Preparing for Burning Man Like a Survivalist: Your Ultimate Guide for Burning Man 2024
Burning Man is rapidly approaching, just two months away, from August 25th to September 2nd.
Burning Man is not just a festival and incredible art exhibition; it’s an experience that demands preparation, resilience, and a touch of self-reliance. Imagine you’re a survivalist heading into the wilderness, except this wilderness is the Nevada desert where numerous art installations, a temple, and a gigantic effigy – The Man – will be burnt, and your goal is to thrive in an environment that is both harsh and incredibly vibrant. Here’s how to prepare for Burning Man like a true Burner.
Burning Man Tickets
The price for the main sale of 15,000 Burning Man tickets in 2024 was $575 each plus $150 for a vehicle pass. That sale is over.
The Burning Man OMG sale, offering 3,000 tickets, opens on Wednesday, July 31st. Tickets cost $575 each, with vehicle passes available for an additional $150. To participate, you must first create a Burner profile. Registration for the sale begins on Wednesday, July 24th at 12:00 PM (noon) Pacific Time, so mark your calendar. Remember, setting up your Burner profile is a prerequisite for registration, so complete this step before the registration date.
If you haven’t got a ticket yet, you should head to Burning Man’s Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP), where you can avoid scammers and scalpers and purchase an authentic ticket from another Burner who can’t attend. The STEP program opened on May 15th.
| Pro Tip: Burning Man is a brand-free zone, so cover up all your logos with tape, like the Apple on your iPhone and the Schwinn on your mountain bike, before you head there. |
1. Black Rock Desert
First, familiarize yourself with the Black Rock Desert. The conditions are extreme: daytime temperatures soar above 100°F (38°C), while nights can be surprisingly cold. Dust storms are frequent and occur spontaneously, and the alkaline playa dust can be tough on your skin and electronics and will get everywhere you don’t want it.
2. Black Rock City
Over two days, a city of up to 70,000 residents will emerge from nothing in the Black Rock Desert. There will be roads, neighborhoods, a hospital, bike repair shops, skate parks, nightclubs, bars, food kiosks, and even traffic jams. The city is as big as any city of tens of thousands of residents, and it could take an hour to get across it by bicycle.
| Pro Tip: • Money can’t buy anything except ice and coffee • Food is free. Wherever there is a queue, there’s probably food. • There are hundreds of bars in Black Rock City serving everything from old fashioneds to craft beer. All free. They only serve 21+, so many Burners tape a copy of their ID on their mug. |
3. Gear Up
Just like any survivalist, your gear is your lifeline. Here’s what you need:
- Shelter: Opt for a sturdy tent that can withstand strong winds or a hexayurt. You can pick up a used hexayurt for less than $400, and expect to spend a couple of hours setting it up. You will also want to install a swamp cooler, which will lower the temperature in the hexayurt by 10-15°F.
| Pro Tip: The best shelter, hands-down, is an air-conditioned RV with good solar generator. There are very rudimentary spots to rinse-off on the playa, so having a real shower in an RV for the end of an exhausting and sweaty couple of days is a big relief. There are also plenty of porta potties that are emptied regularly, but having a real bathroom in an RV is incomparable. |
- Bedding: A sleeping bag rated for cold weather and an air mattress or cot will ensure comfort during chilly nights.
- Clothing: Pack layers for fluctuating temperatures. Think lightweight, breathable fabrics for the day, and warm layers for night. Don’t forget bringing a wide-brimmed hat for a little shade from the strong rays. If you want to be extra prepared, bring some waterproof clothing for the unexpected showers.
- Belt: Where else are you going to carry your mug (for free beer) and other essentials.
- Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable boots for day-long treks across the playa and sandals for lounging. But beware of Playa Foot.
- Bicycle: Electric bikes and electric scooters are currently permitted, but the speed limit is 5mph, so there’s really no point in electric mobility. Bring your most comfortable bike and tool around at a leisurely pace. Also bring a repair kit for your Burner bicycle.
- Power: A solar generator is ideal to power your swamp cooler, your phone, portables batteries, and other essential electronics.
- Goggles and Dust Mask: If you’re sensitive to dust, you might consider bringing a mask or respirator. Goggles are essential because of frequent dust storms.
- Headlamp: This will help with everything once the sun goes down. You will also want to attach lights to your bicycle frame.
- Light Folding Chairs: These are light enough to take camping, and are a perfect spot to lounge after a long day.
