How to stay warm at Burning Man?

C187 · Post by **C187** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:17 pm

Savannah wrote:I'll be bringing my fleece footie pajamas this year. :D

I better get to see this.

Freesponge wrote:..I get a kick out of people complaining when it dips to the 40's or 50's at night.

Same here, all the fucking NoCal kids have no clue what cold is. 40s / 50s is hoodie in jeans weather still. Now when it gets to the 20s / 30s, yeah you can start bitching. More so when you add in some cold or freezing rain with wind.

---

Brilliant idea for you NoCal kids, bring a fucking coat, and some pants. Also layering isn't just for fashion.

Post by **Eric** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:37 pm

C187 wrote:Same here, all the fucking NoCal kids have no clue what cold is. 40s / 50s is hoodie in jeans weather still. Now when it gets to the 20s / 30s, yeah you can start bitching.

Good lord, we all feel the cold differently based on the normal temperatures of where we live. Telling someone when they can or can't "bitch" about the weather is like telling them how they have to camp at the event.

I see plenty of tourists from your region of the country come into SF in summer & bitch and moan about how cold it is while we're walking around in light shirts. Our retailers make a killing selling them sweatshirts & windbreakers.

I grew up in the Phoenix area- if it got below 70 it was cold to me. I've lived in SF for over 20 years now- if it gets above 70 it's a heat wave. It's all relative to what's "normal" for you.

If it's not cold for you, fine. If someone here gets cold & want to find ways to stay warmer, there's nothing wrong with that.

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:19 pm

Some years it actually does dip below freezing at night. The wind can come up and make hypothermia a real possibility even when the temps stay in the 40's (F).

Layers make a lot of sense at night, because it can drop from about 80 F at sunset to near 40 F after midnight. That's a big swing, and dancing is not enough to compensate.

Staying rested, hydrated and nourished is important. If you want to bop all night then you should learn to nap. Alcohol may feel like antifreeze, but that's not the way the body actually works.

I like faux fur, but I've gone out at night in other robes or even jeans and a jacket. It all gets chosen for conditions. Stay warm, stay lit, stay happy.

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:41 pm

There are actually more hypothermic events between 40 and 60 degrees F than any other temperature range. The hypothesis is that people are more likely to be outside and active at those temperatures without appropriate clothing.

Herring · Post by **Herring** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:44 pm

This year will be my first burn, but I've done plenty of desert camping and I definitely had to learn the hard way that even in the summer, if there's no humidity to keep the warmth in and the temps up it gets mighty chilly at night.

Plus without this forum I'd never know how clichÃ© those brightly colored furry "monster" coats with hoods are, it's good to have new and original ways to keep myself and my camp-mates warm.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:12 pm

Footie Pajamas and a Cthulhuclava will keep you nice and warm! And, Yes! It can get damned cold at night!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:14 pm

DON'T WEAR FOOTIES NEAR OPEN FLAMES!

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:19 pm

I think my brother used to date...uh, that.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:21 pm

AntiM wrote:I think my brother used to date...uh, that.

Cthulhu or me? I'm straight....sexually....

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:22 pm

TomServo wrote:
AntiM wrote:I think my brother used to date...uh, that.
Cthulhu or me? I'm straight....sexually....

Cthulhu in drag would be the best description. I think it was the green drip.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:47 pm

ahhh! the green death

Herring · Post by **Herring** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:57 pm

Cthulhuclava is pretty impressive, but beard hats are a viable option, too:

http://www.beardhead.com/

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:04 pm

Herring wrote:Cthulhuclava is pretty impressive, but beard hats are a viable option, too:

http://www.beardhead.com/

LOVE IT!!!!

Clar-i-ty · Post by **Clar-i-ty** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:17 pm

Seriously considering making one.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:31 pm

junglesmacks wrote:If you seriously by this point in your grown, semi-adult life can't figure out how to stay warm outside, then I suggest you A) give your ticket to me now and B) just stay inside and watch Maury re-runs.

OK.. edit time.

For a real answer, it's all about the base layer. Spend a little money and get yourself some Patagonia Capilene long underwear.. it's the best $$ you'll ever spend on your own comfort. It's super thin for how warm it is, breathes incredibly, and wicks away moisture. Get some grade 3 I would say for BM. I wore that under just my normal clothes last time and had a fleece sweatshirt with me that I would take on and off and I was perfect temp the whole time. I actually had a grade 2 and 3 top and some nights just wore the 2.. and it's micro thin and I was perfect. Seriously.. don't skimp on the base layer. Get the good stuff and you'll be comfy for years.

True tails on the base layer. In 2009 when I hosted our Fluffer mobile art installation, the uniform was rather thin so I got a good set of real silk thermal underwear and it was mighty good for those all-night shifts on open playa. Of course, I suppose I could have always climbed in the clothes dryer if I needed too...

