If this is your first time camping at Burning Man, please read the First-Timer's Guide and the 
Survival Guide.




                                                    
                                                   Windspirit’s Insider Tips for a Better Life on the Playa
                                                                   (Especially for first timers!!!!)
 

OK, so you have gone over that list that is posted on the Burning Man site fifteen million times…here are some additional precious little pieces of advice:
 
1. YOUR WATER BOTTLE is truly vital – carry a spare if you tend to loose things, and especially, have a pouch/backpack/strap/whatever that allows you to have your water with you at all times!
 
2. BYCICLES: it might a good idea to have “shared bicycles” as not all of us will be roaming the playa at the same time…coordinate ahead of time, and definitely bring a lock, keyless number code locks are best (bikes do get stolen or “borrowed” on occasion, unfortunately !!!)  and something, anything, to decorate your bike,  as once you park it amongst 500 similar looking bikes, all equally dusty, it will be impossible to recognize yours unless you  have done something unusual  to it. Plush toys, fake flowers, ribbons, balloons… you name it! Shamandome has a few bikes we can share
 
3. LIGHTS for yourselves AND your bike are vital at night so that you can see and be seen. The blinking front lights for bikes are great, for you a blinking headlight, and many burners like to have a good supply of glowsticks to wear at night
 
4. SOLAR SHOWERS: Usually one large shared between 2 people is plenty – you’ll be surprised by how little water it takes to get reasonably clean!
 
5. “HUGGIES” WIPES are a burner’s best friend – I swear - get a large pack !!!
 
6. CONTACT LENSES : carry plenty of saline solution, and spares. Having all the sand of the playa in your eyes for a week does not make for a good Burning Man experience !!!!
 
7. FOR YOUR TENTS: we will provide a SHADE structure only, on a first come, first served basis  – that means plenty of wind and dust will still affect your tent and your belongings inside of it!
It is VITAL that you bring the appropriate amount of heavy duty stakes for your tent, the big fat ones, plastic or steel, and a mallet to drive them in, or your tent might fly to the opposite side of the playa!
Also, bring a couple of heavy duty contractor garbage bags in which to place your bedding during daytime, and anything else you need to protect from the dust – dust storms will happen, guaranteed!!!
 
8. YOUR SKIN AND YOUR LIPS will start cracking as soon as you hit the playa. Make sure to bring plenty of moisturizers, foot cream, hand cream, chap stick, sun cream, and a hat !!!
 
9. DUST MASKS or bandannas will protect your lungs during dust storms. Take this very seriously, as the alkaline dust of the playa can cause serious long-time respiratory problems. If your lungs are on the delicate side, consider purchasing a respirator (from hardware stores, the 3M will do, it will say “for sprays and chemical fumes” or something like that), and they happen to be much more comfortable to wear than the little white masks anyway!
 
10. WORK GLOVES: bring one or two pairs, the thick  brown cotton ones from hardware stores are just fine – we will all occasionally have to pitch in some kind of “structural task” and all will be helping on Sunday to take down the structures together.
 
11. PLATES , GLASES, FLATWARE – no need to bring you own, we are getting enough for all
 
12. CRAVINGS : we all have them. If you have a favorite snack or food you can’t live without, make sure to bring it along – no corner delis on the playa!
 
13. Last but not least, YOUR GOGGLES will not only keep all that dust out of your gorgeous and precious eyes, but they are also you major fashion statement, a true reflection of the Shamanista you are deep deep down there !!!
 I remember bitterly regretting showing up for my first burn with a pair of cheapo plastic goggles from the hardware store – do not make the same mistake!!!!
 
 So now…….get ready, we’ll have a fabulous time!!!!

Anything I forgot? For the “Veteran Burners” of you please share your secrets with us!!!!
 
Much Love
Windspirit





Earlyman’s additions

Emergency TP  and   a little playa backpack   and a great water bottle and goggles and mask for the big blow... and   warm clothing for nights dancing till dawn, and next to nothing else... and the wildest costume beyond i say beyond your wildest dreams it is that high, or low, the bar is raised.      air mattress.  TENT  that zips tight, no open netting you can't close or you'll have 2 inches of dust inside sometimes.   huge garbage bags to put EVERYTHING in before the big blow, you'll be so happy to have a dustless pillow right on time.    those head strap lights..     a solar bag shower.   target and wallmart have incredibly cheap most everything and the playa makes many items expendible.     WHAT ELSE, CAN ANYONE THINK OF THE PERSONAL SHOPPING LIST?    many great ziplocs.  if you have an ipod or cellphone, they should be inside multiple ziplocks... to avoid dust. 

bike lock..(i found idyllic burningman community bliss of midweek is shattered saturday as 10,000 frat boys invade the burn on the weekend to blluster around and , yes, they did steal our unlocked bikes at a burn, or at least 'borrowed' them to make the long trek to some rumored dance party elsewhere.  )



JEWELS’S BURNING MAN PACKING LIST
MEDICAL & HYGIENE:

Eyedrops

Nasal Spray

Vitamins / airborne

Bandaids & Neosporin

Birth control, condoms, lube

Inhaler (bring extra)

Hairbands & barrettes

Toothbrush & paste & mouthwash

Hairbrush

Deodorant

Qtips

Vitamin e cream

Glasses, sunglasses, case (if contact lenses, bring lots of extras & solution)

Sunblock – SPF 45

Advil

Chapstick

Moisturizer

Dr Bronners/soap

Leave-in conditioner

Earplugs

Nail clippers

Baby wipes

Toilet paper

Sunshower (if want it)

Yeast infection & UTI pills (just in case)

 

GEAR:

Extension cord & powerstrip (if camp has elec.)

Battery light for tent

Pee funnel (for girls)

Duct tape

Sharpies

Air or foam mattress

Sleeping bag or two comforters

Towel

Fans

Foot warmers

Pocketknife or leatherman

Grommet kit

Sewing kit

Bathmats for outside tent to keep dust down

Safety pins

Cooler

Ziplocs

Trash bags

Batteries (9V, AAA, AA)

Clock

Camelbak or Nalgene

Parasol

Walkie talkie (not essential)

Camera (extra battery & memory) in ziploc

Goggles

Headlamp

Surgical masks (3M 9211 are awesome)

Tent (no mesh)

Rebar (for tent stakes, etc)

Tennis balls/etc for ends of rebar

Bicycle

Glowsticks

Rope

Shade structure / tarps


CLOTHING & STYLE:

(Toys/firespinning – toys, wicks, fuel, etc as needed)

Make up & glitter (moop-free)

Mirror – full length if possible

Clothing rack if appropriate for space

Bandanas

Warm night clothing (incl thermals)

Fake fur jacket (or other warm coat)

Socks – lots

Fun undies (& other clothing if want) for day – with cotton liner

Pajama pants

Ears, wings, wigs, horns, capes, tails, hipscarves, etc

El-wire

Tevas for around camp

Shitkickers (or other comfortable boots)

FOOD & FOOD-RELATED:

Emergen-C or Gatorade

Water – 2+ gal/person/day (1gal bottles can be used for pee; 2gal bottles can be used for garbage)

Can Opener

Vinegar

Lighters

Plate, cup, hiking silverwear

Ice

Liquor & mixer

No glass jars or outer packaging

Big bag of trail mix

Fruit that won’t spoil, canned fruit


FOR DEFAULT WORLD

Phone & charger

Regular clothing

Wallet, money, ID

Plane info

House keys

MISC:

Gifts

BM ticket

Emergency contact info

Paper, books, pens, crayons

Keys for container locks