Shade Structures for those coming from overseas

[Apprentice Dreamer]

I'm coming to BM for the 1st time this year from the UK. As I'm flying in I'm limited on baggage & plan to pick up most stuff in the USA. That's mostly all sorted apart from a shade structure. I've done a bit of research and ruled out a monkeyhut as it involves too much pre-playa construction I won't have time to carry out.

My other options were A) tarp pulled over the car & staked down, which I'm not keen on; or
B) tarp and poles, I've seen fibreglass or aluminium poles (12 x4 ft) from a store in Reno & can get tarp/guylines/ft long tent stakes there too.

I reckon I can set up a pole & tarp shade fairly easily but my main concern is having it stay up so I want to ask those who've experience of playa conditions:
1) Will 12" tent stakes be sufficient anchorage, I'm thinking 10 stakes & lines for a 10 x 12 tarp held up by 6 or 8 poles
2) will 4ft poles be tall enough, I'm almost 6ft so I'm thinking no, I'm waiting for the store to get back to me to find out if they're extendible or not.
3) Would it make a difference whether poles used are aluminium or fibreglass, I'm thinking no.
4) What would be best for shading an open side of the shade structure, I'm thiking camoflage netting
5) Would horizontal roof(tarp) vs sloped make any difference to wind catching/stability. I guess it'll depend onprevailing winds & orientation I set it up but I'd welcome any advice
6) What direction is the prevailing wind on the Playa anyway, if there even is one?

Thanks

[TomServo]

I believe there are still public burn piles, the last day or days of the event. In which case, you might consider the 2" diameter wood poles, sold in the garden section of any hardware store. They are light weight and sold 8' and over. Using heavy Eye Screws for guy line tying points, the pointed ends can be driven or buried fairly easy into the playa.
1- 12 inches is a good depth for anchors, so maybe a few inches more.
2- 4 feet definitely has a low wind profile, but it's really up to you. Shade is the important thing.
3- Not burnable, but you can donate them.
4- Camo netting is good for shade. A little pricey, but cheaper and more effective than aluminet.
5- as the winds change direction, I'm thinking a vertical position would be most consistent.
6- pretty much parallel to the mountains on either side. From the South in AM and North in PM.

[dragonpilot]

If all else fails, pitch your camp next to a camp that appears to have their act together...read: nice shade structure. Visit...offer cookies...make friends.

[BoyScoutGirl]

If you haven't read it already, this post has some good ideas for small shelter: http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 42#p683773

Though those suggestions are all shorter than I think you're aiming for, if you can manage a way to sit comfortably, maybe you don't need to go tall. Especially if, as dragonpilot suggests, you're good at making friends

[Apprentice Dreamer]

Thanks all, very helpful.
I'll probably build a larger version of the structure boyscoutgirl linked to as it's along the lines I was thinking earlier, and it should be easy enough to build. Famous last words.
Definitely planning to make friends with the neighbours, though I don't want to impose too much so I'll get my own shade set up.