Last year I went up to Lake Placid to cheer my friend and sign up for this year. I made the decision to do this with a few weeks to spare, so I decided to camp. I chose to camp at the Adirondack Loj, jsut outside of LP, near the top of the first climb, before the Cascade Inn aide station. Last year it was $33 a night, and it RAINED a lot. I had to setup the tent in the rain and mud. But it was fun! Just be prepared.

I drove in the day of the race, so I had to scope out the route carefully, as the few roads in/out of LP are a part of the race. It was neat to see athletes on the cycling leg cruising down the descent to Keene.

Get up early to register: Although it's a 10 minute drive from Heart Lake to Lake Placid, there were already a few hundred people in line before 6:30 am. But since you're a volunteer, that might not matter as much.

Adirondack Loj: http://www.adk.org/ad_loj/
The Loj's campground: http://www.adk.org/ad_wilderness/index.aspx

Folks we're in line to register at 1:00am last year. The police are used to that sort of tomfoolery. Some folks brought camp beds. Many had chairs. I was in line at 5:45 and it was about 200 deep, but many of them weren't vols.
As I'm sure you've read here they take the vols first.
Folks sleep in cars all the time there so no big deal.
Be warned though...they start closing roads into town about 4:30. The shuttles are packed usually. If you're vol'ing come early stay late...most aid stations provide some sort of food for vols but bring food for yourself...the lines in the bars and eateries and bagel shops can be outrageous. There is a volunteer tent at the high school and you can get food and water there, but you'll need you're volunteer t-shirt.
See you guys there!

PM me your email and I might be able to hook you up with some others coming from Wisconsin. I know some athletes from Onalaska who are going down to volunteer and I think they are signing up for next year. Carpooling might help!
Theresa

For IMC everyone just gets in line shortly after midnight (some were there before even) and sleeps in line in sleeping bags, blow up beds, even tents. I can't imagne it's any different for other races.
There should be a second line for Vols.

well then yes I would. Even for IMC they said as long as you are there in the park by 9:00 you would get in. We just drove up for the day and didn't get a room because they all were min 5 nights. Toward the end tho they offered 2 nights but just as easy to sleep in line :) Lots of people will sleep in their cars.

Yep...Bluff Busters. Sent you an email so hope it works. I've got PM before- but oh well. Sounds like a good time actually. The adventure of it all!
Theresa