The Playa
 The Official Burning Man Survival Guide
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PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES
Participants at Burning Man must bring all necessities to the desert: food, shelter, water, fuel. Above and beyond the provision for individual survival, everyone is requested to help ensure our collective survival by following very simple rules relating to public safety and community well being. Everyone is expected to abide by these standards. Community membership is a privilege. Any violation of these requirements could result in ejection from the community. [Top of Section]
1. Do not drive cars in camp. Be prepared to come to Black Rock City and anchor your vehicle at your campsite. No cruising! Black Rock City is designed for pedestrians and bicycles. Except for public agencies, specially marked Black Rock City service vehicles and Art Cars licensed by the Department of Mutant Vehicles, no cars will be allowed to drive in camp or on the open playa around it. Licensed Art Cars will be permitted to travel only within certain areas of camp during specified times or during specially organized caravans and parades. When entering and leaving our site please observe posted speed limits (5 mph) within city limits. Pedestrians and bicycles always have the right of way over motor vehicles. Please email us at dmv@burningman.com for further information. [Top of Section]
2. Respect public boundaries. The boundaries of Black Rock City are clearly marked and established within an area of the playa which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) link here for purposes of public recreation. The BLM will establish a buffer zone on the playa around Black Rock City. No camping is allowed in this area. The marked area immediately fronting our city is reserved for works of art. Do not drive or camp here. A specially marked area is reserved for Walk-In camping. No automobile traffic or motorized vehicles are permitted here. [Top of Section]
3. No commercial vending! No vending is allowed at Burning Man. This means you do not buy or sell anything. Black Rock City is a place of sharing and free exchange within a gift economy. An exception is our Central Café, which sells espresso and a few other beverages as a public service. For further information about the café please email café@burningman.com. Ice is also sold in the Central Camp circle at CampArctica. Proceeds from the sale of ice are donated to local communities. [Top of Section]
4. All participants are required to remove their own trash and garbage. No trash receptacles or bins will be provided. Burning Man will provide only portable toilets that will be emptied on a regular basis. Contribute to our long-term survival. Pack it In, Pack it out. You are responsible for the condition of your campsite. No fires of any kind are allowed on the unprotected surface of the playa. Do not deposit garbage in neighboring towns. Public landfills are located conveniently nearby. See this page for locations: http://burningman.com/on_the_playa/garbage_recycling/take_trash.html [Top of Section]
5. Observe fire rules. High winds create a serious fire hazard within the densely settled confines of our city. Campfires and tiki torches are restricted to The Esplanade, the pedestrian boulevard at the front of our city, our Center Camp Circle, and within the public plazas of Black Rock City's two Outpost Stations. All structures must be 50 feet from any fireplace. No fires are allowed on the unprotected playa surface. Aerial flares rockets and explosives are prohibited in Black Rock City. Hay bales are not allowed. Respect art works. If an artwork is to be burned, only the artist who created it may do this. [Top of Section]
6. No firearms. The possession of firearms or ammunition within Black Rock City is prohibited. Neither our campground nor the greater playa is suitable for recreational shooting. [Top of Section]
7. Sound emitted from any camp should not cause serious disruption to adjacent camps. Large sound systems are limited to certain areas of our city. A large-scale Sound Art Zone will be located along the streets of 10 and 2 o'clock at the far ends of our settlement. If a problem with sound levels continues after sufficient warning, the source of power for such a device or system may be removed and temporarily confiscated. For more information about our Sound Policy please see this page: http://burningman.com/themecamps_installations/resource_guide.html [Top of Section]
8. Dogs are NOT welcome at Burning Man. Many pet owners are not prepared to provide the additional care needed for their animals in the Black Rock Desert environment. Stray dogs are also likely to be shot by local ranchers, or killed by coyotes. They are a burden to both Black Rock City and local communities. If you insist on bringing your dog to our event, you must purchase a Pooch Pass at a price of $100 in order to license and admit your pet. For additional information please email dogs@burningman.com. This license requires you to assume responsibility for your pet and responsibility for picking up all dog feces in your area. Dogs must be under their owners' control by leash or voice at all times. If your dog is deemed a safety hazard, both dog and owner may be ejected from the event with no ticket refund. Please read "The Pet Unfriendly Playa" on our web site: http://www.burningman.com/travel/survival/pets.html [Top of Section]
9. No one will be admitted without a valid registration ticket from Burning Man. Your ticket is a revocable license. Please see our tickets page for complete information: http://burningman.com/preparation/#top. Violation of these rules, or violent or anti-social behavior can result in revocation of your ticket and ejection from the event without refund. No one under 18 will be admitted without a responsible adult. Our admission Gate will be open at sunrise on Monday, August 28th. Tickets sold at the gate will be priced SUBSTANTIALLY higher than advance sale tickets. NO admission tickets will be sold at the Gate after noon on Friday, September 1st. [Top of Section]
10. Burning Man supports county, state and federal laws. This means you should comport yourself, with regard to these laws, as you would in any municipality. Burning Man does not promote or condone the use of drugs or public sex acts. The use of drugs in a physically challenging and hazardous environment can create a serious health hazard. We also support the First Amendment and your right to privacy as a resident of our community. [Top of Section]
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DESERT SURVIVAL
The desert is a place worlds away from that to which most of us are accustomed, and is governed by physical laws which cannot be ignored. You are responsible for your own survival, safety and comfort. Read this carefully, and make sure everyone in your group reads it as well.
