(Part 3) Top products from r/BurningMan

It's totally doable but you're going to have to work your ass off to prepare.

First things first: Find a ticket. Obviously.

Don't freak out about finding a camp. You don't need one to thrive out there. If you find a good one, that's fantastic, but really, don't stress. Your neighbours will be super great no matter where you wind up, and they'll help you out with anything you need. Also, odds are good that if you don't find a camp before you get out there, you stand a good chance of being invited to move in with one in pretty short order.

How are you getting there? You already have transport arranged? Is that how I'm reading that? If so, how much room is there in the vehicle for your gear?

Do you have any camping gear? A tent (teeny is fine - you won't be spending much time in it) is a must unless (and this can and is totally done out there) you want to risk hopping from tent to tent with random folks you meet out there. On that note, take condoms. Don't trust the other person to be safe/prepared/sober enough to think it through/etc.

The below assumptions are based on you going solo:

The mandatory packing list (off the top of my head - I'm sure I'm going to miss some bits) to survive:

Shelter

Water (minimum 1 gallon/day for drinking. These things are great: http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Products-Poly-Bagged-Carrier-Collapsible/dp/B001QBZI90 and run $8-$10 at your local army surplus store) Also, canteens/bottles to carry water around with you. It super sucks a: to run out of water far from home, and b: to haul around a 5-gallon bladder of water. Comical to everyone around you, sucky for you.

Food. Particularly because you're doing this last-minute, I recommend canned food (don't forget a can opened :D ) - I'm a huge fan of spaghetti-o's and fruit cup type things - single-serving/meal-sized. Tins of chicken and some crackers are a good plan if you're desperate for protein, but so are big bags of jerky. Anything non-perishable. Also quick and slow energy snacky things like trail mix/nuts/etc. Don't bring chocolate or anything else that will melt. Oranges will happily survive out there, however. Note that your appetite will probably be greatly diminished. Don't try to do anything super fancy.

Loose-fitting light-colored clothing. A hat/shade thing. Goggles (dust storms). A dust mask/bandanna/related, again for the dust storms.

Lights - a flashlight (ideally super light that can be thrown around your neck on a string) and some form of illumination for your person so art cars will see you and not run your ass over.

A cup.

Everything else is convenience/luxury.

Very nice to have:

A <$100 playa bike with a couple of blinky lights for visibility.

A shade structure. Don't panic on this one. Everyone around you will have shade, and everyone's always willing to share.

Take a couple of bottles of booze to share with the neighbours. That's always appreciated and a great icebreaker. Note: ice is available for sale out there; don't try to bring your own :D

I'll think of more later, but in the meantime, read these:

http://burningman.com/first_timers/

http://burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/

Oh yeah, and if you're soloing, finding a place to camp is daunting. Here's how it works: After queueing to gate, handing over the ticket, getting the car searched, etc, you will be molested by your very own greeter. Greeters are awesome. If you have a cold beer in the car with you, give it to your greeter. Give your greeter a big hug :D

After greeting, you'll drive (SLOW DOWN!) toward the outer rim of the city (back, center) and you'll run into a fork in the road. Choose a path. I plan to choose left. Drive along a couple of long blocks until you decide it's the right time to turn into the city proper. Do so. (SLOW DOWN!) Keep going. Turn left or right wherever feels right. Try to do it at an intersection, however. Amble about a bit more. Turn again. Go see what up that street over there. Eventually, you'll find a spot that seems right to you. Pull in, park, get out of the car, look around, panic a little, and start setting up your camp right on the edge of the street Follow the lead of everyone around you. Secret: a lone female will probably get extra offers of help from everyone nearby. Use it. Make friends. Dish out some of the aforementioned booze you brought along.

Once you're settled enough to feel like you have a place to sleep later on: Depending on the time of day, strap on some lights, and strike off down your street toward the port-a-potties. You MUST learn where they are. pre-dawn bathroom trips super suck when you don't know where the bathrooms are. Then go back to your camp because it'll be farther away than you thought. Get a sense of what's around you. MAKE A BIG NOTE OF YOUR STREET AND TIME. Then go back to the porta potty intersection (that's your first landmark) and head toward the Man. You'll be able to see him.

Once you get to esplanade/open playa, walk out 100 yards or so, turn around, and figure out where you just came from. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. THIS IS HOW YOU GET HOME LATER. From there, fuck off and have a great time.

And don't lock your keys in the car. Srsly.

First, foremost and most important: read the survival guide. Don't read it casually. Read it like your life depends on it. http://survival.burningman.com/

All our welcome. Not everyone is 20 and beautiful and drunk. Some are. I frankly like the fatter, older, wrinklier crowd more.

And here is what I sent today to the newbies in my camp. A shopping list of sorts:

for the newbies. Here are some things I can't live without at Burning man. You will find there are many different versions/opinions/etc. But this is what I use.

Camelbak:
You MUST carry water and several other items. Combing these into a backpack makes sense to me. We'll tag it with the camp locale when we get it so if it gets lost it has a chance of returning. Cheap ones tend to leak, so I recommend name brand on this: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=camelbak+hydration+pack&sprefix=camelbac%2Caps%2C310

Eye protection:
I hate goggles. Other people like them. I have tried many types. They all fog. So last time I started using very close fitting sunglasses type deal and it was awesome. For sure not as sealed, but I will trade that for eye sweat and fog. Whatever you pick, bring multiple pairs. Do not leave camp without these. Dust storms are real. I like something that's clear for night and shaded for day
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Virtua-Protective-Eyewear-11872-00000-20/dp/B00AEXKR4C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1404329889&sr=8-6&keywords=protective+glasses
Ooh a 6 pack: http://www.amazon.com/Eyewear-SR111AR-Reclus-Glasses-Reflective/dp/B002R9DBEE/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1404329916&sr=8-16&keywords=protective+glasses

Dust Mask:
You can use a bandana. You can use a keffiyeh (middle eastern scarf thing- the old school choice for desert protection) or you can use some form of mask- be it a disposable painters mask to a high tech respirator. This is another item you do not leave camp without and you bring multiple of (or multiple changes of filters)
I have one of these: playalung.com and like it.

Skin stuff:
Your skin will be pissed. You are walking in seriously alkaline powder. For sure we will buy the costco sized bucket of baby wipes and lotion (do your feet and naughty bits a MINIMUM of twice a day). If you have a favorite lotion etc, bring it. Group sunscreen and aloe will also be purchased. If you need chafe cream, bring it.

A cup:
People want to give you booze, or soup, or flavored water or something. They are not going to give you a cup, or silverware, or a plate. If you want those things. carry them. I usually can get away with just a cup.
I have something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Coffee-Cup-Camping-Travel-3-5-diameter/dp/B005FJE5HA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1404332088&sr=8-5&keywords=metal+camping+cup
carbabiner to outside of backpack and VOILA.

Ziplock bags:
You are responsible for your trash. If you have gross trash, you are still responsible for carrying back to camp with you. Have a ziplock in your backpack for this purpose. Putting tampons, poopy wipes etc in the porta-potties is ABSOLUTELY NOT OKAY. They go in your ziplock along with candy wrappers and grilled cheese smeared napkins.

Other stuff to carry/always have:
Hand sanitizer. There is often none at the portapotties. same goes for toliet paper.
Blinky stuff/lights. Half the fun of burning man is to get lost. Sometimes you wander for so long it's dark. If you are walking in the dark without lights on you you run a very good risk of getting hit by an art car. We call these people Darkwads and they are not looked on favorably. I often carry a bunch of glow bracelets for the express purpose of tagging darkwads for their own safety. Light your front and back at a minimum. Feel free to go crazy. More is better.
*Your bike lock. If you don't lock your bike, you will lose your bike. Then your ass is walking. And its far.

Medication: I bring a costco sized bottle of ibuprofen, benadryl and immodium to camp, as well as bandage stuff, some burn cream and blister treatments.

Ear Plugs: It's loud. Depending on where you camp maybe really loud. You probably want to sleep at some point. Bring some ear plugs.

No Steven is definitely not family. He used to be the editor of the Bay Guardian and came up under Tim Redmond and therefore had great access to Larry. His political beliefs are pretty out there (no surprise) but he is a nice guy and he writes well. The Tribes of Burning Man is a pretty good read.

Lookin' good!

A couple of things I'd say -

• Look for a better headlamp. You'll use it every year (and whenever you go camping), so get a nice one. Spending a little money here is ok.
  
  
• Get some industrial quality particulate filters. These look kinda lame, but they will save you from weeks of feeling like a 3-pack a day smoker post-burn. Get a cool dust mask cover to put over it if you'd like or a bandana.
  
  
• Chap stick!
  
  

I bought one of these 10-packs and it was awesome, I kept 2 in my bag, the rest packed up at camp, and you can definitely reuse them so I have about 6 unopened ones left to use this year. It was comfortable, light weight, took up very little room in my bag, and far superior to a bandana for keeping out the dust.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-8511-Particulate-Sanding-Respirator/dp/B0002YKBV2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372705915&sr=8-2&keywords=particulate+respirator+mask

This is the one you want: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010YZ4HE/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

We did a double-monkey, and used two of them to great success :)

I know the OP's post was technically a fundraiser but since it's written in the style of educating people of what their lighting options are I felt it's remiss in not mentioning one of the cheapest and best options: Cheap LED xmas lights.

