If last year was your first year, take heed!

[Simon of the Playa]

Has there been any talk of how the 2012 playa is looking?

yes, i heard it was going to suck.

duh.

[MyPlayaUserName]

Is there any way to edit posts? I accidentally typed that the weather has been getting better since 2012, but I meant 2009.

[shykat]

Is there any way to edit posts? I accidentally typed that the weather has been getting better since 2012, but I meant 2009.

Nope....You fail the internet....Sorry..

[BBadger]

Is there any way to edit posts? I accidentally typed that the weather has been getting better since 2012, but I meant 2009.

Yes, but only shortly after the post so that people can't go back and rewrite their history.

[Bob]

Still, for my money, 2004 might have had the best weather, but it's all rather subjective at this point.

Man, I think you forgot about the one day in 04 where the wind was taking down camps left and right (I think Tues). My neighbors got blown the F up and ended spending the rest of the week under my camp's structure. We had tents go down, and a carport at our camp was ripping the tiedowns and rebar out of the ground; we had about ten people trying to hold it down and it still lifted our feet off the ground a few times. That was a scary day on the playa.

That's why the smart money (like Doc's) is in RVs.

[Rice]

2008 was a banner year for dust storms. Really intense, and wasn't there even talk of canceling the burn? I cant remember now if it was 08 or 09 that the fire conclave didn't perform. Think 2008. I remember temple burn night being really windy, cold, and disorienting as well. The weather has gotten easier every year since 2012. Realistically, I'm not complaining, but I definitely had moments last year where I thought "this is just too easy" and "those people are just way too clean". Just a big costume party! I think even I slacked off on tying things down.

Has there been any talk of how the 2012 playa is looking? Has there been much rain out there this year?

http://blackrockdesert.org/friends/current/conditions

http://www.wunderground.com/US/NV/Gerlach.html Should give you the current weather conditions.

[theCryptofishist]

The weather has gotten easier every year since 2012.

:agog:

[Savannah]

Is there any way to edit posts? I accidentally typed that the weather has been getting better since 2012, but I meant 2009.

You can't fool us. We know you're posting from The Future.

[tattoogoddess]

I have a feeling with as mild winter the US had it is going to be windy as hell and dusty. I am worried about my tent. I got those spiral dog stakes sense re bar is not an option on the train. God I hope it works!

[Rice]

I have a feeling with as mild winter the US had it is going to be windy as hell and dusty. I am worried about my tent. I got those spiral dog stakes sense re bar is not an option on the train. God I hope it works!

Here is what I use.

10 of these weigh the same as 2 reebar pegs. very strong. I found mine at a army surplus store. I fly from Canada and have never had a problem.

If you can, setting up your tent beside a car so it can act as a bit of a wind buffer helps too. Try to have your tent door facing away from the wind.

As long as you plan the best you can, you should be ok. In the end, you will have help if you need it!

[AntiM]

We use those to stake down parts of the HFWA. One and a bungee cord keeps the display easel in place. Good stuffs.

[dragonpilot]

I have it on good authority that because last year's weather was so mild that this year's is going to be horrendous...hours long dust storms, rain...the worst!

If in doubt, sell your ticket and stay home. You'll be much more comfortable in your Barca Lounge watching Housewives of New Jersey reruns.

That is all.

[gyre]

Good idea... kind of like a lighthouse. And Centre Camp is probably a good place to head to if you're lost and/or in need of help, generally.
What colour of light best cuts through a dust storm. Is it amber, as with fog, or something else?

White is used for lighthouses since it can really cut through fog for miles and miles! Blue however would be really sexy!

The focus of a beam is the primary thing that allows a beacon to reach through fog.

Amber is not actually more effective in fog.

Blue may be the most effective color at night, but I am unaware of research in this area.
Deriving color from white light requires filtering most of the light, so ineffective.

Using a native source, like LED or HID may be a different thing.

Lasers were useful for getting back to camp one year when the dust was blinding.
Strange thing was that people going the other way had a clear night.
It was only blowing one way.
I was surprized how quickly I went the wrong direction between lamp posts.

[Bob]

Those spiral dog stakes are designed for lawns. The playa is not a lawn.

[motskyroonmatick]

I have a feeling with as mild winter the US had it is going to be windy as hell and dusty. I am worried about my tent. I got those spiral dog stakes sense re bar is not an option on the train. God I hope it works!

A 5 minute stop in the Reno or Sparks Home Despot and a little cash will get you some pre cut rebar and peace of mind. Hammers are easy to borrow on the playa .

That reminds me. I need to repair the Stainless Wonder( my 1$ hammer) and make a rebar pounding sleeve or two.

[Dis)'(rack]

Still, for my money, 2004 might have had the best weather, but it's all rather subjective at this point.

Man, I think you forgot about the one day in 04 where the wind was taking down camps left and right (I think Tues). My neighbors got blown the F up and ended spending the rest of the week under my camp's structure. We had tents go down, and a carport at our camp was ripping the tiedowns and rebar out of the ground; we had about ten people trying to hold it down and it still lifted our feet off the ground a few times. That was a scary day on the playa.

