Current Conditions on Playa

[layoverlou]

Anyone have any info as to conditions on the Playa? And no I don't need to hear from any wise-asses with "dusty, windy". I want to know if anyone has heard from anyone currently on the Playa. I have heard that the unusually dry winter has resulted in a thicker than usual layer of dust and silt.

Thanks (let the games begin).

[Sensei]

That's what I heard, too. I also heard (no, really!) that it was quite windy during the 4th of Juplaya.

Who cares?

[Teo del Fuego]

here's about as current as it gets:

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/t ... ebcam.html

[Mr_Understanding]

It's clear -- now. :)

I had a predictive dream that it was really, really clear the day I loaded in... but you know... it was a dream.

I've been charting temps, though. It hasn't been higher than 90 degrees in a couple weeks, and currently the 10-day forecast doesn't expect it to be. Last year it didn't really get hotter than the mid-90s, but I figured we couldn't be so lucky two years in a row...

[Sensei]

I love the heat and I'd like nothing more than if it hit +100 every single day. I like to spend the heat of the day under the canopy a'drinkin' and a'smokin' and a'listenin' to various people say "fuck" on all the BM radio stations.

I'm serious btw.

[Mr_Understanding]

Be sure to stop by Camp Understanding on the 7:30 Plaza. You can say "fuck" on my radio station all you want. :)

[Sensei]

I'm SO fuckin' there!

[layoverlou]

Thanks for the info guys.

Sensei- just thinking of my needs for nailing down a large shade structure. The condition of the playa surface is what i have been thinking of but no worries - seems as if a fuck load of rebar is the way to go (as always).

Have a great Burn!

[Archantael]

I'm wondering how hard it's going to be to pedal a bike across the surface this year (will I be riding through 2 inches of softpack vs. that hardpack I've learned to love) and if I'll get to enjoy the thrills of avoiding playa serpents at 3 am out beyond the man. Handlebars don't taste very good and I'm not good at imitating lawn darts after smacking into one of those things.

[LaLindaLoca]

BIG FAT TIRES on bikes... that's what I've been hearing for this year.

I'm wondering how hard it's going to be to pedal a bike across the surface this year (will I be riding through 2 inches of softpack vs. that hardpack I've learned to love) and if I'll get to enjoy the thrills of avoiding playa serpents at 3 am out beyond the man. Handlebars don't taste very good and I'm not good at imitating lawn darts after smacking into one of those things.

[trilobyte]

While I'm not on the playa, I've been in touch with a few people who are out there.

The seasonal lake that usually dries up by the end of June (just in time for 4th of Juplaya) dried up in early May this year. The dust is loose and thick in some spots (with reports of dust dunes), you'll need long/strong stakes for your tent/shade. I've been told to expect that at times even riding a bike is difficult, especially if you're not using fat knobby tires.

There has been a bit of rain here and there in the form of short bursts that last for just a few minutes, but I haven't heard reports of any sustained showers. Gerlach's been in the 90's with more of the same forecast for the next several days (expect the playa to be a few degrees hotter). I haven't heard of any notably fierce or terrible dust storms as of yet, though my guess would be that it's inevitable.

~Trilo~

[mdmf007]

it woudl be nice if the playa was as hard and easy to move around on as last year. last year, last year.

[Teo del Fuego]

Our camp is actually bringing asphalt and will pave the area surrounding our camp

[bigbluedoggy]

Our camp is actually bringing asphalt and will pave the area surrounding our camp

Can you please pave right up to the edge of the lake and koi pond we are putting in? Thanks!

[gyre]

Anyone know the humidity out there this year?

[joel the ornery]

zip code for gerlach nevada: 89412

noaa


today's weather

Lovelock, Derby Field Airport
Last Update on 16 Aug 5:53 PDT

Fair
58°F
(14°C) Humidity: 46 %
Wind Speed: E 5 MPH
Barometer: 29.97 in (1010.20 mb)
Dewpoint: 37°F (3°C)
Wind Chill: 58°F (14°C)
Visibility: 10.00 Miles

[gyre]

Do you think the playa has the same humidity as Gerlach?

46 % sounds pretty humid.

[trilobyte]

The playa would have a lower humidity level (no vegetation). And yeah, 46% sounds extremely humid.

~Trilo~

[EspressoDude]

realize that this data is just before sunrise, when there is a slight fogginess in the air. temperature 58 is cool. when the temperature gets to 80 or so the humidity will be about 20%..

I'm sure there are links to charts of how this works somewhere

[actiongrl]

Yep, it's a truly dusty one. We've seen dusty years before where biking does become more difficult in parts of the city. It's been a very dry winter.

On my way up tomorrow...

[veleda]

has anyone heard anything about evening temperatures?

[joel the ornery]

pardon me for my irritability... but that is why i gave the link and the zip code...

seek out the info for yourself.

[veleda]

the link and zipcode didn't really lead me somewhere that said..you will be freezing in your boots... or we haven't had the need for a heavy jacket late night.

i am looking for more info on people that are actually there.

reading some numbers on a screen is not very helpful to me.

[Mr_Understanding]

I suppose you're right in a sense -- temperature experience is always relative -- and since the high and the low usually spans 45ish degrees, the relativity factor is:

You're going to fuckin' freeze.

Unless you're rolling.
And wearing fur.
While dancing.
Around several fires.

[Token]

The mini weather station at the Gerlach BM office:

http://206.158.7.4/weather/gerlach.htm

the 8 day history:

http://206.158.7.4/weather/downld08.txt

The second is best if you download it into a spreadsheet and make nice little drawrings ...

[Eric]

It hasn't gotten colder than 60 all week? Sweet- that's summertime in SF, barely cold at all. I can rethink a couple of outfits.....

[MikeVDS]

Great links Token. You going to share your nifty spread sheet with the rest of us?

[capjbadger]

It hasn't gotten colder than 60 all week? Sweet- that's summertime in SF, barely cold at all. I can rethink a couple of outfits.....

That's funny. I didn't know orange spray paint was an outfit. lol

Badger

[joel the ornery]

the link and zipcode didn't really lead me somewhere that said..you will be freezing in your boots... or we haven't had the need for a heavy jacket late night.

i am looking for more info on people that are actually there.

reading some numbers on a screen is not very helpful to me.

proof that public/private education failed you... and subsequently, the rest of us.

[frogprincess]

My favorite for playa weather: I check it Sunday before I leave and I've foud it to be quite accurate for the week.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapCli ... -119.34111

see you soon!!!

fp