RADICAL SELF RELIANCE
Your survival depends on your reading and following these lists:
What You Must Bring:
-
Your ticket or Photo ID and confirmation number for "will call"
1.5 gallons of water per person per day (for drinking, showering, washing, and food preparation). Carry a bottle of water with you at all times.
Enough food/beverages for your entire party
First-aid kit
Warm clothing for evenings - this is a desert at 4000 feet elevation!
Bedding and shelter of some type - the winds can exceed 75 mph, and the mid-day temperature can exceed 100° F.
A good camp tent is recommended along with warm sleeping bags. Evening temperatures can be in the 40's.
Garbage bags
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
Flashlights and spare batteries (headlamps are useful) to be sure you can see and be seen at night
Sunscreen/sunblock lotion 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 cruel mid-day 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) which must be equipped with a light (for safe nighttime travel); a lock is strongly recommended.
Tag your bike with your name, playa address, email address, and other contact info.
Tire repair kit, spare parts and extra tubes for bikes (they 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 else you can
think of that might make the experience more fun for you and your playa neighbors.
An AM/FM 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:
-
Plants, living or dead, and anything that will break up and/or blow away in the wind (plants, trees, twigs, loose paper, palm fronds, etc.)
Feathers of any kind, e.g. Boas (they shed, no matter what you do - try marabou instead)
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)
Gravel (makes for nasty time-consuming MOOP)
Straw or hay bales (messy messy messy)
Explosives, aerial flares, rockets
Firearms of any kind - including BB guns, air rifles, or paint ball guns
Large public swimming pools or public showers.
