How to Survive Onsite Camping at Coachella

Onsite camping at Coachella Music and Arts Festival is an adventure in itself. Knowing how to make the best of it will help make Coachella even better!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• People you can get along with for long periods of time
• Water, water, and more water
• Powdered sport drink mix
• Food that won't spoil in heat (beef jerky, trail mix, etc)
• Cash
• Sturdy Tent
• Ways to hide anything you're not allowed to bring in
• Ear plugs
• Large Towel, shampoo, body wash, conditioner
• Bathing Suit
• Sunscreen
• Anything that could make shade
• Good quality tent
• Sleeping bag, pillow
• Clothes that are cool and that you won't mind getting dirty

1. Buy a lot of water and food to stock up on when you are not inside the concert! Arrive as early as you can. The lines to check in are horrible. You have to carry all your stuff in the be checked out. If you can't get there early, find friends that can hold your place in line.

2. Chose a camp spot away from the showers, bathrooms, food/bar areas and huge bright football lights. Most people don't really know what areas to choose, so its easy to get a good spot.

3. Ask one of the guides to help you find your square of land. Its really hard to find it in the dark. Make sure your tent does not go out of the white lines. They get mad and make you move it. Fire hazard or something.

4. Try to not to drink to much to first night, waking up in a 90 degree tent does not help your hangover. People have gotten hospitalized because they were passed out in their baking tents. Drink water and stuff yourself full of whatever food you brought. Meet people, make friends, and have fun!

5. They serve breakfast in the morning in the clubhouse which happens to have a shady area of trees right next to it. It is worth it to drag your butt out of your tent before 7am to snag a shaded spot on the concrete patio. Its the only place that won't be over 95 degrees. The breakfast is well worth the $8 or so dollars. Its a lot of food and calories to keep you going. And its cheaper than a lot of the food inside the venue. DRINK A LOT OF WATER. Water is expensive inside. Once you are thirsty its already to late.

6. Campers have a separate entrance to the show than everyone else. Anyone with a wristband can get in faster. Bring water in line and drink it down before you get in. Be careful sneaking stuff in. The less you bring in the better. It doesn't really get that cold at night, so no worries about bringing in layers.

7. The showers get super busy in the late morning. Go early in the morning if you can or try to get back fast from the concert to avoid lines. They're usually cleaner in the early morning and early evenings. You might just want to wear a bathing-suit. It makes things go a lot faster. Do not spend hours primping. You are camping, get over yourself. They also have sinks and mirrors outside of the shower for brushing teeth and such.

8. Enjoy the experience. You'll love it and at the same time wonder why the hell you did it.

Tips & Warnings

• Sneak in things that can be hidden in smaller bags
• Girls have an easier time getting items in
• They check water bottles to see if they have alcohol in them!
• Wax ear plugs really help cut the noise down.
• bring facial wipes and baby wipes to clean your feet and face at night
• Hairbands are a must!
• and make sure to put sunscreen on your hair part, it will burn if you don't!
• Do not over drink. It is a really bad idea.
• Do not lose or sell your wristband!
• DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING VALUABLE IN YOUR TENT! move it to your car.

[Kampy]

on 3/2/2007 great article meghan! REAL advice from someone who's clearly been there and done that. Write more! and see you at Coachella 2007....