Your Playa Pack

Burning Man is an unpredictable place, full of marvelous and unexpected distractions. You may go to the porta-potties at noon and not find your way back to camp until nighttime. Your most important resource is a small pack with all of your playa needs. Keep it close at hand when you’re in camp, and carry it with you whenever you leave camp. Consider carrying:

Water

Leaving camp without plenty of water is asking for serious trouble. Water bottles work well, but a hydration pack with a drinking tube works even better. Yes, the mouthpiece will get dusty. No, you won’t care.

Food and related supplies

• A couple of snack bars in case you’re gone longer than expected.
• A mug. It’s quite likely that a stranger will offer you a tasty beverage. They won’t offer you a cup.
• Hand sanitizer. You never know when someone will offer you a strange and wonderful food. It’s a good bet, though, that your hands will be dirty when it happens.

Environmental protection

• A sun hat.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip balm.
• Sunglasses.
• Goggles that seal to your face (for duststorms).
• A breathing mask (also for dust storms). Some people prefer a keffiyah.

Personal supplies

• Baby wipes (aka playa wipes) have numerous uses.
• A small amount of toilet paper. The porta-potties are usually well-stocked. Usually. Pocket tissue packs are the perfect size.
• A small ziplock bag for trash. It’s good karma to pick up any MOOP you encounter.
• Sugarless gum. Brushing your teeth on the playa doesn’t always happen as often as it should.

Night time supplies

• A flashlight or headlamp, with extra batteries.
• Marker light(s). People without lights are called darkwads. Darkwads get run over by art cars.
• Cold weather clothing.

Optional

• A camera, in a sealed plastic bag. Please ask before taking photos of people.
• Pen & paper. Pencils work better than pens when things get dusty.
• A small multi-tool.
• Pocket cutlery isn’t vital, but it may come in handy.
• You probably won’t need any safe sex supplies while you’re away from camp. Probably.
• If you must smoke, a portable sealed ashtray (like a film can or mints can).

Stuff you probably don’t need

• Bike tools. Your bike probably won’t break. If it does, walking it back to camp isn’t a big deal.
• Two-way radios. These don’t work nearly as well on the playa as you think they will.
• A GPS. You won’t need it.