If last year was your first year, take heed!
If last year was your first year, take heed!
I ran into a lovely gentleman last year who was there to lay the groundwork for his large group to come this year. I asked him what he thought so far...he was quiet for a moment and then said "you people really overbuild!". Of course after we laughed for several minutes we explained to him the amazing weather he was experiencing was in no way normal.
Do not be fooled by last year. The playa can be a mean hostess! Plan for high winds, dust storms and even rain. Maybe if we plan for the worst, we will get another banner year like 2011.
See you in the city!
Zifra
Do not be fooled by last year. The playa can be a mean hostess! Plan for high winds, dust storms and even rain. Maybe if we plan for the worst, we will get another banner year like 2011.
See you in the city!
Zifra
Zifra
Cannot wait top get home!
"Feel it, Live it, Share it!"
Cannot wait top get home!
"Feel it, Live it, Share it!"
- Coastburner
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:38 am
- Location: Half Moon Bay California
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I have to say, I agree. I had two people at my house on Saturday and was doing my best to explain what to expect including expect the unexpected including weather, heat, cold, wind, dust, rain, etc. I've been going to BM for 10 years and last years weather was amazing. I have no problem with the dust, heat, cold, etc. and always prepare for everything. I'm curious to see how some of the new people do this year if the weather does what it normally does. Don't get me wrong, I was a newbie once and always embrace and help newbies but you have to read, understand and prepare for everything. I think last year gave a lot of newbies a false sense of the environment. It's only my opinion and as I always say, opinions are like ass-----, we all have them. I just hope that anyone coming this year for the first time or coming for a second time with last year being their first, that they're prepared for anything. I would love to have weather like last year, every year. I'd also like to win the lottery on a weekly basis. I'm more likely to win the lottery.....if you understand what I'm saying. I always bring extra dust masks and goggles as I'm always surprised how many people aren't prepared for crazy weather. It's burning man....beautiful and unpredictable.
Coastburner
Coastburner
- Elderberry
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Definitely good advice here.
JK

http://www.mudskippercafe.com
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me

http://www.mudskippercafe.com
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me
- junglesmacks
- Posts: 5823
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- Location: Your mom's tent
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Since when did "holes" become a bad word?
Savannah wrote:It sounds freaky & wrong, so you need to do it.
- Simon of the Playa
- Posts: 20633
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- Burning Since: 1996
- Camp Name: La Guilde des Hashischins
- Location: BRC, Nevada.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
and remember virgins to breathe deep, the radioactive playa dust is good for you, so when you're sucking down 2-3 cups a day during the white-outs, it's actually beneficial.
Next year you wont need any lighting at night.
Next year you wont need any lighting at night.
Frida Be You & Me
- Dr. Pyro
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
One of our veteran campmates said to me, regarding the weather after last year's event, "Anybody who came to Burning Man for the first time this year has never been to Burning Man." I pretty much agree with that. But all things considered, I'd rather have lovely weather than that which was inflicted upon us in 2000 (rain every damn day, with highs in the low 80s), 2005 (temperture ranging from 28 degrees to 105 degrees in 36 hours, coupled with non-stop 60 MPH duststorms), and even the double-rainbow producing storms of the past couple of years.
Still, for my money, 2004 might have had the best weather, but it's all rather subjective at this point.
Still, for my money, 2004 might have had the best weather, but it's all rather subjective at this point.
- graidawg
- Posts: 3180
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
ok i have my heed, were do i take it?
FREE THE SHERPAS
Burners with torches is right and natural and just.-fishy.
CATCH AND RELEASE.
Burners with torches is right and natural and just.-fishy.
CATCH AND RELEASE.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
2011 was my first year and I kinda feel that way - I was actually disappointed after my veteran friend ranted and raved about me getting proper dust gear for two months as we shopped around at surplus stores. I wore the goggles around my neck all evening wondering when they would actually truly come in handy.Dr. Pyro wrote:One of our veteran campmates said to me, regarding the weather after last year's event, "Anybody who came to Burning Man for the first time this year has never been to Burning Man."
Maybe I should be more careful about what I wish for, but I have been secretly been daydreaming about getting blasted by a proper 4 hour dust storm.