Cheaper and brighter than EL wire, although not quite as robust.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Powered-Decorative-Christmas-Colorful/dp/B00IOHIBRA/

http://www.amazon.com/Sets-Blue-Lights-Silver-Products/dp/B010J4RMIO

I'm pretty happy with mine but I think I'm going to build a much bigger one for next year. I've already got a big crazy fan on it ( http://www.amazon.com/Rule-240-Marine-Blower-4-Inch/dp/B000O8D0IC ), and I think more airspace inside the cooler would help

If you want a really good look into the history of BM and a behind-the-scenes type of view, I highly suggest checking out Scribe's (author of the article) book "The Tribes of Burning Man" I've been a burner for 5 years and there is SO much that I learned from his book. It gave me a new-found respect for many aspects of the event that I just didn't have any info on.

These are my favorite for dead simple, no fuss installation. Would recommend one for each wheel plus a head and tail light: https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Spokelit-Bicycle-Wheels/dp/B001TKFZ7S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502007692&sr=8-2&keywords=nite+ize+bike+light

Some cheapo LED lights will crap out on you - I've had a set of these longer than my current bike. Been to 4 burns and still working beautifully with just battery changes.

I'm a fan on Nite Ize stuff in general - has treated me well for Burns :)

I met someone special at Burning Man and I wanted to get them a Burning Man related Christmas Gift. I am torn between this book, which ive read and liked, and the one linked to this post.

You want a wax based chain lube. Most others will attract playa dust, but this does a pretty good job (all things considered) at keeping the dust at bay.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041Q70C0/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

I have a big head and these fit over my glasses pretty decently.

As of this writing, you can get the Dolomite for $184 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Mens-Dolomite-Boys-Cruiser/dp/B00J7J40TM?ie=UTF8&keywords=mongoose+dolomite&qid=1462162350&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

I took the Hitch (slightly newer model of the same thing) out last year, and loved it. Both it and the Dolomite are 7-speed.

There are a whole heap of commonly-applied upgrades to these bikes that you can find here: http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/dolo-semi-wild-mongoose-dolomite-902410.html

I used a Mongoose Dolomite 7 speed fat tire bike this year and it was excellent. Sand dunes that made all my other friends suddenly spin were no challenge at all. The big mass of the bike makes effectively no difference when you never go up or down hills! Others would regularly complain for me to go slower, and some of them were yoga/runner types, who were just working a lot harder than me in order to maintain the same speed.

http://www.amazon.com/Mongoose-Mens-Dolomite-Boys-Cruiser/dp/B00J7J40TM

I would say that the gear shifting is probably not needed, if I were to do it again I would probably do a fixed gear bike - I very rarely was shifting, and its just another thing to deal with maintaining.

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/Bodyglide-Original-Anti-Chafe-Balm-Packaging/dp/B005L8YVRO

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^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

Let's not overlook the very first Mutant Vehicle ever on the Playa: Pepper Mouser's Mobile Living Room. I don't think it was on-playa this year, since Pepper is recovering from knee surgery, but it has been a staple from the very beginning. I rode around on it making daiquiris for everyone on-board with a bolted-down blender on burn night 2006...that was the first and only time I met Flash too... Good times. And if you don't know who Flash is, you should go look it up.... Know your history, young burners!

 

• Image of the Mobile Living Room
  
  
• LA Times - BRC art car retrospective
  
   
  

I have beaten the hell out of these on my backpacks and they hold up well. The plug-ins are also very nice.

Otherwise these guys are good for small, easy to use, and easily transferable lights (bring extra batteries!)

The link goes to "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HCTCHHK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_a-AjybEHCQ5SF". I'm no computer expert, but this looks like an Amazon referral code embedded within that link: "ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_a-AjybEHCQ5SF". If that's a referral code, that means somebody is making money off each Amazon purchase (and not just for that item, as the referral cookie stays on the person's computer for other Amazon purchases). I note that the link works without that extra portion, but yet its there. Perhaps someone can explain as its hard to believe a mod would do that, but look at the source.

Here's the lube (wax based instead of oil based, better for all the dust). https://www.amazon.com/White-Lightning-Clean-Ride-Squeeze/dp/B0016ZXE06/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=white+lightning&qid=1566270921&s=gateway&sr=8-10

Just clip a couple of these to your backpack. Easy peasy.

