Any word on playa conditions for 2013?

[666isMONEY]

Source:

[trilobyte]

mulch, it's difficult to say. As I mentioned, in past years when the weather was like that around now, it made for a nice crunchy surface. Less in the way of random dust dunes, and less dust in the city in the early part of the week (but it breaks up pretty easily when walked or ridden upon). Your mileage may vary, and lots depends on what happens in the next month or so.

[Elorrum]

Last year I did not bring my bike because my impression from all the messages on this board was that it would be a repeat of 2008... beach like, and slow going, not bikeable.
So, I'm going to prepare for a great surface this year, and make adjustments as needed once I get there with all my gear.

[maladroit]

Unless there's actual water or mud, I'm pretty sure that the roads, at least, will always be OK to bike on. So I wouldn't go without a bike. Maybe it would suck to bike on the open playa some years, but the roads will be driven on and compacted and watered and dried and pretty much the same as always.

[pink]

Hell, in 2008 you couldn't bike anywhere, on road or off. I gave up after a couple of days. Last year biking around the 3:00 plaza and vicinity was pretty much impossible. The dust drifts were just too deep. The other side of the city was fine though.

[Sham]

In 2008, the city was enlarged as well as the very sandy dunes. Heading to the deep playa was very difficult if not impossible.
There was a fear that last year would be very sandy, but that was unfounded. For the most part, the surface was solid and easy to bike.

[FIGJAM]

I wish they would get the webcam fixed.

[theCryptofishist]

It sucks. Don't go.

[BBadger]

It'll be whatever it'll be. Last year was supposed to be horrible and hellish, but I was just laughing at how nice it was. I saw worse weather at Element 11. Just bring your bike just in case.

[maladroit]

I think we should actually talk up how horrible it will be, again. People were actually bailing on the whole event due to the prediction of Dustpocalypse, and anyone who doesn't like the idea of wind-driven grit whipping into their grinning mug while pounding in more rebar should stay home.

[MacGlenver]

I think we should actually talk up how horrible it will be, again. People were actually bailing on the whole event due to the prediction of Dustpocalypse, and anyone who doesn't like the idea of wind-driven grit whipping into their grinning mug while pounding in more rebar should stay home.

I'll second that.

[CornMan]

I think we should actually talk up how horrible it will be, again. People were actually bailing on the whole event due to the prediction of Dustpocalypse, and anyone who doesn't like the idea of wind-driven grit whipping into their grinning mug while pounding in more rebar should stay home.

And not to mention the getting stranded for days after the festival due to heavy rains.

[PlayaPatrol]

2008 was rideable. Every year is rideable if you adapt. Put 2.5 inch tires on bike. Deflate tires to 25 PSI. Pedal faster. Avoid massive loose spots.

[BurningDaylight]

I think we should actually talk up how horrible it will be, again. People were actually bailing on the whole event due to the prediction of Dustpocalypse, and anyone who doesn't like the idea of wind-driven grit whipping into their grinning mug while pounding in more rebar should stay home.

Talk up? Man, don't you remember the consecutive 72 hour white outs last year? Dust was 3-foot deep if it was an inch. This year I hear there are crevices worse than 2006. It will be Dustpocalypse II. Or Locustpocolypse. I forget which - my memory is a little off these days.

[Captain Goddammit]

I keep wanting to know what this year's surface condition is, but fuck it. We're all going anyway and we'll get what we get.

[FIGJAM]

About force 5 captain!!!

[trilobyte]

Heads-up, they are still experiencing some severe weather on the playa. Word is there were some severe thunderstorms and even hail on the playa this afternoon and evening, resulting in crews getting stranded out in deep playa. Last I'd heard there was an inch or more of standing water on the playa.

I'm not telling you this to scare you or to be alarmist, but to inform you as well as remind you that Burning Man is an event held in an extreme environment. In a high altitude desert the temps can range from very high during the day to very low during the night, and long before you consider things like climate change it's entirely likely we could have a full week of no precipitation whatsoever, or we could get some serious rain.

Plan accordingly. Pack all the things.

[TT120]

Here's a pic from yesterday on the Playa.

[DrewDubious]

Where are all the workers in rain gear!

[BurningRondo]

That's a bit of rain! ;D

I've Burned a few times, but never in rainy conditions, sounds exciting (and sticky) -- how long does it typically take for the playa to dry out enough to drive on?

[EspressoDude]

bring your water skiis!

[lastchance]

That's a bit of rain! ;D

I've Burned a few times, but never in rainy conditions, sounds exciting (and sticky) -- how long does it typically take for the playa to dry out enough to drive on?

Based on how things went at Juplaya this year (pretty strong thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday evenings), some driving was ok on Friday afternoon. Some vehicles fared better than others. Any kind of depression (like a road/track) could form a channel to hold water, which would eat cars in no time. A lot of vehicles got stuck, but it was mostly dry enough for me to drive my Subaru from our camp near frog pond out to the 3 Mile entrance to go into Gerlach for beer and smokes. By Sunday when we pulled out, we didn't come across any muddy bits.

One other note. Our dome got hit by lightning on Thursday night. My girlfriend was close enough that the indirect current knocked her to the ground and left a little burn on her scalp.

[Elliot]

Wonder if there is a contingency plan for a drier location near by? The call would have to be made soon.
But... we'll handle it, whatever it is.

[Cactus Pete]

DOOOOOOOMED!!

Heads-up, they are still experiencing some severe weather on the playa. Word is there were some severe thunderstorms and even hail on the playa this afternoon and evening, resulting in crews getting stranded out in deep playa. Last I'd heard there was an inch or more of standing water on the playa.

I'm not telling you this to scare you or to be alarmist, but to inform you as well as remind you that Burning Man is an event held in an extreme environment. In a high altitude desert the temps can range from very high during the day to very low during the night, and long before you consider things like climate change it's entirely likely we could have a full week of no precipitation whatsoever, or we could get some serious rain.

Plan accordingly. Pack all the things.

[Captain Goddammit]

Now scrambling to convert Yacht to 4 wheel drive... or tracks...

[Elliot]

Now scrambling to convert Yacht to 4 wheel drive... or tracks...

Heck, all you need is retractable wheels, like an airplane.

[lemur]

sourced from here: http://instagram.com/sfslim


(neato the 'instragram' embed thing works.. had never used that one before)

[Simon of the Playa]

Galoshes



bring them.

[trilobyte]

@Elliot - there are no plans to move the location. Burning Man's got some pretty solid rain contingency plans, and has dealt with bigger storms than that happening during the event. Personally, I'm hoping mother nature's getting the last of it out of her system before giving us a few dry weeks.

[Martiansky]

What will they do if the playa isn't dry enough to drive out onto it when the gates open? Delay opening?