Survival Guide

Be Prepared

Have fun, don’t go home early!

With a little information, we can all be safe and prepared, just in case mother nature makes for an interesting weekend. All food and camping equipment should be stored in bins that can properly be closed, preventing damage from Dust/Sand. Bins should be stored under tables, cars or other places to keep secure for extreme weather.

Do not drive on brown sand – it is wet!!!

Check out the sections below to prevent a hurried departure and cutting your stay short.

Personal Survival Checklist

Must Bring:

A reusable water bottle and water
Sunscreen/sunblock & sunglasses
Warm clothing
Particle/dust mask
Goggles to protect eyes during dust storms
Rope or tie-down straps
Hand sanitizer (60% or more alcohol content)
Garbage and recycling bags, and tools to clean up your camp
Flashlights and spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
Rain gear
Footwear – because alkaline Borax dust that covers the desert floor, it is possible to get cracky heels. Use socks and moisturize at night if you choose to walk barefoot.
A good camp tent or other shelter and warm sleeping bags and bedding. (stakes, are probably necessary – Heavy Duty!)
Common sense, an open mind, a sense of humor and a positive attitude

You Probably Should Bring:

Shade structures, umbrellas, parasols; something to break the midday sun
A wide brim hat (a chinstrap is useful in the wind)
Lotion, lip balm and earplugs (not everyone will want to sleep when you do!)
Watertight protective bags (e.g. heavy zip-type) for cameras or electronic gear
Costumes, musical instruments, props, decorations, and anything that might make the experience more fun for you and others
A reusable travel coffee mug
Mosquito repellant – just in case

The Elements

Beating the Heat & Cold

The Alvord Desert is a hidden gem in the southeastern corner of Oregon.

The Desert is a huge, flat, prehistoric lakebed, composed of fine clay sediments. Each side of the desert is surrounded by mountains; the Coast range on one side and the Cascade mountains on the other. Per previous Burning fan events, daytime temperatures routinely exceed 85°F, with extremely low humidity. Because the atmosphere is so dry, you may not feel particularly warm, but you’ll be steadily drying up. Lip balm and lotion are your key to comfort. At nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, your skin will burn much faster and more severely than at lower elevations. Apply sunscreen every morning and repeat as needed. Because of the hot sun several of us will bring shade structures, consider laying low during the hottest part of the day. When the sun drops over the horizon, temperatures can quickly plummet 50 degrees. Overnight lows can be in the 40s, so bring warm clothing and a good sleeping bag.

It takes nearly everyone a day or so to adjust to the desert climate. Don’t be surprised if you spend your first day feeling queasy and cranky. DRINK WATER!

Consuming alcohol and/or caffeine increases the risk of dehydration. Dehydration can cause headaches, stomach cramps, abdominal pains, constipation, flu-like symptoms, and mood swings, and makes it difficult for the body to recover.

Whiteouts

The playa can be subject to sudden bouts of fierce, unpredictable weather. Dust storms prowl the playa and can produce instant whiteouts. The desert wind can whip up to speeds exceeding 75 mph in an instant, picking up everything and hurling it miles down the playa or smack into your neighbor — tents, chairs, card tables, ice chests, you name it. Prolonged whiteout conditions are unlikely, but you should be mentally and physically prepared for such occurrences. If you’re caught in a whiteout:

Now’s the time to use that dust mask and goggles you brought.
When the wind comes, seek immediate shelter. Cars should be kept clear so that we can shelter in the cars we have.
A tent is not the best place to take shelter.
If you’re far from shelter, sit down, turn your back to the wind, cover your face, and wait it out.
Be alert for moving vehicles.
If you are driving a vehicle, stop and wait for the whiteout to pass. You will not be able to see where you are going and could injure yourself or others.
Weight the interior corners of your tent. Rebar makes excellent stakes. We will bring some stakes for rough conditions and will share with those who ask first.

Rainstorms

Long, sustained rainfall is uncommon, but storm cells may bring high winds, lightning and rain so you should be mentally and physically prepared for this.

Based on previous Burning Fan events, it is easy to see when weather is headed our way.
If the weather appears to be severe, we can all pack up and head to the Alvord Hot Springs Campsites. We will have several spots reserved and at least one shelter they rent for lodging. We will abandon our spot and come back once it is safe.
All food and camping equipment should be stored in bins that can properly be closed, preventing damage from Dust/Sand. Bins should be stored under tables, cars or other places to keep secure for extreme weather.

In the event rain is headed our way:

WALK back to your camp and batten it down. Do not drive or ride your bike; playa mud will immediately clog wheels and gears.
Secure structures and art in your camp to ensure they can withstand high wind or rain.
Don’t drive in wet areas — emergency vehicles are an exception.
Do not drive on brown sand – you will get stuck. It will cost at least $400 if a local is able to pull you out. If you must pay a towing company, it may cost you $900.

Toilets? What Toilets?

There is a bathroom with a toilet and sink on the campground.
Most of our group will most likely be camping out in the desert. There are some scraggly desert bushes you can do number 1.

Remember we will leave no trace and pack everything out. There is a place to dispose of trash at the campground. The Campground will possibly about 4-5 miles from our campsite.
Do some research, How to Use the Bathroom when Backcountry Camping or Hiking

Some methods: Dig a hole, Pack it out, Use a wag Bag.

Water

You must bring your own water! Burning Fan guides suggest you will need 1.5 gallons of water per person per day for drinking, washing, and cleaning.

Lighting yourself

The playa is dark at night, and it’s very easy to run into people or things you can’t see. Remember your flashlight, headlight, other methods to help you see.