Strategy to try... how well will it work?

[herzzreh]

Going to try this strategy next year... Instead of hauling of your gear right for the opening, just grab a tent and a few beers. Once in and staked a spot, go back out to the car and ferry the rest of the stuff. To me, this beats trying to stand in line for hours and hours with all of your heavy stuff. I would rather make multiple trips on Wednesday, as there is not *that* much to do anyway.

Theoretically, this could be faster as you'll be already tagged and can use the reentry gates. Practically, most likely there will be a slower moving queue for the untagged masses... how practical would it be trying to bypass all of them? Is this a horrible idea?

[Chrisbristol]

Last year we arrived at 1 in the morning on Wednesday. Strait in the queue with some camping chairs. We took a few crates plus a bag of clothes etc and the tents and a gazebo. We were in the site by five to 8 and set up by 9. We then missed all the rain and had a good few hours kip. The only problem we found was if you go back to the car you have to queue up again to get back in so take anything you will need on the first trip. They would not let us use the re entry gates at this time as the lines to get in we're gigantic so we didn't bother till later on. For me this is the best way to do it and if you don't mind sitting in the queue at night then it's great. Had loads of banter with others in the queue and it set up a great fest. We couldn't believe how many people were already there when we arrived and our mates who left Bristol at 4 were soaked by the time they got in around mid day. I know the weather won't be the same every time but you have to prepare accordingly.

I think your strategy will pay off but don't expect to get out and back in early on Wednesday, although it may be different at other gates. Lets face it you don't need all your stuff strait away so get set up early and get some shut eye while everyone else battles for a half decent spot.

I know this wont be to everyone's taste but it works for us. Whatever happens its awesome anyway so...........

[herzzreh]

Yup, hoping for the best. We're staying about three miles from the site, planning on waking up around 3-4 in the morning, making our way down to the east car parks... Considering it's so close, now I wonder if we even should wake up THAT early.

Last year we joined the D gate line around 8 (overindulged on cider the night before), had all of our stuff on us and we were miserable! Also, we ended up cutting the line in the break between W36 and W37... still drunk and half hung-over I saw the end of the line, joined and only later realised that there was quite a number of people we cut in front of. I guess in reality, two people getting in between groups of 10ish people did not make any difference, but I am still sorry to anyone that we cut off...

[TheNewUnion]

Yeah, pretty much what we did a couple of years ago. Head in with minimal kit, then back to the car for the rest of the gear once everything settles down. Still end up lugging tons of stuff, just break it up a bit. Does make the 1st assault on the camping spots a little easier if you are more mobile.

[herzzreh]

Exactly what I'm thinking! Having a nice 5lbs tent under my one arm and a pack of beer under another arm will make me vastly more mobile and will give me great advantage over those lugging trolleys and such when we make the run for desired field. Asshole I am...

[garokev]

With any festival I go to, on first entry I just take my tent and a bag on my back. Get in, get the tent up and go back for the more cumbersome items. And if you arrive on the Wednesday you have plenty of time for trips to and from the car at your leisure.

[garokev]

Oh, and don't lose your 'pass out' ticket, you'll need that and your original ticket stub as well as your wristband to get back in!

[Thrash D Garbage]

Did similar at Leeds one year. Took the tents, rucksacks and a few tinnies on the first trip to the campsite, getting wristbands etc. This was more due to there being 2 of us with 3 tents (mate was coming on the train the next morning). Tents up, drank a couple of beers, then emptied the rucksacks to take back to the car to carry the all the rest of the booze, and camping chairs etc.

Then again nothing beats that first beer after your little bit of campsite is set up, and you can relax into festival mode, if you've managed to do it in one trip.

[Joeskeppi]

I think you'll find this strategy is a massive PITA once you realise how hard it'll be to get in and out again on rush day.

Our strategy is, we split the group into 2, half the people run (literally) to Row Mead with nothing but tents as soon as the gates open. The other half are armed with wheelbarrows full of everything else and follow up at a nice leisurely pace. By the time they arrive their tents are set up for them.

[Chrisbristol]

I think you'll find this strategy is a massive PITA once you realise how hard it'll be to get in and out again on rush day.

Our strategy is, we split the group into 2, half the people run (literally) to Row Mead with nothing but tents as soon as the gates open. The other half are armed with wheelbarrows full of everything else and follow up at a nice leisurely pace. By the time they arrive their tents are set up for them.

[doobie ninja]

I was going to do this too, done it at other festivals.

Ive not done Glasto but a mate who has said that getting back in is only a ball ache if you try it Wed morn, if you leave it until later on in the afternoon its fine.

I dont want to be in Pennards or the other "big/popular" camping fields, something like Paines ground will do me which is closer to the perimiter...so maybe lugging all the gear in one go would be better??

[jeffie]

We try to take a reasonable amount of stuff in with us.

Get as much on your back as possible, you would be amazed what you can carry on your shoulders. Get lots of those little straps that you can attach to your rucksack for mats, sleeping bag etc....

Then I always empty out my rucksack and take it back. Good for piling beers, food whatever in. I try to carry as little as possible in my hands, because that's where the pain is.....

We tend to go back to the cars later on in the afternoon on the Wednesday - obviously all of this depends on the weather, the queues, how sort of un-coordinated we end up...

[scoobied]

Best tactic is to give your camping gear to someone with site access to put up tents monday or tues.......

[G1T]

Best tactic is to give your camping gear to someone with site access to put up tents monday or tues.......

[Guest]

I've done this at a few other fests, but always been camped quite near the exit right into the car park and they were all smaller festivals so perhaps it'll be much more harder at Glasto, but for me it's always made things far easier.

[5co77ie]

did this most years until we got the campervan

[Boss84]

We've tried taking trips, take things that aren't awkward to carry like crates of beer. I try to attach as much as I can to my rucksack.