- dragonpilot
- Posts: 1648
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 12:53 pm
- Burning Since: 2005
- Camp Name: Red Tea Camp
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
How about 11+ hours...anyone remember Monday 2008?5280MeV wrote:Maybe I should be more careful about what I wish for, but I have been secretly been daydreaming about getting blasted by a proper 4 hour dust storm.Dr. Pyro wrote:One of our veteran campmates said to me, regarding the weather after last year's event, "Anybody who came to Burning Man for the first time this year has never been to Burning Man."
Don't bore your friends with all your troubles. Tell your enemies instead, for they will delight in hearing about them.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Wasn't that a mere 8 hours? 
It hit before noon and by the time the sun set it was (pretty much) done. Same with Burn Day.
Maybe I'm misremembering because after encountering the thing at its zenith, a few final gusts seem like nothing.

It hit before noon and by the time the sun set it was (pretty much) done. Same with Burn Day.
Maybe I'm misremembering because after encountering the thing at its zenith, a few final gusts seem like nothing.
*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- AntiM
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Still cancelled the fire conclave performance before the burn. Anyone who had early entry was brutalized also.
- Simon of the Playa
- Posts: 20633
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- Camp Name: La Guilde des Hashischins
- Location: BRC, Nevada.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
my sewing machine, staple gun and air compressor were never the same...
Frida Be You & Me
- Simon of the Playa
- Posts: 20633
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:25 pm
- Burning Since: 1996
- Camp Name: La Guilde des Hashischins
- Location: BRC, Nevada.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
i was sewing broken tipi covers in a white-out...
it was surreal.....sewing machine....table....open playa.....me hunched over.
it was like a scene out of the east village in NYC around 1900, in the garment district.
if the garment district had 60 mph winds carrying abrasion grade grit in every direction.
it was surreal.....sewing machine....table....open playa.....me hunched over.
it was like a scene out of the east village in NYC around 1900, in the garment district.
if the garment district had 60 mph winds carrying abrasion grade grit in every direction.
Frida Be You & Me
- theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40313
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- Location: In Exile
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Sunday night was horrible. We got stuck between the temple burn and camp and we were giving a ride to a bunch of twits from Ireland. Now, the wind gets to me, not so much the dust, but the incessant wind. We were on the trailer; I'm hunched in the wind and these bloody Irish are sitting at my feet more or less. And the lead Irisher is talking too loud, and I'm wanting silence and he starts telling jokes. "What did the blind man say to the deaf man..." "What did the blind man say to cripple..."Savannah wrote:Wasn't that a mere 8 hours?
It hit before noon and by the time the sun set it was (pretty much) done. Same with Burn Day.
Maybe I'm misremembering because after encountering the thing at its zenith, a few final gusts seem like nothing.
Um, yeah.
I point out the obvious and pretty much start yelling. He apologizes, and I tell him that I want him to shut the fuck up. He keeps apologizing/explaining and I end up shouting "What part of 'shut the fuck up' don't you understand?"
This is why I don't go to big burns. Too much waiting, too many people, my little psyche wears thin...
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
- Boijoy
- Posts: 1445
- Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:51 pm
- Burning Since: 2006
- Camp Name: Metro Mart
- Location: Metro Mart. 4:30 Plaza
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
2008 ::shivver:: first time I ever thought I might actually die out there. I couldn't breath. 

don't forget to floss
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
2007, the Monday afternoon/evening after the temple burn was a 12 hour dust storm. Taught me to be prepared.
2011 had some dust, in the gate line, for a bit. Nothing I would classify as epic, or even interesting. Did not put my ever-present goggles on or wear a dust mask.
I doubt that we are going to get two years like that.
Its easier to dig out your dust gear from your backpack than it is to struggle through eye-blasting, breath sucking, cannot-see-your-elbow dust back to your camp.

Yes, I have seen tents ripped out the ground.
This thread says a lot: http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 24#p587624
2011 had some dust, in the gate line, for a bit. Nothing I would classify as epic, or even interesting. Did not put my ever-present goggles on or wear a dust mask.
I doubt that we are going to get two years like that.
Its easier to dig out your dust gear from your backpack than it is to struggle through eye-blasting, breath sucking, cannot-see-your-elbow dust back to your camp.