Yeah, look on Amazon for "OTG" goggles. I bought mine from there.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041Q70C0/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00

Simple steel cup with a handle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FJE5HA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

small enough if you get bad drinks
too small if you get good ones
no lid, so you might be an expert to drink and bike while bar hoping :P
Buy some carabiner to attach the cup to your belt/bag

Good tip: stick a copy of your ID on the side

https://www.amazon.com/Bodyglide-Original-Anti-Chafe-Balm-Packaging/dp/B005L8YVRO

Saved me last year

Maybe her hours were misstated? That seems most likely. Or perhaps she doesn't really need the money and just loves Burning Man. She (Jennifer Raiser) authored "Burning Man: Art on Fire" last year.

http://www.amazon.com/Burning-Man-Fire-Jennifer-Raiser/dp/1937994376

I used these and they held up ok. Just have to wipe the dust off them every day or so.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000007831-6-Person-Instant-Tent/dp/B004E4ERHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404207452&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+6+person+instant+tent

Non mobile link.

If you can get some coverage and/or wind breaks, it should be fine. But with the flat sides, you basically have to ask, "Can I run full force into the side of it and have nothing break?"

Also highly recommended: This is Burning Man by Brian Doherty.
Fantastic detailed history of the origins & early days, from the Suicide Club, Cacophany Society, then Burning Man.
https://www.amazon.com/This-Burning-Man-American-Underground/dp/1932100865/ref=la_B001JP4YV6_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521678685&sr=1-3

You can just delete the "ref" part from the URL and it still works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HCTCHHK/

This one? http://www.amazon.com/Rule-240-Marine-Blower-4-Inch/dp/B000O8D0IC

Like this? - I'll be staying in a 2 man dome tent.

I used this however I am going to go with a 6 person Coleman.

My husband and I have a few of these: http://www.thereadystore.com/5-gallon-stackable-water-container and these http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Water-Carrier-5-Gallon-Blue/dp/B00168PI4S

Reusable and keeps the dust out.

For those interested in the parts:

I ordered 1 inch Polycarbonate tubing from here: http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/plastic_rods_tubes_shapes/polycarbonate_tubes/276 cut into 2 four foot tubes.

Each tube has 4 of these light sticks, wrapped with packing tape for durability.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GB5YJQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And they are capped top and bottom with finger lights: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045H0L1W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I drilled small holes all along the tubing to lock in the light sticks with small machine screws, then drilled larger holes over the buttons so I could turn the lights on, off, and thumb through their various settings without having to remove them from the tubes.

All to avoid paying 200+ for poi sticks.

Seeyall at the burn!

I brought one of those 5 gallon collapsible portable water containers

Fill it up, use it, comes back smaller right?
Nope- It easily slipped from closed to open and leaked all over the inside of our tent. Just what we needed after surviving set up in the rain early Monday morning. :(

I rock a suit jacket every year with battery powered christmas LEDs. lasts all week, looks great, mad complements, and easy (all you gotta do is sew em in between the lining and the outside). I have started to branch out by painting voodoo iconography, sewing extra patches/mourning patches, and even made my own fur coat (with xmas led lights all over it)

Usually i go with something like this but believe me, AA packs are much easier and lighter than Ds, and are easier to get rechargeables. A few of my old suits had like 100 light strings in them, but that was a shit ton of sewing for not much more reward, so my suit this time will be going to probably be something like this.

Failures sometimes happen but usually after about 5 months of use beyond the burn. Multiple strings are a good contingency, and I am starting to look into AA powered 5050 strings.

For clarification, I make a new Jacket every year, usually in a theme like voodoo, day of the dead, ect. New one every year, as part of the ritual.
Using multiple small strings helps deal with a failure by still providing light if one goes dead.

I also add some reflective fabric on my jacket/pants just to add to visibility.

Monkey hut? The exposed rebar is an integral part of the monkey hut - that gets completely covered by PVC. For the guy wires, I'd still use tent stakes.

I'm not talking about the little pencil-sized aluminum stakes that come with most tents. Those are worthless almost anywhere. The thin aluminum ones are worthless AND an injury magnet.

These are available at your local surplus store:
http://www.amazon.com/Military-12-Tent-Stakes-Set/dp/B00AW0B12E
...and they often have longer, heavier duty ones used for holding down troop tents.

I've used 12" and 18" military spade stakes to hold down giant tents, larger structures, popups, costco carports, etc. Never had one come out in 13 years of playa storms. Never injured myself, or anyone, with them. And they go into - and come out of - the ground a lot more easily than rebar.