Playa Climate Prediction Center

[The Hustler]

cue people saying "BUT I GREW UP AROUND HOT ENVIRONMENTS...NO BIG DEAL"

Now that's not entirely fair. Some of us do live in HOT climates. 100 degrees in the desert is balmy if you live somewhere that reaches 110 and is humid. In fact I wish I was there now. Its 85% and feels like a sauna outside. Its February.

But, unless you live in the suburbs of hell like us, the desert is a formidable foe. I will say that water has never tasted as delicious as it does out there. Maybe its the alkali... Or maybe I was just thirsty as fuck.

I lived in San Antonio last year and Black Rock City was a welcome relief, but that was during the unusually nice and calm weather.

And San Antonio is bone dry compared to Houston or the east coast.

[The Hustler]

I'm actually looking forward to some brutal weather.

It was awesome last year, but I want to see it completely fucked up and people completely unprepared expecting it to be like last year.

I'm always ready for rain or cold. I'm the guy with the packable rain jacket in the summer in a drought. I had back up goggles, a fleece sweater and a rain jacket. I came back with food I hadn't eaten.

I tested my tent and shelter in a howling coastal storm and it was fine. When I set up my camp I made sure my guy lines were correct and taught, I staked down the big tarp I used as a floor and my shade was overly secure. I actually had trouble removing the rebar and stakes when it was time to break camp. As a precaution, I plan to make it stronger this year with better "walls" on the shade.

[theCryptofishist]

I I came back with food I hadn't eaten.

Psst, I hate to break it to ya, most people do...

[The Hustler]

I I came back with food I hadn't eaten.

Psst, I hate to break it to ya, most people do...

I never thought of that.

I was oddly hungry on the play, except when I wasn't.

It was a strange experience.

[theCryptofishist]

Well, if it were an ordinary experience it might not be worth the trouble some of us go through to go there.

[robbidobbs]

according to the almanac it's going to be a hot and dry summer, so assume HORROR. I'm talking wrath of GAWD weirdness. I walked out of the short bus in 2001 onto soft powder. I was truly frightened. It was an ugly year, but I'm expecting it to be much worse this year. Consider: the hotter it is, the greater the dirt-storms. It's methodologically simple. Your best course of action is to get a clue from those before you: prepare for 100 mph dirt storms that last 72 hours. And PLEASE do not leave your camp unless it can handle same. When you go out, take a dirt-mask, goggles and water. This is not a drill.
The flip side of this is that the stronger the dirt-storm during the day, the colder it will be at night. I survived 1999. That beating wind stripped all heat off the playa for 48 hours, and cripes it was unbelievably cold at night.

Assume:
Hard, relentless wind
Rain that will make walking impossible - possibly even to the porta-potties
Heat that can kill you
Short shower of shit, frogs, shrapnel, dirt and more dirt
Sound that can damage ears
Insanity that can make you a burden on those around you

I'M NOT FUCKING AROUND

Do not be a casualty, please.

[AntiM]

I'm already sorting costumes and art as to what stays behind and what goes to the playa. What flew last year won't fly this year.

[Simon of the Playa]

we've already made arrangements with the boys at HAARP.



RobbiDobbs is NOT being hysterical and is NOT exaggerating.




i too can bear witness to near 65 degree temperature swings within 12 hours and Rain and Dust Hurricanes.


this year will indeed separate those who lap like dogs from all of the rest.


so it is written, so let it be done.

[BBadger]

This is going to be a great year.

[Boijoy]

awesome.

[FIGJAM]

Will it look like this?

[youtube][/youtube]

Cause we get this every year!

[westnileraven]

Trying to decide if I want to sew a strip of rhinestones, nylon fringe, or spikes on my black lace enhanced dust mask. The microfiber/space invaders patterned dust mask I'm not sure at all about.
Onion goggles are the best, except they don't come in UV.
Also on my list are deep stakes from the blacksmithing dept, and more mylar between my tent and tent's shade. Trying to turn a springbar bedroom into a hexayurt I guess. Ready for dust, ready for heat. Prepared for cold, but eventually it drives me to my sleeping bag with a chemical heat pack.
Hated the rain. I knew it was mere hours to nightfall and I huddled in my virgin springbar in 2010 praying for the wind gusts to quit and rain already, then praying for the rain to be less torrential. I fell asleep as everyone was screaming DOUBLE RAINBOW and no, I hadn't seen the youtube so I just thought it was going viral right then and there.

[westnileraven]

I was afraid my car and tent would sink into the playa if it rained enough

[FIGJAM]

Like this?




[youtube][/youtube]


Happens here evey year!

[teardropper]

I know, playa hardness predictions. But if you're thinking skinny tires might work, I don't think so. Was on playa over Memorial Day and it was soft. Very soft. No rain on the playa all year. Doubtful it gets flooded between now and BM. My guess? Soft surface.

[junglesmacks]

Be afraid. Be very, VERY afraid.

[wh..sh]

Reno has been insanely windy this year. Today was a 25mph wind day (which is mild compared to other days).

[moltensteelman]

The Walking Beast loves soft playa, it can move faster on softer ground. I'm looking forward to this year regardless of what the weather is, but I would feel dissapointed if there isn't at least one good dust storm. I'd settle for a good thunder storm as well.

[teardropper]

Yeah, the Saturday was probably 30-40 mph all day. Goggles and bandanas over Mem Day rare but we used 'em. First time bad reaction to playa. Sunday night sneezing a lot, razorblade throat Monday morning with coughing for a couple days. I've never had any kind of reaction to the dust. Probably step up the sophistication of breathing filter system for BM.

Last year the weather was quite civil. I, too, would like to see a good whiteout. Tip: carry a compass. It'll keep you from going in circles - maybe hit a nice bar.

[junglesmacks]

There are many, many things that may need re-thinking for 20-twelve.

[motskyroonmatick]

I think it is going to be the dustiest year ever. Sooooooo much so that I predict that the two days with the highest population numbers will be Tuesday and Friday due to all the people leaving because of the never ending dust!!!!!! Core and Man Burn will be delayed due to high winds. $10,000 in damages will occur to costco carport type structures playa wide and at least a dozen if not 50 dome tents will be spotted cartwheeling their way to deep playa for a nice little bounce over the trash fence.

[eLPea]

Last year we didn't even stake our yurts down. Every day was so nice we just kept exchanging shrugs and putting it off another day, until it was finally time to take them down.

I don't think that is a bet I will be repeating this year...

[Elliot]

There are many, many things that may need re-thinking for 20-twelve.

[BBadger]

Last year we didn't even stake our yurts down. Every day was so nice we just kept exchanging shrugs and putting it off another day, until it was finally time to take them down.

I don't think that is a bet I will be repeating this year...

It was just ridiculous last year. I literally had this one-man kite tent simply propped up against the pole of a Costco carport last year, no stakes. The carport only had a canopy on top so the wind break effects were minimal. I had thought I would stake it down later, but never needed to.

one_person_tents.jpg

[teardropper]

"The number of years you've attended Burning Man is not an accomplishment."

Yes... it is.

[Sham]

My first year, I got there after dark, in a howling wind storm. I had only previously set up my tent in the driveway, so this playa thing was crazy. I had lots of people helping me and things went pretty smoothly.

2008 was the worst for soft playa surfaces. My artcar was built on a VW base and it had wide tires on it. I had never used this car a dune buggy before, but it was amazing in the soft playa sand. 2008 was also the year that the area and streets were expanded to make more room. Out in the deep playa, there were very few bikes or people, as it was too hard to get there without a vehicle.

[theCryptofishist]

2008 and 2009 were miserable for me. I barely left terminal city. Dust piles and ruts...

[theCryptofishist]

"The number of years you've attended Burning Man is not an accomplishment."

Yes... it is.

I understand where both parties are coming from, I think. Yes, getting ready for the playa and getting out there takes a lot of work and commitment. No, it doesn't make you a more worthy or deserving person...

[Canoe]

... No rain on the playa all year...

Oh oh.

[Canoe]

There are many, many things that may need re-thinking for 20-twelve.

jeep tires, pedaled.jpg