Set your tent up beforehand

And use the instructions. Make sure you know exactly how your set is supposed to be set up before you head out. Tents are very technical affairs and if you're going to sleep in one for three days, making sure it's set up correctly will minimize moisture inside and ensure maximum comfort. On that note, make sure you have a big enough tent. If it says a "two man backpacking tent," it means "One person comfortably, two people intimately." In other words, unless you want to spoon with your friends all weekend, either have everyone bring their own pup tents (Which can be had for as little as $30) or make damn certain that your tent is big enough.

Bring air mattresses

Now that you know your tent is big enough to fit everyone, you should have just enough room to fit a few air mattresses for the floor. A good night's sleep is essential to a full day of dancing and your recovery time the week after will be greatly reduced if you manage to get a few hours here and there. Foam pads work too, but are less comfortable. Also, some sleeping bags have foams built in — don't kid yourself, you still want a mattress underneath. Of course, you might also be doing a "back to the earth" thing where you want to feel the ground beneath you, but, again: enjoy your back on the ride home.

Don't go too-too hard

It's always fun to go really hard at these festivals, especially when the music goes all night long such as at Motion Notion or Shambhala, but for your mental sanity, don't go too-too hard. What is "too-too" hard? Everyone's definition is different. If you decide to try new entheogens, take a small dose initially to test how it effects your body. Limit the number of stimulants you do, as seratonin withdrawal can make the week after feel like Hell. Also, again: get some sleep. Sleep helps your body recover and goes a long way to helping you remember anything about yjr festival. Zombie Trips really aren't that fun.

Follow the rules

The idea of "rules" may be against the nature of some of these festivals, but when the organizers have decided people should do something, it's usually a pretty good idea. The rationale might not be apparent while on mushrooms, but if somebody in an official-looking shirt tells you to move or not do something, you should probably comply. As well, most festivals have websites with important, venue-specific information — do yourself a favour and read it before heading out.

Ziplock bags are your friend

If you plan on taking any items that can get water damaged, assume they will and store everything in Ziplock bags. A very interesting-but-unreadable journal from last year's Shambhala is growing multifarious varieties of mold in the closet of this article's writer because he neglected to do this.

Bring a ridiculous costume

Hardcore festival-goers spend all year working on their costumes, and you can tell — just people-watching at outdoor festivals is often enormously entertaining. The reason people put such effort into these is that it makes you part of the experience: a clearing full of dancing people is inherently less interesting than a clearing full of dancing people dressed in dinosaur costumes. Wearing a costume also gives people an easy opening conversation topic and makes you an interesting member of the group. Be creative, but leave the Halloween shit at home; nobody tripping on Acid will thank you for wearing a screeching skull mask.

Record the experience

Especially if you do a lot of hallucinogenics, actually remembering the festival can be one of the most difficult parts of going. Bring a journal, or if writing isn't your thing, perhaps a cheap voice recorder will be enough to help jog your mind the week after.

Keep it real, keep it safe, talk to as many people as you possibly can, enjoy the music and prepare beforehand. If you do all these things, you are sure to have an amazing outdoor festival experience.

-j.j.

       

Written by :

Janus Jones