My departure to the Black Rock Desert is only mere days away now. And like every year, I get a bit jittery about playa conditions. The last two years have been kind, with mild heat and not a whole lot of dust.

Except for this fun dust tornado on Wednesday of '06, of course:


This year however - and unless the playa gods take mercy on the rumored 50,000 people descending on the Black Rock Desert - it might be a different story.

As one contributor to the eplaya thread on weather conditions 2007 put it: "I highly recommend that everyone prepare for the loosest, dustiest playa surface in at least the ten years I've gone out there."

And indeed - the playa looks pretty freaking loose.

Note to self: Take extra ziplock bags. Leave your 5D camera at home - take the old 10D instead. Take extra babywipes. Double-check on the dust mask and goggles. Bring extra rebar.

Also: Daily conditions in nearby Gerlach and NOAA weather forecast.

Here we come, oh playa. Weeee ....

I can't wait to see your photos when you get back! I like monkeys, so if you see any monkey stuff, be sure to get a couple of shots. heh. Monkeys.

LOL

You shall have your monkeys! I'll make it a quest. :)

That is of course if I can keep the dust long enough away from my lens to actually take a picture ...