A couple of first-timer questions. . .

[Dork]

Those are two things I will definitely NOT neglect to bring. Does anybody here have experience with presricption sunglasses and/or goggles? I don't know how I feel about bringing my glasses to the desert and I can't wear contacts ( I mean they can't make my script in contact-form), so if it's not ludicrously expensive (very likely) I might get some script goggles/sunglasses.

I've had prescription safety glasses, but they look and act pretty much like ordinary glasses. They just use polycarbonate for the lense and have a slightly beefier frame with clip-on side shields. Seems like you could use the side shields on any glasses and get the same level of dust protection. They do look dorky, if that's a problem. Come to think of it, you could probably make something out of leather or fabric that you tape or glue to your glass frames. Really you just want to keep the wind from blowing dust directly into your eyes. You don't need a complete seal or hard protection you'd get from safety goggles.

For sunglasses, what do you normally do?

You can get goggles made to fit around regular glasses. There are a number of different types available.

[EvilDustBooger]

And a Yak...

....and a Partridge in~a~Pear~Tree !

[mojo]

I have used a 10 x 20 "screen house" type sun shade for a few years. Be sure to duct tape all the joints of the frame together before you raise the roof all the way up. I had the best luck this past year even in the worst of the wind by using ratcheting tie downs to hold the spans together.

[phil]

>SNIP<
Does anybody here have experience with presricption sunglasses and/or goggles? I don't know how I feel about bringing my glasses to the desert and I can't wear contacts ( I mean they can't make my script in contact-form), so if it's not ludicrously expensive (very likely) I might get some script goggles/sunglasses.

I wear my contacts much of the time and my glasses on occasion. Louise wears her glasses or prescription sunglasses at all times. I can't imagine what problem you would have with your glasses; I can't imagine going without glasses when I need them. Get some prescription sunglasses or get clip ons for your regular glasses.

If I may ask, what problems would you foresee with glasses?

As for dust masks, I bring them, but if it blows, I just put my bandana up around my mouth and nose. I don't think it does any good, but what th' heck.

As for goggles, if I'm wearing my contacts and a dust storm blows up, I put my goggles on. If I'm wearing my glasses, I don't bother with goggles - my eyes are so calloused from contact lenses that I suffer no discomfort from whatever blows in. My wife has goggles that fit around her prescription glasses and she wears the goggles when the dust blows, along with a cloth surgical mask that she finds more comfortable than the paper disposable dust masks.

It's all up to you. I understand asking questions about all this when you haven't been, so my suggestion is to prepare by bringing goggles and dust masks, bandanas, whatever, then seeing what works for you. You'll be better at it next time.

[Blackbird]

If I may ask, what problems would you foresee with glasses?

I am worried about them getting scratched or somehow messed up. I've had problems with losing glasses in the past too (left them on a bus one time).

Though, your comment about clip on sunglasses just reminded me that my old glasses actually have clip on sunglasses...I suppose that solves that problem, though not the one of keeping dust out of my eyes. I have astigmatism and a bit of farsightedness...I don't often go without glasses, though I suppose I can see well enough without them (the DMV says so anyway). My glasses also have a slight prism to them, cause I have kind of a "lazy eye" or whatever you want to call it.

That was quite helpful, phil. It's interesting how non-glasses wearers seem to be totally oblivious to the effects of wearing glasses, as far as not losing them or breaking them. At least in my experience



This post has become a rambling bit of nonsense. I'll end it now.

[phil]

It's interesting how non-glasses wearers seem to be totally oblivious to the effects of wearing glasses, as far as not losing them or breaking them. At least in my experience

True, but that's not a surprise. Whatever I don't use, I never think about.

A summary comment, though. You'll get tons of helpful suggestions, many of the contradictory. Everyone tells you what works perfectly for them, with the expectation that it will work perfectly for you, too. So take all the suggestions, keep them in mind, try what seems attractive to you, and when you are at the Burn, you'll find out what works for you. Next year, you'll do the Burn better and you'll be telling people what works for you, with the expectation it will work for them, too. How could it not? :->

[BAS]

As phil said, I am going to tell you what worked for me with every expectation that it will work for you, too!

I bought a pair of goggles designed for off roading, and they fit nicely over both my regular pair of glasses and my prescription sunglasses. (I can't see more than two or three feet without glasses-- I get the special, high density plastic lenses to cut down on weight!) I think that the brand name was "Mad Dog" or "Bad Dog" or something like that. I just happened across them on a table of discontinued items at a local Home Despot, and they looked like they would fit over my glasses. Not having seen anything better, I bought 'em and they worked.

