Yet another (forward of a forward of a forward of a) report from the
playa on outlandish conditions.

-Josh


> FWD: Playa Update - Received from Sarah the Cookie -
> Today!
>
> WIND WARNING. . .
>
> Greetings from the playa where I am happy and well and
> holded up in my car. I dont want this to deter anyone
> from coming, as it's still a blast - but..batten down
> the hatches kids, cause the wind is the worst I've
> seen in the 12 years I have been coming here.
>
> For those of you around when the big wind hit last
> year and took our camp down, that is the way it has
> been the bulk of the time - really that windy, mostly
> non stop. The airstream is shaking and rocking and my
> tent is tied to every rack and bumper and hitch the
> truck & airstream have, and I'm still unsure if it's
> going to hold up (one pole already snapped). The white
> out's are lasting a long time, some well over 5 hours.
>
> I hear it has been like this for weeks, dont know if
> it will continue through the event. but the green man
> is about nature, so be prepared for the force of
> nature to remind us how small we are! The good news is
> that it's warm thus far, even in the middle of the
> night. MIkey & Sarah - the shade structure we have
> planned probably isnt going to fly (or is going to
> fly). certainly not with the fabric we are planning, i
> just passed some like it and it's not doing well even
> with the holes. however, the garage tents around here
> seem to be holding up when they have no walls & are
> tied down every few feet - so if you feel like
> grabbing one from costco, that could work.
>
> or we can just cool off in center camp since it is so
> close (1 block). who knows, maybe the wind will
> subside. in case it doesnt, i suggest that if you are
> debating between a tent or a van/suv, you pick the
> car. be sure to put everything in bins that have
> locking lids, and in ziplocks inside those. if your
> tent has any open netting areas that do not zip closed
> with a solid fabric, i suggest glue gunning a fabric
> onto them, closing them up permanently, before you
> come here (fabric on the outside of the tent, so it's
> between the tent & the rainfly).you can always cut it
> off later. mine has a few open ones and theres a good
> 1/8 inch layer of dust inside, on top of the bed, the
> floors, everywhere. had to sleep with dust mask last
> night. too much to keep up with & too late to close
> them off.
>
> the wind/dust is coming from the same direction as
> always so be sure to park your cars in a way that
> blocks it from anything you put up. and lots of
> bungees, ive been through 20 just for my tent. phil -
> great decision in sleeping in the rider truck. i think
> that is all to tell - just a whole lot of wind. will
> update you if it stops. am still having a total blast,
> the wind is part of the fun for sure, and look forward
> to seeing you'll in a week! cma, please bring glue gun
> so i can seal up my tent.
>
> PS - wind reminders -fully enclosed goggles for day &
> night (not only dark ones), things that light up so u
> can be seen, bungees, rope, 2 ft long reebar - more
> than you think you need, heavy lotion, lip stuff,
> babywipes, giant sheet or tarp or something to cover
> all the stuff in your tent (to stop dust from getting
> into your bed), and lots of soft towels - more than
> you think you need. xx