What You Must Bring:
- Two gallons of water per person per day (for drinking, washing, food preparation). Keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
- Enough food/beverages and ice for your entire party
- First aid kit
- Warm clothing for evenings
- Bedding and shelter of some type; the winds can exceed 75 mph, and the mid-day temperature can exceed 100 degrees.
- A good camp tent is recommended along with warm sleeping bags.
- Garbage bags
- Any required prescriptions, contact lens supplies (disposables work great), or whatever else you need to maintain your health and comfort in a remote area with no services.
- Flashlights and spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
- Sunscreen/sunblock lotion and sunglasses
- Fire extinguishers, if you plan to burn your art
- Common sense, an open mind, and a positive attitude [Top of Section]
We Strongly Suggest You Bring:
- Shade structures, umbrellas, parasols, sheets; something to break the cruel mid-day sun
- A wide brim hat
- A cooking stove if you expect to heat food or liquid
- Bicycles (mountain bikes or "cruisers" with balloon tires are best)
- Portable shower (Sun Shower)
- Earplugs! (not everyone is going to want to sleep when you do)
- Watertight protective bags (e.g. heavy ziplocs) for cameras or electronic gear you may bring
- Lotion/lip balm to treat cracked skin
- Smokers: portable ashtrays (e.g. an empty candy tin)
- Costumes, musical instruments, props, banners, signs, and anything else you can think of that might make the experience more fun for you and your playa neighbors
- Fire extinguisher
- A radio
- Camp marker (flag, flasher, distinctive marking) [Top of Section]
Helpful Things To Bring:
- Tire repair kit for bikes
- Sewing kit
- Rope and/or string
- Handi wipes (Wet Ones don't smell)
- Duct tape
- Spray bottle (for misting)
- Rugs
- Particle/dust mask
- Gifts to give to new friends [Top of Section]
Your Body vs. The Elements
The Black Rock Desert is a thoroughly flat, prehistoric lakebed, composed of hardpan alkali, ringed by majestic mountains. Daytime temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees and the humidity is extremely low, which rapidly and continually wicks the moisture out of your body. Because the atmosphere is so dry, you may not feel particularly warm, but you'll be steadily drying up. Sunscreen, lip balm and skin lotion are your best friends on the playa. At nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, the atmosphere provides much less filtering of the sunlight that causes sunburn. The result is you will burn much faster and more severely than at lower elevations. Put on sunscreen in the morning and repeat as needed during the day. It takes nearly everyone a day to acclimate to the desert climate. Begin drinking more water as you approach the desert. To stay healthy and enjoy the week, drink water all the time whether you think you need it or not. Drinking one gallon of water per person per day is the rule of thumb. Users of alcohol, caffeine or other drugs are particularly at risk for dehydration, and should pay careful attention to their water intake. Dehydration can cause headaches, stomach cramps, abdominal pains, constipation, or flu-like symptoms. It exacerbates both heat-related and cold-related conditions (i.e. both sunstroke and hypothermia), and makes it difficult for the body to mend itself. If someone you know complains of these symptoms, or shows signs of either severe overheating or (worse) a case of the chills under the mid-day sun, get them to shade immediately and seek prompt medical help. In case of emergency, contact a Black Rock Ranger or go to our medical station in center camp or at the Black Rock Ranger Outposts. Medical aides are always on call and evacuation is available. Some signs that you may not be drinking enough water: You don't carry a water bottle with you at all times. You sip instead of drinking deeply. You wait to drink until you're thirsty (too late!) Your urine is anything but clear and abundant. [Top of Section]
Beating the Heat (and the Cold)
Make sure you bring some kind of shade for your camp and try to lie low during the hottest part of the day (save your strength for the night). Use sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and water. If you don't take a few basic steps to protect yourself, the desert's mid-day sun will cook you like a hot dog! When the sun drops over the horizon, temperatures can quickly plummet fifty degrees. Overnight lows in the 40's can seem exceptionally cold after extensive daytime sun, so you'll want a warm jacket and a good sleeping bag. [Top of Section]
A Few Words About Storms
