Some of the best photography of the event is to be found on Flickr. We recommend this set, this other set, this one set, and this smaller but quite nice set. Or, cast a wide net and hit the Flickr-wide Burning Man picture pool.
What about the dust? Is there a lot of dust?
There's no more dust in Black Rock City than, say, water in rain storm.Which is to say there's a lot of dust and it's a constant presence. Not wanting to get dusty in Black Rock City is an exercise in futility. But much like getting caught in a rain storm, you quickly get over it. Everyone reaches the playa for the first time and intends to minimize dust exposure. Everyone forgets about the dust in 24 hours, usually much less.
Be prepared
The event itself takes place from August 31 to September 7 of 2009 in the Black Rock desert near Gerlach, Nevada. The critical point here is the desert part: before we arrive, Black Rock is a dry, empty pre-historic lakebed. When we leave, it's a dry, empty pre-historic lakebed. What this means for you:- You need to bring everything that you'll need during the week. Other than ice and coffee, you can't buy anything in Black Rock City. Be prepared.
- The environment is brutal and inhospitable. Temperatures range from over 100 during the day to the low 40s at night. Fierce dust storms regularly appear without warning. Be prepared.
- Burning Man is a Leave No Trace event. Everything you bring with you has to go home with you again. See our MOOP plan.
So, why go?
- Because of the art. Burning Man is home to an unparalleled collection of art, ranging from sculpture to art cars to gigantic fireballs. Nowhere else in the world comes close.
- Because of the unique culture of radical self-expression, radical self-reliance, and radical non-commercialism. People who go to Burning Man routinely describe the experience as transformative.
- Because Suspended Animation will be there.
What you'll need
At a minimum, you'll need the following:- A ticket to Burning Man (get this sooner rather than later!)
- Enough time to go to the event (8/23-9/1), plus a day or two of travel at each end, plus preparation time beforehand and decompression time afterward.
- Transportation to Black Rock City.
- All of your personal equipment, including tent, food, and desert survival gear.
- A cheap bicycle that can withstand the desert, with lights and a lock.