"Away Mission" - Desert Camping Tips -
Hey, Desert Virgins! Welcome to the big Adventure. Hope this is useful too you. I wanted to share these tips we've learned the hard way, so you can have plenty of time to learn more important things, the hard way. Here goes:
=== YOUR BODY ===
Carry this Stuff at all times, and you'll never be
overwhelmed by a Dust Storm, or run over by a Vehicle at 3
in the morning, without being properly prepared for
Survival:
- TOWEL -
Remember... Always carry a Towel. Keep it Wet, and fresh
with a spritz of some scent, or Cologne that you like, to
help keep down the body's Natural smells. If you wrap your
Water Bottle with your wet towel, it will keep it pretty
Cold, just through Condensation. Remember... Dabb, don't
Wipe, you stand the chance of rubbing your face Raw, if
you're Skin is not use to it.
- WATER-
A cheap CamelBack knockoff from Big5 is perfect, because you
can carry 2.5 liters of Water/Liquid, plus all the other
stuff below.
DRINK WATER ALL THE TIME.
- GOGGLES -
Get goggles that seal at the sides, have good peripheral
vision, and have no vents
http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/ (lots of cheap options)
http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/fit-over-goggles.html (for
those who wear glasses)
Sunglasses are great except when the Wind gets up over
30mph, which is often. Old ski masks work fine, just tape
the vents to keep out the dust, which gets into
*everything*.
- DUST MASK-
These are cheap and reliable, and better than the simple
paper Painter's Masks. You can find these, or Masks like
them, at any hardware store. Make sure to get the thick,
multi-layer Particulate Masks.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/…/n95-particulate-respirato…
(or use a wet Bandanna in a pinch!)
- LIP BALM AND SUNBLOCK-
Enough said...
- HAT-
with a Brim, and a good Chinstrap, or Bobby Ppins (the Wind
is hungry!)
- BIGASS BAND-AIDS -
Wounds just happen when you're having Fun - and desert dust
tends to slow healing, plus it itches like a fothermucker.
Do not, repeat, DO NOT GET TATTOOED within 2 weeks of the
Event if you can help it. It'll open up, keep you awake all
night itching for the entire weekend, and completely refuse
to Heal until you get Home.
- SNACKS-
You burn a ton of Energy swinging, climbing stuff or just
Biking/Walking from A to B - plus, your Cells are working
overtime to cope with all the Stimulus and Dust. Snacks like
Nuts, Raisins, Energy Bars, Dry Salami, etc. are awesome.
Don't bonk because you were simply too busy being dazzled to
actually Feed yourself.
- CASH-
Several Mobile Vendors will be selling Cold Sodas, Juices,
Electrolyte Drinks, and Lemonade. You'll need it (or want
it) and the 602 Bar is a reliably beautiful cool place to
hang out beyond Camp, Day or Night. Plus, you may remember
while you're out there that your cooler's running low on
ice, and the Atomic Cafe will sell you some.
- CUP and CARABINER -
For all the Drinks - Alcoholic and Non - that are offered,
when you need them most. Nobody's gonna give you a Paper or
Plastic Cup except the Atomic Cafe Coffee Shop, and why make
Trash. Clip it to your CamelBack knockoff, and you'll always
have it.
- ALTOIDS TIN-
If you Smoke, you'll need an Ashtray. If not, you might find
cool little Trinkets or want to keep Jewelry in a safe
place, once you realize it might fall off while you're
Playing. Besides, it's a good place to keep MOOP, that you
might spot and pick up, and dumping a Tin is easier than
dumping a pocket full of tiny, wind-blowable Trash.
- SHARPIE-
Sometimes you gotta Write - Email Addresses, Notes to Lost
Friends, Notes to Strangers, Poems, Graffiti where
encouraged, Brilliant Ideas, Sketches, Doodles, etc.
- CLOTHES-
White and Tan, Gauzy, Thin for Day, Thick for Night. Layers
are best. You'll figure it out.
- LIGHTS FOR YOUR BODY AND BIKE-
Wear/use the biggest, flashiest Lights you can find - ALWAYS
AFTER DARK - so you're not mowed down, and crippled by
either the Kid on the fullspeed dead-of-night Bike Run, or
the Driver who forgot to check behind him before backing up.
Seriously - please, please don't be a
darkwad. Darkwads suck, and sometimes get hurt. We want to
see you again next year, Healthy, and Happy. A Glowstick is
not a Light. It's costly, manufactured Trash.
- HYGIENE-
Pro tip:
1. You will NOT need a Shower every Day, or even every
couple of Days, but for the sake of everyone else take one
anyway. The Public Showers are Free, and the Private Showers
are cheap.
2. Remember... You WILL be dusty within seconds of Arrival,
and within seconds of Toweling off after any Shower.
3. (THIS IS THE PUNCHLINE): Playa dust is a natural
anti-microbial. It kills nearly all the germs that cause
your sweaty Ass to smell Bad.