The playa can be subject to sudden bouts of fierce, unpredictable weather. Storm cells, fed by rising thermals that stream upward from the surrounding mountains, may arise in the late afternoon or evening and bring high winds, lightning and (sometimes) rain into camp. Likewise, dust storms can prowl the playa in packs or sweep in a broadened front across the plain. Suddenly besetting us, they can produce instant "white-outs." Seek immediate shelter and stay there. If you are caught outside of shelter during this condition, simply sit down; cover your face with your shirt and wait. In the event of rain, again remain where you are. Do not drive during these conditions. Rainfall here is quite selective, and drains quickly. Severe conditions rarely last more than half an hour. Storms often come in with little or no warning. You need to keep your camp battened down at all times. This is especially true when you're away from your camp. Winds can exceed 75 mph and objects as large as sleeping bags, chairs, card tables, empty ice chests and tents have been carried away by occasional high winds. [Top of Section]
Securing your camp
Try to position your tent and any shade structures to present the smallest possible profile to the wind (prevailing south-southwest to north-northeast). Weight the interior corners of your tent; stakes which are 12-inch or longer are recommended. Lengths of rebar make excellent stakes, but all exposed ends must be capped (empty 1-liter plastic soda bottles will do the trick) to prevent foot/leg injuries. Please see Rebar 101 for complete information: At all times, keep objects (paper products, clothing, tarps, everything) secure from the wind. Ropes or cables used to stabilize tents should be flagged, preferably with a white or reflective material. They are hazardous to pedestrians at night. [Top of Section]
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BLACK ROCK COUNTRY
Black Rock country is truly one of the most fascinating landscapes in North America. Nestled within the western edge of the Basin and Range Province, the Black Rock forms a unique assemblage of volcanic lava flows, ash, ancient shallow marine sea floor, exotic batholithic terrain and lacustral sedimentary packages. Within the Black Rock, the most striking and prominent feature is a silt alkaline Salt Pan, commonly referred to as a "playa". The Black Rock Playa, elevation 3, 848 ft is the second-largest flat region in the Northern Hemisphere and is so immense that you can actually see the curvature of the earth. Shaped like a "Y" the Black Rock can be divided into 3 parts: the playa, west arm, and east arm. The longest stretch of playa is 27 miles along the west arm and south of the intersecting arms the widest spot is 12 miles. Also unique to Black Rock, is a large concentration of Hot Springs, found along the escarpment of the ranges bordering the playa. The source of the springs is still unknown although it is theorized that they are the result of active volcanism and latent heat from the Cascades in northern California and Oregon. The playa is the remnants of Pleistocene Lake Lahontan, which at its greatest expanse 13,000 years ago covered 8,665 square miles of Northwestern Nevada. Over the last 75,000 years Lake Lahontan has had 4 measurable highstands which all correlate to glacial advances in the Sierra Nevada. The highest lakestand was during the most recent glacial period. Geologic evidence suggests depths up to 920 ft at what is now referred to as Pyramid Lake, 525 ft in Walker Lake, and 490 ft in the Carson Sink. Lush vegetation and an abundant water supply was present, provided from rivers draining off the Sierra Nevada Mountains & Modoc Plateau. Giant mammoth, camel, horse, and saber-toothed tigers roamed the marshy land. In 1979, the largest mammoth ever found was discovered in the Black Rock located in a channel of the Quinn River. This 17,000 year old Imperial Mammoth was 50 years old at death, weighed 13,000 pounds, and was 13 feet high at the shoulders. Glacial retreats, subsequent extension of the Basin and Range, and further development of the California Coastal Ranges, Sierras, Cascades and Klamath Mountains created physical barriers generating a Rain Shadow habitat in northwestern Nevada, and eastern Oregon. Lake Lahonton eventually dried-up, leaving behind terraces (up to 300 ft wide) on the surrounding mountains and the current playa surface.
-composed by Catherine O' Riley
Suggested Reading: Geologic and Natural History Tours in the Reno Area (1995), Purkey, Becky Weimer, University of Nevada, Reno, Mackay School of Mines [Top of Section]
GETTING TO GERLACH FROM THE WEST
From Reno, Nevada, take Hwy 1-80 east for approximately 30 miles. Take the Wadsworth/Pyramid Lake exit #43 to Hwy 447. Go north one mile to Wadsworth and turn left, staying on Hwy 447. It's 75 miles to Empire where gas and supplies are available. Continue 3 miles on Hwy 447 to Gerlach where gas is also available. Get gas when you arrive if you'll need it when returning home. See LOCAL DIRECTIONS below.
