I can see my theme camp being built

[hammockhelper]

On maps.google.com search for gerlach,nv and pan a little east. It's a recent picture. I can see center camp being erected and my buddy Paul who is off at 2 o'clock and ego setting up for the hammock hangout. I wonder how often this picture is being updated?

[headquarters]

i think thats still the picture from 2003. They don't update it that often i dont' think.

[sputnik]

Even though they have plastered a copyright 2005 all over these images, these look a lot like those that were shown around when google came out with this service. Most people have concluded that these photos are from the 03 event based on the shape of the base for the man.

The following image from the 21st of this month was posted on another site. Please feel free to compare:

[theCryptofishist]

What's that green on the playa, sput? Optical illusion? Photosynthesis? a desparate attempt to put the squelch on orange camp? Inquiring fishes need to know.

[Shagy]

In 2005, we only get 9 streets, the google site shows 10 streets. The photo above shows 9 and it is likely a 2005 image.

Does the fact that there are only 9 streets indicate that this years expected population would be smaller? I see a lot of people trying to unload tickets on Craigslist and through this forum. Are we shrinking?

[theCryptofishist]

Almost certainly not. There seems to be a typical last minute flurry as some people's plans fall through and others decide "what the hey?" The population upped itself 5,000 or so last year. Unless we're really badly hit by gas prices (which IMHO will happen sooner or later) expect close to 40,000. This is a guess and not a particularly educated one.

[regionalchaos]

Google satellite images are supposed to be updated about every 6-18 months.

[Gravity Mike]

I agree with the 40,000 estimate.

I don't know how often the google maps are 'supposed' to be updated, but I can tell you the following:

- That google satellite image was exactly the same 3 weeks ago when I first discovered it. This was before the roads were mapped, so it is definately not this year!

- When I go find my house, the tree I cut down 2 years ago is still in the back yard, and the school down the street that was knocked down/rebuilt 3 years ago has the old school in the photo.

- These mapping satellites follow an orbit that will *eventually* fly over the entire surface of the earth *during the day* every 3-6 months. That is the quickest possible update time (for a non-CIA controlled satellite network) presently.

Gravity

[Gravity Mike]

BTW, it'll suck if the next updated picture was taken when there was no sign of BRC!!! Think about it. 90% of the time you'd see nothing.

Gravity

[Q_]

Try like closer to 60-70% of the time you will see nothing.... Pre event setup and post event cleanup takes awhile. Plus the CEO of Google is a burner....

[sputnik]

What's that green on the playa, sput? Optical illusion? Photosynthesis? a desparate attempt to put the squelch on orange camp? Inquiring fishes need to know.

I don't know, this is Zona's pic (or maybe Zane, I get the Z names mixed up sometimes). I suspect it's a aberration of some sort in the lighting and such.

[chrispburn]

nine streets, but bigger blocks
so the space is no less, maybe more

[TheJudge]

FWIW, I believe the high-res shots of BRC on Google Maps were taken from an airplane, not satellite.

[BigBeare]

[BigBeare]

BTW, it'll suck if the next updated picture was taken when there was no sign of BRC!!! Think about it. 90% of the time you'd see nothing.

Gravity

Uh, but isn't that the point of "Leave No Trace"?