"Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on their inner resources."โ from the 10 Principles of Burning Man, written by Larry Harvey (2004)
What it means
You bring what you need to survive: water, food, shelter, first aid. The desert doesn't cater.
Nobody is coming to fix your tent, charge your phone, or manage your hydration.
Self-reliance isn't isolation โ it means you arrive as a contributor, not a dependent.
๐ข How the Turtles live it
The turtle carries its home on its back. Our camp plans 2โ3 gallons of water per person per day, builds its own kitchen, shade, showers, and power โ and every camper still packs their own essentials. Camp infrastructure is a bonus, not a substitute for your own preparation.
First-burn tips
Water, goggles, dust mask, warm layers for night, cup with a clip. Those five things solve 80% of problems.
Test your tent and gear BEFORE the playa. 60 mph gusts are not a beginner-friendly test environment.
Take care of yourself first each morning (water, food, sunscreen) โ then you can take care of others.