Playa Climate Prediction Center

[CornMan]

If it is a shade mesh tarp, it would have a better chance than if it is a solid poly tarp.

[Sundial]

If it is a shade mesh tarp, it would have a better chance than if it is a solid poly tarp.

Or maybe I could just make it a camp chore to take my tarp down every day around 5 or 6 and put it back up before going to sleep.

[MacGlenver]

Just had this relayed to me, comes from someone who's on-site at BRC...

"Over a 100 degrees everyday by 3pm. At 7-8pm for the last 3 nights we have had 60+ mph winds with dust whiteout. The playa is getting scrubbed by these high winds. We lost 2 roof so far from the Temple camp kitchen/camp area. We are running out of 40x50' tarps !!!!! Be prepared - all the town locals & old burners say this is one of the highest wind years. We expect continued storms for the next 2 nights. We had a 20' tall 50x50' structure demolised last night & it was just substructure of 2x8" wood - ripped off the foundation. Not enough cross bracing yet - uugh. "

"Mother of god." - James Earl Jones, The Hunt for Red October

[FlyingMonkey]

Just had this relayed to me, comes from someone who's on-site at BRC...

"Over a 100 degrees everyday by 3pm. At 7-8pm for the last 3 nights we have had 60+ mph winds with dust whiteout. The playa is getting scrubbed by these high winds. We lost 2 roof so far from the Temple camp kitchen/camp area. We are running out of 40x50' tarps !!!!! Be prepared - all the town locals & old burners say this is one of the highest wind years. We expect continued storms for the next 2 nights. We had a 20' tall 50x50' structure demolised last night & it was just substructure of 2x8" wood - ripped off the foundation. Not enough cross bracing yet - uugh. "

What possible chance could my little 12' x 16' tarp have against that? =(

Chance? 100%. That it will become a 12' X 16' kite.

[CornMan]

Just had this relayed to me, comes from someone who's on-site at BRC...

"Over a 100 degrees everyday by 3pm. At 7-8pm for the last 3 nights we have had 60+ mph winds with dust whiteout. The playa is getting scrubbed by these high winds. We lost 2 roof so far from the Temple camp kitchen/camp area. We are running out of 40x50' tarps !!!!! Be prepared - all the town locals & old burners say this is one of the highest wind years. We expect continued storms for the next 2 nights. We had a 20' tall 50x50' structure demolised last night & it was just substructure of 2x8" wood - ripped off the foundation. Not enough cross bracing yet - uugh. "

What possible chance could my little 12' x 16' tarp have against that? =(

Chance? 100%. That it will become a 12' X 16' kite.

Perhaps it would be a 12' x 16' kite that is held safely flat 7' off the ground with poles, fittings, bungee balls, straps, and rebar.

[Sundial]

What possible chance could my little 12' x 16' tarp have against that? =(

Chance? 100%. That it will become a 12' X 16' kite.

Perhaps it would be a 12' x 16' kite that is held safely flat 7' off the ground with poles, fittings, bungee balls, straps, and rebar.

12' x 16' heavy duty silver poly tarp. Gorilla tape reinforcing around the grommets. A-frame pitch opening north/south with a peak around 5'3". Used climbers rope for guy lines. MSR adjustable tarp poles. 2' straight rebar stakes. Will this work, yes or no? I need to have a viable plan and I'm kinda freaking out here.

[TomServo]

12' x 16' heavy duty silver poly tarp. Gorilla tape reinforcing around the grommets. A-frame pitch opening north/south with a peak around 5'3". Used climbers rope for guy lines. MSR adjustable tarp poles. 2' straight rebar stakes. Will this work, yes or no? I need to have a viable plan and I'm kinda freaking out here.

Sounds fine, just keep an eye on it during a good wind...to see how it handles and be ready to make repairs as necessary. Being 5'3" it's pretty low profile, so I doubt you'll have problems. Keep in mind, the wind normally blows in two, opposite, directions. Also, if your unsure of your knot tying skills, a little duct tape or gorilla tape around the knot is extra insurance.

[FIGJAM]

It sounds fine, but I don't know what those poles are.

