Playa Conditions 2014

[engineer2012]

I was there at Crossroads that night, too...they sang their hearts out in the dust until they couldn't anymore. It was time to go hunker down in my tent and think about the week coming to an end.

All nights were beautifull, but that night was really special. Having heart the house and dubbsteb (love it at times) all week, my brother and I walked by Crossroads. The sound of past hits, really good voices and music artists. There, on that Friday night, in BRC, in the dust, I feld the magic of BM.

[melodiousdirge]

Friday night at BRC in 2012, I got on the sardine car with a lovely young lady who was camped near me. The wind and cold drove us to huddle together while Hank the driver cut across the playa... We are now living together and will be burning together (for the third time) this year. Dust and cold aren't always negative forces!

[engineer2012]

Friday night at BRC in 2012, I got on the sardine car with a lovely young lady who was camped near me. The wind and cold drove us to huddle together while Hank the driver cut across the playa... We are now living together and will be burning together (for the third time) this year. Dust and cold aren't always negative forces!

Wow, thats really magic. Big love for the both of you. Have a good burn this year!!!

[maladroit]

Friday night at BRC in 2012, I got on the sardine car with a lovely young lady who was camped near me. The wind and cold drove us to huddle together while Hank the driver cut across the playa... We are now living together and will be burning together (for the third time) this year. Dust and cold aren't always negative forces!

That Friday night was the first time I'd huddled with other men for warmth and protection, caught out in the cold dusty breeze. There was no romance, just beating off the hard conditions forced down our throats and penetrating into our bones.

[melodiousdirge]

That Friday night was the first time I'd huddled with other men for warmth and protection, caught out in the cold dusty breeze. There was no romance, just beating off the hard conditions forced down our throats and penetrating into our bones.

Sounds like y'all were elbow deep in some greased up survivalism.

[melodiousdirge]

Wow, thats really magic. Big love for the both of you. Have a good burn this year!!!

[Mojojita]

Sounds like romance to me….

[Jovankat]

There was no romance, just beating off

[RedHeaven]

Sounds like Burning Man needs at least a good 2008 style year to thin things out a little. Playa was mucky, I hardly rode my bike, walked a lot, everything was far. Got lost on the way back from the temple by myself in a dust storm. My only L wire shorted out in the wind, Jub Jub's green trailer shaped camp beacon is what honed me back to the esplanade. Fun times! Then the next year the population chilled out. However it was the recession and festys and events were just on the brink of mainstream explosion. Still, a messy year would be good for the city I agree. It has been so mellow. That Friday in 2012 was a fun storm and newbz were kind of freaking out

[VultureChow]

That Friday in 2012 was a fun storm and newbz were kind of freaking out

Well some were. Some of us were working out on the open playa in a futile attempt to hold a perimeter that would go to waste that night.

Best afternoon ever.

[MrBeardy]

That Friday in 2012 was a fun storm and newbz were kind of freaking out

Well some were. Some of us were working out on the open playa in a futile attempt to hold a perimeter that would go to waste that night.

Best afternoon ever.

Was that Friday night 2012 storm really of any significance from prior years? Only been burning for a few years, but that seemed like a cakewalk compared to what I would imagine the playa is capable of.

[VultureChow]

That Friday in 2012 was a fun storm and newbz were kind of freaking out

Well some were. Some of us were working out on the open playa in a futile attempt to hold a perimeter that would go to waste that night.

Best afternoon ever.

Was that Friday night 2012 storm really of any significance from prior years? Only been burning for a few years, but that seemed like a cakewalk compared to what I would imagine the playa is capable of.

Pretty mild from what everyone else has said. Pure white out for a few hours, but no damaging winds.

But as a virgin, alone, in a position of tenuous authority? It was a bit intimidating.

[melodiousdirge]

Was that Friday night 2012 storm really of any significance from prior years? Only been burning for a few years, but that seemed like a cakewalk compared to what I would imagine the playa is capable of.

I kind of feel this way too. Everyone tells me the 3 years I've been have been cakewalk... I hear all the stories of big structures being torn apart and stuff. I generally still expect worse than what I've ever seen, as fortune favors the prepared, but how much of it is hype? I dunno.

