Hey peoples!
I am going to Burning Man.
Every time i say/think that i get a little bit more nervous and a little bit more excited.
I'm making a list of things to bring, this being my first trip, and thus far have found a couple of very helpful lists (much thanks to Heloise of the Playa) but I'm wondering if anyone has any essential item that they think should be on it.
Needless to say, basics have been covered (i think) but what could you have not lived without?.
Also, is it easy enough to get large water containers (preferrably foldable, squashable or shrinkray-able) in Reno? I would have no idea where to get them in Ireland, are they common in the States?
If anyone has a link to a list that they found invaluable, i would appreciate it, but dont go to any trouble, i'm learning far too much by searching them out.
Thanks in advance, and can't wait to see you all on the playa!
This HAS been asked before, but...
This HAS been asked before, but...
Those that do not hear the music think the dancers mad.
-
robbidobbs
- Posts: 2825
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 1:07 pm
- Burning Since: 1999
- Camp Name: Pottie Central
- Location: LOS of the Pottie doors
The most common water-carrying device is the 2.5 gallon water "suitcase." They're available all over the place.
Once empty, they make decent foot washing tubs when cut in half.
The Survival Guide is the best place to get a list of the essentials.
The one item that I personally find essential is 2.5 yards of cotton fabric for use as a dust mask, shawl, sarong, turban, and purse.
Thousands of years of technology can't be too far off base.
Once empty, they make decent foot washing tubs when cut in half.
The Survival Guide is the best place to get a list of the essentials.
The one item that I personally find essential is 2.5 yards of cotton fabric for use as a dust mask, shawl, sarong, turban, and purse.
Thousands of years of technology can't be too far off base.
http://www.cieux.com/bm/BriefGuide.html
http://www.cieux.com/bm/things.html
both pages have lists of stuff you didn't know you would need, plus the latter one has links to other lists of stuff.
Also see
http://www.cieux.com/bm/dorksGuide.html
which has helpful hints for first timers, including what _not_ to bring.
Louise and I will be giving away playa wear on Friday before the burn, so drop by after 2:00pm and pick up some free stuff to wear. See
http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/1089945
for photos of people in our giveaway clothes.
http://www.cieux.com/bm/things.html
both pages have lists of stuff you didn't know you would need, plus the latter one has links to other lists of stuff.
Also see
http://www.cieux.com/bm/dorksGuide.html
which has helpful hints for first timers, including what _not_ to bring.
Louise and I will be giving away playa wear on Friday before the burn, so drop by after 2:00pm and pick up some free stuff to wear. See
http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/1089945
for photos of people in our giveaway clothes.
Yes we have packing lists
http://www.lennyjones.net/whattobring.html
http://www.anybodyburns.com/bmcamplist.htm
http://www.cieux.com/bm/things.html
http://www.arfarfarf.com/burningman/items.html
http://www.magicink.com/burningman/98/equipment.txt
http://www.ggreg.com/bm/supplies.htm
http://burningman.bluedream.com/whatstuff.php
http://www.softcom.net/users/rocksci/bman/
http://www.gumption.org/2000/blue/things.htm
http://www.mezziah.org/burningman/99/list.html
http://www.burningsilicon.com/packlist.pdf
http://www.jeannettecrow.com/princess/
http://users.rcn.com/fontaholic/burn/list.shtml
http://members.cox.net/tribe/BMpackinglist.html
http://zer0.org/bman/packing-list
http://reba.bluedream.com/gallery/burni ... nglist.htm
http://www.gullettnet.com/bman/2002/packing02.htm
http://www.blyssabyss.org/resources/packing.txt
http://www.kiki.org/bman/Scotts_bman_list.html
http://burningcam.com/travel-notes/chris-rick.html
http://www.lennyjones.net/whattobring.html
http://www.anybodyburns.com/bmcamplist.htm
http://www.cieux.com/bm/things.html
http://www.arfarfarf.com/burningman/items.html
http://www.magicink.com/burningman/98/equipment.txt
http://www.ggreg.com/bm/supplies.htm
http://burningman.bluedream.com/whatstuff.php
http://www.softcom.net/users/rocksci/bman/
http://www.gumption.org/2000/blue/things.htm
http://www.mezziah.org/burningman/99/list.html
http://www.burningsilicon.com/packlist.pdf
http://www.jeannettecrow.com/princess/
http://users.rcn.com/fontaholic/burn/list.shtml
http://members.cox.net/tribe/BMpackinglist.html
http://zer0.org/bman/packing-list
http://reba.bluedream.com/gallery/burni ... nglist.htm
http://www.gullettnet.com/bman/2002/packing02.htm
http://www.blyssabyss.org/resources/packing.txt
http://www.kiki.org/bman/Scotts_bman_list.html
http://burningcam.com/travel-notes/chris-rick.html
Oh, and this is mine from a different post, but I thought it relevant for here:
Burning Man is a VERY BIG place. I know it may not seem like it, but it is. Everywhere you go you'll be biking it or on foot. Sometimes you'll leave your camp expecting to be gone for an hour and end up not making it home until the next day. For this reason I always carry a "ditty bag" with me containing all the essentials I need for survival for at least the next 8-12 hours. Here is a list of what I carry with me at all times in my bag:
1. Water Camel baks are great for this but anything that you don't have to hold onto with your hands and have easy access to will work just fine, so make sure that your water bottle or whatever has some kind of shoulder strap or something.
