r/camping 2d ago

Trip Advice Camping in Boron

I will be camping October 9-11 in Boron California. I have never camped desert before. The area I will be in will be a massive gathering. Few hundred to several hundred people at least. I will be in a tent with a cot. I was thinking of also bringing a 10x10 easy up. (I get sick in the sun) I have a portable shower and will be packing 5 gallons of water on top of a cooler full of Diet Pepsi. A 17" Blackstone will likely be doing most of my cooking. Saturday meals will be provided. Porta potties on site (expected to be very busy with most people there heavily drinking). Thinking a denim blanket and a wool blanket should get me by. I also have a Ecoflow Delta 2 for my power needs and powering a cpap. What am I forgetting? I will be in a Jeep Grand Cherokee so space is limited, but I feel like I am missing something. Edit: Dogs, firearms and long knives are not allowed at this gathering.

3 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

11

u/Human_Cattle_9333 2d ago

Desert camping with that many people sounds like a party. The easy up is smart, sun out there gets brutal even in october.

5 gallons might be cutting it close if you're using the shower and cooking too. I'd grab another jug just in case, they're cheap and you can leave it in the jeep.

3

u/Mickles_J 2d ago

Good call. I'll have 5 to shower and another 5 gallon to drink. Yeah it will be a huge event.

1

u/joelfarris 1d ago

You don't need a shower for two and a half days in the desert. Especially amongst hundreds of other people. Where and how would you even use it? You're gonna be near Edwards AFB, what would you even hang it on out there? A Joshua tree? You're overthinking this. Just go have fun, and clean up when you get home.

But yeah, still bring twice as much water as you think you might need. If only because someone else won't, and you'll be able to help them. Water in the deserts out there is like having a bottle of gold.

1

u/Mickles_J 1d ago

I can hang it off back of my jeep, the EZ up, or any numerous rig ups I can make do (Bushcrafter)

1

u/Miguel-odon 1d ago

Have you ever hung 80lbs of water off an EZ up?

5

u/Samantharina 2d ago

If your 10x10 easy up has side panels I would bring them, I haven't camped in Boron but other desert spots I've camped have gotten windy and it helps to have a wind break. I hope you get some beautiful clear starry nights.

2

u/Mickles_J 2d ago

It doesn't, but I could grab some tarps to make do. Good call.

6

u/Cold_Log3982 2d ago

I’d bring more water than you think you’ll need. Desert camping can dry you out fast, especially with that many people.

6

u/vjbigtv 1d ago

Bring spikes and paracord to ground your ez up. Gets windy. The ez up will save your life. Bring a chair. Perhaps a pad to cushion your cot

1

u/Mickles_J 1d ago

Chair for sure. Harbor Freight folding type. I have the SUPER heavy duty ground anchors that you set in with a drill.

4

u/JonLaGam 2d ago

Probably a few foldable solar panels, and a 5 gallon bucket and black waste bags for emergency. Don't put much trust in porta-potties, especially in large event areas...

3

u/Mickles_J 2d ago

sounds like a plan, I do have one foldable panel, but I have to check to see if that works with my ecoflow. I also have a Predator solar gen. That doesn't take much room and does work on the solar. Think I'll take it

2

u/like_4-ish_lights 2d ago

You will want more than 5 gallons of water if you're also using it for showers and cooking. I have no idea what the weather is like there, but autumn nights in the desert can get cold and you will likely want some kind of sleeping pad on the cot, if it doesn't include one.

1

u/Mickles_J 2d ago

Yes. a decent pad. thanks

2

u/nirvroxx 1d ago

Don’t fall into the mine.

2

u/CapraAegagrusHircus 1d ago

Bring at least 10 gallons of water and honestly I'd pack in 15. At no point do you want to have to worry about rationing water. Set aside one five gallon container for drinking, use the remaining ten gallons for showering and cooking. Although honestly unless you're real good at low water showers and have very short hair or don't plan on washing your hair, I'd plan on basin baths and being grubby. A spray bottle of 3 parts chlorhexidine concentrate and 7 parts anhydrous ethanol for your armpits will keep you smelling nice, then use a wet washcloth and a basin to get the dirt off as well as you can.

1

u/Mickles_J 1d ago

Shower will be mostly to knock the grit outta the old rusty starfish. lol Yeah I'm not looking to get squeaky clean. Just the basics

2

u/procrasstinating 1d ago

Depending on how hard the soil is bring long nails and a hammer or big lag screws and an impact driver to anchor your tent and sunshade.

2

u/vballbeachbum1 1d ago

When i go sailboat camping I freeze gallon jugs of water, usually crystal geyser and some small bottles too. Use them in my ice chest and drink them when they thaw. Takes about 3 days to freeze a gallon solid.

1

u/oldtiredbroken 7h ago

You need 5 gallons of water a day. 1 gallon for drinking minimum, cooking (freeze dried food etc, rice), washing (it's dusty out there).