Burning Man '12

[caktmrider]

For seven years now, I've loaded up my '04 KTM 950 Adventure and headed out on my sojourn to the Burning Man festival about 15 miles north of Gerlach, Nevada, for a week (give or take, depending on the year) of detachment from this default world to a place free of commercialization and judgement; where the community of 50,000+ "burners" follow the core principles of:

- Inclusion
- Gifting
- Decommodification
- Self-reliance
- Self-expression
- Community effort
- Leave no trace
- Civic responsibility
- Participation, and
- Immediacy

All that said, it's also a big 'ol party! I camp with about 40 of my closest friends, some of whom I've never met and will likely never see again. We build and run a theme camp called "Sharkey's Bar and Lounge" and serve a daily libation - free of charge - to whomever bellies up to the bar, and we bring hundreds of Klondike bars to see what people really will do for one when it's 90+ degrees outside in the high desert of Nevada (you'd be shocked).

For a week, it becomes our home, and my camp mates become my family. Meanwhile, throughout Black Rock City (so named for the town that's created in the Black Rock desert), hundreds of other theme camps are doing their thing; whether it be art projects, music, food, libations, lectures, or just offering up hammocks for people to rest. At Burning Man, you can be a spectator or a participant; it's whatever you want. For me, it' a respite from my responsibilities and an opportunity to ride my motorcycle up highway 395 from Los Angeles into the Nevada desert and back with enthusiasm and the peace and tranquility that my mind can only achieve inside a helmet with the hum of my bike underneath me, and in the moment.

So, without too much description, I'm happy to share with you a short collection of photos representative of my journey. Enjoy...

My ride:







Speed limits are only guidelines, until you get caught...



Caught!



Fuel stop:



My RV (and Jeep) that I loan to my friends to I can enjoy my ride:



On the Playa before building the camp:



Each year, we produce and paste about 1,000 temporary tattoos representing the Burning Man theme...



Building the bar...







Our first customers...



Randomness...



Sleeping quarters...protected by wind and blowing dust...







A tribute to Rocco, a decorated Vietnam helo pilot, friend, motorcyclist who passed away from lung cancer.



Our "mutant vehicle", a pirate ship called the Runaground that's build of a Chevy Suburban chassis...



It shoots flames...







Tattoos applied...







With, Oops, the mayor of Sharkey's Bar and Lounge...





The peaceful ride home...

Sunrise over Mono Lake, CA






Here's what can happen when you leave Burning Man, having forgotten to lock your side case: you favorite shirt can end up wrapped around your rear hub.



The road less traveled, paralleling Highway 395 in the Owen's Valley...









Arriving home and cooling off in my own way...

[Fe Man]

Awesome read; always wanted to make the pilgrimage!

[DaFoole]

Cool report!!

Thanks!

[dudecati]

Was year 15 for me, something about this year felt just right. Love looking at other folks pics. Next year I'll have to come find your camp! Thanks for sharing.

[Reverend12]

Excellent!!

[SurlyPete]

How do you know Buc?

[Marco Moto]

[74C5]

I've got to try that out.
Search Hula Cam at burning man 2012. Not sure if it is safe to post above the basement....or even there.

[caktmrider]

Originally Posted by SurlyPete

How do you know Buc?

Buc (owner of the Runaground), became friends with Sharkey and the rest of our camp a few years ago, then joined Sharkey's Bar and Lounge as one of our camp mates the past couple years. He and his friends are awesome and very generous guys. The Runaground makes its rounds - Fantasy Fest in Key West, Sturgis, and even occasionally on TV (Pawn Stars?).

Sharkey, Oops and Buc:

[Matt]

I was just looking at our local event - Burning Seed - which has just finished this weekend (a long weekend here).
Your report has inspired me even more to make the effort to get my ass into gear for next years burn.

[red bud]

more burning man pic's


we know you got em

[jon6.0]

Originally Posted by 74C5

I've got to try that out.
Search Hula Cam at burning man 2012. Not sure if it is safe to post above the basement....or even there.

It's work safe. http://coolmaterial.com/video/hula-c...ning-man-2012/

[caktmrider]

my YouTube video.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7MSwIINXATU

[westcoastvaleska]

hey fellow burner ! sweet KTM. i only made it to reno as a virgin burner in 2010, hitchin my way in from there. thanks for bringin back memories. that place is mind blowing. i'll be sure to stop by and say my greetings next year. might trying riding my bicycle down next year from portland, or. thanks again for sharing man !