If you're working hard on Building, Biking like a Maniac,
Dancing like a Child - you may work up a little Sweat, but
you won't wind up with even 20% of the stank you would have
in such activity back Home. If you can grab a Shower every
day or two, awesome, enjoy. But see point 2. You're not
going to get "clean" no matter what.
I've often gone 2, even 3 days without a shower (with normal Hygienic wipe downs), and (from what I'm told by people I can trust to tell me the truth) I haven't suffered any big degree of Stink or Discomfort. See the tip below about Vinegar Wipes - do that to your face, hands and feet once or twice a day and you'll feel like a million bucks.
Dusty is a fine and normal State, and all
you need to do is take care of the trouble spots to be
courteous:
- Brush your Teeth
- Use a deodorant stick every now and then
- Baby wipes for your Undercarriage (and Feminine Products
of course) are a great thing to have.
- Freshen that Sunblock
And get used to being Dusty. You'll be perpetually Dusty,
but Dusty is not dirty.
=== YOUR HANDS/FEET ===
Fact: Whether you're pitching your Tent, Building the Rig,
climbing on Art or - more likely - Swinging - the AKALI DUST
WILL EAT YOUR SKIN.
Unless you're a what-me-work "Sparkle Pony" (look it up ;D),
or you never take off your Boots or your Skin is as tough as
Rhinoceros hide, this stuff is a Lifesaver:
- WORK GLOVES -
Your local Hardware Store has nitrile-palmed cloth Work
Gloves for like 12 bucks . Good Protection, but sensitive
enough to pick up tiny things like dropped Coins, etc.
- WHITE VINEGAR-
A light solution of Vinegar and Water NEUTRALIZES THE ALKALI
DUST, keeps Feet from Cracking if you wear open-toed Shoes,
and your Fingertips from cracking on Day 2. Plus it feels
nice to wash your Face with it.
- SKIN LOTION-
Lotion, Aquaphor, Albolene, or any other heavy-duty
Emollient that won't
immediately Evaporate in the dry Air.
WHAT FOR???
Pro tip: My Fingertips used to turn to
Cracked, Bloody Hamburger by Day 4 of these multi-day
Events, until I discovered this Ttrick. Now I use it
Religiously:
1) Wipe hands with Vinegar Solution
2) Rub Lotion into Fingertips and Knuckles
3) Pull on Work Gloves
4) Remove Gloves only to Cook, Type or use the Pottie
5) To keep Gloves and Hands safe from Dust, never ever do
(3) without first doing (1) and (2)
Seriously - I have just-barely-sensitive skin, and I
basically live in Work Gloves for the whole event.
=== YOUR GRUB ===
Whether you're personally Cooking every Day or just
sustaining yourself until you can grab something from a Food
Vendor, these notes may help. Make sure you bring enough
Water to Cook with.
::: WITH STOVE :::
- MARINATED MEAT
Prep your Chicken, Steak, Fish, Unicorn, what have you, then
seal it up in Ziplock bags, and Freeze it. Take it out of
the Cooler a few hours before Cooking.
- PASTA, RICE, QUINOA, ETC
You're going to burn a ridiculous amount of Energy, and
Carbs will keep you going. Trust me. You'll lose Weight out
there, and if you plan to rove the Event throughout the
Night, you'll want a good hearty Meal every evening.
- CANNED FOOD
Takes no Cooler Space, Heats easily. Don't forget a Can
Opener
- EGGS
Whole Eggs are Fragile Trash waiting to happen. Crack a
bunch into a resealable plastic Container, or buy Egg
Beaters - quick, easy Protein
- BUTTER, OLIVE OIL, LEMONS, SPICES
Because you'll forget to bring 'em if you don't remember,
and your Meals will be bland.
- BACON
Because Bacon.... If you can't Pre-Cook a bunch beforehand,
make sure to bring a sealable glass jar to pour off the
grease into, then wrap it in a couple layers of Newspaper,
or other thick Trash before consigning it to your Trash Bag,
so someone doesn't accidentally bust the Jar, by shoving
something else hard on top of it.
::: MINIMALIST COOKING :::
- JETBOIL OR PRIMUS STOVE and FREEZE-DRIED OR
POUCH MEALS -
- Just add Water. REI has an excellent selection
::: WITH OR WITHOUT STOVE:::
- FROZEN GATORADE
Before Freezing, pour/drink off the top 1.5 inches from a
1-liter Bottle (2 inches from a 2-liter), squeeze out the
Air (so it won't burst the Bottle during
freezing/expansion). Then stick it in the Freezer. Carry the
frozen Bottle in your Cooler - it can replace Ice for
keeping stuff cold, and if you leave it in the open air
mid-morning, by late afternoon you'll have the most
refreshing thing you can put into your Body - and an instant
way to make Friends.
