Getting Ready for Burning Man
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First Time Burners
For those of you that are going for the first time, we
are compiling a list of things that you need to know before you go. It can make
your experience much more rewarding if you can plan ahead and bring the things
you need.
- Pay as early as you can
- You do not need to spend the entire week - but don't
miss the burn on Saturday
- Expect harsh conditions
- Register your name and location when you get there
so others can find you
- Remember - no electricity, no water, no phones (cells
included), no services (except ice)
- You may not buy or sell anything (other than ice at
the Artic Station)
- Portable toilets are located throughout the area
Visit
the first-timers guide at the BurningMan.com website
Creating a Camp
Not everyone creates a camp prior to attending Burning
Man. If you have a group of people going together and you want to create a Camp,
then here are some ideas of what you might plan for.
- Develop a theme and unique name
- Register your name at BurningMan.com
- Create a sign to identify your group name
- Create a central structure
- Dome
- Tent
- Car port
- Your own design
- Register when you get there to establish your location
on the map
- Decide on what your group will share
What to Take
For first time burners, there is always the question
of what all should I take along and what can I get once I get there. Well, plan
on getting nothing when you get there. That is the way you plan. The intent
here is survival in a harsh environment. It can get mighty rough on the playa
and you need to be prepared.
Personal Items
- Chapstick or lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Tanning Lotion
- Q-Tips
- Saline Eyewash or Eye Drops
- Saline Nasal Spray
- Ear plugs (foam not wax) and sleeping mask (it can
be noisy at night and you will want to sleep during the day)
- Shavers and cream
- Toothpaste and brush
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Towel (2)
- Wash cloth (2)
- Brush or comb
- Hair gel
- Finger nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Condoms and Sexy Lube
- Toilet Paper (1 roll just in case)
- Un-Scented child wipes
Soap
- Dr. Bonners is a must. The playa dust will cause your
feet to rot, peel, and blister (it's acidic). Use lotion 2 times a day for
3 days before you leave for the playa
Clothes
Other Stuff
- Wide brim hat
- Sunglasses
- Bandana
- Water bottle carrier
- Water - take as much as you think you will need then
triple that amount
- Bicycle - with a light (extra batteries) - don't bring
your best bike - use an old clunker - alkali wreaks havoc
- Rack for bicycle - you will have to go and get ice
so you need someplace to tie it down
- Tire repair kit for bicycle tires
- Lock and chain (very important since there are over
30,000 bikes on the playa)
- Duct Tape
- Flashlights (with lots of batteries)
- Body paint - for the ladies especially
- Booze
- Small backpack
- Flashlight (large and small)
- Smokes
- Ash tray - LEAVE NO TRACE
- Disposable camera (2-5)
- Medicine that is important to you (The nearest pharmacy
is 100 miles away)
- Garbage cans and bags (everything you bring in must
be taken out - LEAVE NO TRACE)
- First Aid Kit
- Small amount of money (ice and coffee only)
- Mask and goggles (it gets very dusty during the day)
- Glow sticks
- Rope
- Open Mind
- Good attitude
- Desire to meet and help others
- Desire to learn
- Something to share
Food
- Energy drinks
- Water - at least 1 gallon per day for drinking
- Shower/cleaning water
- Electro-lite replacement
- Ensure (vitamin drink)
- Beer, wine, sake
- Juice (fruit and V-8)
- Power bars
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Wasabi peas
- Fruit (unripe)
- Sandwich fixin's
- Peanut, almond butter
- Tasti-Bites food in a pouch
- Dried beans and rice
- Canned foods
- 2-3 Coolers - 1 you open often (drinks) and 1 you
open once (food)
- Food to share
Camping Needs
- Shelter of some sort (tent, dome, RV) - and bring
tie-downs (rebar)
- Rebar to anchor things down
- Shade structure
- Sleeping bag
- Air Mattress
- Rug or carpet to hold the dust down
- Battery or gas lantern
- Portable shower (if you are inclined toward cleanliness)
- Knife
- Plate, spoons, forks, knives, and mug for coffee
- Plastic cups for water - drink a lot!
- Tent Cover (decoration)
Costumes
- Dress (for guys)
- Suit (for gals)
- Roman
- Alien
- Fish
- Pimp
- Mermaid
- Sea Creature
- Freak
- Mad Max
- Jungle
- Desert rat
- Paint
- Foil man
- Buy strange clothes from the thrift store
- Henna
- Nude
- Loin cloth
- The crazier the better
Do Not Take
- Glass containers of any kind
- Excessive packaging from foods (remember, you must
haul it all out)
- Dog or other pet
- Closed mind
For
much more information, the Preparation pages at the BurningMan.com website.
What to Do There
If you are going to spend the week, you are going to
have lots of time to see the sights, meet people, become inspired, be awed by
the art, and generally have a good time.
- Rest during the heat of the day - it can get over
100 during the day
- Get ice in the morning
- Party at night when it is cool (sometimes cold) -
it gets down in the low 40's at night
- Visit the artwork on the Playa - you will need a bike
because there are miles to cover
- Ride the Art Cars
- Share
- Spend time in the Cafe
- Spend some quality time at the Man and at the Temple
- Visit camps
- Make friends
- Explore new ideas
- Walk along the promenade
- Be bold, get involved, throw off convention
What to Expect When You Get There
- Sharing - people come prepared to share
- Everyone is equal - money means nothing
- Friends - wonderful, caring people all around you
- Sandstorms
- Rain
- Wind
- Hot
- Cold
- Dry skin
- Chapped lips
- Music all night long
- Lots of surprises
- Some nudity - though you will find that this is not
the focus
- Lots of art
- Fire
- Emotional release
- Tired legs
- Unbelievable talent
- Dust
- Long line getting in
- Fun
- Lots of time to meditate and reflect
- Miles of playa
Interesting Facts
Below is the standard organization of the Burning Man event. The Man stands
at the center of the circle with main avenues emanating out at 12:00, 3:00,
6:00, and 9:00. From the most inner circle which encompasses the Promenade from
2:00 to 10:00, ten roads form concentric circles with the Man as the center
point. All access road are aimed directly at the Man at every 30 minutes of
the circle. The central Cafe is located at 6:00 on the Promenade and the Temple
is equal distance away at 12:00. Camps are established on any of the concentric
circles. For instance, your location could be on Theory (a 2003 term) at 3:45.
That way, someone can find you.
Burning Man Location: -119 14 11.105358W 40 45 17.162029N
Elevation: 3,904 feet
True North and South is along road at 4:30
Promenades are 50' wide on the 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 12:00
axis with lampposts every 100'
The first road (Esplanade) is 2,100 feet from the Man,
the second road is 2,500', then every 200'. The City is 8,200 feet in diameter
The roads are 30' wide except the fourth and outer roads
(at 2,900' and 4,100')
Spoke roads are 40' wide (2:00, 3:30, 5:30, 6:30, 8:30,
10:00)
The distance from the Man to the Center Camp is 2,400'
Center Camp is 250' inside and 485' outside radius
There are approximately 35 miles of roads within the
City
Man to outer fence pentagon points is 6,500 feet with
7,500' between points
Pentagon contains over 2,300 square acres
Greeter Area to Gate is 1 mile
Gate to Gerlach is 13 miles
Gate to Reno is 120 miles
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