2. Sunscreen
3. Lip balm with SPF (I like the kind that comes on a string so I always know right where it is)
4. Tooth brush/tooth paste/mouth wash/breath mints (because good oral hygiene is key to getting laid!)
5. Deodorant (because b.o. smells just as bad on the playa as it does at home, patchouli does NOT count, hippie!)
5. Sunglasses Sure it's dark now, but how about when you're making the walk of shame back to your camp at 9:30 AM?, it's going to bright!
6. Headlamp + GlowSticks + Blinkies Sure it's light out now but do you really want to get run over by an art car later? The Headlamp is great in the porta-potties because it allows for "hands free" operation, and you won't accidentally drop it down the hole, yuck!
7. Food You're going to get hungry, carry an energy bar or bag of trail mix to snack on. Something to give you energy, with lots of protein + carbs.
8. Long Underwear At some point it's going to get cold, really fucking cold, and you're going to wonder if running around at night topless and in a g-string was really such a great idea after all. The nice thing about the newer high tech fabric "long johns" is that they compact into nothing so you won't even notice that you're carrying them until its 5:00 am and you're freezing your ass off. Buy em in different colors or dye them to match your cool costumes. Thank me later.
9. Ziploc Bags I always have one or two empty Ziploc bags with me, they are great for storing moop in, or keeping all your toiletries away from your other gear in case they accidentally open. They also help separate your gear inside your bag so you're not frantically dumping the entire contents on the playa every time you need lip balm (which should be on a string around your neck anyway).
10. Babywipes Let's face it Burning Man wouldn't exist with out 'em. Remember used babywipes go in your empty Ziploc bag for proper disposal later, NOT IN THE JOTS, you fuckwit!
11. Emergen-C + Vitamins + 5htp. You know the drill, take care of your body and it will take care of you.
12. Ensure I always take one or two with me as a pick-me-up. Steal some from your grandparents the next time you visit them.
13. A Lighter- Even if you don't smoke, everyone is always looking for one. (If you are a smoker, be sure to carry a small tin to use as an ashtray, leave no trace, remember? Altoids tins work great for this purpose).
14. Note book + Pen (tie the pen to the notebook). You're going to get invited to some cool party and completely forget the address 2 seconds later. You may also think of some other shit worth writing down, and you will loose that ripped off corner of Piss Clear that you shoved into your sock. Believe me.
15. Leatherman type tool or swiss army knife (You will constantly be given free wine & beer in exchange for opening bottles).
16. Map and or "Who-What-Where-When Guide".
17. Hand Sanitizer (travel size bottle)
18. Hand Lotion (travel size bottle)
19. Hat (if I'm wearing my "sun" hat, I pack my "cold" hat and vice versa)
20. Goggles + Dust Mask + Bandana (you never know when the next dust storm will hit).
21. Compact Basic First Aid Kit Prescription Meds, Pain relievers, eye drops, Band-Aids, medical tape, alcohol swabs, etc.
