Dusty this year?

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:09 am

This year I am modifying my dome coverings so that instead of a completely sealed lower level (it's three stacked domes), the lower and largest dome will be solidly-tarped around the bottom five feet or so, and mesh-tarped above. Then about a third of the interior space, like a big slice o' pie, will be a completely enclosed "dust shelter" space for sleeping and food prep. I'll probably bring enough tarps to cover up the entire lower dome if it gets particularly dusty and blustery, but it's hard to test a playa-resistant system here in Michigan! Maybe I can take a trip down to the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) test facility and borrow their simulated Lunar surface......
The upper sections will be alternating panels of mesh and silver tarp, cut to fit....I've found that little, separate panels will enable particularly strong blasts of wind to blow around and through the structure without wrenching off the tarps or knocking the structure over!

XS · Post by XS » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:35 am

XS's playa-cake recipe:

Into a standard mixing bowl:

add heaping handfuls of playa dust
several ounces of bodily fluid of your choice (enough to moisten mixture)
two eggs (egg whites if your cholesterol conscious)
if no eggs are available you can subsitute sunscreen, prefereably 45 SPF or higher

mix all ingredients together until you get an oatmeal like consistency

now form the dough into biscuits and set on the hood of your car to bake until golden brown.

Serve with grey water tea as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.

You can thin out the mixture to make pancakes for breaky as well.

Yummm!

XS · Post by XS » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:36 am

XS's playa-cake recipe:

Into a standard mixing bowl:

add heaping handfuls of playa dust
several ounces of bodily fluid of your choice (enough to moisten mixture)
two eggs (egg whites if your cholesterol conscious)
if no eggs are available you can subsitute sunscreen, prefereably 45 SPF or higher

mix all ingredients together until you get an oatmeal like consistency

now form the dough into biscuits and set on the hood of your car to bake until golden brown.

Serve with grey water tea as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.

You can thin out the mixture to make pancakes for breaky as well.

Yummm!

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:09 am

if yer mom thinks a screened in porch will stop the dust, ask her is she's ever sifted flour.

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:37 am

stuart wrote:if yer mom thinks a screened in porch will stop the dust, ask her is she's ever sifted flour.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:57 am

Last year I made real Dust Bunnies, by packing playa mud into bunny-head lollipop moulds. A little crumbly, but maybe I should have added "bodily fluids"....

Taniwha · Post by **Taniwha** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:17 pm

(I'm probably the 'rocket person' Maya's original post came from - friends had reported that the playa hadn't been completely covered with water this year and I had suggested that that might mean that that could mean a fluffier surface - due to frost expansion while the surface was exposed but wet as we've seen in past years)

I just got back from a long weekend on the playa flying rockets (we got shut down when the FAA pulled our waiver because Bush was campaigning in Reno on Friday) - the area where we hold the burn is nice and hard there's an area north of it which is very soft and fluffy (have to get down into 3rd to drive on it) - it was like this last year but not IMHO quite as soft. Wind storms from the north will probably be brutal ...

Great news is that most of the really big playa serpents north of BM that were squished by DPW last year (thanks guys!) seem to have not come back nearly as badly as last year (I'm talking about those wavy dunes that are caused by the dust raised by BM and appearwhich downwind as hard bumps that can be dangerous to drive into at speed, esp. at night - they also appear downwind of the various 'roads' that form on the playa - they look like little sea-serpents late in the day when the sun is low and they cast shadows.)

Rendrag · Post by **Rendrag** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 11:11 pm

While I've never been to BM, a Burner passed along the following tip to me:

***

When you pack for burning man, pick yourself up some white vinegar. When you get to the playa, you will find beaucoup white playa dust, which is alkaline in nature. Just mix the white vinegar with water, or use it full strength, and it will cut the playa dust off of anything, I'm talking human bodies, hair, or camping gear. I found out about it and when I got home I used it to clean my entire tent. The deal is that water just makes playa dust playa mud, and then you have to get it off anyway.

***

Like I said, I've never been to BM so I don't know if this works. But I am bringing several bottles of white vinegar just in case . . .

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 11:48 pm

Rendrag wrote:While I've never been to BM, a Burner passed along the following tip to me:

***

When you pack for burning man, pick yourself up some white vinegar. When you get to the playa, you will find beaucoup white playa dust, which is alkaline in nature. Just mix the white vinegar with water, or use it full strength, and it will cut the playa dust off of anything, I'm talking human bodies, hair, or camping gear. I found out about it and when I got home I used it to clean my entire tent. The deal is that water just makes playa dust playa mud, and then you have to get it off anyway.