GETTING TO GERLACH FROM THE EAST
From Winnemucca, there are two options. 1) I-80 is the primary route to follow for 130 miles to exit 43 then follow the same directions as above from Reno. 2) The alternative short cut is about 100 miles shorter but is a rough dirt road with easy-to-miss turns, mining vehicles and a couple of treacherous dips. If you are into this and prepared to be self-reliant in the event of a flat tire or breakdown, here are the directions for the Jungo Road. From I-80 take exit 178 to the main drag, Winnemucca Blvd. Gas, groceries, etc are all available here. Take US Hwy 95 towards Boise - in town this is Melarkey Road. Proceed past the Riverside Liquor and Grocery, under I-80, over the river and railroad and take the first left onto Jungo Road towards Jungo and Sulphur. Bear left on a down-slope along the guardrail. (Jungo and Sulphur are not towns, just names on the map!) Note: There are several turns that are easily missed at night; it's advisable to do this drive in the daylight. Generally, you bear right at crossroads. When you reach pavement, turn right towards Gerlach, about 100 miles from where you left pavement. See LOCAL DIRECTIONS below.
GETTING TO GERLACH FROM THE NORTH
Begin at the town of Alturas located in northeast California along Hwy 395. This is the last opportunity to fill up on gas and the last services for a hundred miles. Take Hwy 229 east about 25 miles, then turn south onto Hwy 447 and proceed about 75 miles to Gerlach. Get gas when you arrive if you'll need it when returning home. See LOCAL DIRECTIONS below. [Top of Section]
LOCAL DIRECTIONS to Black Rock City from Gerlach, NV.
From Gerlach, go northwest on Highway 447 for one mile to the fork. Take the right-hand fork, Hwy 34, and continue 11 miles to the Burning Man entrance. Note: The 3-mile playa entrance used in previous years will be closed. The 12-mile playa entrance beyond will not take you to Burning Man and will be patrolled by law enforcement. [Top of Section]
TRAVELERS ADVISORY
The state highways leading to Gerlach (the closest settlement to Black Rock City) and all other roads in the area are patrolled by the Nevada Highway Patrol. 25 MPH, as posted in nearby towns, means exactly that. Local kids and pets play in the road -- be careful. Outside of town, be prepared to share the road with livestock and wildlife. Most vehicle accidents in which participants are injured occur on Hwy 447/34 on the final approach to Black Rock City. It is sadly ironic that people have often made it across the country only to have a serious injury in the last few miles. Please be cautious! Tired? Then stop to rest! Be alert for cattle and deer that will dart into the road in front of you, especially at night. A note about jackrabbits - there is an over abundance of them and they are "kamikaze." It is not worth jeopardizing your safety to swerve in an attempt to avoid them. Stop and look carefully at all train crossings. Estimating the speed of trains is misleading in the broad desert expanse. Always wait for any oncoming train to pass before crossing railroad tracks. [Top of Section]
WARNING
Be advised that the Nevada Highway Patrol have been known to make random stops and conduct unwarranted searches of vehicles with out-of-state license plates. Do not park alongside Highway 34. The county Sheriff will ticket any vehicles that are parked by the roadside. The road to our encampment is your only access to Black Rock City. There are no other routes. The federal Bureau of Land Management has declared an off-road closure throughout a two-mile area around our city. It will be patrolled by law enforcement agencies. Anyone attempting to enter the playa off-road will be subject to substantial fines. Furthermore, the margins of the lakebed are saturated with water flow. You will get stuck. Mired vehicles may remain stranded for days or weeks. [Top of Section]
OUR NEIGHBORS
As you arrive within sight of the Black Rock Desert, you will pass through the communities of Empire and Gerlach. Empire boasts a grocery store -- it is your last chance to purchase provisions! Gerlach amenities include a gas station, a car repair and towing service, two restaurants (Bruno's and the Black Rock Saloon), and Burning Man's roadside office. Please remember that these twin towns are NOT extensions of Black Rock City. DO NOT replenish your water supply from a local spigot. Water is precious in the desert. This water belongs to local residents. DO NOT deposit any form of garbage here or by the roadside. DO NOT speed through these towns, and avoid blocking driveways if you park your car. Behave as you would in any small community. Life moves at a slower pace in Black Rock Country. Local merchants are unaccustomed to crowds of customers. Be courteous and patient, dress appropriately and do not impart a party atmosphere. We are guests here. Learn the name of someone and use it! [Top of Section]
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SAFETY & COMMUNITY
BURNING MAN IS AN EXPERIMENT IN TEMPORARY COMMUNITY. Because many people only know a world shaped by institutions, service workers and commercial transactions, they may not even recognize the signs of a community. Here are a few indications:
- CAPACITY Communities are built on the recognition of the unique abilities of every member. Commerce and the public service sector define us on the basis of deficiency and need.