That's why the smart money (like Doc's) is in RVs.

We got three of those at our camp too.

Actually, that same storm in 04 annihilated the pop-up awning on another camp's RV when they couldn't get it down in time. Bent up the hinge assembly and they were struggling to get the awning into a position that was even drivable because it was so deformed. Never did hear how they ended up getting off the desert.

[Drawingablank]

Actually, that same storm in 04 annihilated the pop-up awning on another camp's RV when they couldn't get it down in time. Bent up the hinge assembly and they were struggling to get the awning into a position that was even drivable because it was so deformed. Never did hear how they ended up getting off the desert.

Using an RV awning is possibly the worst idea possible on the playa. I have seen many of them destroyed by relatively mild wind gusts (compared to the playa) here in NY camp grounds. It doesn't take much, but yet they can cost over $1k to fix depending on the size.

[Savannah]

I have a feeling with as mild winter the US had it is going to be windy as hell and dusty. I am worried about my tent. I got those spiral dog stakes sense re bar is not an option on the train. God I hope it works!

A 5 minute stop in the Reno or Sparks Home Despot and a little cash will get you some pre cut rebar and peace of mind. Hammers are easy to borrow on the playa .

That reminds me. I need to repair the Stainless Wonder( my 1$ hammer) and make a rebar pounding sleeve or two.

Yes. Please make two.

What kind of rum do you like?

[tattoogoddess]

Those spiral dog stakes are designed for lawns. The playa is not a lawn.

What if there is astroturf?

[trilobyte]

Go ahead and use it.

[motskyroonmatick]

I have a feeling with as mild winter the US had it is going to be windy as hell and dusty. I am worried about my tent. I got those spiral dog stakes sense re bar is not an option on the train. God I hope it works!

A 5 minute stop in the Reno or Sparks Home Despot and a little cash will get you some pre cut rebar and peace of mind. Hammers are easy to borrow on the playa .

That reminds me. I need to repair the Stainless Wonder( my 1$ hammer) and make a rebar pounding sleeve or two.

Yes. Please make two.

What kind of rum do you like?

I'm not picky. It can even be my rum should I be unable to pour for my self due to being tied down by other things.

[tattoogoddess]

Go ahead and use it.

Astrourf?! I have heard it is VERY moopy. plus no room. I guess I will see about the spiral stakes. I am not able to go to the home depot. Just a food run. Plus no use for them after.

[trilobyte]

I was talking about the spiral stakes. Astroturf is fine (we used it for a 'front yard' aspect of an installation we did at our camp one year), you just need to make sure the edges are all finished and it's properly staked.

[AntiM]

We found astroturf style rugs at Costco one year, made from recycled soda bottles. Soft, with finished edges. We bought two, but I wish we'd gone with four, as our shade structure has four tent/kitchen sections.

If the spiral stakes don't work out, ask around the village. I know we carry extra heavy duty tent stakes, and we can't be the only folks who do. We (collective BDCWB we) won't let your tent die.

[MyDearFriend]

We found astroturf style rugs at Costco one year, made from recycled soda bottles. Soft, with finished edges. We bought two, but I wish we'd gone with four, as our shade structure has four tent/kitchen sections.

If the spiral stakes don't work out, ask around the village. I know we carry extra heavy duty tent stakes, and we can't be the only folks who do. We (collective BDCWB we) won't let your tent die.

Yep, yep, yep, if we see your stuff coming loose we will nail it down even if you are not around (((TTG))). Most of us will have extra stakes, rope, bungees, paracord, whatever... seriously not gonna let your shit punch holes in mine, that's for sure.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Most of us will have extra stakes, rope, bungees, paracord, whatever... seriously not gonna let your shit punch holes in mine, that's for sure.

I was thinking about bungee cords and truck tie-downs with metal cinching parts the other day. I decided they'd be more dangerous than just rope/paracord because if one end comes loose, then the metal end is whipping around in the wind. I have visions of bungee cord hooks snaking around, stalking through the duststorms for vulnerable windshields and tender, unsuspecting faces.

Is this a reasonable fear or just paranoia?

[theCryptofishist]

I know someone who had a bungee break when she was on a bike. I gather it didn't go well.

I suppose that there might be some signs of wear detectable before putting a bungee into use. I'd check the cords for fraying and the metal for unbending? I odn't know if that's enough. I don't know how quickly a bungee fails...

[CornMan]

What exactly are the playa approved structures?

Costco carports with ratcheting straps fastened to rebar?

Flat topped 1 inch EMT conduit/fittings canopies with 10x10 sections of tarps/bungee balls with same straps/rebar above? Shade mesh screen for walls?

Budget Rental Box Trucks fastened to the ground with 4 foot auger stakes and metal cables?

[theCryptofishist]

The AMA is on your side...

[FIGJAM]

None of the above!