Any word on playa conditions for 2013?

[Captain Goddammit]

Don't know about the rest of you yard birds but.. A storm is rolling into Salem from south east.. Not normal.. right now just thunder and lighting..I'm done playing the yard for today..

FIGJAM!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME?!!

[FIGJAM]

Tain't me!!!

It's all Chaney this time.

[kiss-o-matic]

look at all the spectators

Is that a game of tackle the man w/ the football? In all seriousness, I asked my girl if it rained, would she want to go run around naked. It's probably the only time we'd be in exhibitionist mode, but she did raise the obvious question: how do we clean up?

[C.f.M.]

look at all the spectators

Is that a game of tackle the man w/ the football? In all seriousness, I asked my girl if it rained, would she want to go run around naked. It's probably the only time we'd be in exhibitionist mode, but she did raise the obvious question: how do we clean up?

Easy, when the water trucks drive around, spraying water onto the roads, you run behind them - don't worry, they go pretty slow. You can shower several times a week, this way. No worries about building a shower or taking out all your grey water.

[Ugly Dougly]

This is one reason to look forward to the rains.

[Canoe]

Easy, when the water trucks drive around, spraying water onto the roads, you run behind them - don't worry, they go pretty slow. You can shower several times a week, this way. No worries about building a shower or taking out all your grey water.

No.
Please no.

From Burning Man Update: The Jack Rabbit Speaks
Volume 17, Issue #11, January 11, 2013

WATER TRUCKS - THEY'RE NOT MOBILE SHOWERS!

You’ve seen the trucks that drive around Black Rock City, spraying down the streets and dampening the dust, right? You’ve also seen the ‘naked marathon’... groups of people, tearing off their clothes (or not), and running behind the trucks, hoping to get cooled off by the spray. Quite a hoot, right?

Right, so let’s not do that anymore ... here’s why:

We know, it’s WATER, and we’re in the desert, and that’s amazing! But honestly, the water coming out of these vehicles isn't potable (pōtəbəl - safe to drink). It contains bacteria which could make you sick, and you certainly don’t want that, in the desert or elsewhere.

The playa gets incredibly slippery when wet, moreso than regular dirt ... over the years we’ve seen more than a few busted up faces, after folks slipped and fell against the metal bumper of the water truck (can we just say: OW).

Save your guts and your teeth, use potable water for bathing!

I always put my hand on the truck when running behind it . . . but do fish swim in it?

See also this thread:

Don't shower with your mouth open
by homo ardentum » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:44 pm

The latest Environmental Assessment for the 2012 permit is now out and it has some interesting info about the water source for dust suppression. The event’s identified water source is Fly Ranch in Hualapai Valley, approximately eight to 10 miles west/northwest of the event site. This source is a thermal, continually flowing artesian source; water is taken from a reservoir down-gradient from the actual surface expression. The Fly Ranch water source has been used in previous years, in accordance with water transfer certificates issued by the State water authority to Black Rock City LLC to allow for application of this water on the event site. The applicant contracts for six million gallons of water. They've done some water quality testing and found the following:

Table 3.11-1. Primary MCLs for Drinking Water – Fly Ranch Water Quality Results
Constituent Fly Ranch Water Source

Total Coliform 1,732.9 mg / 100 mL
Escherichia Coli (e. Coli) 11.0 mg / 100 mL
Fluoride 8.4 mg/L

So when you're running naked behind those water trucks, keep your mouth (and other orifices) closed!

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55846

[Cactus Pete]

So, back in 2010 I spent a lot of time in the medical tent.
Pretty much every member of my Camp had to visit at some point (including my future wife).
This was also the year of the Wedge. It was interesting to learn that it was the first installation to ever log more injuries than Thunderdome (slackers).

I saw dislocations, stitches, minor breaks, unconsciousness from heat exposure, the works.
The only time I saw anyone moved to the front of the triage line was some dude who had been chasing a water truck, somehow slipped and fell forward and hit his head on the water nozzle.
He had a big nasty gash on his forehead that had an instant septic infection. Nasty.

DO. NOT. CHASE. THE WATER TRUCKS.

[theCryptofishist]

But it's such a pathetic way to die.

[DrewDubious]

Fluoride is the most dangerous thing in that water.

[Asquared]

seems to me if it dumps rain that sort of negates the need for a water truck, no?

[DrewDubious]

seems to me if it dumps rain that sort of negates the need for a water truck, no?

it won't rain

[maladroit]

The playa will punish us for allowing feathers. Damp, bedraggled chicken ladies clucking to each other amidst the twisted wreckage of their EZ-Up roosts.

