What items do you carry when walking the Playa?

SquirrelHead · Post by **SquirrelHead** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:53 am

If I leave the camp I always grab my camelback which has water, goggles (tinted and clear), dust mask, sunscreen, bike tool, spork, small knife, cup, various gifts, lip balm, condoms, wet wipes, head lamp, small flashlight, spare batteries, cough drops, gum, lighter, flask, and possibly other knick knacks. I try to have both night and day stuff in it because sometimes you don't make it home for the transition.

maladroit · Post by **maladroit** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:46 am

Water (prevents dehydration)
Snacks (quick energy)
Flask of liquor (solves all other possible problems)

lalaland · Post by **lalaland** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:19 pm

EmilyD wrote:
Shambala wrote:I have a light mesh backback....
I'd be grateful for more details about such backpacks...light, mesh, small, etc.

I have one that I got on Amazon, made by Bago that folds up into a little pouch. Small ( but not tiny) lightweight, mesh...

BBadger · Post by **BBadger** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:30 pm

I grabbed a super lightweight backpack called the "Outlander" from Amazon. It was quite nice last year and has a surprising amount of room for something that packs into a 6"x5" or so pouch.

Post by **Sham** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 2:04 am

Since my earlier post about carrying a light mesh backpack, I upgraded to a lightweight school backpack. Keep in mind, that in most cases, you are carrying needed supplies for the day---not a week's worth of heavy clothing. (I still pack that very light mess backpack as a back up, should by regular one get lost or damaged.

I posted somewhere earlier in this thread about putting two sets of grommets in the backpack, then putting a split key chain ring in it. This allows me to securely lock my backpack to my bike using my bike lock through the rings on the backpack. I keep nothing of real value or importance in it, but just don't want someone walking off with it.

JulieStarr · Post by **JulieStarr** » Mon May 23, 2016 12:27 pm

So, I have a giant trike with a "trunk" that locks so I may tote around more than you average bear:

Hydro Flask Growler - ice water
Tiny Notebook & Pen
Baggie - Wet Wipes & TP
GUM!!
Eye Drops
Nose Spray
Lip Stuff
Sunscreen
Goggles
Sunglasses
Dust Mask
Bandana
Gifts
Night Time Lights - I use a running vest.
Night Time Clothing
Snacks - mostly protein bars
Clip Watch
Small Clip on Cup
Spork
Small Plastic Plate (I got a set at Ikea meant for kids, prefect size and fun colors)
Pacifier Wipes (amazing for your nose, can also be used on dishes)
Copy of ID/Insc Card (I laminate it)
Headlamp
Bag for MOOP
What, Where, When Guide
Cash in case coffee and/or ice happens at Center Camp
First Aid (including ibuprofen, antacid and cold medicine)
Lighter
Multi-tool
Bike Tire Tube

Phew, I think that is it!!

mod note: removed Amazon link.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Mon May 23, 2016 1:12 pm

i always pack a couple of cookies...

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Mon May 23, 2016 1:49 pm

At least two half-warm PBRs and a lighter, always a lighter...

Oh yeah, I usually have a multi-purpose bandana with me too.

It can save your life.

MyDearFriend · Post by **MyDearFriend** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 7:32 am

Jackass wrote:At least two half-warm PBRs and a lighter, always a lighter...

Oh yeah, I usually have a multi-purpose bandana with me too.

It can save your life.

This:

Bandanna, bandanna, bandanna, Stick one somewhere, the more the better: pouch/pack/pocket, around the neck, around the head, pinned to your loincloth...

Bandanna + water is the most useful first-aid kit ever. Add grease in the form of lip balm and you are ready for anything.

Leap · Post by **Leap** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 8:08 am

Yay for bandanas. I'm bringing about 60 of them I screen printed to give away as gifts. I might just save somebody's life!

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 8:13 am

Leap wrote:Yay for bandanas. I'm bringing about 60 of them I screen printed to give away as gifts. I might just save somebody's life!

or at least make their day

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 11:38 am

Bandana= Tourniquet, head wear, dust filter, kleenex, napkin or ascot, the choice is yours...All versatility, no hassle.

The single most diverse piece of playa technology you can bring with you.

PBR can be used to drink or bathe in, or as a topical disinfectant for cuts, scrapes, abrasions and sunburn. Can also be splashed about the face and neck as aftershave, or merely to attract a mate...

Try that with aloe vera...

BBadger · Post by **BBadger** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 3:07 pm

I usually have a bandana on my neck. Keeps out the dust or, when flipped around, can be used to warm my neck at night (really helps). In my holsters: chapstick, gum, a permanent-ink marker, a snack bar, earplugs. Goggles around my neck, maybe a headlamp if it's late.

