Lawson Hill and shuttles

Festivarian Events Telluride Bluegrass Festival
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Hey everyone,

This will be my second yr-- so excited!! Last year I camped at the High School, and liked the fact that you could easily walk to and from the festival, but didn’t like not being able to hang out and drink beers freely… Just thinking about Lawson Hill this year and wondering if anyone has camped there and what it’s like?? Is it an easy bike ride? How often and how late do the shuttles run?

Thanks so much for your help!
Cheers,
Kara

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I’ve never camped there, having always been down at Illium, however I’d say you could probably ride your bike to the festival from Lawson if you are in pretty good shape.

One thing to beware of is that it’s just a baseball field and there is no shade unless you bring your own.

The shuttles run to Illium about every 30 minutes or so, and run pretty late, so I’d imagine that Lawson would be much the same.

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Another thing to be aware of is that lines can be pretty long to get on the shuttle. I’ve known people who missed sets they wanted to see because the line was so long. I’ve stayed at Illium both years I’ve been to the festival and I’ve not missed any set I wanted to see. If you can get up early enough, getting to the festival grounds is fairly easy by shuttle.

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This is true…but take into account the altitude. It can be a beast for people coming from lower elevations, even if you are in good shape.

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I was just talking with someone else about the altitude factor. Don’t think you’re “immune”. Altitude has some kind of effect on everyone that comes to Telluirde.

Yor best bet is to prepare your body. Drink plenty of water for the few weeks leading up to Fest. If you’re flying in, the plane will dehydrate you, there’s no way around that. Hiking? Don’t do it right away and double up on the water you take with you until you know how you will be effected.

And, as I tell everyone, your potassium levels are at severe risk of being depleted at altitude. This is where you find out bananas are your friends! :spill

Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green

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You could also try preparing for the altitude by standing on a chair for 2 hours every day :lol

Seriously though, I’m from Montana, so I’m used to high altitudes, and I got heat stroke my first year due, in part, to being so much closer to the sun.

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I agree. :thumbsup Standing on a chair for 2 hours each day really helps your balance, which you will need ten fold after the Home Brew Tasting on Tuesday!
:lol :lol :lol

Sorry, I’ve never camped at Lawson or Ellium. Didn’t mean to hijack your thread! :flower

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Balance is also important after you’ve danced yourself dizzy.

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I’ve stayed at Lawson, but liked Illium better. You’re still waiting on shuttles, but at least you’re camping near or in the trees. Shade is helpful during the morning “ohgodwhydidIdrinkthatlastbeer” moments, or to take a quick nap in the afternoon.

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Also, if you have a cooler, shade will save you a lot of money on ice. My camp was very surprised by how much we saved on ice last year because we were able to store our cooler out of the sun.

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Thanks for the altitude info…Have been west recently, but not that high, and the last time I was at gunnison heat stroke got the best of me following an encounter with a guy some know as john d.

Any other recommendations other than water, banana’s and chairs? We will be flying to denver and camping for 2-3 days as we make our way to TBG…

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Sun screen and hats. :cheers

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From my experience last year, altitude is definitely the big surprise! I heard people talking about altitude sickness on this board, but wasn’t sure what to expect.
Here’s how it feels:

  • physical exercise is much harder as you tend to get out of breath rather quickly :blush
  • The effects of alcohol are multiplied! :cheers :lol :lol :lol One Mai Tai and I was swaying on my feet, and that wasn’t because of the music… :eek :lol
  • The sun is so much more severe, so bring a wide-brimmed hat and lots of sun cream! :sunshine Seriously, you don’t wanna get caught out on that field without them unless you want to suffer terrible sunburn and sun stroke!
  • You’ll need to drink a lot of water in order to avoid dry-mouth syndrome and headaches, so carry a bottle around with you. Hydrating is a life saver, and remember, alcohol doesn’t count! :drunk so aim for 1 beer/1 water at all times, you’ll thank yourself in the morning :cheers
  • Something I found out last year: it’s not just your inside that needs moisture, your skin will be getting very dry too. So bring plenty of lip balm/chap-stick, and rich moisturiser for your feet! As it’s sandals during the day, what with the dryness of the air and all that dancing, you’ll have very sore, cracked feet by the end of the week if you don’t lather up with cream before the shoes go on at night. I don’t know if some suffer from this more than others, but I failed to do look after my feet properly and I was limping back to camp on sunday night after nightgrass… (Blythe will remember this! :lol )
    If you follow the golden rules of hydrating, sun-protecting and pacing yourself, everything will be fine! :thumbsup
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I would go one step further and say 1 beer: 2 waters :cheers

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And No beer for as long as you can stand to do without after arrival, which will be about 20 minutes for most. In that 20 minutes… drink the water!

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Again, Thanks to all! Kara and I had a rough time at red rocks a few years ago due to the altitude!

I take it from what I have read on this forum that we are able to bring a backpack and water bottles to the show, what about camelbacks?

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I’ve never used one at the Festival, but it would work just fine. I tend to get a nice gallon container and fill that up several times a day.

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Yes to camel packs, anything other than glass, something that can be reused is goovey!!!

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i camped at lawson hill my first year. we got up before most and we were in town by 9 or 10. we would plan ahead and pick a set to head to camp to gather our warmer items, and head back to town.
i loved having my camelback and was able to tie sweatshirts and pack layers in there. there is a water station inside the music/vending area that is free and we filled up often (and just before we planned to head back to camp so when the zulu thirst wakes you up in the middle of the night you roll over and sip off the camelback’s nipple :thumbsup ). i drink at least two 70 0z camelbacks a day and seem to stay well hydrated and wake feeling pretty good
i bring a sarong thingy that is light and it can be stuffed into the pack for sitting on etc, HATS ARE A MUST!! the sun sucks the energy out of you from the top of your head :cheers
i do not carry a chair because i never end up in the tarp line, and we move around a lot finding friends.
don’t forget a tarp/rain fly for the tent for the afternoon showers! :wink: