2017 Playa Conditions
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
2017 Playa Conditions
So far so wet.
I've been up a couple of times this winter.
It was too windy to comfortably fly over the water, but I did manage to shoot this:
I've been up a couple of times this winter.
It was too windy to comfortably fly over the water, but I did manage to shoot this:
- TT120
- Posts: 1777
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:43 pm
- Burning Since: 2012
- Camp Name: Orphans TOO!
- Location: Sacramento, CA.
- Contact:
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
I think the wetter it is right now, the better the surface will be when we get there.
Life's a bitch, then you go to Burning Man - Unjonharley
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
We welcome the stranger, but that doesn't mean we have to like them, nor they us, and that's alright. - AntiM
W6BJD
- ygmir
- Posts: 29610
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:36 pm
- Burning Since: 2017
- Camp Name: qqqq
- Location: nevada county
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
that's generally true, though many things affect the surface, not the least of which how much driving is done on the site over the summer.TT120 wrote:I think the wetter it is right now, the better the surface will be when we get there.
YGMIR
Unabashed Nordic
Pagan
Unabashed Nordic
Pagan
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Check it out Gerlach's Facebook page has Photos Of The Playa from yesterday. It is a lake now. (The photos are set as public so even non-facebook users can see them.)
Looks like Burning Man and Camp Tipsy might be a collaborative effort this year.
Looks like Burning Man and Camp Tipsy might be a collaborative effort this year.
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Over the last several months I've been working on getting a weather station installed in Gerlach.
It's now up and running!
GerlachWeather.com
We're also a reporting station for both the National Weather Service and Weather Underground.
While my idea, the station was funded by Friends of Blackrock, an organization I've been involved with for the last umpteen years.
Click on the FBR Mountain Lion logo on the left side of the page and take advantage of our many web resources.... and maybe even consider joining us!
It's now up and running!
GerlachWeather.com
We're also a reporting station for both the National Weather Service and Weather Underground.
While my idea, the station was funded by Friends of Blackrock, an organization I've been involved with for the last umpteen years.
Click on the FBR Mountain Lion logo on the left side of the page and take advantage of our many web resources.... and maybe even consider joining us!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- The Rod
- Posts: 905
- Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:03 pm
- Burning Since: 2010
- Camp Name: THREAT
- Location: USA
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Good work Joe!
While knowing the weather is nice and all, can we just skip all the prognostications and go right to 'we're all fucked, it's going to be really really dusty"?
Oh yeah and the dunes. We can't forget about how there will be more of them than ever before and they'll be at least 6 feet tall.
While knowing the weather is nice and all, can we just skip all the prognostications and go right to 'we're all fucked, it's going to be really really dusty"?
Oh yeah and the dunes. We can't forget about how there will be more of them than ever before and they'll be at least 6 feet tall.
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
I heard 10 feet.A-RockLeFrench wrote:
Oh yeah and the dunes. We can't forget about how there will be more of them than ever before and they'll be at least 6 feet tall.
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
That's awesome! Congratulations on making something so cool happen!Just_Joe wrote:Over the last several months I've been working on getting a weather station installed in Gerlach.
It's now up and running!
GerlachWeather.com
We're also a reporting station for both the National Weather Service and Weather Underground.
While my idea, the station was funded by Friends of Blackrock, an organization I've been involved with for the last umpteen years.
Click on the FBR Mountain Lion logo on the left side of the page and take advantage of our many web resources.... and maybe even consider joining us!
gerlachweather.jpg
- burner von braun
- Posts: 1591
- Joined: Wed Jun 23, 2010 4:37 pm
- Burning Since: 2010
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Thanks Just_Joe, and as always, good job with the dronework. What entrance is that shown toward the end of the video?
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
12 Mile
AKA
Nude Beach
AKA
Nude Beach
- EGAZ
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2016 8:44 pm
- Burning Since: 2016
- Camp Name: Camp2 -Doin' What We Do!!
- Location: Arizona
- Contact:
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Great Job Joe!
Bookmarked for future reference.....
Bookmarked for future reference.....
2nd time better than the first. And the first was pretty Freakin' Great!
I am Camp2. - A solo camp - Stop by and say Hey!,
Gotta beer?
If you are another Solo Burner & very 'Radically Self Reliant' - Maybe we can 'Do What We Do!'
I am Camp2. - A solo camp - Stop by and say Hey!,

If you are another Solo Burner & very 'Radically Self Reliant' - Maybe we can 'Do What We Do!'

- FlyingMonkey
- Posts: 1251
- Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:33 am
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Fantastic video Joe!!
I know the Playa becomes a lake in the winter but is this more than average? Is this in any way exceptional based on past winters?
Should my bike have floatation this year?
Will they get the subway pumped out before the Burn?
It makes a beautiful lake.
I know the Playa becomes a lake in the winter but is this more than average? Is this in any way exceptional based on past winters?
Should my bike have floatation this year?
Will they get the subway pumped out before the Burn?
It makes a beautiful lake.
In your wildest dreams you can not imagine the marvelous SURPRISES that await YOU.
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Thanks guys.
In my short history (eight burns), there has never been this much water on the playa. Not even close.
My understanding is that in the olden days, the Quinn River, which drains to the northern end near Black Rock Point, would inundate the playa every year. Recent agricultural needs have diverted the water from the Quinn and now the main source of water to the playa is snow melt from adjacent mountains.
In my short history (eight burns), there has never been this much water on the playa. Not even close.