As far as dust masks go, apparently that varies quite a bit for people. A regular pack of dust masks designed for use in a home shop seemed to work fine for me. Take your best guess, that's all I can say.

Good Luck!


B.

[gaminwench]

every single year - 7- I have lost a pair of glasses *to* the playa...Take at least one spare for the drive home...I usually go *blind* from friday or so on; keep the spare for Exodus....the world looks kinda cool, in a blurry sorta way...a new perspective???

[Blackbird]

.the world looks kinda cool, in a blurry sorta way...a new perspective???

Yeah..I was thinking about just leaving my glasses in the car the whole time (except the driving part, of course) and seeing how well I'd fare that way but I dunno. I get pretty headachey when I don't wear them. But I can usually get away with not wearing them to shows (5 hours or so) so maybe I'll just see how i feel at that particular moment.
Anyway, thanks loads y'all. The first-timers' guide and everything on the burning man site are helpful, but some things aren't on there. I've seen lots of lists that include contact care, but they are all missing glasses care.
I figure once I get the "survival" and being prepared part down, I can brace (or rather, loosen up?) myself for the emotional experience.
Thanks again.

[BAS]

Oh, and prepare for your glasses to be dusty the whole time! Or, at least, dirty.

On the trip to Burning Man I stopped in a ShopKo somewhere, and as an impulse buy I picked up a box of those lens cleaning wipes (sort of like alcohol wipes, but for glasses). I used a whole bunch of them out there! Whenever I decided my glasses were getting to hard to see through, I'd open one of the packs and take off a layer or two of dust on each lens.

As far as going without my glasses-- if I didn't have them, I'd still be out there looking for my car! (I wanna get laser surgery for my eyesight someday, just have never had the money....)



B.

[axolotl]

I found some well-made & nice looking prescription swim goggles that can be had for $30, shipping included.

The lenses only come in .5 increments, but you can have different strengths for each eye.
Fit is very good around the eyes, but the strap is a bit tight even fully extended. (Or maybe I just have a big head?)

These might be worth it if you are thinking of going to the trouble of
wearing goggles over your glasses, and not nearly as heavy, hot or
bulky as whatever ski or motorcycle goggles you would otherwise need.

[gyre]

Prescription sports stuff is pretty cheap these days and you can get goggles that you just replace lenses in.
Get a good set of goggles or mask that fits over your glasses.
I got mine at an industrial safety house.
Make sure you get one that fits over your glasses.
Most don't.
The dust is abrasive, but if you are careful and wash the dust off, you can minimize problems.
There's more to see than the whole rest of the year.
You'll want your glasses.

Varilux and Zeiss have the best multi focus lens, if that helps.
The best Kodak is said to be okay.
Most are not.

Make sure you have glasses with surface and uv protection.
I don't use sunglasses myself.

[flightless]

I have another (unrelated) first-timer question. I've read about "Exodus" but I haven't seen anything that tells when we HAVE to leave by. Is it OK to hang around longer at camp and avoid the big traffic, or are we all supposed to be out of there on Monday?

thanks!

[MikeVDS]

My guess would be that if you're helping clean up with everyone else, they won't mind. If you're obviously just being a tourist then someone might ask you to leave. Only a guess though. If you plan on staying you should plan on helping.

[motskyroonmatick]

flightless,
MikeVDS is right.
I would recommend using monday as a packing day. That way you can enjoy sunday night. Pack everything except what you will need for over night. On tuesday it would be your option to drive out or to come to the DPW dispatch for the meeting and be assigned to a crew to help with tear down. I helped with the tear down process for two days and had a really good time. If it is obvious that you are making efforts to leave then you will not be hassled. The DPW and the BLM rangers do make rounds asking and then demanding that people leave.

[Toolmaker]

You definitely don't want to try to leave during the first mad dash right after the event. If you can afford to hang around a little bit than the exodus folks will have a better time of it. Of course as mentioned if you aren't helping mop up and tear down crews you will get the boot.. but before they start asking folks nicely to get the frack out there is already no nasty traffic problems. Have mostly everything done and leave when you see the line not too overloaded. You could also volunteer for exodus to help the community out.. who knows maybe you'll get a neat gift or two from folks leaving.