22. Safer Sex Kit- Condoms, lube, dental dam & a copy of your most recent STD test.
23. Personal Identification What happens if you loose your bag or worse, you end up unconscious somewhere?. Include some ID in your bag (not your driver's license or Passport!). A luggage tag works great for this purpose, include your on playa info, as well as your email address so that you maybe reconnected with your stuff later, or identified if you are unable to communicate.
24. Your Ticket! What if you meet some hottie pilot who wants to initiate you into the "Mile High Club" You'll need your ticket to get back into the event when returning from the airport. In a worse-case-scenario you'll also need it to get back into the event after exiting the playa for a medical or police situation. (the medical situation being a euphemism for your ass winding up in a Reno hospital, the police situation being a euphemism for you winding up in a Reno jail, try to avoid doing either one).
25. Duct tape. Because Duct Tape is like the force, it has both a positive and a negative energy and it's what binds the universe together.
26. Contact Info give-aways Email for connecting with friends off playa, camp name and location for connecting with people on playa.
27. Drinking Cup There are all kinds of bars and Chai Tea stands on the playa, some have cups, some don't, ALL appreciate it when you bring your own with you. A child's "sippy" cup keeps the dust and unwanted Roophies out of your drink.
28. Contacts/Spare Glasses I also keep an extra pair of contacts, and eye drops, if you wear glasses you might want to take your spare set with you in an bomb proof unbreakable case.
Things NOT to take with you:
1. Your entire stash! There is absolutely NO reason you should be walking around with your entire stash. In fact if you're going to "partake" do so before you leave camp, rather than taking anything with you. Remember kids, Only users loose drugs!
2. Your Car Keys! Lock your car and put the key someplace safe! For extra insurance, have a "hide-a-Key" somewhere on the car. Make an extra key and give one to your friend. The LLC stopped giving out free tickets to the locksmiths so now your ass in a serious bind should you loose your key. I've personally never even locked my vehicle at the event, but then again, I bring nothing of any real value so I'm not that worried, and I'd rather have someone go through my car looking for non-existent stuff than to have them break in thinking I'm hiding something of value. Oh, and for the LOVE OF GOD, please do not set your fucking car alarm, it will go off in the wind (repeatedly) possibly killing your battery, or worse, cause someone to kill your car with an extra piece of rebar. I'm not sayin', I'm just saying.
3. Your Money/ATM Card/Passport/Drivers License There is no reason to be carting around any of these things, again, they belong someplace safe with your keys. I heard John Law used to bury the gate money in an ammo box under his tent, there's an idea for you. (please note here that if you are stupid enough to get busted by the cops they will require legal id like your DL or Passport. Here's an idea! keep that id in a place completely separate from where you might be keeping stuff that you don't want LEO to see, hint... hint...)
Burning Man is a VERY BIG place. I know it may not seem like it, but it is. Everywhere you go you'll be biking it or on foot. Sometimes you'll leave your camp expecting to be gone for an hour and end up not making it home until the next day. For this reason I always carry a "ditty bag" with me containing all the essentials I need for survival for at least the next 8-12 hours. Here is a list of what I carry with me at all times in my bag:
1. Water Camel baks are great for this but anything that you don't have to hold onto with your hands and have easy access to will work just fine, so make sure that your water bottle or whatever has some kind of shoulder strap or something.
2. Sunscreen
3. Lip balm with SPF (I like the kind that comes on a string so I always know right where it is)
4. Tooth brush/tooth paste/mouth wash/breath mints (because good oral hygiene is key to getting laid!)
5. Deodorant (because b.o. smells just as bad on the playa as it does at home, patchouli does NOT count, hippie!)
5. Sunglasses Sure it's dark now, but how about when you're making the walk of shame back to your camp at 9:30 AM?, it's going to bright!
6. Headlamp + GlowSticks + Blinkies Sure it's light out now but do you really want to get run over by an art car later? The Headlamp is great in the porta-potties because it allows for "hands free" operation, and you won't accidentally drop it down the hole, yuck!
7. Food You're going to get hungry, carry an energy bar or bag of trail mix to snack on. Something to give you energy, with lots of protein + carbs.
8. Long Underwear At some point it's going to get cold, really fucking cold, and you're going to wonder if running around at night topless and in a g-string was really such a great idea after all. The nice thing about the newer high tech fabric "long johns" is that they compact into nothing so you won't even notice that you're carrying them until its 5:00 am and you're freezing your ass off. Buy em in different colors or dye them to match your cool costumes. Thank me later.
