how cold is it at night?

daizy · Post by **daizy** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:46 pm

so how cold is it really?
what kind of coat should i bring?

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:02 pm

Somewhere between 0 and 70 most likely.

MFOB · Post by **MFOB** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:04 pm

I wouldn't say it gets down to 0. Maybe 15 - 70 is a good range.

digital · Post by **digital** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:07 pm

There have been nights so cold I can't think straight.
There have been some where I don't need a blanket.
Plan for both and you'll be fine.

jeanerz66 · Post by **jeanerz66** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:15 pm

Layers are your friend!

MFOB · Post by **MFOB** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:25 pm

http://www.blackrockdesert.org/wiki/ind ... te_summary

Post by **trilobyte** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:40 pm

Freaky deeky cold!

It's a high altitude desert, so the temp drop from the daytime high is huge, but the temps can vary widely. In my first year, there was a dust storm that lasted for days and it meant during the day never got hot and night-time was somewhere in the 40's. I have no doubts it's been colder, but man... I was wearing all my playawear at night and still felt cold. A couple years ago, there was hardly any serious wind. The days got pretty hot, and while the temps dropped 40+ degrees it was still someplace in the upper 50's, if not the low 60's. I never took my warmest coat out of the storage bin.

Layers. And be prepared for extremes.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:20 pm

I 'member one night after a rain shower (not the big one last year), it felt like 38F in the breeze...that's cold! Layering is your friend. You don't need an expedition-type down mountaineering outfit, but suitably layered threads will do you nicely.

Chowski · Post by **Chowski** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:22 pm

Bring tight-fitting thermal underwear, tops and bottoms. They take up almost no room when packing, but will save you on a night when it gets cold. Very easy to layer them UNDER your nighttime look without sacrificing your style. Also, bring one serious winter coat - fur or wool or whatever. Even pleasant nights can get chilly as the dawn approaches. Again, you may never use it, but better safe than sorry.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:32 pm

Unpredictable. Many people bring a long furry coat, or short coat and leggings, wear to the knee furry things and a backpack to put it in if they are out at night in a warm space. I do not recommend stashing your night gear under the stage, off to the side or in a bike basket. They can and do go missing. Keep it on you body when out and about or dancing. Bring plenty of insulation for night sleeping. Hats and gloves plus warm socks are easy to pack and carry.

My experience 50F. +-10, or more on the high side.

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:45 pm

Lack of humidity and frequent breeze is the enemy when cold.

Daytime humidity drops to single digits.

Night time humidity rebounds into the 20s-30s.

Back in 2005 or thereabouts daytime highs were in the 80s and it was too cold if you didn't have a sweater.

Also, when daytime temps are 100+ and they drop to 50 at night, your body can't react to the large change so that 50 feels like 30 after a 100 degree day.

Ears, hands, feet. Keep those warm and the torso will follow.

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:57 pm

Straight-up answer: My entire camp brings electric blankets. We sleep on TOP of them for max warmth and least power draw. The controller on mine goes from 1 to 5. Most nights are a 2. And then there are nights when the wind blows and it could freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Crank that sucker up to 5 and put your feety-jams on and maybe an extra sleeping bag.

And still other nights, it's simply beautiful. Perfect temperature. You lie there on your cot wondering why everyone says BM is such a "hostile environment" (and then of course it rains/snows/hails and you spend the next 48 hours sliding in the mud and wondering when they're gonna service the portos.... heheheh).

The best advice in this thread is: 1). Bring layers. 2). Bring electric blankets!

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:31 pm

Grey'ote sometimes puts on a pair of old school roller skates, strapps an ACME rocket to his back, jumps in the giant slingshot, pulls down the googles and ...

The electric blanket is truly epic, legendary, monumental ...

... Provided you brought a power grid with you, generator and such.

burner von braun · Post by **burner von braun** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:54 pm

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:59 pm

mooserider · Post by **mooserider** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:43 pm

Token wrote:The electric blanket is truly epic, legendary, monumental ...

... Provided you brought a power grid with you, generator and such.

Actually, I found a 12V electric blanket at an RV dealer in the accessories section. Plugs into a cigarette lighter socket. No need for loud generators if you have enough batteries.

Post by **Sham** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:01 pm

Bring some battery jumper cables. You'll need them.