[VultureChow]

Was that Friday night 2012 storm really of any significance from prior years? Only been burning for a few years, but that seemed like a cakewalk compared to what I would imagine the playa is capable of.

I kind of feel this way too. Everyone tells me the 3 years I've been have been cakewalk... I hear all the stories of big structures being torn apart and stuff. I generally still expect worse than what I've ever seen, as fortune favors the prepared, but how much of it is hype? I dunno.

As the city has grown in size, I've been wondering if the city itself is affecting the local winds and weather. Do the larger number and size of structures break up the winds in such a way that the force of the wind is less than on an unbuilt playa?

[melodiousdirge]

Was that Friday night 2012 storm really of any significance from prior years? Only been burning for a few years, but that seemed like a cakewalk compared to what I would imagine the playa is capable of.

I kind of feel this way too. Everyone tells me the 3 years I've been have been cakewalk... I hear all the stories of big structures being torn apart and stuff. I generally still expect worse than what I've ever seen, as fortune favors the prepared, but how much of it is hype? I dunno.

As the city has grown in size, I've been wondering if the city itself is affecting the local winds and weather. Do the larger number and size of structures break up the winds in such a way that the force of the wind is less than on an unbuilt playa?

Interesting idear. I'm almost interested enough to break out my aerodynamics and boundary layer textbook to find out....

One thing I strongly suspect about last year is that the nearby wildfires dampened the temperature swings quite a bit, blocking the sun during the day, and holding the heat in at night. This would have led to reduced thermal drafts as well.

[MrBeardy]

Was that Friday night 2012 storm really of any significance from prior years? Only been burning for a few years, but that seemed like a cakewalk compared to what I would imagine the playa is capable of.

I kind of feel this way too. Everyone tells me the 3 years I've been have been cakewalk... I hear all the stories of big structures being torn apart and stuff. I generally still expect worse than what I've ever seen, as fortune favors the prepared, but how much of it is hype? I dunno.

I don't want to believe the hype either, but I'm certainly preparing for it. The last thing I want is to be cruising out on the open playa and seeing a storm approach and having to consider going back to camp to hunker down and miss all the fun. I can imagine what the Playa Gods are capable of and I don't wanna piss them off...

[melodiousdirge]

I don't want to believe the hype either, but I'm certainly preparing for it. The last thing I want is to be cruising out on the open playa and seeing a storm approach and having to consider going back to camp to hunker down and miss all the fun. I can imagine what the Playa Gods are capable of and I don't wanna piss them off...

Well I haven't heard any instances (and this doesn't mean it's not an issue, bear in mind) of storms strong enough to hurt you while you're out - maybe flying debris would be a danger. Being LOST in the open playa has been an issue for me in dust storms, and close calls art cars, but I think the primary problem tends to be people's structures breaking or being uprooted, or in the case of rain, everyone being stuck. During 2012's lightning storm and rain I was out at the trash fence and it was kind of awesome. Storms and hardships are all part of the adventure.

[MrBeardy]

I don't want to believe the hype either, but I'm certainly preparing for it. The last thing I want is to be cruising out on the open playa and seeing a storm approach and having to consider going back to camp to hunker down and miss all the fun. I can imagine what the Playa Gods are capable of and I don't wanna piss them off...

Well I haven't heard any instances (and this doesn't mean it's not an issue, bear in mind) of storms strong enough to hurt you while you're out - maybe flying debris would be a danger. Being LOST in the open playa has been an issue for me in dust storms, and close calls art cars, but I think the primary problem tends to be people's structures breaking or being uprooted, or in the case of rain, everyone being stuck. During 2012's lightning storm and rain I was out at the trash fence and it was kind of awesome. Storms and hardships are all part of the adventure.

Agreed, I was referring to having to go back to camp. That light rainstorm and the huge moon sneaking in through the thunderclouds is one of my single most favorite Bruning Man memories as well. being out in deep playa as well it almost felt like indian spirits were drumming and coming alive that night, still gets me excited just thinking about that night!