4. Hydration and Nutrition
Staying hydrated is paramount. Budget at least 1.5 gallons of water per person per day for drinking. Add another gallon to that per day for cooking, cleaning, and rinsing off.
- Hydration Pack: A camelback or hydration pack allows you to carry water with you at all times. Handy after indulging in free craft beer at a bar across the city.
- Non-Perishable Food: Think like a survivalist with calorie-dense, non-perishable foods such as nuts, jerky, canned goods, and meal replacement bars.
- Fresh Fruit: Bring both ripe and unripe fruit so you’ll have some for the whole week. Blueberries and strawberries are the best fruit to bring to Burning Man as they can be eaten entirely. Bananas, apples, oranges also do particularly well.
- Vegetables: Ripe and unripe avocados. Cabbage, onion, garlic, bell peppers do well.
- Condiments: Salt, pepper, soy sauce, tomato sauce and vinegar (doubles as use for wash for Playa Foot). All these are easily borrowed or bartered for which is part of the fun. Exchange a home cooked meal for some of the ingredients.
- Cooking Gear: A camping stove, fuel, and basic cookware and utensils will enable you to prepare hot meals.
- Water Purifier: You will want to filter water of dubious provenance. I like the GrayL press purifier bottle which filters out most viruses, bacteria, protozoa and some heavy metals and chemicals.
| Pro Tip: • Bring a 10 gallon igloo and fill it with ice, to have beautifully cold water for a couple of days, and to satisfy the minimum requirements for one person over 7 days. You will need to supplement that with additional water. • Electrolyte tablets or powder can help replenish minerals lost through sweat in the daytime temperatures of over 100 °F. • Some budget coolers under $100 can keep perishables cool and fresh for a week |
5. First Aid and Health Supplies
A well-stocked first aid kit is crucial. Include basics like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications. Given the playa’s harsh conditions, also pack:
- Eye Drops: To combat dust and dryness.
- Moisturizers: For skin exposed to the alkaline dust.
- Sunscreen: High SPF to protect against intense sun exposure.
- Lip Balm: With SPF to prevent chapped lips.
- Insect Repellent: For mosquitos, gnats and other biting insects.
- Dental Care: Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Baby Wipes: Water will be in short supply, so baby wipes are essential.
| Pro Tip: • Playa Foot is a real condition at Burning Man. It’s essentially a mild chemical burn from the alkali dust. Keep your feet covered and if needed wash with a solution of 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water to neutralize the alkali. • You will get blisters and little cuts here and there, so pack a small, portable first aid kit to carry with you during the day. |
6. Communication
- Walkie-talkies: These two-way radios often have a range of a mile (1600m) thus great for keeping in touch with your partners across the playa.
- Smartphone: Have your iPhone loaded with Survivalist.ai’s offline AI app for times when you need information and there is no signal. There also are other great apps to use offline.
7. Survivalist Skills
Embrace the survivalist mindset by honing key skills:
- Fire Making: Bring lighters and waterproof matches. Open campfires are not allowed, but other types of fires are. There are many rules about the use of fire at Burning Man, as sparks can travel great distances due to the strong winds, so ensure that you understand what is permitted.
- Navigation: The playa can be disorienting. Use GPS and have a physical map of the area. You can download offline maps onto your iPhone as your signal might be weak.
- Resourcefulness: Be prepared to fix or improvise. Duct tape, multi-tools, and zip ties can be lifesavers.
8. Leave No Trace
A true survivalist respects the environment. Adhere to the “Leave No Trace” principles:
- Plan Ahead: Know what you’ll need to pack out and have a plan for waste disposal.
- Minimize Impact: Use reusable items to reduce waste. Pack out all trash, including food scraps.
- Respect Wildlife: Although Burning Man is a human-centric event, respecting the natural habitat is key.
| Pro Tip: • Create a MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) bag to collect any litter you find. • The desert must be left exactly as it was before Black Rock City formed. |
9. Community and Contribution
Burning Man thrives on community and participation. Bring something to share—whether it’s skills, art, performances, or just a helping hand. Barter is the name of the game at Burning Man.
| Pro Tip: Engage with your neighbors and participate in the communal experience. It’s not just about surviving but thriving together. |
Conclusion
Preparing for Burning Man like a survivalist ensures you’re ready for anything the playa throws at you. From understanding the environment to packing the right gear, staying hydrated, and embracing the community spirit, you’ll be set to not just survive, but flourish. So gear up, head out, and may your Burning Man experience be unforgettable!