- COLLECTIVE EFFORT Community is cooperative -- uniting us as varied members of one body. When, by contrast, we consume a service, we're made passive. 50 million people may view a television program or consume a beverage in complete isolation from one another.
- INFORMALITY In the community, transactions of value take place without money, advertising, or hype. Care emerges in place of structured service.
- STORIES In universities, people know through studies. In businesses and bureaucracies, people know by reports. In communities, people know by stories.
- CELEBRATION Community activities incorporate celebration, parties and other social events. The line between work and play is blurred and the human nature of everyday life becomes part of the way you work. You will know that you are in a community if you often hear laughter and singing. [Top of Section]
BLACK ROCK RANGERS
It is the mission of the Black Rock Rangers to safeguard the community. Founded by the legendary Danger Ranger, this group of intrepid scouts is trained to assist all campers in emergencies, provide for our camp safety, answer questions, and distribute survival information. Ranger headquarters will be located in Central Camp, with additional outposts in the North and South sections of the City. [Top of Section]
LAW ENFORCEMENT
This year, as in previous years, we will be working with the Pershing County and Washoe County Sheriff's departments, Bureau of Land Management law enforcement officers and other cooperating agencies from surrounding counties. They have at times assisted with search and rescue operations. These folks are not here to police your lifestyle. They are here to help in the event of a real emergency. Our community is remarkably crime-free, but don't lose track of the fact that you are in a city. Secure your valuables when you are away from your camp. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and your local Black Rock Ranger; work with them to keep your neighborhood secure. [Top of Section]
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
If you or someone you know (or encounter) requires medical assistance, contact a Black Rock Ranger or visit our medical station in Central Camp or at the Black Rock Ranger outposts. Trained emergency medical personnel will be on duty 24 hours a day, and emergency evacuation (via ambulance or helicopter) is available. According to our medical staff, the most common problems are dehydration, sunburn (including the eyes of some who forgot their sunglasses), and foot and leg wounds from stepping or tripping on unprotected rebar tent stakes. [Top of Section]
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Our community radio station, Radio Free Burning Man at 99.5 FM, will broadcast public information. RFBM consists of programs you've heard in the past, new programs and community news. Stop by and get on live! In addition, we have a new radio station, Burning Man Information Radio at 105.7, all information radio. Get the REAL news 24-7, weather, events and Black Rock City information.
Burning Man 911 radio communications
In the event of an emergency you can contact the Black Rock Rangers with a CB or HAM radio. CB: channel 9, HAM: 2m VHF at 144.400 (100hz CTCSS or PL tone), and 70cm UHF 444.400 (100hz CTCSS or PL tone). Dispatchers will monitor all three channels 24 hours a day. Be prepared to state your name, your location (theme camp, landmarks), intersection, and/or other distinguishing features), and the nature of the emergency. Try to remain in radio contact with the dispatcher until the Black Rock Rangers arrive on scene. For more info, email 911@burningman.com or visit Ranger HQ in Center Camp.
Telephone service
The use of cell phones is prohibited in Black Rock City. Public telephones are available in Gerlach. [Top of Section]
DEPARTMENT OF MUTANT VEHICLES (DMV)
Black Rock City is designated for pedestrians and bicycles. The use of motor vehicles or wind-powered sail vehicles for recreational driving is prohibited. Be prepared to drive your vehicle to your chosen campsite and leave it there during the event. Art cars and other art-based conveyances form a particular exception to this rule. Providing that they meet certain safety standards, they will be licensed at the gate by our Department of Mutant Vehicles and will be permitted to parade on specified streets and in certain areas during specified times. Other unmodified vehicles intended for recreational driving such as motorcycles, ATV's, quad-runners, and electric motorized conveyances such as golf carts, will not be allowed to pass through our gate. If a motorcycle is your sole means of transportation, you may enter the city and park it at your campsite. For info contact: dmv@burningman.com [Top of Section]
BICYCLES
Bicycles are not merely a convenience in Black Rock City. They have become a necessity. Large art works now fill a space that extends one-mile outward from our settlement. The streets that ring our city are more than two miles long! If you wish to avoid sunstroke and hope to see at least some significant part of the attractions at Burning Man, we strongly urge you to bring a bicycle equipped with a light and a lock to secure it.
