at least 100 tents piled up for sale. If they start to run low, they will transfer from other stores without missing a beat.

Try to stay within 2 50 lb. checked bags and 1 large carry-on if you can to avoid the extreme charges from the airlines.

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:04 am

I can make camp for a week with 2 50lb bags and one carry on. I almost always carry my heavy coat with me too so that I have extra room in the bags. Food and other disposables are purchased in Reno.

z276 · Post by **z276** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:13 am

I've seen people come out on motorcycles, carrying only what could be stored in their little side bags. That's always impressed me. What do they do for water?

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:27 am

z276 wrote:I've seen people come out on motorcycles, carrying only what could be stored in their little side bags. That's always impressed me. What do they do for water?

Melted ice.... If you have a clean container to start with.

Have a camp that they plan on hooking up with...

skygnome777 · Post by **skygnome777** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:32 am

Yeah, a friend of a friend supposedly rides out to burning man every year on his motorcycle.

It's a crazy concept to me.

Eventfarm · Post by **Eventfarm** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:45 pm

This has been something I've been struggling with as well. I'm flying into Reno. My issue with buying everything I need there is that it leaves me with the same problem after the week is up - how do i get the stuff home?

So I really can't buy into the "buy it all there".

So I've been really careful about what I buy - it has to be cheap, light, durable, and pack small. Usually you can hit only about 2 of those qualities. The "big" items are the tent, shelter, and cooler. Everything else can fit into a suitcase or 2.

A few options that have been suggested:
1. Ship it out ahead of time... if you're buying something that can be shipped to store, do that. Otherwise, you can ship to general delivery at most main post offices.

2. Find someone traveling from your area and buy a spot on their truck.

I was actually lucky and found someone from my smallish theme camp that is travelling from my state who has some room and can take my cooler. I'm still trying to avoid doing that, if I can (self-reliance and all), but it's looking like my best option may be to have him take my shade structure and/or cooler.