start Preparation Leaving S. F. On to Reno Reno Leaving Reno Playa-bound Black Rock City Camp Vermeer The Man Temple of Joy Dust Storm Playa Shabbos Bicycles Planes Art Cars Theme Camps People Panoramas Miscellaneous Leavetaking Leaving Ranger Shift Ranger Lefty Ranger Norman Ranger Mickey
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Burning Man 2002: Dust Storm
This year's Burning Man had some of the best weather I've ever experienced on the playa. Hot during the day, dry, no rain or wind. Almost too pleasant.
Here's one of the dust devils seen wandering the playa. The Man can be seen at right, on the horizon.
In 2000 we had many dust storms, for which I was gloriously prepared. On Friday afternoon our picture-perfect weather changed with a vengence to a powerful dust storm. Here's a panorama of the goings-on just as the alkali starts to fly. Note the masks, but no goggles. In about sixty seconds that's not going to seem like such a good choice :^)
It's getting heavier, visibility dropping from about one block to two-thirds of a block. (We'll get down to a four-foot visibility before all is done.)
My camera doesn't know on what to focus. They sky is full of white powder; things seem clearer than it really is due to this weirdness.
Once the wind really started going the visibility started dropping. Here's a 180° view of the city grinding to a halt. That green tent is being, uh, inflated by the high wind. Many structures were shredded or toppled.
This was a gift economy moment: two girls giving away masks to passers-by. People were very thankful. What a great idea.
In a slightly clearer moment I spy these well-dressed gentlemen walking through our neighborhood. Natty, but unprepared. Next year, gents.
Here's one of the parachute enthusiasts wandering around in the dust. He's humping his 'chute on his back, heading out toward the packing area (although he's obviously grounded for the time being).
This is probably as bad as it gets. Nothing to see, except the blocky outlines of the recreational vehicles lining the streets. Nobody out, neither on bicycle or on foot.
I think this is my official in-the-storm photo for 2002. The wind is blasting away, there's no visibility to speak of, and there's not much more for me to do. Time to return to Camp Vermeer and see how we're handling the dust and wind.
Here I'm sitting on the cot, outside the truck. The dust is blowing so strongly that the visibility fades out after the few inches after the radio antenna. Dusty, dusty, dusty.
I've jumped into bed the truck. My eyeglasses are getting steamed up from my breath filtering through my mask. I remove it, unnecessary as it is. Check out the dust on my legs.
Ranger Lefty is happily holed up in the front. He takes the camera and snaps a picture of me. Can you tell how giddy I feel? I love the inclement weather, especially in small doses.
We rest for a few minutes, after which I head out to Playa Shabbos. It is Friday night, after all.
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