[melodiousdirge]

That light rainstorm and the huge moon sneaking in through the thunderclouds is one of my single most favorite Bruning Man memories as well. being out in deep playa as well it almost felt like indian spirits were drumming and coming alive that night, still gets me excited just thinking about that night!

The moon and the lightning factors prominently in my memories from 2012:



Unfortunately I don't have any finished photos handy, but you get the idear

[Eric]

I kind of feel this way too. Everyone tells me the 3 years I've been have been cakewalk... I hear all the stories of big structures being torn apart and stuff. I generally still expect worse than what I've ever seen, as fortune favors the prepared, but how much of it is hype? I dunno.

The last 3 years have been a relative cakewalk. 2011 was the nicest year I've ever seen on the playa, 2012 had lots of billowing dust on the 2-6 side but other than the Friday whiteout it wasn't horrible. The winds could have picked up loose tents but I didn't hear of any blowing away.

Someone on here has pictures from when the winds rolled an unsecure dome into a vehicle, crushing the windshield, I've already told stories of microbursts in 2006 shredding our new, properly ventilated parachute on the dome & collapsing part of recycle camps dome (see image below - this was a huge, well-made dome from people who Know What They're Doing).

RecycleDome2006.PNG

(our shredded dome cover is on the bottom if this image, just to the left of center)

You can also read about Condition Alpha. It's not hype, we've just had good years lately.

[pink]

In 2012 we got hit by a microburst that lifted up our extremely well secured shade structure, bending quite a few of our 1.5 inch galvanized pipe sections.

And yeah, these last few years have been a cakewalk. All I can say is... 2008. And no, that wasn't a condition Alpha.

[mosquito]

IT'S FULL OF STARS!!!

Weather on the Playa!

[Eric]

IT'S FULL OF STARS!!!

It's like the house in that Jumanji copy-cat movie when it's floating in space. I hope those people don't step out their doors without looking down...

[Slug]

There's nothing more enjoyable for me than a [brief] white-out while out in deep playa. It's oddly peaceful. Plus it makes you think about the incredible place you're having an incredible time in.

(I really should be working but I gots the burn on mah brain!)

[remi]

I remember reading somewhere that you're not suppose to move in a white out. When it hit, I found a structure, and the 4 of us just huddled on the ground next to it. Then someone came up and blasted us for just squatting and doing drugs in the open on the playa. Not sure what made them think we were dabbling.. we weren't.. but they were so "looking for confrontation," he didn't believe me when I just simply stated we're sitting out this dust storm. It was irritating when he ignored my simple statement that we weren't doing drugs.. but then I remembered I don't really give a flying fuck what anyone thinks.

[lucky420]

I remember reading somewhere that you're not suppose to move in a white out. When it hit, I found a structure, and the 4 of us just huddled on the ground next to it. Then someone came up and blasted us for just squatting and doing drugs in the open on the playa. Not sure what made them think we were dabbling.. we weren't.. but they were so "looking for confrontation," he didn't believe me when I just simply stated we're sitting out this dust storm. It was irritating when he ignored my simple statement that we weren't doing drugs.. but then I remembered I don't really give a flying fuck what anyone thinks.

I would sooooo love for someone to do this to me (LEO being the exception) because I can be suuuuuuuuch a fucking bitch when needed. I'd make the bitch cry and think twice about sticking his nose in where he had no business.

peace and love

[lucky420]

well maybe its already to obvious to some here ^^^

[trilobyte]

While what you were doing seemed obvious to you, to the guys with the heat vision goggles off in the distance a pair or small group of people walking or riding along the open playa who then stop, squat and huddle are most likely doing drugs. It happens often enough that officers are trained to be on the lookout for that behavior. I'm sorry to hear about their 'looking for confrontation' behavior, most LEO-types I've interacted with out there have been pretty cool but I have no doubts there've been lots of aggressive people on those patrols. Hopefully it was nothing more than attitude, and you were able to continue to enjoy the dust storm in peace.

FYI, I got a quick (and short) update from a friend on site. "It's gonna be dusty"

[tatonka]

well maybe its already to obvious to some here ^^^

to me you are like a gentle deer of the forest

[media]

[lucky420]

you nailed it ^^^