The Rod · Post by **The Rod** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:38 pm

Fucking hilarious. Well done you guys.

caffeineslinger · Post by **caffeineslinger** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:23 pm

Build someone a fire and they'll stay warm for the night.
Set someone on fire and they'll stay warm the rest of their life.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:26 pm

Hi Daizy, welcome to ePlaya! There is a lot of experience here to fill in your research on the Burningman.org website for preparation. Searching ePlaya has tons of info too.

We are bored and make jokes all the time. Suggesting an electric blanket is a joke. Though a few may have, the generators to run them are beyond the resources of most burners.

Our bodies produce plenty of heat sleeping or wandering the playa at night. It is not hard to keep the heat in at 50 or even 40F. Especially dancing. There are also fire barrels along the Esplanade to warm and chat with other late nighters. Many night events are enclosed, warmer and out of the wind. And if you are out and having a serious thermal breakdown, just ask someone for help.

Canoe · Post by **Canoe** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:54 pm

It has snowed at night (melts fast - Canadians had to be fast to get a snow dance in before it was gone).
One of my years, the first two or three nights were barely above freezing (two sleeping bags, track suit, and made a blanket out of reflectix - still felt uncomfortably cold). The rest were chilly to comfortably warm. You never know.

As you get close to the date, the weekly forecast gives a pretty good idea of the RANGE to expect. As in, will it trend to a cool, warm or hot year. This can drastically swing either way in the forecast a day or two before (those with a long drive to get there have been surprised by the change in playa conditions by the time they get there), so for the two weeks before, keep an eye on the weekly forecast.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 1:18 am

I've run around nekkid.

I've wrapped up in a 'coon coat.

and everything in between.

(gloves, stockings and fur stuff go a looong way towards warmth).

Pack ALL THE THINGS!!!

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:22 am

Actually, the electric blankets aren't a joke. He was being fully serious. There's a reason I camp with those lunatics!

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:40 am

some seeing eye wrote: We are bored and make jokes all the time. Suggesting an electric blanket is a joke. Though a few may have, the generators to run them are beyond the resources of most burners.

Laughing! Circle this date on your calendar. Its the first time in history I've ever disagreed with SSE!

His points are well-taken however.

I was actually being serious with the electric blanket comment. They are a godsend and make for much more productive sleep time. Our median age is 50+, so gone are the "roughing it" days. Comfort is good! We bring two chest freezers of epicurean food, a mini-fridge, a 20-foot F4 dome (with ceiling fan and lights!) and a mini-grid powered by a pair of EU2000s. We have 24/7 power and a boatload of black shade. Its just the way we burn.

If you have access to power, consider an electric blanket. Seriously. Especially if you are old, broken, and past the age where sparkleponies think sharing body heat is a good idea. (I have so many pieces missing from my cartoon acting days I make Unjohn look sexy by comparison!) For our camp, heat is good. Those heated throws at WallyMartus cost less than 50 bucks and consume about 100 watts with a duty cycle completely dependant on where you set the dial. With 5-6 running at a medium setting at any given moment, the Hondas barely come off idle so fuel burn is reasonable. It works for us!

Now if you will excuse me, there is a certain bird I'm meeting for lunch. "Beep-beep" my ass...

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 6:42 am

In 2010, it was colder than a witch's tit at night. Layers for yourself, layers for the bed...

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 7:30 am

I bring an old snowboard jacket for my playa coat. It'll pretty much handle anything, snow, rain, wind. Layers work well too.

If you want heat for your camp, then those propane heaters work great. (Just don't use them in an enclosed space) We went to a regional out in the Mojave in January one year and the heater saved our asses.

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:07 am

I want to camp with the Lunatics!

GC, you have room for a 26' trailer and Full Sized Chevy? Got a pair of EU2K to add to the grid as well.

The down side is I'm a jaded old fart know-it-all with a serious authority problem and a genuine FKO.

daizy · Post by **daizy** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:23 am

So at first i was sure the electric blanket is a joke, but i really can't tell anymore

Anyway, i dont have access to power and my sleeping bag has managed to keep me warm before, even at 0

was more worried about what to wear at night, never thought it could get this cold on the playa!!!!!!
Thanks for keeping my ass from freezing off!

Zubeneschamali · Post by **Zubeneschamali** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:32 am

First year I was sloppy and left a six pack outside overnight. In the morning it was frozen solid.

Last few years have been gloriously moderate highs and lows.

It can, and will, change. So, follow the BM Guide and be prepared for anything and everything.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:17 am

2010 tues. morning, frost on the tarps.

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