We’re used to seeing beautiful photographs of Burning Man, with bright blue skies and an endless horizon. However, the day-to-day reality is much different. Because Burning Man takes place on an ancient dried lake bed, there’s alkaline dust everywhere. In addition, the increase in foot traffic and vehicles at the event in recent years has led to more dust in the air than ever before.
If you go to Burning Man, expect to be covered in dust the whole time. Even if you wear a mask and goggles, a thin layer of dust will inevitably get into every crack and crevice. It’s just a way of life for Burners on the Playa. Although the air quality isn’t the best, experts have said that short-term exposure to the dust doesn’t pose long-term risks for attendees. If you do encounter a dust storm, it’s best to stay in your RV or tent until it passes.
Please Do Touch the Art
Although Burning Man isn’t technically a festival, there are aspects of the event that give art festival vibes. Basically, Burning Man is a lot like an outdoor, 100% interactive museum where you’re encouraged to touch the art. Many large-scale pieces and installations are built to be collaborative and activated by the Burning Man community. These giant, colorful cellos are perfect examples of community-activated art.
During the festival, anyone could walk up to these instruments and begin playing. So even if a Burner had never touched an instrument in their life, they’d still get the opportunity to interact with this piece. These giant cellos might have even been part of a communal burning at the end of the week, which would have added another level of meaning to the piece.
Be Prepared for Anything
The weather at Burning Man is no joke. Many first-timers think the Black Rock Desert is just hot and flat, but it’s so much more. Goggles, masks, and bandanas are absolutely essential for Burners during their stay in Black Rock City. Desert winds can reach up to 30 miles per hour, which is perfect for a surprise dust storm.
No Burner should leave their camp without their goggles. No one wants to get stuck riding their bike through a wall of dust and grime. There’s no way anyone can see through that without getting rocks lodged in their eyes. These guys know what’s up because they have their heavy-duty goggles and masks alongside their party leis. They’re serious about partying, obviously.
Don't Forget Your Camara
Many people love to go off the grid when attending Burning Man. However, we totally understand the urge to snap a few photos here and there. Every year Burning Man has dozens of breathtaking art installations that are simply begging to be the backdrop of your next great social media post.
This woman saw this mesmerizing art piece and couldn’t help herself. She had to throw on her best jumpsuit and highest wedges to pose for this amazing photo. Attending Burning Man is such a unique and memorable experience. So, you might as well memorialize your time in the desert with some fantastic pictures.
These Stills Were Made for Walking
It seems that Burning Man sees more and more attendees every year. As a result, the event sees wilder and more outlandish costumes every year, too. Stilts are a common costume prop that Burners love to wear out on the Playa. Stilts are popular because it gives people added height amongst the masses. Plus, extra-long legs automatically add an element of weirdness to any outfit.
Troupes of Burners will often amble through the camp on their stilts, creating a traveling art performance. One thing to keep in mind is safety. Attendees should only wear stilts with their costumes if they are highly skilled and comfortable walking on loose sand. If it’s your first time stilt-walking, you better spend a few hours practicing at home before you head out to the desert.