Getting Ready For Burning Man

Read survival guide.
Subscribe to (JRS) Jack Rabbit Speaks.
(both at burningman.com)

SHOP EARLIER NOT LATER. Burning Man supplies become rarer closer to the event.

Many people sell burner supplies on craigslist, search for 'burning man' or 'playa'

Communal Items

We will have the following items available in our town:

sledgehammer
kitchen table
domes + some carpet
Rebar caps, but feel free to bring extra
caution tape for marking guy lines
electrical outlets for light electricity usage (daytime, possibly night)
We've bought glow necklaces in bulk cheap, you can chip in if you want some.

If you want to buy a bunch of stuff for everyone in the town, you might want to check with Dave first to make sure someone else isn't doing the same thing.

YOU MUST BRING

Everything you bring will get covered with playa dust. Generally you shouldn't bring nice things to Burning Man.

WATER 1.5-2gal/day (2.5 gallon plastic water bottles are useful)
Camelbak or other water carrying device
Hot/cold weather clothing
Garbage bags
Contact supplies, toiletries
2 or more of: Headlamps (LED), flashlights, glowsticks, batteries
Day and night goggles (haight street/aardvarks $10-15 goggles)
also see: campnplaysafe.com
Dust mask
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Bicycle (this is REQUIRED gear) - see "Bike Procurement" below
- Balloon tires, preferably a junker
- Bike lights. Decorating your bike makes it easier to find.
- Extra inner tubes!
- BIKE LOCK. Do not use a bike at Burning Man without a lock.
Baby wipes + lotion + hand sanitizer + vinegar
Shelter (tent, or otherwise able to handle harsh winds/dust)
Tent stakes / rebar (with covers - tennis balls, plastic bottles)
Footwear (non-open, non-nice, *comfortable*, breathing)
Food (see below)

Optional

camera (don't bring nice camera unless you're prepared for it to be worn)
First aid
Duct tape
ear plugs
ziplock bags
FRS/GRS Radio (our camp will be on channel 17 sub 23 unless it's taken)
Costumes
What you would wear if you didn't have preconceived notions of what clothing looks like? (go to burningman.com for ideas)
Night of burn, anything with coverage is actually nice for avoiding radiant heat
Folding camp chair $5/$10 at target
Recharge/Gatorade/Emergen-C
Wide-brimmed hat (chin strap)
Cooking stove
Gifts trinkets, but not cheapo plastic crap. Something personal or special.
Solar lights (Big Lots, 3333 Mission, sometimes has them for $4-5 apiece)
Air mattress
Shade structure to put over tent, very nice for sun blockage,
but make sure it can handle wind, perhaps tie down to rebar
Costco: ~$200, or: $120 ebay sells carport kit (joints), ask A'lan
Sewing kit
Rope/string
Misting bottle (we'll have mist in the dome)
Phone calling cards (cell phones don't work)
Stamps + postcards
Fresh clothes for drive home
Massage oil
Paper towels
Fill up with gas when you exit freeway (last day station is Gerlach)
Krispy Kremes or beer for greeters or campmates when you arrive
Krispy Kreme 5050 Kietzke Ln 775.828.4344
80E -> exit 15 to 395S, 4 miles. Exit 63, redfield pkwy, lt Kietzke
For women: http://www.travelmateinfo.com/

DO NOT BRING

Feathers, feather boas, etc.. (shedding)
loose glitter, anything else that sheds
glass containers
excess food packaging
nuts with shells
don't bring fruits or meats without a cooler and plans to buy ice
styrofoam coolers
straw/hay

Food Suggestions

Nutter Butters + K.C. Masterpiece highly recommended (taste amazing)
egg replacers easier to put in cooler then eggs
soup is easy to clean
rice is not (but get premade or cook in bag)
Tastee Bite (VERY tasty, zero cleanup)
bread will dry out unless you ziplock 6-8 pieces
pancakes + fruit syrup
protein, sugar, salt, etc..
Your taste buds will change because of the elevation and basic pH.
As an example, V-8s actually taste good up there.
canned fruits and veggies
only bring granola bars that you will eat
avoid foods that make you thirsty (soda, granola bars)
coffee if you need it.
any instant dinners: mac 'n cheese, etc..
jerky

Bike Procurement

Check thrift stores, goodwill, craigslist and some bike shops for bikes.
San Rafael: http://www.tripsforkids.org/
Berkeley: Re Cycles Bike Shop: 510.665.1889
Reno: http://www.kiwanisbikes.org

Optional for having fun in our town

Arbitrary Regulation Brigade

Official looking uniforms, not silly.
(actually, we have plenty of the jumpsuits, vests and hard hats at this point)

White jumpsuits
Orange safety vests
Hard hat (white or yellow) (not the cheap toy kind)
Whistles, signal flashlights, optionally a megaphone, anything else official (i.e., clipboards, etc..)

Disco Dan's Mobile Disco

Stripper costumes (preferably velcro modified!), disco outfits (possibly white/sparkly), party time!

Propane Soccer

long pants/shirts that are not fur/synthetic, light gloves, non-nice shoes it's not an issue of looking nice, just have coverage and avoid getting singed

Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. It's too stupid.
Do not try this at someone else's home.
Do not try this anywhere.
Ultra Stunt Danger Academy, 2008

2006: Citizens | Projects | Map
2007: Citizens | Projects | Map