My understanding is that in the olden days, the Quinn River, which drains to the northern end near Black Rock Point, would inundate the playa every year. Recent agricultural needs have diverted the water from the Quinn and now the main source of water to the playa is snow melt from adjacent mountains.
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Is everyone sick of my images yet? If not, here's a quick 30 seconds from last weekend.
For anyone interested, in 2010 Desert Research Institute (DRI) did a pretty interesting paper on playa conditions:
Black Rock Playa, Northwestern Nevada: Physical Processes and Aquatic Life
For anyone interested, in 2010 Desert Research Institute (DRI) did a pretty interesting paper on playa conditions:
Black Rock Playa, Northwestern Nevada: Physical Processes and Aquatic Life
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Just Joe, thank you that's lovely. Could you do me a personal favor? Next weekend go back and this time wade out into the middle. Shoot some footage of you in the water. Just for scale you know. I would like to know how deep it is. Bring along some RC boats too. That would be fun to watch. Thanks. I'll be waiting.
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
- Sham
- Moderator
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:10 am
- Location: The hidden mythical place.....
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Just_Joe, I find this amazing. Keep posting. How deep do you think the water is now?
- Traveller in Time
- Posts: 1079
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:52 am
- Burning Since: 2020
- Camp Name: Neon Light Alley (should be: Camp Envy)
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Any ice?
Could be a candidate for walking rocks ?
Could be a candidate for walking rocks ?
Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
- FlyingMonkey
- Posts: 1251
- Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:33 am
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
I hate to say it but I like the Playa better as a lake. Well, for a few months anyway & not in August, that's just crazy talk.
In your wildest dreams you can not imagine the marvelous SURPRISES that await YOU.
-
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:55 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Camp Name: Anonymous Village
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Yes, there is the, "How will the wet winter affect the playa in the summer?" sort of question. A better question might be, "What weather trend are we seeing, and how tall do my Wellies need to be and how do I raise my Monkey Hut high enough?" Perhaps the Man won't burn. Perhaps he'll steam.
...extremely gruntled...very ept and full of ruth.
- Jenifersteppat
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:06 pm
- Burning Since: 2012
- Location: Bend, Oregon
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Worrisome, but I think it will make for awesome cement like conditions (fingers crossed).
No matter where you go, there you are.
- Traveller in Time
- Posts: 1079
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:52 am
- Burning Since: 2020
- Camp Name: Neon Light Alley (should be: Camp Envy)
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
That is where the left behind rebar comes in; strengthening the roof for the underground tubeways . . .
Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
- Hope-a-Lope
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:47 pm
- Burning Since: 2013
- Camp Name: Decadent Oasis
- Location: Brooklyn
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Gorgeous videos, Just_Joe, especially the sunset one.
Goddammit I missed the playa. So glad to be going back this year.
Goddammit I missed the playa. So glad to be going back this year.
- stephen2u
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:20 am
- Burning Since: 2012
- Camp Name: No
- Location: In my computers C.P.U.
Burning man 2017
Dose anyone know what the playa is like now, is it still flooded
[Mod note: I've merged this question with the existing thread - Eric]
[Mod note: I've merged this question with the existing thread - Eric]
If burning man really what’s to fix itself just put a name on the ticket of the buyer, and checked at the gate, so no scalping on tickets, if you can’t make it return to ticketfly for full refund, then the ticket is resold at face value.
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: Burning man 2017
I heard last week that it's receded quite a bit with blowing dust is visible at times. Our weather station recorded .21" of rain over the weekend, so that may have changed.stephen2u wrote: is it still flooded
We're headed there for Easter. If anyone local want to join us, c'mon up!
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
We had a nice little party.Just_Joe wrote: We're headed there for Easter. If anyone local want to join us, c'mon up!
A couple of people have told me the playa is "breathing" and I'll believe it. Water IN/water OUT.
It's a giant evap pond and now that much of the water from surrounding mountains has (hopefully) been poured in, it should start drying up.
I've noticed a big difference (lower) from when we were there last week compared to some pics a friend posted yesterday.
Here's my obligatory artsy video from the weekend. Go full screen!
- Jenifersteppat
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:06 pm
- Burning Since: 2012
- Location: Bend, Oregon
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
Beautiful video!
What's the latest? Anybody been?
What's the latest? Anybody been?
- Just_Joe
- Posts: 1005
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: Fly Ranch Project
- Location: Nevada
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
There are some photos floating around on FB from an overflight on Sat (5/13).1durphul wrote: What's the latest? Anybody been?
They show a pretty significant drop in water level.
We plan on camping at playa edge the next two weekends. I'll do a comparison.
For discussion sake, the Black Rock Rendezvous couldn't be held on the playa two years ago because of inundation, so this isn't the first time it's been wet going into June.
- ygmir
- Posts: 29610
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:36 pm
- Burning Since: 2017
- Camp Name: qqqq
- Location: nevada county
Re: 2017 Playa Conditions
I wonder though, if the difference might be soil saturation? IIRC, two years ago was from late rains, but I think some of what's there is because there is no room to soak more in? When the snow is off the hills, that water is still percolating downwards to the lowest point, so might provide upward pressure?Just_Joe wrote:There are some photos floating around on FB from an overflight on Sat (5/13).1durphul wrote: What's the latest? Anybody been?
They show a pretty significant drop in water level.
We plan on camping at playa edge the next two weekends. I'll do a comparison.
For discussion sake, the Black Rock Rendezvous couldn't be held on the playa two years ago because of inundation, so this isn't the first time it's been wet going into June.
YGMIR
Unabashed Nordic
Pagan
Unabashed Nordic
Pagan