[flightless]

excellent advice, thanks all! my gang are certainly willing to help clean up while we keep an eye on the traffic jam. So that means we could plan to depart Tuesday instead of Monday? (Got friends to drop at Reno airport and then a long drive home; I want to let them know what day to book flights for!)

[motskyroonmatick]

Book it for later on tuesday. Imagine how good you will feel after a solid nights sleep on monday night let alone how much better you will drive after the rest. If you do leave on monday then you can get a hotel room in Reno and get cleaned up nicely. I guess you could do that eitherway.

[Toolmaker]

Some pointer on EXODUS from the ORG website..


EXODUS

Exodus is an exercise in patience and cooperation.

As you drive to Burning Man along that small two-lane country highway, observe its narrow, finite capacity. Now imagine 10,000 vehicles trying to leave Black Rock City in one day. Like draining a bathtub with a straw, it will take time. Cooperate with the Exodus staff directing traffic. Keep the spirit alive!

Special note on EXODUS…
Every year we have major issues with all the highways leading away from Black Rock City being strewn with trash and debris. LEAVE NO TRACE DOES NOT STOP ON THE EDGE OF THE PLAYA!!! It's always hard to tell what trash has flown off of the top of haphazardly packed vehicles and what is just dumped; we do know that the trash causes some major problems and concerns.

Debris on the highway is a hazard that can cause accidents. Don't let your trash cause someone to get hurt or killed. Most of the highways around the event are pristine wilderness: when they are covered with trash it looks ugly and pisses off a lot of people, including the local townsfolk, the BLM, and local Indian Tribes who don't want to see or deal with other people's garbage. Nobody wants to come along and clean up after you, so please don't create the mess for them.

See the tips in this guide about LEAVING NO TRACE . Think about your garbage before you leave home; pack so that you create less trash to bring home with you. And fifinally, when you leave Black Rock City, pack your garbage and belongings so that they will NOT flfly offff when you are going 70MPH down the highway (put loose items in your car and not on top), and then dump your garbage only in APPROVED FACILITIES.
Thanks for doing your part!

Suggestions:

Get gas and other supplies on the way towards the event before arriving at Black Rock City. Our biggest problem is everyone trying to stop in Gerlach and Empire on the way out which causes huge jams and backups.


Don't leave Monday afternoon. This is the busiest time. Also be wary of leaving Sunday right after the evening's burns have ended.


Agree to have each vehicle in your camp leave at different times and spread this time out as much as possible. We recommend 2-3 hour intervals.


Tune in to Burning Man Information Radio at 94.5 FM for detailed traffic reports.


If you must stop outbound in Gerlach or Empire be careful to pull off the road so as not to create back-ups through the towns and all the way to Black Rock City.


If you break down or have car problems, make sure you get off the road and out of the way so the traffic can keep moving. Keep safe, and get out of the way as soon as possible.


Make sure your load is secure. We don't want accidents to happen, or to have trash strewn along the highway.


OBEY SPEED LAWS. Particularly through small towns. Be extra courteous of local traffic. We're recruiting dozens of volunteers to help direct traffic on Sunday and Monday, and bid a friendly goodbye to everyone. Come to Playa Info in Center Camp during the event for information on how to help. Off the playa, you can reach us at exodus (at) burningman (dot) com.


Garbage Disposal After the Event

Do NOT discard refuse along the highway or in neighboring towns. Pack your load securely. (For more information see Travel Tips.) In the event you have to portage garbage on top of your vehicle, make sure it is double bagged and strapped down securely. Several public landfills are located conveniently nearby.

In Fernley, FERNLEY SANITATION (775-575-4964) will be OPEN through the Labor Day weekend, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. every day. The office (but not the dump) is closed on weekends. The office (but not the dump) is closed on weekends. The rate is $16.00 for up to 3 cubic yards (27 cubic feet). To reach Fernley Sanitation from Burning Man head south through Nixon and Wadsworth. When the road ends at 427 go left. (either direction takes you to I-80) You'll go under I-80 and past the Pilot Gas Station on your right. Stay on Main Street to the light. At the light, make a right onto Alternate US Highway 95a. Go about 2 miles and on the left you will see the Public Wreckage Disposal building.Stop at the scale house on your way in.

In Lockwood, LOCKWOOD LANDFILL (775-342-0401) will be open only on Saturday & Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. They will not be open on Monday of Labor Day Weekend. They operate 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. seven days a week except holidays. The charge is $3.75 per cubic yard with a $1.00 environmental fee per vehicle. Head West on I-80; get off at the Mustang exit (number 23). Go straight and continue past the cattle guard for approximately 2 miles. The entrance is on the left-hand side.