Yes, I have seen tents ripped out the ground.
This thread says a lot: http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 24#p587624
Love Rice
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
- AntiM
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
On Saturday night in 2008, we had to navigate out to the Man on foot, pulling the fuel cart, by going from lamp post to lamp post. Couldn't even see the Man at all until we got very close.
- Sham
- Moderator
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I've always thought it would be a good idea to have a bright beacon type light on the top of Center Camp. So often as the week goes on, the landmarks that are there one day, are gone the next. Especially on Saturday night when the Man burns and there are so many lights on the playa, it's easy to get disoriented and not know where you are.
Something like this on the top of the tent would be awesome for finding your way and getting your bearings.

(HEAD TOWARD THE LIGHT......)
Something like this on the top of the tent would be awesome for finding your way and getting your bearings.

(HEAD TOWARD THE LIGHT......)
- catinthefunnyhat
- Posts: 2182
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:24 pm
- Location: Toronto, Canada
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Good idea... kind of like a lighthouse. And Centre Camp is probably a good place to head to if you're lost and/or in need of help, generally.
What colour of light best cuts through a dust storm. Is it amber, as with fog, or something else?
What colour of light best cuts through a dust storm. Is it amber, as with fog, or something else?
If you want drama to stop following you everywhere, try letting go of the leash.
- illy dilly
- Posts: 4900
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:02 am
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Gnome Dome
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I'm with you in the exact same boat!5280MeV wrote:2011 was my first year and I kinda feel that way - I was actually disappointed after my veteran friend ranted and raved about me getting proper dust gear for two months as we shopped around at surplus stores. I wore the goggles around my neck all evening wondering when they would actually truly come in handy.Dr. Pyro wrote:One of our veteran campmates said to me, regarding the weather after last year's event, "Anybody who came to Burning Man for the first time this year has never been to Burning Man."
Maybe I should be more careful about what I wish for, but I have been secretly been daydreaming about getting blasted by a proper 4 hour dust storm.
I would say in my 3 years. The only mildly bad dust storm was Burn night 2009.
There were short mild dust storms in 2010, but nothing to write home about.
And we all know 2011 was way TOO nice! It wasn't hot, it wasn't cold, it was little dusty, but was pretty freaking awesome.
I am hoping, that this year's weather totally Fucking sucks! Hopefully it will drive some folks away. Scare some people off. Maybe, just maybe even, drive some people out of the city early!!!!!!!!!
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave
- dragonpilot
- Posts: 1648
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 12:53 pm
- Burning Since: 2005
- Camp Name: Red Tea Camp
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
Yeah, maybe, but "11+ hours" sounds so much more...what do I say...experiential? It started at 10:30 as I was just a few peddle strokes away from camp on my way to get some ice when I looked up to see that "The Mummy" dust cloud approaching...seemed to me that it went past sunset, but even after 8 hours my brain was fired being confined to camp that long...yeah, we've had it way tougher!Savannah wrote:Wasn't that a mere 8 hours?It hit before noon and by the time the sun set it was (pretty much) done. Same with Burn Day.
Maybe I'm misremembering because after encountering the thing at its zenith, a few final gusts seem like nothing.
I also used to walk to school in blizzards, 5 miles, one-way, uphill in both directions...
Don't bore your friends with all your troubles. Tell your enemies instead, for they will delight in hearing about them.
- Eric
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Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
You must have been on the 9:00 side of BRC- we were at Esplanade & 3:30 (or 4, I forget) in 2010 & we got hit with an endless duststorm Burn Night (the Playa Boyfriend & I just huddled under my kaffiyeh, finding way to occupy our time..) and Sunday went on for at least 8 hours. We had to stop breaking down camp.illy dilly wrote:There were short mild dust storms in 2010, but nothing to write home about.
This was the end of the week in 2010 for us:
[youtube][/youtube]
At least that on wasn't a white out. We could still go wandering in it.
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
- Sham
- Moderator
- Posts: 8645
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- Location: The hidden mythical place.....
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
White is used for lighthouses since it can really cut through fog for miles and miles! Blue however would be really sexy!catinthefunnyhat wrote:Good idea... kind of like a lighthouse. And Centre Camp is probably a good place to head to if you're lost and/or in need of help, generally.
What colour of light best cuts through a dust storm. Is it amber, as with fog, or something else?