FREEDOM & THE MEDIA
Our primary tenet on the playa is simple: Do nothing that interferes with anyone's immediate experience. Do not jump in front of other people's view, or interfere with anyone's participation. Camera people and journalists are also subject to these rules. On the other hand, people do want pictures. If you are a camera-carrying participant, when possible please ask permission to photograph individuals and artwork. In some cases you may want to trade information for future contact. The policy of Burning Man is to welcome journalists and involve them as members of the community. We're non-exclusive and regard coverage as a means of communication. We work cooperatively with the media -- after all, they are helping us to affect the outside world. Many participants who have found the event have learned about us through the media. In exchange, however, we require reporters to absorb and respect our unique ethos. Professional video crews are pledged not to interfere with your experience. They are merely here to record what happens. Should you feel that someone toting a camera is creating a nuisance, contact a Black Rock Ranger. There will be NO videography or filming without permission. ALL motion-capturing video or film cameras must be registered, whether for personal or professional purposes. You have a right to protect your privacy at Burning Man. Should you encounter a person with an un-tagged camera, suggest they check in at Media Mecca before filming you, your art, or theme camp. For more information on Media Mecca go to: http://burningman.com/on_the_playa/infrastructure/media_mecca.html. Commercial media will receive a specific token indicating they've participated in an initiation and have agreed to the rules of our community. Should you encounter a problem, please report the person and tag number to a Media Mecca volunteer. Those intending to film or videotape for personal use must sign a use agreement that can be obtained at the Gate, Greeter's Station, Check Point Salon and Black Rock Ranger Outposts.
COMMERCE AND CONCESSIONS
The sale of products is prohibited within our community. Stock up before you arrive. Sales of handmade items and food items "in order to cover costs of the trip" are not allowed. There is NO vending. Ask your neighbors should you need a specific item. Confront your own survival. This is not a consumer event. Though ice will be available on-site, these proceeds will be used to support several Gerlach-Empire community groups.
PARTICIPATION
If you want to broaden your participation in the festival, there are always volunteer positions available. Visit Check Point Salon in Central Camp. Ours is a society of activists. When we see a job that needs to be done, we are inclined to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Keep this in mind: there is no "they," only "us." Burning Man is a 100% participant-funded and staffed event. Sadly, there are always a few people who just don't get it. These folks believe that the mystical "they" will appear to provide for their needs and clean up their mess. Help us instruct them. If you see someone acting irresponsibly, let them know about it. Please visit our page for additional information: http://burningman.com/on_the_playa/infrastructure/check_point.html
NOISE CONTROL
Sound travels on the Playa. Be advised that the only reliable way to get a quiet, uninterrupted night's sleep is to bring earplugs. If you use an amplified audio system at your camp, the volume must be held to reasonable levels. If a problem with sound levels continues after sufficient requests and warning, the source of power for such device or system may be removed and temporarily confiscated. For additional Sound Policy info please see: http://burningman.com/themecamps_installations/resource_guide.html
The hum of generators can become annoying over a long period of time. Please keep your neighbors in mind. We recommend generators that are sound insulated. For additional Generator info please see: http://www.burningman.com/travel/survival/generators.html
BURNING ETIQUETTE
The burning of public structures, such as lampposts or bulletin boards is prohibited. Likewise, the burning of other people's artwork is also forbidden. Individual artists have the sole right to burn their own creation. This rule is simple. Do NOT burn other people's property! If you witness such vandalism, please inform a Black Rock Ranger. Burn your art on our Community Burn Platforms located at the front of our city at the end of every radial street.
WALK-IN CAMPING
A marked area immediately behind the south side of Black Rock City will be reserved for walk-in camping. You will need to leave your vehicle, and portage your belongings to your chosen spot. No vehicles, RVs or generators will be allowed in the Walk-In Camping area. The sheer difficulty of this exercise will keep the area sparsely populated, and your efforts will be rewarded with solitude not available in other parts of the City.
LATE ARRIVALS
If you arrive in our city at night, and do not know where to camp, we recommend you stay in Temporary Camping until morning. You will NOT find your friends by cruising and are inadvertently likely to camp in a reserved space and you may create a hazard for others. You can get information and find your way more safely by the light of day.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
In a community rich with artists, pranksters and storytellers, rumors abound. Accurate information about events, scheduling, public safety and other vital concerns can be obtained through our in-camp Information resources: the WhatWhereWhen, the Black Rock Gazette, and through regular news bulletins on Burning Man Information Radio or Radio Free Burning Man.
BULLETIN BOARDS
There will be several playa-based resources for information. The Dynamic Board will be located at the Greeters station. This board will map campsite coordinates for future arrivals. A Card Catalog in the same area will cross reference camp names, locations and camp members. In Center Camp will be the Events and Information Board and "Burning Bell", where you can leave a message for friends.
INFORMATION AND LOST & FOUND
All odd and miscellaneous questions should be directed to the "Check Point Salon/Information Booth" in Center Camp. Ms. Information and her highly informed crew have a wealth of info about events, volunteering, found items, special camp layout and placement (kids' district, alternative energy zone) During the event, bicycles left out on the playa or in camp are not lost and should be left where they are.
