Elsewhence has become the leading family reunion of Colorado friends since 2014. During this
Anthropocene epoch, an escape to the wild helps humans relish the ancient ways but with a modern
twist. It’s an intimate gathering numbering in the hundreds of attendees; a urbanwildland family
camping, music and collaborative outdoor arts experience held in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
The three day big family camping trip, held the third weekend of September in Park County, Colorado,
was birthed as an alternative to the dogmatic bureaucracy that is woven into the fiber of Burning Man
culture. It’s not an official burner event but it’s attended by burners. Elsewhence is a community, not
corporate sponsorship or a quasi-cult of people like Burning Man burners who take but don't give. It’s
not a burn. It’s not a Colorado Regional Burn like, say, the wildly popular overcrowded, pretentious,
overrated, laughable elite Apogaea. Don’t burner my Elsewhence oh no no.
Elsewhence is not sanctioned by BMORG, but is comprised of many older burners who wanted to start
something new without all of the rules, standards, expectations, sponsored or restricted ridiculousness
of the BMORG.
Elsewhence follows 11 Principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance,
radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, immediacy
and consent.
It’s “an experiential forum that celebrates creativity, participation and unconventional thinking,” says
the Elsewhence website. Sort of like a thematic art party. No spectators! Participants only. It takes place
at Fhloston Peak, on 20 acres of the 1,600+ Berger Land Company property off County Road 68, south of
Bailey, Colorado. It is a beautiful place. A magical place.
Everyone who attends is required to volunteer at least one shift during the weekend. There are many
people who fill important volunteer leads in medical, Department of Public Works, Ranger, fire, gate,
MOOP (Matter Out of Place) trash patrol, greeters, tickets, art grants, sound, stage, performance
aspects, permits, ticketing and accounting. About 242 people attend the first peaceful 2014 ‘Leave No
Trace’ event. ‘Leave No Trace’ means participants will pack in, and pack out, all necessary food, supplies,
trash and water.
The earliest Elsewhence was a grand, intimate and wonderful event. It continues to be. It is a celebration
of us. According to Elsewhence, “We all come from some other place, but in this vessel we journey
together across space, time and consciousness.”
Tickets are a hot commodity. The event has maxed out at 500 participants.
