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I’ve been to Burning Man thrice (2017, ‘18 and ‘19) and every go to has featured a few of the most magical, stunning, mind-blowing and concurrently difficult experiences of my life. There actually isn’t any place like “the playa” (what attendees name the dried-out lakebed the place the occasion takes place).

First began in 1986 with 10 folks burning an eight-foot picket man on San Francisco’s Baker Beach, Burning Man is now an enormous artwork and music occasion attended by some 80,000 folks yearly in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert round Labor Day (August 28 to September 5 this time round). “Burning Man was once cool,” is one thing folks have mentioned for many years, however I’m right here to let you know it’s nonetheless unquestionably cool.

However Burning Man isn’t an occasion you simply spontaneously determine to go to 1 weekend after which journey to the subsequent. You’ll want a ticket, which you in all probability ought to have by now for 2022 because it sells out nearly immediately yearly, and sufficient provides to outlive the week. All this prices some huge cash — the $575 + taxes and charges ticket is only the start whenever you think about getting there, lodging and different provides. However coming from somebody who’s been and will definitely go once more, Burning is 100% value it. 

Listed here are some tricks to get you ready for Burning Man 2022. 

An art structure on the Playa of the Burning Man Festival
An artwork construction on the Playa of the Burning Man Competition © Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The San Francisco Chronicle / Getty

1. Don’t count on to be glamping

Flying into Burning Man and staying in a elaborate RV with gourmand meals shouldn’t be solely frowned upon, the group has lately banned pre-paid RV or trailer deliveries and has beforehand booted some “plug and play” camps that present all the things for a usually-high price. So count on to tough it at the least a bit. 

Whether or not which means staying in an RV or in a tent is as much as you. I’ve accomplished each. An RV is certainly extra comfy, however they’re costly and leases get booked up rapidly. If you happen to’re going to sleep in a tent, be sure you have deep stakes as they do blow away in mud storms.

2. It’s a gifting tradition

I can’t rely the variety of occasions individuals who haven’t been to Burning Man have advised me (incorrectly) that it’s a bartering society. You gained’t be required to flash somebody for a beer or give a sticker to see Diplo DJing on an art car.

Burning Man works on the idea that everybody is a participant — no artist or creator is on a distinct stage than anybody else. Some take part by creating artwork, delivering oven-baked pizza at 3am (I’ve seen it), providing airplane rides or spraying you with lavender water. 

If you happen to’re going to take part by giving items to others, don’t create pointless waste that’ll instantly go within the trash.


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A firey performance at The Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada
A firey efficiency at The Burning Man Competition within the Black Rock Desert of Nevada © Carlos Avila Gonzalez / San Francisco Chronicle / Getty

3. Be part of a camp

An effective way to take part is by becoming a member of a camp. There are camps for just about something and all the things. As an example, my camp, Electrical Cheese Land, does cheese occasions like Swiss raclette with yodeling within the background. Others maintain stay concert events, give free showers or pour limitless booze in Western-style bars (convey a reusable cup with a lid in case you want to partake). In a day you may go from getting a portrait of your genitals to taking part in in a hockey match to grabbing poutine at midnight — something goes!

Whereas it’s potential to go rogue and arrange your tent behind the town limits, becoming a member of a camp will offer you neighborhood proper off the bat (everybody who has been to Burning Man loves seeing it once more by way of a first-timer’s eyes). It’ll additionally make it easier to get tickets sooner or later since camps in good standing (which means they stored their space clear and contributed to the occasion) are allotted direct group-sale passes the next yr. 

4. The playa gives (all the things however water)

One factor that folks nearly by no means reward is water — you might be anticipated to convey your individual. “Radical Self-reliance” is without doubt one of the most essential of Burning Man’s 10 Principles, so pack 1.5 gallons of consuming water per day (extra in case you plan to bathe). All the time take a bottle or hydration pack with you everytime you go away camp. Electrolyte drinks like coconut water or Gatorade powder blended in a jug of water may make it easier to keep hydrated. Because the outdated Burning Man saying goes: “piss clear.”

5. You should have mud in curious locations

Sand within the Black Rock Desert shouldn’t be the identical as you’ll discover on the seashore. It’s alkaline mud that sticks to something and will get into each crack and crevice. The one option to get it off is with fierce scrubbing or vinegar, and showers are few and much between throughout your week at Burning Man. 

So handle your pores and skin. Good chapstick and sunscreen with excessive SPF are musts, and a few convey eyedrops for his or her eyes (particularly those that put on contact lenses) and important oils or salve to treatment a dry nostril and cuticles. 

Goggles and face masks or bandanas additionally assist defend you throughout inevitable mud storms and at all times put on closed-toe boots or sneakers — naked ft can result in painful playa foot rashes.

6. You want a motorcycle

Burning Man is means greater than most individuals assume — it’d doubtless take you hours to stroll out of your camp to the outer limits “deep playa,” particularly if you wish to climb on or work together with all of the jaw-dropping art work.

Lease or convey a motorcycle (ideally one with thicker tires) and take it out with you. Additionally, use a mixture lock as folks do steal bikes.

Flames shooting from a mutant vehicle at Burning Man
Flames taking pictures from a mutant automobile at Burning Man © lukas bischoff / Alamy

7. Mild up your life

The playa at night time looks like a online game on the moon — tens of hundreds of individuals biking round, mutant vehicles spewing fireplace and music blasting from each path. Don’t be a “darkwad,” Burning Man converse for folks with out lights, so convey a lot of LED lights and EL wire and put them throughout your outfits, bag and bike. 

8. Specific your self

You might be whoever you need at Burning Man, so convey garments that you just really feel categorical your greatest self. This might be a neon wig, sparkly captain’s coat or sorcerer’s hat — once more, something goes at Burning Man. Simply make sure to convey numerous outfits, together with hotter garments for cooler nights — fuzzy onesies are excellent since you may slip them off when the solar comes up. Keep away from glitter, unfastened sequins and feathers as they’ll fall off, creating MOOP (matter misplaced) referring to rubbish on the playa.

Must refresh your wardrobe whereas on the playa? Camps like Kostume Kult reward outfits.

9. Flow

As you enter the occasion, you’ll be handed a booklet with occasions occurring all through the week — all the things from salsa lessons to free ice cream to seminars about polyamory and BDSM. It’s tempting to need to plan out your week, however you also needs to go away loads of time for spontaneity. Exploring (particularly by yourself!) is when the magic occurs and can make for one of the best recollections.

10. Catch a dawn set

You’ll by no means do or see all the things at Burning Man irrespective of how onerous you strive, however you must undoubtedly see a dawn set at the least as soon as. I as soon as spent the night time dancing on the playa and watched a man sing a rousing rendition of “Hallelujah” on high of a yellow submarine whereas the solar got here up, and it might need been one of the best second of my life. 

On mornings I need to see the dawn, I wish to have a late nap after dinner when it’s cooler and set my alarm to get up round 11 pm. 

11. Give your cellphone a relaxation

There’s no cell reception or Web on the playa, so don’t count on to replace your loved ones daily or test the information. Benefit from the break from the “default” world.

Talking of your cellphone, don’t take footage of all the things. The mud will diminish the standard, and a few folks don’t need their photograph shared on-line. If you happen to do take pictures of particular folks, ask permission first.

Riding into the desert sunset at Burning Man
Driving into the desert sundown at Burning Man © 4FR / Getty Photos

12. Don’t smoke weed in public and go simple on the booze

Whereas hashish is authorized in Nevada, it’s prohibited at Burning Man for the reason that occasion takes place on federal land. There are undercover cops dressed as partiers who can kick you out.

And maybe don’t convey bottles upon bottles of booze for your self. If you happen to plan to drink, there are many camps distributing free alcohol. Apart from, in case you drink an excessive amount of, you danger getting dehydrated.

13. Plan for a meltdown

Even in case you keep sober, the warmth, mud and fixed socializing might be taxing in your physique and thoughts, normally leading to a meltdown round Tuesday or Wednesday in case you keep the entire week. I’ve seen many a tear and shed my fair proportion, so when these difficult emotions inevitably come up, hydrate and take some quiet time at your camp (or in a chiller one if yours is blasting music).

In case your meltdown occurs whereas on medicine or psychedelics, the Zendo Project gives a comforting surroundings with professionals who know how you can help you in letting it go.

14. Go away a reminiscence within the temple

On the final night time, silence sweeps over the playa when the giant Temple is burned down, marking the tip of the occasion. The Temple is solemn and spiritual for lots of people, no matter their faith or religion, and visiting it earlier than it burns down is a particular facet of the occasion.

If in case you have somebody or one thing to commemorate, convey a photograph or write a notice and go away it on the Temple partitions.

Don’t toss your beer cans or meals wrappers within the mud anticipating somebody to select them up. You may be judged. Burning Man is a privilege and won’t proceed if the playa can’t be stored the best way it’s earlier than the occasion takes place yearly, so convey out all the things you herald and eliminate it correctly. Right here’s a list of places to throw our trash after the occasion.

For extra specifics on what to do and produce, learn Burning Man’s official Survival Guide.

Probably the most spectacular competition you have by no means heard of

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