[Jackass]

So, back in 2010 I spent a lot of time in the medical tent.
Pretty much every member of my Camp had to visit at some point (including my future wife).
This was also the year of the Wedge. It was interesting to learn that it was the first installation to ever log more injuries than Thunderdome (slackers).

I saw dislocations, stitches, minor breaks, unconsciousness from heat exposure, the works.
The only time I saw anyone moved to the front of the triage line was some dude who had been chasing a water truck, somehow slipped and fell forward and hit his head on the water nozzle.
He had a big nasty gash on his forehead that had an instant septic infection. Nasty.

DO. NOT. CHASE. THE WATER TRUCKS.

Wedge was 2009. My first year, that I'll never forget.

I went down it once.

Fully clothed and sitting on the appropriate mat... I think for a couple of seconds my ass caught on fire.

That thing was all kinds of dangerous, saw people diving in face first without a shirt.

One guy was staging at the top on his unicycle. I don't know if he went down or not, but the potential for death was definitely there.

SAFETY THIRD

[C.f.M.]

The Wedge? That horrible astroturf slide thing? That was 2009, my first year, my campmate got t-o-r-e up, all down her ass and legs. Had to go to the medics for bandaging. I felt terrible for her, the soreness, hurt to walk, couldn't ride a bike - and the whole open wound thing. Egad.

[Cactus Pete]

So, back in 2010 I spent a lot of time in the medical tent.
Pretty much every member of my Camp had to visit at some point (including my future wife).
This was also the year of the Wedge. It was interesting to learn that it was the first installation to ever log more injuries than Thunderdome (slackers).

I saw dislocations, stitches, minor breaks, unconsciousness from heat exposure, the works.
The only time I saw anyone moved to the front of the triage line was some dude who had been chasing a water truck, somehow slipped and fell forward and hit his head on the water nozzle.
He had a big nasty gash on his forehead that had an instant septic infection. Nasty.

DO. NOT. CHASE. THE WATER TRUCKS.

Wedge was 2009. My first year, that I'll never forget.

Hrrm. My bad. S'pose that was 2009.
Point stands. Water from trucks = nasty.

Safety 3rd when it comes to making your own choices about sliding down giant Wedges of Doom (or AutoSub's slide), but risk of infection is a whole different bag of bad idea.

[stew]

It did promise "serious injury or death" on the back of my ticket. I'm entitled to that e.coli water!

[Just_Joe]

Here's a shot of the cell passing over BRC on Saturday night (click for full size)

_MG_7592.jpg

Short timelapse of "our" storm"

[media]

In our camp, the poles held but the tarp didn't...

_MG_7607.jpg

[Dr. Pyro]

According to "…that other forum…" which I know a few of us haunt, when the rains came they had already laid out the roads for the city. The rain made everything solid and conditions, as long as it doesn't rain again or when it would be most inconvenient, are the best in recent memory. Serendipity hardly discribes it.

[Just_Joe]

We hugged the outside of the west trash fence on our way out. The tracks were smooth rock hard (and still a little damp).
EDIT... my photos were from Friday night...

[9ah]

Photos being updated on regular basis.
http://instagram.com/sfslim

[DrewDubious]

Photos being updated on regular basis.
http://instagram.com/sfslim

Wow, looks awesome. Thanks!

[Cactus Pete]

Latest word on playa conditions are that they are... optimistically great?

http://blog.burningman.com/2013/08/buil ... -all-over/

[stew]

Latest word on playa conditions are that they are... optimistically great?

http://blog.burningman.com/2013/08/buil ... -all-over/

Wait till 68000 burners drive and trample on it for a week

Let's do our best to keep the playa conditions the way they are, shall we? Stick to the speed limit on gate road, and 5mph in the city.

[BurningDaylight]

seems to me if it dumps rain that sort of negates the need for a water truck, no?

No.

[Sundial]

Latest word on playa conditions are that they are... optimistically great?

http://blog.burningman.com/2013/08/buil ... -all-over/

But I LIKE crazy dust storms.

[Ugly Dougly]

Is it still flat?

[Sundial]

It takes place on the surface of a giant sphere. It was never flat.

[PhoenixFemmeFatale]

It takes place on the surface of a giant sphere. It was never flat.

[ygmir]

I was there yesterday......it's nice.

[Sham]

I was there yesterday......it's nice.

IT'S NICE! That's the ygmir report?