RADICAL SELF RELIANCE
Your survival depends on your reading and following these lists:
NOT ALLOWED THROUGH THE GATE (i.e. you may be denied entry and told to store these items off-site):
- Feathers of any kind, e.g. boas (they shed no matter what, creating lots of MOOP*)
- Plants, living or dead, and anything that will break up and/or blow away in the wind
- Explosives, aerial flares, rockets or fireworks
- Firearms - including BB guns, air rifles, or paint ball guns
- Mutant Vehicles that were not pre-registered with the DMV
- Motorcycles that are not a particpant's primary mode of transportation to BRC
- Dogs
What You Must Bring:
- Your ticket or your photo ID and confirmation number to pick up at ticket at Will Call
- 1.5 gallons of water per person per day (drinking, washing, & cooking). Carry a bottle of water with you at all times.
- Enough food/beverages for your entire group.
- An extensive First-aid kit
- Warm clothing for evenings –this is a desert at 4,000 feet elevation!
- Bedding and shelter of some type – the winds can exceed 75 mph, and the midday temperature can exceed 100° F
- A good camp tent and warm sleeping bags. Evening temperatures can be in the 40s
- Garbage
bags
, and tools to clean up your camp site (rakes, etc.). - Any required prescriptions, contact lens supplies (disposables work great), or anything else you need to maintain your health and comfort in a remote area with no services.
- Flashlights and spare batteries (headlamps are useful) to be sure you can see and be seen at night
- Sunscreen/sunblock and sunglasses
- Fire extinguishers, to protect your camp and property and if you plan to burn your art.
- Common sense, an open mind, and a positive attitude!
We Strongly Suggest You Bring:
- Shade structures, umbrellas, parasols, sheets; something to break the midday sun
- A wide brim hat (a chinstrap is useful in the wind).
- A cooking stove if you expect to heat food or liquid.
- A bicycle (mountain bike or cruisers with balloon tires are best) with a light (for safe nighttime travel); a lock. Tag your bike with name, playa address, email address, and contact info.
- Tire repair kit, spare parts and extra tubes for bikes (they also make great playa gifts)
- Portable shower with a drain system to collect grey water.
- Earplugs! (Not everyone is going to want to sleep when you do).
- Watertight protective bags (e.g. heavy zip-type) for cameras or electronic gear
- Lotion / lip balm to treat cracked skin
- Smokers: portable ashtrays (e.g. mint tin that doesn't leak ashes, or film canister)
- Costumes, musical instruments, props, banners, signs, and anything that might make the experience more fun for you and your playa neighbors.
- A battery powered AM/FM radio so you can stay informed and listen to BMIR radio.
- Camp marker (flag, flasher, distinctive marking).
- Particle/dust mask (dust storms are common).
- 12" tent stakes (high winds are likely, rebar is cheap and effective)
- Plastic bottles or tennis balls to top and protect dangerous rebar stakes.
- Goggles to protect eyes in case of dust storms.
- Extra set of car keys (keys are easily lost and there is no locksmith in Black Rock City!)
Helpful Things to Bring:
- Sewing kit
- Rope and/or string
- Ribbons, Mylar, etc., to flag tent ropes/guy lines
- Handy wipes
- Duct tape
- Spray bottle (for misting)
- Rugs to keep dust down in your camp (Remember to remove stray fibers when removing MOOP - Matter Out of Place - before departure.)
- Gifts to give to new friends
- Calling card just in case you have to make a personal call from Gerlach
Things NOT to Bring:
- Glass containers of any kind
- Excess packaging from foods (for example, remove outer box from cereals and just bring the inner bag)
- Loose glitter
- Nuts in their shells
- Too much fresh produce - many melons end up as stinky, messy trash to haul home at the end of the week
- Styrofoam coolers (they don't hold up and will break into a million bits)
- Straw or hay bales (messy messy messy)
- Gravel (makes for nasty time-consuming MOOP)
- Large OR Public swimming pools or public showers.
- For safety reasons please do not bring bikes, chairs and large coolers to the larger burns.