***

Like I said, I've never been to BM so I don't know if this works. But I am bringing several bottles of white vinegar just in case . . .

Buy it by the gallon!

for feet and hands especially!

Weather Report predicts it will be dusty again this year!

A II Z

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 4:45 pm

I seem to recall reading somewhere that lemon juice also works. Is that correct? Does one work better than the other? (I like the smell of lemons better than vinegar....)

naga brain · Post by **naga brain** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 10:18 am

I seem to recall reading somewhere that lemon juice also works. Is that correct? Does one work better than the other? (I like the smell of lemons better than vinegar....)

Anything that is mildly acidic should work. Lemons definitely smell better than vinegar.

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 10:23 am

I developed a bad case of playafoot last year because I was having too much fun and neglected my feet. But the white vinegar helped turn things around. I also brought a strong "intensive care" type lotion or two that really helped them to heal fast.

theshaman · Post by **theshaman** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 10:39 am

I have been very blessed the past 2 years with amazing hard packed playa, I have not experienced the soft fluffy playa.

Do you think it would work to build a small "playa plow" for the front of my bike? have it hover about 2 inches above the playa and push large dunes away...

or is this a dumb idea?

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:00 pm

dumb idea

uneccessary as well.

if ya got wide tires you will have no problems riding on the fluff.

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:31 pm

ouchhh!!!, My friend, you would be burning some serious energy and going almost nowhere very slowly. Most bikes/tires will do just fine...

Ohranje · Post by **Ohranje** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:35 pm

I am bringing some Kerasal as well (think that is how it spelled). A water based foot product that I have used now for 2 weeks and my feet are so soft and smooth now I plan to keep them that way.

This is my first year - but I suggest you start taking care of your feet now so they do well through a dry and dusty playa.

Donita · Post by **Donita** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 12:26 pm

stuart wrote:if yer mom thinks a screened in porch will stop the dust, ask her is she's ever sifted flour.

I don't really think she's really thinking it will keep the dust out,
she thinks it will be a sturdier structure if it's a screened
in room. I dunno...

theshaman · Post by **theshaman** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 1:23 pm

Thanks for the advice on the playa plow stuart...looked good on paper.

So what qualifies as "Fat Tires?" My bike is a recumbent that runs tires about 1 1/2 inches wide with a mild tread (not knobby)

Just trying to see if I need a second set oof tires...would suck to be bikeless in case of sand dunes or mud.

Taniwha · Post by **Taniwha** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 1:56 pm

theshaman wrote:Just trying to see if I need a second set oof tires...would suck to be bikeless in case of sand dunes or mud.

Honestly you are going to be "bikeless" in playa-mud anyway ... just imagine biking through extra sticky porridge ... if it rains best is to go bare foot or not at all - just lay up somewhere comfortable and wait for the sun to come out - unless it rains for a day the surface will dry up within a couple of hours of most rain squalls

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 2:55 pm

in the deep (1/2') dust you just don't want skinny road bike tires. They needn't be knobby.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 3:03 pm

Let a wee bit of air out for added traction, the wider the better.

I've been through 2 h****y playa cruisers in the two years I've gone. The first, after hanging for 11 month and 2 weeks had a catastrophic tire burst when I tried to inflate the tires It bent the rim. It was cheaper to get a new bike! Then on the last day, the second bike was crushed under a merciless SUV.

This year I'm thinking bikeless is the way to go. I may not consume as much art, but I won't have a chapped butt either.

_tears_ · Post by **_tears_** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:22 pm

Just a quick question, if there is a higher amount of dust will this be harder on people with asthma and weak lungs? I didnt use a dust mask at all last year, should i bring extra this year also?

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 9:27 pm

_tears_ wrote:Just a quick question, if there is a higher amount of dust will this be harder on people with asthma and weak lungs? I didnt use a dust mask at all last year, should i bring extra this year also?

you must bring 'some'. respect the dust storm.
-b

Mithra · Post by **Mithra** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:21 am

A friend just came back from camping at the site of BRC. He said half the city was crumbly the other half was mooshy and also predicted a very dusty year.