On my belt: flashlight and Leatherman.

Often I'll carry a small backpack with a water bottle, a keffiyeh in case things really go to shit, some lights, a flavored drink.

Daytime: a hat to shield my head. At night, a night-time decorative hat (like a fez or tophat) to also keep me warm.

Eddaytona · Post by **Eddaytona** » Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:08 pm

Always water! (piss clear) Kafiya, dust mask, goggles, Cliff bar, chap stick, sun screen, gifts, head lamp, cup. Never leave camp without a pack.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:44 am

I get asked for BM advice and one thing I stress is "never leave camp without being prepared for a day!"

I've crossed the street to use the bathroom, and returned in two hours. I had a split second to decide, right after waking up, if I wanted to put on clothes or have a coveted airplane ride. I ended up stranded at the airport, walking back to 3&A.

So, I will share what I pack, but also encourage you to always have it ready to go!

2L water, one on each hip
pstyle - never leave camp without it (for the laydeez)
multipurpose tin of stuff for chapped lips, dry face, etc
small tube of sunscreen
tiny umbrella for shade
non meltable snack
sharpie(s)
watch
dust mask
goggles
shit to gift

...I think that's it? I also write my name and camp locale on EVERYTHING. Oh, duh, cup. I have always used a carabiner mug but this year I"m trying a Hydaway. And at night, a headlamp.

But at the least, water water water and the tiny umbrella for shade.

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Mon Aug 08, 2016 10:45 am

sharpie,,, very important. if your mate passes out on playa, you can sharpie their return address on them for a safe return. don't forget postage. moonshine, (many uses), lip balm and a hat....

EGAZ · Post by **EGAZ** » Mon Aug 08, 2016 10:57 am

According to burningnewb, you carry a solar panel you buy for super cheap at his site....
Maybe he has one of these.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Aug 08, 2016 12:18 pm

Jackass wrote:Bandana= Tourniquet, head wear, dust filter, kleenex, napkin or ascot, the choice is yours...All versatility, no hassle.

The single most diverse piece of playa technology you can bring with you.

PBR can be used to drink or bathe in, or as a topical disinfectant for cuts, scrapes, abrasions and sunburn. Can also be splashed about the face and neck as aftershave, or merely to attract a mate...

Try that with aloe vera...

Spot on. If you don't follow this advice, you sure as frack are doing it wrong.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Aug 08, 2016 1:52 pm

2010:

viewtopic.php?p=526447#p526447

C.f.M. wrote:Water bladder
pee funnel
dust mask
goggles
snack
sunscreen
chapstick
gifts

Added flashlight @ night

2016:

C.f.M. wrote: 2L water, one on each hip
pstyle - never leave camp without it (for the laydeez)
multipurpose tin of stuff for chapped lips, dry face, etc
small tube of sunscreen
tiny umbrella for shade
non meltable snack
sharpie(s)
watch
dust mask
goggles
shit to gift

Not bad, the amount of junk did not increase drastically.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Mon Aug 08, 2016 2:41 pm

Heh, and that's the ideal list. Not what I actually might have on me when I go running off.

Perpetual Burn · Post by **Perpetual Burn** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 4:47 am

Camelpak! (Water)

Medicine and medical apparatus.

Random gifts if people ask to take a trip to nowhere.
Beer
Energy bars/snacks
Head lamp
Goggles
Shawl
Sharpies
BYOM with cap

...

Should maybe think of adding things haha...

But this year I'll be adding a basket to my bike... so a dust and water proof speaker.... and probably just more medicine and extracurriculars haha

Should add watch to know when events are coming up... but may bring phone for music and taking very rare pics (for personal use/recruiting)

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:17 am

This year I have a water bottle thingie on my bike, so I'll always have a bottle of water. Nice, warm, plasticy water...and I'm going to have carabiners attached to my bike to hold stuff so it doesn't go bouncing out...forgot I also try to carry safety pins and a small notebook for messages, notes, etc.

Post by **Sham** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 5:51 am

I want to revive this thread to help people with carrying important things when roaming the playa. No need to carry your TI-83 calculator, but a small roll of toilet paper and a baggie with some band aids are helpful.
For first timers especially, this is a very useful thread.

AfricanFire · Post by **AfricanFire** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:36 pm

Water
Goggles
Dust mask
small roll of TP
Chapstick
cup on a caribiner
Hat
a lightweight shawl that folds up really small (so many uses)
Small hand sanitizer
Cellphone (yeah yeah I know - I have a small medical device attached to me that reports to my phone so its a necessity, and it's also my camera)
A non-meltable snack.
Swiss army knife

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