9. Ziploc Bags I always have one or two empty Ziploc bags with me, they are great for storing moop in, or keeping all your toiletries away from your other gear in case they accidentally open. They also help separate your gear inside your bag so you're not frantically dumping the entire contents on the playa every time you need lip balm (which should be on a string around your neck anyway).
10. Babywipes Let's face it Burning Man wouldn't exist with out 'em. Remember used babywipes go in your empty Ziploc bag for proper disposal later, NOT IN THE JOTS, you fuckwit!
11. Emergen-C + Vitamins + 5htp. You know the drill, take care of your body and it will take care of you.
12. Ensure I always take one or two with me as a pick-me-up. Steal some from your grandparents the next time you visit them.
13. A Lighter- Even if you don't smoke, everyone is always looking for one. (If you are a smoker, be sure to carry a small tin to use as an ashtray, leave no trace, remember? Altoids tins work great for this purpose).
14. Note book + Pen (tie the pen to the notebook). You're going to get invited to some cool party and completely forget the address 2 seconds later. You may also think of some other shit worth writing down, and you will loose that ripped off corner of Piss Clear that you shoved into your sock. Believe me.
15. Leatherman type tool or swiss army knife (You will constantly be given free wine & beer in exchange for opening bottles).
16. Map and or "Who-What-Where-When Guide".
17. Hand Sanitizer (travel size bottle)
18. Hand Lotion (travel size bottle)
19. Hat (if I'm wearing my "sun" hat, I pack my "cold" hat and vice versa)
20. Goggles + Dust Mask + Bandana (you never know when the next dust storm will hit).
21. Compact Basic First Aid Kit Prescription Meds, Pain relievers, eye drops, Band-Aids, medical tape, alcohol swabs, etc.
22. Safer Sex Kit- Condoms, lube, dental dam & a copy of your most recent STD test.
23. Personal Identification What happens if you loose your bag or worse, you end up unconscious somewhere?. Include some ID in your bag (not your driver's license or Passport!). A luggage tag works great for this purpose, include your on playa info, as well as your email address so that you maybe reconnected with your stuff later, or identified if you are unable to communicate.
24. Your Ticket! What if you meet some hottie pilot who wants to initiate you into the "Mile High Club" You'll need your ticket to get back into the event when returning from the airport. In a worse-case-scenario you'll also need it to get back into the event after exiting the playa for a medical or police situation. (the medical situation being a euphemism for your ass winding up in a Reno hospital, the police situation being a euphemism for you winding up in a Reno jail, try to avoid doing either one).
25. Duct tape. Because Duct Tape is like the force, it has both a positive and a negative energy and it's what binds the universe together.
26. Contact Info give-aways Email for connecting with friends off playa, camp name and location for connecting with people on playa.
27. Drinking Cup There are all kinds of bars and Chai Tea stands on the playa, some have cups, some don't, ALL appreciate it when you bring your own with you. A child's "sippy" cup keeps the dust and unwanted Roophies out of your drink.
28. Contacts/Spare Glasses I also keep an extra pair of contacts, and eye drops, if you wear glasses you might want to take your spare set with you in an bomb proof unbreakable case.
Things NOT to take with you:
1. Your entire stash! There is absolutely NO reason you should be walking around with your entire stash. In fact if you're going to "partake" do so before you leave camp, rather than taking anything with you. Remember kids, Only users loose drugs!
2. Your Car Keys! Lock your car and put the key someplace safe! For extra insurance, have a "hide-a-Key" somewhere on the car. Make an extra key and give one to your friend. The LLC stopped giving out free tickets to the locksmiths so now your ass in a serious bind should you loose your key. I've personally never even locked my vehicle at the event, but then again, I bring nothing of any real value so I'm not that worried, and I'd rather have someone go through my car looking for non-existent stuff than to have them break in thinking I'm hiding something of value. Oh, and for the LOVE OF GOD, please do not set your fucking car alarm, it will go off in the wind (repeatedly) possibly killing your battery, or worse, cause someone to kill your car with an extra piece of rebar. I'm not sayin', I'm just saying.