HOT SPRINGS
Our numbers have grown, and the potential for strain on the surrounding environment has also grown. During Burning Man participants are discouraged from using the local hot springs. A special environmental team of Earth Guardians working with the BLM will be assigned to patrol and protect these fragile resources. For more information on the Earth Guardians, please see: http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/environment_concerns/earth_guard.html
IN-and-OUT POLICY
Movement of cars is a safety hazard, and protection of the environment is of paramount importance to Burning Man. Casual traffic in and out of Black Rock City is strongly discouraged. Participants who leave and return by personal vehicle will be required to pay $20 per person. The alternative is our community bus service which travels between Black Rock City and the nearby towns of Gerlach and Empire. Tickets for the bus shuttle will be available in Center Camp for $5. You must be sober, dressed appropriately for town and you must carry your event ticket stub. The bus will depart from the vicinity of Throat Road and Finger Ring Road (surrounding the Central Camp circle) on a regular schedule, Wednesday-Thursday.
TOILETS
Portable toilets will be provided, and will be emptied regularly. Use these facilities only for their intended purpose -- not for dumping garbage. Put the lid down when you're done -- it helps keep odors under control. Please do not defecate on the playa; it is an unpleasant mess for everyone, especially for those who restore the playa after the event.
RVs
You are welcome to bring a recreational vehicle. Be aware, however, that there is no dumping station on-site, and you will not be allowed to dump on the playa. Pumping may be obtained for a fee on site.
RENTAL TRUCKS
Corporate advertising is not allowed at Burning Man. Participants with rental trucks are encouraged to cover or decorate prominent logos. [Top of Section]
EXODUS - an exercise in patience and cooperation
As you drive to Burning Man along that small two-lane country highway, observe its narrow, finite capacity. Now imagine 10,000 vehicles trying to leave Black Rock City in one day. Like draining a bathtub with a straw, it will take time. That means the annual Sunday traffic jam, The Exodus. This year it will be better, but making it better requires your help.
On Sunday, expect a long wait to get out. The main highway from Burning Man has a maximum capacity of 450 cars per hour, so we will be holding the traffic jam in several rows along the gate road -- outside the city. Large groups of cars will then take their turn to leave the playa in a steady, organized and continuous flow. Instead of sitting in a line of traffic with your motor running for 2 hours, you can stop your car, relax and visit with the next car. Keep the spirit alive. Cooperate with the Rangers and Exodus staff directing traffic.
Suggestions;
1) Don't leave Sunday. Enjoy a mellower BRC Sunday night, and leave Monday or Tuesday instead.
2) Agree to have each vehicle in your camp leave at different times and spread this time out as much as possible. We recommend 2-3 hour intervals.
3) Tune into Radio Free Burning Man at 99.5 FM or Burning Man Information Radio at 105.7 FM for detailed traffic reports on Exodus Sunday.
4) Cooperate with the Rangers and Exodus staff directing traffic. Don't attempt to jump the line, be a pushy driver, or break out across the playa. Citations will be issued by BLM officers and you may have to go back to the end of the line.
We're recruiting dozens of volunteers to help direct traffic on Sunday, and bid a friendly goodbye to everyone. Come to the Ranger Station in Central Camp Circle during the festival for information on how to help out. Off the playa, you can reach us at exodus@burningman.com. [Top of Section]
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PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Every Camp is responsible for its refuse. We are ALL responsible for trash in Black Rock City. Trash can be ANYTHING you bring here: tent stakes, bottle caps, ashes, orange peels, cigarette butts, pistachio shells, and boa fibers -- even sequins. See our List o Trash: Pick it up and take it with you! Better yet, prevent trash from happening. Observe this simple rule:
DON'T LET IT HIT THE GROUND.
Burning on the unprotected surface of the playa produces burn scars. They resist weathering and create permanent and unsightly blemishes. Over time, they can form hummocks or bumps on the playa surface that become a serious safety hazard for vehicles. In order to prevent this from happening, we have adopted an important new policy:
DON'T BURN THINGS ON THE UNPROTECTED PLAYA
We will install special Community Burn Platforms on the open playa. They will be located approximately 100 feet from the end of each radial street in the area that immediately fronts The Esplanade. They will consist of two sheets of corrugated metal laid atop an elevated platform. Please use these Community Burn Platforms if you wish to burn your art. Artists who install and burn art works in other areas of the playa are required to protect the earth in a similar fashion. Participants may also use these Community Burn Platforms to dispose of small amounts of burnable refuse (NO toxic materials, such as PVC pipe or articles stuffed with synthetics, may be burned at any time). Large items, such as couches and carpets MUST be packed out.
