FIRST TIMER...throw me to the wolves already

[mila electrika]

yes, first time attendee. i plan on camping to really feel the pain.

i have read the faqs. and that just leaves me with asking GENERAL advice on what to bring, ie: earplugs; etc...
what to expect...
what to know.


i am hoping to draw replies that are constructive. or sarcastic and pointless, whatever.

i've got 3 months to pack my bags and hydrate.

cheers!

[lostsoul86]

yes, first time attendee. i plan on camping to really feel the pain.

i have read the faqs. and that just leaves me with asking GENERAL advice on what to bring, ie: earplugs; etc...
what to expect...
what to know.


i am hoping to draw replies that are constructive. or sarcastic and pointless, whatever.

i've got 3 months to pack my bags and hydrate.

cheers!

people that camp out smell like shit . atleast alot of them did im glad i had a motel room lol have fun

[MonsoonSeason]

wake up fucking EARLY to take showers

sleep a lot so you have energy

[aphrael]

If you're camping, sleeping a lot is hard. The show ends at midnight, the crowd in the campgrounds quiets down around 3, and the sun bakes you out of your tent around 7.30.

Every year i've gone, i've ended up taking a nap on the festival grounds somewhere in the middle of the afternoon.

[prettydirtything]

there are a ton of threads with great starter hint lists... I will try and locate a few.

Someone mentioned creating a thread solely for the females on the "Tips for Newbies" thread . Hope its useful. And if you don't think so, well, just trying to help-
For the lady newbies and seasoned pros, any tips? do's and don'ts?
here are some of mine:

What to Bring/ pack
1.dont over pack. bring a light sweater for the evening and a hat that can
fold away into your bag nicely.
2.toilet seat covers! they cost a buck and you get 5. they come in a handy case. also recommend moist towelettes over the liquid sanitizer. less drying.
3. extra hair ties for those in a hair crisis
4. camera
5. lip goo
6. gum
7. take advil or something before you go in
8. a lighter.

Food Stuff
1. stay away from pizza and burgers. take it easy like rice and veggies or a corn on the cob.
2. If you cant stay away from the junk, take an immodium ad before you go in to avoid the shits.
3. store stuff in the car like frozen water bottles (melt to chill) and snacks

Clothing
1. Light and airy- let it all breathe. no silk (sweaty) linen (wrinkly), or denim (heavy!!) is recommended .
2. Light colors (duh) try to avoid white dresses- they get dirty!
3. sturdy sandals. I had a friends' flip flop break on her. ouch!

The Heat
1. if it really concerns you, sacrifice early shows and plan for a 4pm arrival. its the hottest time but it only gets cooler from there. spend the first have of your day poolside!
2. wide brim hats rock
3. little paper fans help too

any other tips ladies?

[frozen pilgrim]

it's all about the double tent.
tarp/etc 3/4 feet over your tent (and your neighbors- if they're friends) to lower the temp in your protected tents significantly.

[prettydirtything]

heres some more. From a guys perspective, dont wear boxers that dont fit well (oh the 104 degree chafing!). Also, one year I taped my stash to my thigh with the only tape I had on hand; duct tape. After an hour in line, the tape was GLUED to my leg. The pain, the pain, the pain.....

Newbie(s), I would keep these thoughts in mind:

1. Spend some time memorizing where you parked, noting any particular landmarks or reference points you can find in the dark. The parking lots are enormous, unlit, and completely without signage. Last year there were enormous balloons with numbers on them floating over the lots: they were totally invisible after the sun went down. Also, it appeared no staff was anywhere near the lots. Your good time will be ruined if you have to spend 2-3 hours getting out of there after an exhausting day.

2. Bring a lot of money for water and food. Nothing is cheap, and you need to drink water all day to survive the heat.

3. Bring a couple of layers of light clothing, or something that you can make a pillow out of. It's hot as hell during the day, but there is a lot of sitting/lying down waiting, and it's nice to have something to lie on. There are shade tents; make use of them.

4. Understand in advance that some bands you like will be scheduled at the same time; it is not possible to see everyone that is listed on the same day. You will be very disappointed if you arrive expecting to see everyone performing that day.

5. Stake out a spot for a popular band that you really want to see. The fields are flat, not sloped (they are polo fields, after all). This means if you're short you're not going to see anything. Figure out where the band you most want to see is playing, and get there well ahead of time. Otherwise, you will be a mile from the stage and will have to watch the show on the tv screens.

6. Everything people say about the heat is true. Hats, light clothes, comfortable shoes and drinking water are essential. Coachella is 1/3 music, 1/3 a fun experience, and 1/3 survival.

7. Be patient and considerate and it will come back to you. -- J

C DUB YAS TIPS

1. sun block
2. water
3. comfy shoes
4. light clothing during the day - long sleeves at night (desert)
5. arrive early
6. book hotel early
7. Shower
8. eat
9. leave the alcohol till afterwards, the sun will kill you
10. buy the t shirts you want early (they sell out at night and the lines are very long)
11. expect to wait in the morning at the entrance gate in long slow moving lines.
12. don't try to smuggle crazy ass drugs in there, why lax, they do escort people out from time to time, that would be a bummer of a weekend.
13. don't "push your way" up front. If there is an artist you want to see, get to that stage while the artist before is still on and wait it out, you just may see something else you like too.
14. Don't stare at celebs - they are 9 times out of 10, not worth it.
15. move around to the different stage see as much as possible
16. Know that you WILL miss some acts you wanna see.
17. Expect LOTS of traffic to and from festival grounds
18. buy 3 day pass as early ASAP
19. If you buy only one day, Sunday and Friday will be the first to go I think.
20. Condoms
21. Stay clear of the beer gardens, they are well away from the stages and over-priced, and boring, you will be missing out on fun.
22. sleep
23. print out a set times schedule - keep it in your pocket (they will have schedules there, but don't spend forever looking for one)
24. Plan any tent signings early, and prepare to wait for your favorite, but don't go nuts at the signing tent, you'll miss lots.
25. Bring cash

[sbessiso]

i went in 06 and i remember there was that one little fountain that supplied water, was that there last year? will that be there this year? im a big boy and need massive amounts of water to maintain my cooling system, i cant spend a ridiculous amout on money on water when i have drugs to buy

about that, i had a hell of a time finding my psychadelics in 06, how was it last year? i need to trip at least one/two of the days, and i need rolls too

[chiapet]

wake up fucking EARLY to take showers

Or don't! The lines weren't too bad later in the morning (like 11ish).

[boarderwoozel3]

heres some more. From a guys perspective, dont wear boxers that dont fit well (oh the 104 degree chafing!). Also, one year I taped my stash to my thigh with the only tape I had on hand; duct tape. After an hour in line, the tape was GLUED to my leg. The pain, the pain, the pain.....

That duct tape sounds fucked. Good heads up.