Mithra, who plans on becoming one with the dust (like i have a choice)

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:17 pm

The nightly weather shows scattered thundershowers over northwestern Nevada these days, is the playa surface still able to harden up with showers/drying cycles hopefully? Last year I remember being stopped in traffic waiting for an accident to clear not far from BRC and walking out off the roadside to take pictures and sinking several inches into the powdery dirt with each step...and thinking wow what have I got into going camping on this stuff?? Fortunately the playa was really nice and hard-solid and now I'm spoiled.

Taniwha · Post by **Taniwha** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:40 pm

Tiahaar wrote:The nightly weather shows scattered thundershowers over northwestern Nevada these days, is the playa surface still able to harden up with showers/drying cycles hopefully? Last year I remember being stopped in traffic waiting for an accident to clear not far from BRC and walking out off the roadside to take pictures and sinking several inches into the powdery dirt with each step...and thinking wow what have I got into going camping on this stuff?? Fortunately the playa was really nice and hard-solid and now I'm spoiled.

small rain squalls passing over the playa in summer are quite common ... during the day the surface dries out really quickly (an hour or so - faster if there's wind) ...

Normally the playa surface is softer at the edges (it's easier to get a vehicle stuck there) - it's because they get a lot more run off from the hills around

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 12:12 am

This is second hand info that was sent out by Lohr on the St. Louis Burning Arch announce list, I thought it might be of interest here:

"Having just returned I'll chime in on this one.
>
> I hit 4th of JuPlaya site which was a bit on the soft/ crumbly side -
> it is close to the event site - near the dunes out by Frog Pond.
> Conditions not as bad as 6 inches of dust but not perfect either. We
> had a few little dusty moments - I did have a rough time with my tent
> stakes when setting up in the wind.
>
> Playa in general was soft and crumbly - up near black rock was deeper
> and squishier than event site area.
>
> Make sure to bring yer goggles this year."

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 7:14 pm

Tears — I'd bring serious dust maskage in any case, just as basic equipment. This year, I'm getting a heavy-duty one from the surplus store and damn the complainers!

(Actually I might decorate it with a wolf muzzle...)

Elvinagre7: No oil on the Playa, but bring some anyway. And put it on yourself. Olive oil, coconut oil, definitely orange oil (cuts alkali), palm oil. Just hit an Indian grocery store and buy a bunch of palm and coconut oil.
After slathering on the oil, scrape it off. Nothing fancy, a horse sweat scraper or one of those plastic bowl scrapers from the kitchen specialty store should be plenty. The oil emulsifies the gunk and grime and just scrapes right off.

Nice lady whose Mom is coming out (welcome!

) for the Burn — tell her it's going to be dusty as hell and that means "nasty." If she wants to back out, no harm no foul, no blames. If she still wants to come, all respect

We had a screen house in '01 and covered it with Indian bedspreads. They faded, of course, but cleaned up nicely. I had the Costco canopy as a shade shelter that year, tipped over on its shoulder and broadside to windward. Got unspeakably dusty in there and the canopy's supposed to be the best short of woodframed structure. Screenhouse will get dusty. Just deal with it and at least this year we have some fore-warning.

Nice thing to do...take a couple hours in the afternoon, hide in the shade, wash with the cooler ice water, take care of the skin.

Lemon juice vs. vinegar — personal aroma preference. If you like smelling like PAAS Easter egg dye, go with the latter and knock yourself out. Myself, I just scored a 10 oz. bottle of lime juice for $1.

You put de lime in de coconut sladda 'em togedda/Put de lime in de coconut den you feel beddah...Dok-tah! Id dere nuttin' I can take/I said DOK-TAH! To relieve dis Playa-ache...

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 7:18 pm

Ahem.

It's dusty, okay?

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:20 pm

Just returned from the playa 1.5 hours ago (Sunday, 11 July)

Weather was great 85-90 degrees.

Partly cloudy with large lenticular clouds (rare for the playa) punctuated with several higher sirrostratus clouds and AMAZING sunsets.

Light winds out of the SW with gusts of 35 mph.

Little to no vehicular traffic (rare for a summer weekend).

Mayfield is still sober.

Dust is gonna CHOKE your ASS folks. Be prepared.

Over.

Dusty this year?

Recipe for playa dust cakes.

Recipe for playa dust cakes.

Just got back from the playa ...

A way to wash away dust?

Re: A way to wash away dust?

dust and such

Fat tires

Re: Fat tires