RENO DISPOSAL SERVICES (775-329-8822) will be OPEN through the entire Labor Day weekend. Hours are 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. holidays and Sunday. The location in Reno is 1390 Commercial Row. Charge is $5.50 per cubic yard. From I-80 westbound, take exit 14 and go south on Wells Avenue. Make a left turn onto 6th Street and then a right onto Sutro Street. Make a left onto Commercial Row and look for 1390 on your left.

[Blackbird]

Hopefully people will read this. . .

So I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to erect any sort of shade structure, seeing as I have little (none is more like it) experience with planning. I know how to put things together, I just need direction. So I've found this

http://www.simplifiedbuilding.com/project_truckrack.php

I think something like it with tarps rigged up to it would work. What do you all think? Any suggestions for building materials? The ones that site suggests add up to almost 500 dollars, as a rough estimate. Something cheaper would be nice. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

[fromMA]

Sorry to be thick about this but we have a flight reservation at noon tuesday. We have to return the RV earlier that morning. If we leave 7ish Monday morning how long is the wait to get to the Gerlach road. I guess what I m asking is there an optimal time to leave were you wont be running out of gas or overheating in a 3 hour traffic jam Monday yet stay as long as possible? Thanks in advance.

[pinemom]

oh boy...and ya have to have time...to clean rv...looks like your leaving after the temple burns sunday night!

[skygod]

Last year I left camp Monday Morning about 8 and got to the highway in around 2 hours from 2:30 and Hope.

Stay alert! While waiting in line, the guy driving the Hengehold rental truck behind fell asleep and rear-ended my Enterprise Focus!

[AntiM]

We saw folks in the exodus doing dumb shit like what appeared to be inhaling poppers. Yes, the driver. Stupid asses, your driver should be sober and rested. That's why we spend the night in Reno, between packing up the entire camp, MOOP walk, and then Exodus, we hit Reno in the early evening on Monday. Not a good move to head straight for Utah. Did that a few years and have decided the stay in Reno is nice, nicer than poking drowsy drivers eastbound on I-80.

[PurpleKoosh]

Not a good move to head straight for Utah. Did that a few years and have decided the stay in Reno is nice, nicer than poking drowsy drivers eastbound on I-80.

Seconded. I could make the drive home to the Bayarrhea in eight hours (my ex did it in six once ), but I overnight in Reno whenever my schedule will permit it.

[Dr. Pyro]

On a related subject, I am friends with the group manager at The Sands Regency and he will be putting a Burner package together. I have already discussed it with him, and he is very burner-friendly. Right now I'm trying to negotiate a $17/night rate, for up to four people in the room. It may come in at $19 to $25, but either way it will be cheaper than any other casino rate in Reno. (The dates it will be good for will be from Friday, August 24th through Tuesday, September 4th.) Right now the only catch is that Terrible Herbst has bought the Sands, so it is in the middle of a management change. We believe we can work out the details and it should be posted under it's own thread around May 1st.

[DangerMouse]

But, no, the truck isn't likely to blow away unless it's a Volkswagen tied to a cargo chute.

Sounds like an art installation.

[robotland]

On a related subject, I am friends with the group manager at The Sands Regency and he will be putting a Burner package together. .

Nice, Doc! Maybe THIS will be the year that I finally go explore Reno! I usually disembark sometime Monday morning, and set sights for Wendover with a brief stop to check on Thunder Mountain. (Outside of Imlay.) That way I'm well-rested, and hungry enough to take on the buffet at the casino- It's amazing to me how my stomach can go from a keg to a shot in only a week's time!

[DangerMouse]

and set sights for Wendover

Damn, I just had a flashback.

I remember staring up at the ceiling in the Rainbow casino at the swimming/blinking neon reflection and thinking "Didn't I just leave this place?"

[AntiM]

On a related subject, I am friends with the group manager at The Sands Regency and he will be putting a Burner package together. .

Nice, Doc! Maybe THIS will be the year that I finally go explore Reno! I usually disembark sometime Monday morning, and set sights for Wendover with a brief stop to check on Thunder Mountain. (Outside of Imlay.) That way I'm well-rested, and hungry enough to take on the buffet at the casino- It's amazing to me how my stomach can go from a keg to a shot in only a week's time!

If you stay at the Sands, you'll be kitty-corner across from us over at Trendwest!