[TomServo]

Maybe slip some PVC pipe over it for reinforcement.

[Simon of the Playa]

one thing is for certain.

[Bob]

Maybe slip some PVC pipe over it for reinforcement.

[cough]

[Bob]

12' x 16' heavy duty silver poly tarp. Gorilla tape reinforcing around the grommets. A-frame pitch opening north/south with a peak around 5'3". Used climbers rope for guy lines. MSR adjustable tarp poles. 2' straight rebar stakes. Will this work, yes or no? I need to have a viable plan and I'm kinda freaking out here.

Practice putting it up with a nylon stocking tied around your face to simulate a dust white-out.

Sounds okay, though I'd go tall enough to walk under so you don't get clotheslined. Lots of ways to use those poles, buy a bunch if you can afford them. Two poles can be lashed together at the top to make a stronger A-frame arrangement that you can guy off to a single stake. Tie the bases of all the poles to stakes once you have the layout determined.

[Bob]

But this really is the wrong fucking thread for this.

Hey, look at the pretty clouds!

[Sundial]

But this really is the wrong fucking thread for this.

Hey, look at the pretty clouds!

You know a movie that had clouds just like that? INDEPENDENCE DAY! WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!

[JovReef]

*makes a mental note to add steel breast plate & helmet to all my costumes*

[VultureChow]

I am so fucked. My tent will hold, but I'm worried about my giant heavy duty tarp. It basically just lies over the tent and then is staked directly to the ground on either side. The extensions I built to hold it off the tent 12 inches won't hold, so I'm leaving them off. I'm more concerned about them coming loose and damaging my tent. So I'm attempting to rig a tiny figjam cooler. I have an old computer fan, a battery operated sump pump and a bucket. I'm going to hit Home Depot tonight and see what I can rig up. I will find a way to sleep out there.

I love my sleep.

[TomServo]

Maybe slip some PVC pipe over it for reinforcement.

[cough]

That's called an MSR adjustable pole. As previously mentioned.

[Simon of the Playa]

and in today's sports score:

Wind 9, Portapotties 0.

[theCryptofishist]

But this really is the wrong fucking thread for this.

Hey, look at the pretty clouds!

You know a movie that had clouds just like that? INDEPENDENCE DAY! WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!

You know another movie that had clouds just like that? Koyaanisqatsi! WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOMED!!1

[Just_Joe]

I am so fucked.

No your'e not. Yet.
This batch of storms blowing through is unseasonable.
They don't know what it's going to be like in ten days.
Winos of change and all....
If you want to get technical:
http://www.carsonweather.com/modules/wx/discussion.htm

[theCryptofishist]

It's an ill wino that blows nobody any good.

[Sundial]

and in today's sports score:

Wind 9, Portapotties 0.

Oh hell, is that from today?

[FIGJAM]

It's the "E" ticket ride of BM!

[Canoe]

I've been worried about getting my plywood pop-up roof done for the trailer. Seems Like I should be skipping that and make a lower roof stronger...

I can't wait!

[stew]

and in today's sports score:

Wind 9, Portapotties 0.

bring a bucket.

[maladroit]

Dust so thick you have to wave a shovel in front of you to walk, sun hot enough to fry an egg in the shell, so cold at night your vodka freezes, wind strong enough to fold rebar flat to the playa, mile-wide tornado at Center Camp every day at 8PM, a pack of rabid wolves, RV's blowing by like tumbleweeds, dessicated husks of hippies piled against the trash fence, every camp is a dubstep sound camp.

[FIGJAM]

You forgot the 50 FOOT DUST BUNNIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bounce530]

The sun's so hot that not only does it fry an egg in the shell, but the bacon EXPLODES!
"We're all going die!!"

News headline;

"60,000 dead due to bacon shrapnel."

[Sundial]

You forgot the 50 FOOT DUST BUNNIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And sparkle pony zombies.

[Eric]

[cough]

That's called an MSR adjustable pole. As previously mentioned.

Um. Go look at the site linked in Bob's profile. He is very much one of the resident experts on building on the playa (he's just not exactly the "chatty" type), and you will probably find answers to your questions there.