PLAYA DUST

It’s HARSH and will ruin your feet and other body parts if not taken seriously!

BIG CONTROVERSY: SHOE-WEAR?!

For many burners it is a golden rule to prevent the alkaline-rich Playa dust from ever touching their sensitive foot skin - as much as possible.

Those that have experienced PLAYA FOOT (deep painful cracks in your heels toes etc) just one time, tend to be consistently careful and wear woolen (for hot weather) socks with boots or other fully enclosed shoes at all times - except when showering and sleeping. No quick trips to the portapotties in flip flops even.

Others report the Playa dust does not affect their feet too much and often wear flip flops or sandals with no rash or Playa foot symptoms. They often use vinegar to counteract the low PH level of the alkaline dust which can result in a chemical burn after time.

• Vinegar
  • It is easy to get playa foot
  • It is NOT fun.
    • Soaking your feet in water with a small amount of vinegar can also help to neutralize the alkali (1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water is a good mix). When you're done, make sure to dry your feet very well and check for any errant playa dust.
• Corn husker’s lotion
  • This is an intense moisturizer lotion that feels like lube when you first put it on. But your dry ass playa hands will absorb this and thank you later. This lotion is fantastic for when you rinse your hands with a baby wipe or that vinegar spray (if you want the full experience you do vinegar -> baby wipe -> corn husker lotion). This is not a replacement for your more tender lotion like gold bond or burt’s bees. That stuff is good for being gentle. This huskers lotion is for when you’re building your pod or frontage or something and your hands are dry as all hell.
• Hot weather WOOL socks are the best socks to wear on Playa. They wick the moisture away from your feet (sweat) keeping you cooler; and reducing wet playa dust conditions in your boots.
• PICKLES!!! The vinegar in the pickle juice neutralizes the Alkalinity in the dust. Great for your insides and outside. A little pickle juice on your lips does them wonders in the desert!

Heat

• Swamp coolers and regular coolers are important for keeping your tent cool
  • Swamp coolers can be built or bought.
  • Read more: Captain's LOG - COOLERS
• Hydration packets/electrolytes
• Always bring a full bottle of water with you when leaving camp
• Get rest. Do not try to pull constant all nighters. The heat and sun WILL catch up to you.

Sun

• The sun will be BRUTAL. You must have:
  • Sunscreen
  • Lotion
  • Aloe
  • Sunglasses
  • Scarves
  • Hats

Shade

• Aluminet
  • You can use aluminet as a reflective surface above or behing your tent (like a second celling) to divert sun for your tent. Our pods are not 100% sun proof and it's enough for one ray of sunshine to directly hit your tent to start baking
  • Tents
    • A (2) person tent is really only big enough for (1) person and all their stuff
    • A (4) person tent is really only big enough for (2) people and all their crap
    • Read more: Captain's Log - SHELTER