What You MUST Bring:
WATER: 1.5 gallons of water per person per day (for drinking, showering, washing, and food preparation.) Keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
FOOD: Enough food/beverages for your entire party.
FIRST AID: You might need more than a band-aid.
WARM CLOTHES: Warm clothing for evenings--this is a desert at 4000 feet elevation!
SHELTER: Bedding and shelter of some type; the winds can exceed 75 mph, and the mid-day temperature can exceed 100º
TENT & SLEEPING BAG: A good camp tent is recommended along with warm sleeping bags. Evening temperatures can be in the 40's.
GARBAGE BAGS: Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trace.
MEDS: Any required prescriptions, contact lens supplies (disposables work great), or whatever else you need to maintain your health and comfort in a remote area with no services.
FLASHLIGHT: Flashlights and spare batteries (headlamps are useful) - to be sure you can see and be seen at night.
SUNBLOCK: Sunscreen/sunblock lotion and sunglasses.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: Bring fire extinguishers, if you plan to burn your art.
VITALS: Common sense, an open mind, and a positive attitude.
We Strongly Suggest You Bring:
SHADE: Shade structures, umbrellas, parasols, sheets; something to break the cruel mid-day sun.
HAT: A wide brim hat.
STOVE: A cooking stove if you expect to heat food or liquid.
BIKE: A bicycle (mountain bikes or "cruisers" with balloon tires are best) which must be equipped with a light (for safe nighttime travel). A lock is helpful.
REPAIR KIT: Tire repair kit, spare parts and extra tubes for bikes.
PORTABLE SHOWER
EARPLUGS: (Not everyone is going to want to sleep when you do.)
WATERTIGHT BAGS: Watertight protective bags (e.g. heavy zip-type) for cameras or electronic gear.
LIP BALM: Lotion/lip balm to treat cracked skin.
SMOKERS: Smokers should bring portable ashtrays (e.g. an empty candy tin, or film canister).
FUN STUFF: Costumes, musical instruments, props, banners, signs, and anything else you can think of that might make the experience more fun for you and your playa neighbors.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
RADIO
DUST MASKS: Particle/dust mask (Dust storms are not uncommon).
TENT STAKES: 12" tent stakes (High winds are likely). Use plastic bottles or tennis balls to top and protect dangerous rebar stakes.
GOGGLES: Goggles to protect eyes in case of dust storms
Extra set of car keys. (keys are lost easily!)
REUSABLE MUG: Bring a reusable mug or cup for coffee and other beverages at the Center Camp Cafe
Other 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:
FEATHERS of any kind e.g., boas (they shed, no matter what you do - try marabou)
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
EXCESS FRESH PRODUCE Too much fresh produce will just go bad. Many melons are thrown out at the end of the week
LOOSE TWIGS or PAPER or anything that will break up and/or blow away in the wind
STYROFOAM COOLERS (they don't hold up)
GRAVEL (makes for nasty time-consuming MOOP)
STRAW or HAY Bales (messy messy messy)
2005 SURVIVAL GUIDE - REQUIRED READING
"The desert is a place worlds away from that to which most of us are accustomed, and is governed by physical laws that cannot be ignored. You are responsible for your own survival, safety, and comfort. Read this Survival Guide carefully and make sure EVERYONE in your group reads it as well..."
Read The 2005 Survival Guide Online >>
Download PDF of The 2005 Survival Guide >>
HELOISE OF THE PLAYA (Compiled by Miz Jewelz)
"So many things to bring, remember and purchase. How's a body to cope with all this intense preparation? Fear not. Heloise feels your pain...Some handy-dandy tips gleaned from the wisdom of seasoned Burners..." Read Heloise Tips >>
Back to Top