- catinthefunnyhat
- Posts: 2182
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:24 pm
- Location: Toronto, Canada
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
...until some tripping raver runs, screaming, away from centre camp thinking s/he's being chased by the cops.Shambala wrote:Blue however would be really sexy!![]()
No, wait; especially then!

If you want drama to stop following you everywhere, try letting go of the leash.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I remember that one. There was a Friday night dust storm in 2010, and Burn Night as well. It hit the 9:00 o clock side just fine.Eric wrote:You must have been on the 9:00 side of BRC- we were at Esplanade & 3:30 (or 4, I forget) in 2010 & we got hit with an endless duststorm Burn Night (the Playa Boyfriend & I just huddled under my kaffiyeh, finding way to occupy our time..) and Sunday went on for at least 8 hours. We had to stop breaking down camp.illy dilly wrote:There were short mild dust storms in 2010, but nothing to write home about.
This was the end of the week in 2010 for us:
[youtube][/youtube]
At least that on wasn't a white out. We could still go wandering in it.


*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40313
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
When you consider how long it took the man to fall in 2010, it's hardly a surprise that the crowd didn't stay long after...
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
2010 (in the storm) was not so bad in duration--to my memory; 2011 of course downright brisk. 2009 was the really long one--Evolution. The Man burned and burned and burned . . . and revealed its amazing alien face, really slowly . . . but after 40 minutes, I went off to start my evening. It's the first and only time I ever left before it fell. I'm told it stayed up at least another 20 minutes.
- MyDearFriend
- Posts: 3760
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:22 am
- Burning Since: 2011
- Camp Name: Barbie Death Camp THIRTEENTH BARBIE
- Location: Washington, DC
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I'll take your heed if you'll take mine, Grai.graidawg wrote:ok i have my heed, were do i take it?

Seriously, we are warned, thank you all.
"Burning Man ruined my life as I knew it, and I have never been happier." -mgb327
"BTW I'm not your wife so don't lie to me." -Ratty
"BTW I'm not your wife so don't lie to me." -Ratty
- hotmess
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 5:49 pm
- Burning Since: 2004
- Camp Name: Kamp Krusty
- Location: New York, NY
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I am happy to see many posts about the importance of anchoring things down. Also, I find it is helpful to keep an eye out for your neighbors. If you notice something loose, dangerous, or not properly staked down ask around and find out who it belongs to. If you can help out to secure something down it will benefit everyone. I go by the motto that when I think I have enough rebar in the ground, i always add just a few more for good measure.
I might also add that it is VERY important to tag any guy lines you might have with either ribbon or some sort of reflective material. I sometimes like to think of the playa as one big construction zone that is around 87% completed. There are tons of hazards all around that you can easily trip, cut or impel yourself on. Any safety measures you can take to prevent someone getting hurt is much appreciated. Another good one, cut open old tennis balls and put them on the ends of your rebar. This makes them very visible and also less dangerous.
I might also add that it is VERY important to tag any guy lines you might have with either ribbon or some sort of reflective material. I sometimes like to think of the playa as one big construction zone that is around 87% completed. There are tons of hazards all around that you can easily trip, cut or impel yourself on. Any safety measures you can take to prevent someone getting hurt is much appreciated. Another good one, cut open old tennis balls and put them on the ends of your rebar. This makes them very visible and also less dangerous.
Re: If last year was your first year, take heed!
I think I read somewhere here that the majority of injuries at Burning Man are from guylines and rebar!!! 

"Don't buy ur Burn...........Build ur Burn!"
"If I can't find an answer, I'll create one!!!"
Fuck Im Good Just Ask Me
"If I can't find an answer, I'll create one!!!"
Fuck Im Good Just Ask Me