Whenever I get to warm, the first thing I want to remove is something from the waste up, so on moderately cold nights I'll just wear the thermal bottoms and leave the shirt behind. Then use the hat as a steam whistle and take it off when I start to boil.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:46 pm

Clar-i-ty wrote:Seriously considering making one.

Louise knitted me a warm hat; see my photo.

> the first thing I want to remove is something from the waste up

Yeah, me, too. The last time I removed something from the waste up, I got my hand slapped.

Post by **Savannah** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:27 pm

C187 wrote:
Savannah wrote:I'll be bringing my fleece footie pajamas this year.
I better get to see this.

You wont be able to UNsee it!

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:38 pm

junglesmacks wrote: get yourself some Patagonia Capilene long underwear..

Yeah, that's what I wear under my fleece.

Long sleeve silk works pretty good, too. And feels great...

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:11 am

^^^

Yep.

Even a short sleeve silk or polypropylene base layer makes a world of difference. They are real thin and are perfect for layering. During the winter, I almost always have one on under my regular clothing.

What Eric said about how we all react differently to temperature is very true. Being from NY, I have no point of reference for a desert climate. When it is warm here, it is humid. Not the same out there. I will be bringing what I think will work as well as some extra safeguards.

MyDearFriend · Post by **MyDearFriend** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:58 am

All this talk of warm underlayers is very sensible and I applaud you all.

BUT

I was talking to a woman yesterday who showed me the big furry glowy coat-thing she wears on the playa and confided that it lets her get away with amazingly skimpy party clothes at night.

I am definitely going to try that method.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:19 am

Oh yeah, I've got my fur, too...

Gotta'. It's so practical. Even if I do feel a bit like a pimp. But I'm getting over it.

Man, I'm getting over a lot of stuff.

Thank you Burning Man...

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:25 am

Still think this tread is silly..

But if didn't post or read it because of silly posts, well my National Geo would be even more dog eared.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:55 pm

And silliness on an eplaya thread is a problem--why?

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:32 pm

Absolutely none...

Major Krash · Post by **Major Krash** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:50 pm

...well obviously fur....that goes without saying

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:40 pm

The quality polypro and capaliene long underwear lasts forever, I didn't bring any but maybe next year.

I did bring a $3 thrift store cashmere sweater, machine washable and thin and comfortable!! wore it under funkified outer layers, stays warm in the cold and cool in the warmer weather...it breathes, similar to real fur...much like the giant rabbit fur jacket one of my campmates swears by.

Sheep sheerling works similar, it breathes and keeps you warm.

I get very cold easily, fleece w/polypro/capaliene long underwear are good layer combos but real furs and cashmere work amazingly well and feel better.

I don't know the long list of taboo furs, probably fox, seal etc...everyone seemed ok with rabbit fur (jack rabbit?) and sheep skin uggs.

I brought a bunch of ski racing jackets and gave them away to wandering freezing cold burners at night. I painted the man symbol over the logos...one guy got a $400 Burton jacket and almost cried (so did I, it wasn't my size! shucks)...people just toss good ski clothes out up where I live...I collected them for a while for freinds and family, had too many so I stenciled the man on them after I read on eplaya that it get's cold at night at BM and brought them along to give away.

$3 space blankets, I used one of those from my emergency kit to help rescue a woman I didn't know stranded and in trouble out on the playa on man burn night, she got extra, seriously, severly trashed and needed to go to rangers/medical...odd but she was wearing a fox fur coat...anyway, the space blanket worked very well they told me. Next day I was told the woman survived, sanctuary helped her...if not for eplaya I wouldn't have known about sanctuary either...extemely professional folks there. Thank you to them for sure!!

Sorry for the huge ass post but I KNOW cold...space blankets; 3 lousy bucks and tiny packets, I keep them everywhere, truck, home, travels.

Edit for spelling, LOL

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:51 am

Drover's coats have worked for me the last 2 years. Warm, and perfect for flashing peeps

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:15 am

Why I eschew "playa coats:"

- stupid expensive
- takes up a lot of space
- heavy and bulky to wear

(I've worn a variety of them at burns and just around, IRL.)

That is why I layer and be sure to have a warm head, hand and feet.

I don't understand threads like this. How to stay warm at Burning Man? Same way you stay warm wherever else.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:42 am

C.f.M. wrote:I don't understand threads like this. How to stay warm at Burning Man? Same way you stay warm wherever else.

Yes, but self-immolation is usually frowned upon outside of the burn

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:38 pm

I finally found a pic with my wool overcoat.

And of course, conversations while snuggling with others works nicely too!