The clock is
ticking and you need to pack your bin to go to Burning Man!
Don't worry I'm
here with my moderate experience of going to the playa to help you.
KostumeGirl's Burning Man Packing List:
Shelter-
Besides your shade
structure which you are hopefully building with some friends to share,
this is your home!
To keep my bin
relatively light I use a smaller tent. Its 4 person which is fine for me for a
week. The tarp is in case of rain or to contain something messy. Remember
any paint chips, wood chips, random nails need to be picked up at the end of
the week! I use a door mat outside of my tent door to keep my boots on and
"try" to keep some dust out. I NEVER step foot inside my tent with dusty
boots or shoes on.
Eating/Drinking-
Plastic plate
Canteen cup w
carabiner (license clear taped to the side optional)
This not a
backyard BBQ, nobody brought a cup, spoon, plate for you. Don't bring
disposable cause you will have to carry it ALL out with you. You will produce
an alarming amount of garbage that way and end up with no room in the
car for it during Exodus.
Some people tape a
COPY of their license to their cup. All bars at Burning Man check I.D.s (The
law is still the law).
Hygiene-
Towel
Washcloth
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Tissues
Baby wipes
DO NOT THROW BABY
WIPES IN THE PORT-O-POTTIES. Anything that is not made by your body does not go
in the potty. ANYTHING else gets stuck in the filters of the pump trucks and
royally fucks up the whole bathroom situation. Deal with it.
Power-
Power strip
The reason I
list "heavy gauge" specifically for extension cords is if your
camp has a generator for power you will be wasting power with flimsy
household extension cords. Don't cheap out, get the heavy duty
outdoor kind.
Comfort-
Pillow
Lights for inside
tent
Fan
Every hour of
every day and night at Burning Man there will be someone talking, laughing,
blasting music, etc. Thats just how it is. There are NO quiet
hours. Someone will think its funny to blast the Sound of Music on the first
morning at 7am (happened to me). Tent walls are made of supremely unsound proof
nylon. SO pack the big box of ear plugs, ear muffs, Noise canceling hats,
Air traffic controller type whatever!
Health-
Medications
SPF
Moisturizer
Eye drops
Each day take a
little time to take care of your body. Simply spraying my nose with
saline and blowing out all the dust make me feel like a new person every time.
SPF every day more than once a day. Your body is working much harder to keep
you going in this foreign and harsh environment. Replenish your vitamins
and electrolytes.
Build-
Zip ties
Duct tape
Utility knife
Save your hands
the pain of rope burn while tying down your tent. Put on gloves. Bring
extras.
Everyday-
Goggles (3)
Scarf
Boots
Socks lots of
socks
Take excellent
care of you feet, you will use them more than you thought at the Burn!
Bring lots of fresh socks, pack them in zip-loc bags to keep them dust
free, treat yourself to a vinegar foot bath every once in a while.
Headlamps are VERY
useful. You may arrive in the middle of the night despite your best laid
plans. A headlamp will provide hands free light for tent set up.
FUN!!
Finally enough
preparedness and time for fun.
Decorations for
your bike (pack a bike lock)
Fur coats!
Toys
Gifts
Glow sticks are
not good for Burning Man. They mildly work for a few hours end up as trash you
have to bring out again. I guess the same could be said for batteries but maybe
you have a solar charger!
COSTUMES!
My favorite part
of the burn.
OR
Come to Kostume
Kult at 6:45 & Esplanade and we will gift you a costume transformation
that you will not soon forget.
and lastly...
Things to NOT pack in your main luggage or shipping container.
Here are things you should bring in your carry on and have
readily available.
Identification
(not a copy)
1 Dust Mask
Your Actual TICKET
Vehicle pass
(needs to be actually stuck to the windshield -not just shown)
1 pair of Goggles
Your first playa
outfit!
Including---- Work Gloves and practical shoes /boots. while some
people get right to work "unprotected" its makes things more
complicated on what you can help with.
Light - Porto
potties are dark...