- CLEMENTINES, GRAPEFRUIT, HARD APPLES, ETC -
They Travel well and stay fresh in Coolers. Keep Apples on
top of the Ice, but Citrus can swim with no problem.
- CARROTS, CUKES AND JICAMA
Cukes should be kept on top of the Ice, to reduce bruising,
but can last up to 5 days. The other stuff can swim, and
still taste great, even at the end of the Week if properly
skinned.
- PICKLES
The acid in Pickle Juice is a delightful Antidote to Alkali
Dust.
- HARD CANDY
Sugar rush, easy Gift - always nice to have.
- NUTS, DRIED FRUIT, ETC
See above note about Portable Food, but also they make for a
fine Lounging-in-Camp afternoon Snack.
DON'T EVEN BOTHER:
Melon, bananas, soft veggies, leafy vegetables, raw eggs in
shells. They become a hideous mess within a day or so.
Seriously.
ALSO:
- PLASTIC STORAGE BIN -
For keeping Dry Food, and Dinnerware dust-free.
- PAPER TOWELS OR WIPES
Clean up Dishes with Paper Towels and Water, or use Wipes.
- CONTRACTOR'S TRASH BAG
You'll need just one of these - make sure to get 3- or 4-mil
Plastic. It'll last you all Weekend long.
- EXTRA BAG FOR RECYCLABLES
You can drop Trash and Recycling at specific drop point or
at Recycle Camp (FYI - you should always pack-out yours Home
with you)
-SCENT HOLE -
Dig a 2 foot deep hole, about 15'-20' away from your
Campsite to pour any kind of Waste Water, or Water with any
kind of Oil, or Food in it. or the waste water from Cooking
or rinsing dirty Dishes off. The Scent Hole will also
help by attracting all the the Bugs and Ants away from your
main Camping Area.
=== BASIC SHELTER ===
::: YOUR RV :::
Bringing or Renting an RV gives you a Private Bathroom (that
you can get pumped on a regular basis DURING the Event,
because everyone wants to use it) and adds either a Day-long
Cleanup, or a massive bite out of your Security Deposit.
Other folks have better info on RVs than us since we've
always tented to avoid such hassles, so:
::: YOUR TENT :::
- REAL TENT STAKES -
Those little bent-metal things or plastic Pegs that come
with your Tent simply won't go deep enough to hold down your
tent in a 60-mph blow.
These can be found at any camping-supply store (Big5, REI,
A16, etc.) or ordered Online. Drive them in with a Hammer,
until only the top is left, and your Tent won't budge:
http://www.coleman.com/Product/2000003432…
- CANDLE OR BAR SOAP
Dust will clog your Zippers and before you know it, your
Door is stuck open during a 60mph Dust Storm. Lubricate your
Zippers and it won't happen.
- OLD BEDSHEET
Throw this over your Sleeping Bag and Pillow every Morning,
and they won't be covered that night by all the Sand and
Dust that seeped in through your Fly Vents during the Day.
- THERMAL BARRIER
Home Depot carries this stuff in 4-by-12-foot rolls in the
roofing section for about $16. It's basically a sheet of
reflective, heat-resistant, reinforced Mylar that - if you
tie it securely over the top of your tent so the wind
doesn't blow it away - can seriously reduce mid-day heat and
make your Tent a workable place, to actually catch a Nap.
=== YOUR BRAIN ===
- EARPLUGS - You like to Sleep, right?
Imagine mammoth, chest-bursting Sound Systems playing the
world's greatest Dance Music, and some of the worst Dubstep
on Earth. Imagine the loud drunk group of Friends, that
stand right outside your Tent, Talking, Laughing and Yelling
for half an hour at 3:30 a.m.
Imagine the caffeinated, over zealous Fan with the, like,
most AWESOME MEGAPHONE, screaming "Yo, it does all these,
like sound effects??? Check it out I SOUND LIKE
MEGATRON!!!!"
The Party never shuts up. Never. Be
prepared.... Earplugs=Sanity.
- NAPS - A mid-afternoon Nap guarantees
you'll survive a Night of Fun without having to scrape
yourself out of your sweltering, hungover Sleeping Bag next
Noon.
- CAMERA - No, seriously, even just your
Cellphone. It'll help you remember all the weird, amazing
stuff you've seen, because your Brain simply cannot contain
it all.
- NOTEBOOK AND PEN - for all the stuff that happened or was said that Photos can't show - for the wild Ideas you had in the middle of a wee-hours on the Dance Floor, for what Dreams may come. You may not use it the entire Weekend. But if someone else is Driving, here's a great game to play on the way Home:
- What are the five (or nine) best things
that happened? What are the worst?
- Who were the five (or nine) best People? Who were the
worst?
- What Stories did I hear?
- What Lessons did I learn?
- What the Hell just happened to me?
- What am I gonna do next Year?
And most of all - What will I do differently the second I
get back to the default World?