How to Survive (and Thrive) at Your First Burning Man

EVERYTHING BESIDES WATER: All the websites about Burning Man already talk about the necessity of bringing your own water, but what I found out is that you will have a much nicer time if you also bring a healthy dose of other drinks such as juice and soda. Water is essential to keeping hydrated, but the gulp of a cool and refreshing Peach Kerns Juice will be heaven in the parched desert. Use your water for dishes and your body, but don't forget enough juice and soda to drink at least 4 to 6 cans a day. And always recycle!

Camp Aquapussy SWEET DREAMS: I found it essential to have some sort of sleeping shelter besides a tent. Unless you can pitch your tent inside another shelter to keep it out of the dust, I would avoid a tent and sleep in an RV or trailer, built structure or your car or truck. Many people who brought tents their first year, quickly upgraded to a trailer or built structure their second year. The dust is brutal and will get into your tent every time, no matter what kind of rain flap you use. I slept wonderfully in my two-person teardrop trailer. I kept the doors closed during the day which kept the dust out.

For even better sweet dreams, bring several pairs of ear plugs. The noise, music, singing and cheering at BM never stops and I slept fine with a pair of ear plugs. They make great gifts too!

Math Camp THINGS LOOK SHADY: You will be able to find shade in other people's camps, including the wonderful shade at Center Camp, but it's nice to be able to escape to your own shade. Be sure to orient your shade structure to block out most of the sun and to take advantage of the breezes that blow across the playa. At least two walls of the structure should be open to the air for cross ventilation and the shade itself should not be too dark a material which soaks in the heat. I used the REI Alcove Shelter with some tie-on curtains in a light cotton. They could be closed at night for more privacy.

HERE, KITTY, KITTY: I found that those plastic kitty litter containers with the handles worked wonderfully for holding gray water, trash and recycling materials. Keep the lids on tight and you have some great storage containers.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Unless you are part of huge theme camp and need to go overboard to keep it real, the best thing you can do for your first time is keep it simple. Don't bring too much of anything: food, water, clothes, kitchen stuff and even plans. You will always find someone who is willing to share or give away. I ended up coming home with more articles of clothing than I brought. Go to BM with a wide open schedule and don't try to do too much, hard as it is, you will have a much more rewarding time if you just let things happen.