CLEANUP TIPS
- Be ready to contribute 2 hours of your time to a general public clean up. Please join with your neighbors during the last two days of the event, or schedule two hours on your own during your stay.
- Batten down all objects in your camp, especially plastic cups or paper plates, that can be swept away by the wind (Better yet, don't BRING plastic cups or paper plates).
- If you bring bottles, take them home with you and recycle them there (Aluminum is recyclable in BRC).
- No bottles in fires! They shatter and create a miserable pick up chore.
- Police your camp daily for litter. Clean as you go.
- Smokers! Carry a portable ashtray (a mint tin, or other metal receptacle) with you at all times. Never drop butts on the playa.
- Tip for collecting and containing broken glass, nails, screws and other Sharp objects: take an empty plastic water jug and cut the top off (3" Diameter hole) so that the handle remains in tact. Don't forget gloves.
- Bring shovels and metal containers to remove any ashes. [Top of Section]
RECYCLE REMINDERS
- Leave unnecessary packaging at home.
- Reduce food packaging you bring. Choose less messy menu items (finger foods). Avoid leftovers (feed your neighbors). Bring pre-cooked food.
- Separate burnables from recyclable and wet garbage.
- Bring a mesh bag to dehydrate wet garbage or 5 gallon sealable bucket to store it.
- Reuse containers. For example, concentrated juice may be purchased in 12 ounce plastic bottles. Mix this into a gallon water jug, and use the original concentrate bottle to drink out of over and over.
- Choose crushable cans over plastic and glass. Aluminum cans can be brought to Recycle Camp. See our page for more information: http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/environment_concerns/recycle_camp.html
- Bring your own reusable beverage container to cocktail parties -- ideally one with a hook that's part of your outfit wherever you go.
- Garbage disposal after the event Do NOT discard refuse along the highway or in neighboring towns. Several public landfills are locatedconveniently nearby.
- In Fernley, FERNLEY SANITATION will be OPEN through the Labor Day weekend. The office phone is 775-575-4964. The office (but not the dump) is closed on weekends. The rate is $3.85 per cubic yard (27 cubic feet). To reach Fernley Sanitation from Eastbound I-80, take the first (most westerly) Fernley exit and proceed right (south) to "downtown" Fernley. Turn right at the stoplight and onto Highway 95 (towards Silver Springs).
- LOCKWOOD LANDFILL is run by Reno Disposal (100 Vassar St, Reno 775-329-8822). It will be open for business on Saturday, Sunday and Monday Sept. 4, 5 and 6. They operate 8-4:30 weekends, and 7-4:30 on weekdays (even including the Labor Day Holiday!) Head West on I-80; get off on Exit 23. Lockwood is located near the eastern outskirts of Sparks/Reno.
- RENO TRANSFER STATION (run by Reno Disposal also, 775-329-8822) will be OPEN through the entire Labor Day weekend. Hours are 6 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. holidays and weekends. They confirm they will operate on Labor Day. The location in Reno is 1492 East Commercial Row. Charge is $3.65 per cubic yard. The best way to get there from I-80 West (e.g., returning to California) is to go past the Sparks Nugget, and take the "East 4th Street" exit. Go left (west) on E. 4th to Sage Street (0.8 mile), turn left on Sage (Twin City Surplus is on the corner). Go a block to E. Commercial Row, turn right and follow the signs to the transfer station. (If you miss Sage Street, go a couple of blocks further, turn left at Sutro, which has a stop light, and take the first left onto E. Commercial Row. The transfer station is a couple of blocks up on the right.) [Top of Section]
DIGGING HOLES
Do not excavate holes in the playa. Small postholes (6 inches or less in diameter) used for structural support are the sole exception. When digging such a hole it is best to use an auger or a post hole digger, NOT a shovel. Refill the hole by carefully tamping the soil back into place. Repeat this process every few inches while dampening the soil. An inverted sledge hammer works well for this. Experience has shown that larger holes, sometimes used to sound-insulate generators or for pools, easily erode within a year's time, even when carefully backfilled. They leave a visible mark and create a serious safety hazard. [Top of Section]
HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS
The collection, excavation or vandalism of archaeological artifacts is prohibited on public lands. If you find something, please contact a Black Rock Ranger. There are a number of Native American and pioneer historical sites in the surrounding Black Rock Desert Region. Burning Man and our crew of BLM-trained volunteers, the Earth Guardians are committed to assisting the BLM in protecting these areas. Several immigrant wagon-trails crossed the Playa, and evidence of the ruts can be seen in some remote areas. Please respect these historical landmarks. If you are curious, please contact the Oregon California Trail Association and join an organized exploration. [Top of Section]
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