First time burners need help

[TaoNZen]

Hi everyone,

This will be my gf and I's first burning man. I live off-grid as it is so I have plenty of stuff to camp comfortably, but for various reasons we have to fly and can't take a lot of those supplies.

I was wondering if someone could answer a few of my noobie questions. So should we should aim to fly into Reno on August 28th, the day before it starts? Should we get there in the morning, afternoon, evening? When would be a reasonable time to fly out when we leave? Late in the evening on the 5th just to be safe?

When we arrive we'd go to one of the rideshare places in Reno and get food and water. What's the best way to get that much water? For 2 people they say we need about 25 gallons of water, that's a lot of 1 gallon jugs. Should I bring 5 of those collapsable 5 gallon tanks and fill them up once we get to the rideshare store?

I'm assuming there'll be rides all day the day before the gates open, but what do we do that night? Sit in the car? Camp out front?

Once we get in, we figured we'd camp solo the first night, and then walk around and see if we found any cool camps and people to spend the rest of the week with. Does that sound like a good plan?

Thanks in advance for your help.

-Tao

[theCryptofishist]

So should we should aim to fly into Reno on August 28th, the day before it starts? Should we get there in the morning, afternoon, evening?

Gate opens at midnight. Getting in the day before means you'll have time to shop for supplies. You can work out a ride ahead of time or (I assume it's operating this year) find someone on the fly at one of the rideshare sits. Rides out on Monday will be very slow. Thousands of people are leaving at the same time--overwhelming the two lane highway. Leave lots of time.

What's the best way to get that much water? For 2 people they say we need about 25 gallons of water, that's a lot of 1 gallon jugs. Should I bring 5 of those collapsable 5 gallon tanks and fill them up once we get to the rideshare store?

I use the "suitcases" (2.5 gallon square containers), and I don't use 5 of them. I take about 4 to be sure. It depends on your comfort with being dusty. If you need to take a shower every other day, take a lot. If you're okay with sponge baths, or baby wipes, or spray bottle, you can get buy on less. Some people use icemelt, although I have a horror of water that tastes "stale." Apparently, you can shake up the water so it gets air in it.

I'm assuming there'll be rides all day the day before the gates open, but what do we do that night? Sit in the car? Camp out front?

I'm pretty sure that they will insist you come in in a car. (There are gate people here who will have better info.)

Once we get in, we figured we'd camp solo the first night, and then walk around and see if we found any cool camps and people to spend the rest of the week with.

You are likely to have to shift your camp by hand, your new friends are not going to be able to swing by and pick up your stuff in their cars. Camping solo is fine, but why not do it the whole time and get friendly with your neighbors? All sorts of people swear by it.

[TaoNZen]

How hard is it to get out and back to the Reno airport? Should we plan to try to fly out on the 5th or just try to make it back to Reno and then fly out on the 6th?

What's a water suitcase? Do they sell those at the rideshare stores?

Thanks for responding.

[TomServo]

To Reno airport from BRC? Its a long trip. If you can rent a mini van, Id do it...even though I hate mini vans. You will buy ice in BRC. Keep it clean and use the melted ice as much as you can. I think the suitcases are 2 gallons. Most grocery stores bring water out on pallets, around BM. Just make sure to drink your water! If you run out of cooking water, your neighbors may provide, but do not dehydrate!

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

TomServo beat me to suggesting you keep your ice clean and use the melted ice for showers, etc.

[C187]

Hi everyone

Hello.

This will be my gf and I's first burning man. I live off-grid as it is so I have plenty of stuff to camp comfortably, but for various reasons we have to fly and can't take a lot of those supplies.

Before you fully decide to leave the majority of your gear behind, join your local email list. Someone close to you could be offering to haul peoples gear to the playa. It's worth looking into, and could save you a bit of a headache.

I was wondering if someone could answer a few of my noobie questions. So should we should aim to fly into Reno on August 28th, the day before it starts? Should we get there in the morning, afternoon, evening? When would be a reasonable time to fly out when we leave? Late in the evening on the 5th just to be safe?

How hard is it to get out and back to the Reno airport? Should we plan to try to fly out on the 5th or just try to make it back to Reno and then fly out on the 6th?

theCryptofishist has a mighty fine answer for before the event. As for after the event, you could boogie to the airport and hope to make it on time. But why risk it? Exodus takes time, the drive to Reno takes time. It's a better idea to plan to fly out the next day or two days later. Then if something bad happens, like the car your in breaks down, or worse.. you'll have plenty of breathing room. Also I hear it's nice to have a shower, bed, and time to adjust back.

When we arrive we'd go to one of the rideshare places in Reno and get food and water. What's the best way to get that much water? For 2 people they say we need about 25 gallons of water, that's a lot of 1 gallon jugs. Should I bring 5 of those collapsable 5 gallon tanks and fill them up once we get to the rideshare store?

My first year I used those collapsible contraptions with mixed results. I haven't used them since. But that's just me. One thing no ones said yet - is just about every store that sells stuff in Reno is stocked to the gills with water in all shapes and sizes before the event. (or so it seems) You'll be fine finding something that meets your water needs.

I'm assuming there'll be rides all day the day before the gates open, but what do we do that night? Sit in the car? Camp out front?

I'm pretty sure that they will insist you come in in a car. (There are gate people here who will have better info.)

If you show up before 12:01am Monday you will be detained in a special lot reserved for fucking assholes who fancy themselves to be special pink unicorns, who can fly, and shit fucking rainbows of world peace. I'm not saying that your party favors (alcohol, drugs, and chaps) will be confiscated if you happen to be one of the special, chosen, ones. But you sure as hell wont be allowed past the gate for some time..
(side note: this was a slightly snarky rant, but the point is, don't show up before you should)

Anyway, yes, you sit in the car. It's highly encouraged you come in a car, and stay it while in line. It's a safety thing, we wouldn't want you to get hit after all.

Once we get in, we figured we'd camp solo the first night, and then walk around and see if we found any cool camps and people to spend the rest of the week with. Does that sound like a good plan?

Thanks in advance for your help.

-Tao

Sounds like a plan! Although don't be shy if you see a camp listed here that interests the both of you.

Welcome to eplaya! Keep your questions coming, and read everything you can find.

[curiousgnate]

just a little thing to add. rent a car if you can. really. it will make your life so much easier. relying on people you haven't even met to get you to and from the event is annoying, and would make me nervous especially on the way out. don't count on setting up a rideshare for the way out, a week in the desert can make you and or the people you are relying on that you don't know flake, or disappear, or..... the list goes on. rent a car if you can is what i say, that will eliminate a lot of worrying. oh yeah give yourself tons of extra time upon leaving. i would say flight out either tuesday night or wed morning.

[Dr. Pyro]

In that regard, if you're going to rent a car and can fly into Sacramento, the owner of the downtown AVIS/Budget dealership is very burner friendly and will generally beat the prices of his competition. PM me if you want the specifics.

[Elliot]

Tao, a water "suitcase" is simply a plastic bottle of two-and-a-half gallon size. This bottle is shaped something like a suitcase -- if you have a bit of imagination. The clever thing is that it has a dispensing spigot, so it is easy to draw water from it.

You should plan to arrive in BRC during daylight, for finding a location and setting up your camp.