3. Your Money/ATM Card/Passport/Drivers License There is no reason to be carting around any of these things, again, they belong someplace safe with your keys. I heard John Law used to bury the gate money in an ammo box under his tent, there's an idea for you. (please note here that if you are stupid enough to get busted by the cops they will require legal id like your DL or Passport. Here's an idea! keep that id in a place completely separate from where you might be keeping stuff that you don't want LEO to see, hint... hint...)
Give Chai an M16, few clips of ammo, a helmet and he is ready for deployment. Too much junk in your trunk, IMO.
I carry maybe a third of the items listed. The rest are niceties that are more a reflection of Playa lifestyle than essential survival equipment.
The basics are:
Hydration and Electrolytes
UV Protection
Dust protection
Heat/Cold
Nutrition
Light
I trade the rest of the stuff for a dandy playa bike which can get me back to camp and the rest of my luxuries in 10 minutes or less.
I do like the thermal underwear. I'm adding that to my inventory.
I carry maybe a third of the items listed. The rest are niceties that are more a reflection of Playa lifestyle than essential survival equipment.
The basics are:
Hydration and Electrolytes
UV Protection
Dust protection
Heat/Cold
Nutrition
Light
I trade the rest of the stuff for a dandy playa bike which can get me back to camp and the rest of my luxuries in 10 minutes or less.
I do like the thermal underwear. I'm adding that to my inventory.
The drivers license is something you may well want to tote around. Not sure of the thread and too lazy to look it up* but someone was saying that Nevada state law requires you to carry ID. Not that they're going to find out unless they start hassling you, but if they DO and you're NOT, that's one more bit of trouble that you probably don't need. You can perform your own risk assessment about the advantages/disadvantages of carrying it.Chai Guy wrote:3. Your Money/ATM Card/Passport/Drivers License
*hey, least I'm being honest here
Yes, please!Give Chai an M16, few clips of ammo
Too much junk in your trunk, IMO.
Maybe, but it all fits in my camel bak (barely)
Well, it's more like if you get busted for something, they're going to want to id you with a passport or driver's license, which is why I suggested keeping it some place "clean". I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket or arrested for simply not carrying id with them on the playa.Not sure of the thread and too lazy to look it up* but someone was saying that Nevada state law requires you to carry ID
First and foremost, thanks to everyone, thats so helpful!
Big smiley group hug! o-----(",)-----o
I have a list mostly made... but it is open to suggestion and last minute changes, and will be until i'm there if I know me, but to see other peoples lists has been a great help.
Chai Guy, thanks for going to the effort, you really didn't have to, but it is appreciated...
Phil: Thanks also, lists aplenty for me to peruse...
AntiM: I love the lipbalm idea!
Token: I like the concept based necessity list, very helpful from an organisation point of view. Simple, straightforward, cover your bases and then do what you want kind of stuff.
Robbidobbs: 2.5 gallon water "suitcase"
Excellent, I knew someone would know.
2 Gallons per person per day is about 15 suitcases then, between two people.
I must google that, find out how many litres that is. Whatever it is, I'm not going to be able to carry it... but there will be a way...
Big smiley group hug! o-----(",)-----o
I have a list mostly made... but it is open to suggestion and last minute changes, and will be until i'm there if I know me, but to see other peoples lists has been a great help.
Chai Guy, thanks for going to the effort, you really didn't have to, but it is appreciated...
Phil: Thanks also, lists aplenty for me to peruse...
AntiM: I love the lipbalm idea!
Token: I like the concept based necessity list, very helpful from an organisation point of view. Simple, straightforward, cover your bases and then do what you want kind of stuff.
Robbidobbs: 2.5 gallon water "suitcase"
Excellent, I knew someone would know.
2 Gallons per person per day is about 15 suitcases then, between two people.
I must google that, find out how many litres that is. Whatever it is, I'm not going to be able to carry it... but there will be a way...
Those that do not hear the music think the dancers mad.
-
theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40312
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
I've not ever had a need to carry my real world ID on the playa. I would recommend against it, as it's something you're going to need when it's time to drive/fly/whatever home at the end of the event. In the event you are arrested or have some other need to show ID, go back to the safe place you've stashed it in your vehicle or tent and retrieve it.