Ya – black rock city now has a population of 70 K, some of which just don’t get it, they are called “tourist” by hardcore burners
Anyway, the feds (BLM land btw) charge BM org $3.2 million for the conditional use permit, one of the conditions of the permit is to leave the desert in “nearly pristine” condition. It takes volunteers about 2 -3 weeks to sweep the 5 sq mile area and remove all traces. If you went out there today I don’t think you would be able to tell anyone was ever there. I heard “tourist” left 4000 bikes behind for the 2017 event. I guess that’s not too bad considering out of a total of 60 to 70K bikes. Still sucks
But the culture is in somewhat in danger due plug and play (turn key camps), bros, frat boys and hipsters, but it still a great event, got my tickets and vehicle pass, going again in 2018.
Number 1 on the list of annoying people at burning man is “The Sparkle Ponies”.
Proposed to my wife there in 05
During Katrina
Joan Baez singing amazing grace as New Orleans was going down
We camped 1.4 miles away from everyone by orange fence on way to the hot springs to the south
Was still loud. We got there on bikes obviously
Now. Kids. Will never return