Big Winter & Playa Conditions for 2011 (?)

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:21 am

I'm curious to know what the playa conditions could be like this year as a direct result of the record breaking winter & spring weather of 2010/11.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:25 pm

From what I have read around here about weather and Playa surface condition over the years, it would seem we may have a largely solid smooth surface this time around.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:15 pm

It's about half silt, half clay, same as always.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 4:02 pm

Flat, with occasional ripples, nipples and moop

Oh, and some dust here and there. Now where'd I put my straw?

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 4:05 pm

Also, depends on what those hippies do at 4th of Juplaya.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:42 pm

Could there ever be toooo much run off water in a big snow year, causing the BLM to move the festival's location on the Black Rock Desert?

Are there a few locations for burning man, used in rotation?

I'll take the nipples, everyone else can have the straws (I don't need a straw!!)

Hippies on July 4th...I thought they usually congregate at arts and crafts shows on weekends TS.

neon tetra · Post by **neon tetra** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:47 pm

It was in a totally different spot in 97. I wish I went that year.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 12:05 am

Hualapai Flat was mushy in 1997, probably due to irrigation diversions.

Parts of the Black Rock were mushy in 1998 due to generally wet weather, then flooded by rain & piss & poop due a rather intense weather event after the burn.

Been rather parched since then. Maybe it's different now, maybe not.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:15 am

Tahoe and the Reno area lakes are all filling up fast, and still plenty of snow on the mountains. This past winter '10/'11, 1982/'83 and probably 98' were the last three record breaking winters for the area.

I probably wouldn't notice if BRC rotated to another location. The entire area, including the playa, is surrounded by those beautiful mountain ranges and vast, wide open spaces. Jaw dropping beauty out there...I had forgotten much of that, until last year.

I'm camping in a different part of BRC this year, part of a low key bar camp & loose village (organized chaos, haha) I'm trying to visualize which direction my encampment will face. I know I'll want to place our backs to the prevailing winds. I've read they're SSW, I sure hope that's correct.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:33 am

I would not bet on "prevailing winds"..........and, the most destructive can come from any direction, owing to the rotation of the "dust devils"

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 11:18 am

Ah well, I'll not worry too too much about prevailing winds then, especially after I get my trailer project rollin' and rolled on out there

Methinks it'll be a schweet wind break, and such

No shortage of boredom, now that it's STOPPED SNOWING, yay!

Post by **Sham** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:41 pm

See current playa conditions here:

http://blackrockdesert.org/friends/current/conditions

This public service brought to you by Shambala!

skibear · Post by **skibear** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:23 pm

That site yesterday says there is still a lake in the middle of the playa.

I'm not suprised. So much freeking snow this year that 5 or 6
Tahoe ski areas are reopening on 4th of July. Many records set.

Mammoth, Snowbird, Crystal Mt WA, A-basin CO never closed.
Unbelievable.

And I'm stuck back east WAaaahH where I can't ski.

Big Winter & Playa Conditions for 2011 (?)

What will the playa conditions be for burning man 2011?

Big Winter & Playa Conditions for 2011 (?)