Galactic Adventures

Before heading out to Black Rock City, I knew that preparation was key. The dust at Burning Man is infamous—it gets everywhere and can be corrosive to anything it touches. The alkaline nature of the dust can be tough on the skin, if not properly protected, and it’s particularly harsh on electronics and vehicles. Despite its challenges, the dust has become an iconic part of the Burning Man experience, symbolizing both the harsh and transformative environment that the community must navigate during the event.

Because the dust gets everywhere, it's pretty important to wear goggles and a mask to avoid breathing it in or getting it in your eyes. And trust me, the post-event clean-up of your van and gear is no joke! You really have to stay on top of it to prevent any long-term damage from the corrosive dust.

So, I made sure both me and my MODE were ready for the week. I checked all the seals, got my blackout shades and bug screens ready (dust screens, in this case), and packed enough cleaning supplies to tackle a small desert.

Here are the essentials I brought:

Vinegar: Vinegar neutralizes the alkalinity of the playa dust. I diluted it with water to use to clean everything that was exposed to dust. 

Shade: I brought the Canyon Adventure Vans Awning Shade Extension. This was extremely helpful for keeping the dust out and anchoring the Girard awning down when it got windy. I then took some Aluminet and attached it on the side of the awning extension to keep the sun out, but still allow for airflow.

Air filters: To keep the air inside as clean as possible - I didn’t end up using these, but would keep them in my kit just in case. 

Spray bottle: A spray bottle filled with ⅔ water, ⅓ vinegar to spray on my body and hair after a day/night out in the dust.

Extra water: So. Much. Water. I have an upgraded water tank, so I was hopeful that I wouldn’t run out of regular water. But, I wanted to ensure I had enough drinking water, plus plenty of extra just in case. 

Floor mats: The Inhabit floor mats basically saved my van. I was worried about all the dust getting dragged in from my backpack and clothes, but these mats totally saved the day. After the event, I took them to the car wash, hosed them down, and they looked as good as new. What really blew me away was how well they kept the dust off the floors. There was barely any dust inside the van at all! Plus, cleaning them was a breeze. I was super impressed with how they handled the playa conditions.

Soft Storage from Flarespace: I loved having the storage bags from Flarespace to help keep everything organized and accessible. I used one on the back of the seat to store everything I wanted to keep handy for going out on the playa such as goggles, headlamps, lights for my body, bandanas, sunglasses, and extra snacks. I used the larger bag under my bed to store all of my items that were specific to Burning Man such as cleaning supplies, lotion, small hair/clothing accessories, extra lights, and batteries.

The dust at Burning Man is relentless. Even with all my prep, I knew I’d be fighting to keep the van clean. The MODE is well-designed to handle tough environments, but nothing can fully stop the dust. Each day, I made it a habit to do a quick cleaning ritual to keep things under control. I also tried to keep the habit of always taking my shoes off and dusting myself off before entering the van.

Here’s what worked:

Use your bug screens: The bug screens that come stock in the Storyteller are wonderful for keeping dust out. With the second blackout layer that rolls down and the strong magnets keeping it closed, there wasn’t much dust getting inside.

Check seals and seal anything questionable: I brought blue painter’s tape to seal around my windows as an extra layer of protection. But, honestly, the seals on the van are made to keep the elements out, so I was confident that they would do a good job keeping dust out (and they did!). I checked the seals a few days prior and monitored them during, and kept painter's tape on deck just in case. 

Daily wipe-downs: At the beginning of the day, I’d take a cloth with apple cider vinegar and wipe down every surface inside the van. It might sound tedious, but it kept the dust from building up and made the space livable.

Extra bedding: I made sure to pack a few extra sheets and plenty of extra pillowcases. After dealing with the playa dust all day, being able to put on clean bedding every couple of days kept my bed feeling somewhat fresh and less gritty. And, sleeping on a clean silk pillowcase every night speaks for itself. Small comforts like that go a long way when you’re in such a wild, dusty environment. 

Vacuum: One thing I was really grateful for was the Central Vac from Canyon. It was an absolute game-changer to be able to quickly vacuum out my van and even my clothes a few times a day. It made such a huge difference in keeping the dust under control!

Blow out air conditioner post-burn: Blow out air conditioner with high-pressured air prior to washing the van. This removes all the dust so it doesn’t become a cement mixture when wet.

Keep everything in sealed totes outside: We made sure to keep an empty tote outside to collect dusty coats, boots, and bags. We also had a few other totes full of equipment and one full of dry foods. This kept the dust and clutter out of the vans.

Surviving the play is all about preparation and having the right gear to make life easier in such a harsh environment. Aside from my van, a few key items really helped elevate the experience and keep things manageable throughout the week.

First up, my air fryer and the stock microwave—I know, it might sound a bit extra for Burning Man, but these were lifesavers. Having quick, easy meals without needing to sit and cook every time was such a time-saver, especially when I needed a fast, healthy meal between activities or before being out all night. Without either of these, I would have ended up skipping meals or settling for unhealthy snacks. Having my extra fridge/freezer from IceCo made bringing a week’s worth of frozen meals and ice (!!), plus plenty of fruits, vegetables, and juices possible. I premade foods that would be easy to reheat and placed them all in individual bags, then stacked them in the freezer. I used both zones of the IceCo as a freezer, then kept all my fruits and perishables in the van refrigerator. Trust me, having a stash of good comfort food out there made a world of difference when you’re craving something familiar after a long day in the desert. I brought an extra 1000W portable battery and solar panel to keep my extra freezer plugged in so I didn’t have to worry about it using too much power. 

A Super73 electric bike and OneWheel were my go-to methods of getting around the playa. With the massive space to explore (literally, the size of a small city) and countless art installations placed miles away from each other, these helped me cover more ground without exhausting myself. I liked having a second option for transportation so I could share with my friends and because as the week went on the playa got bumpier to ride on, making the Super 73 the best overall option for getting around. I ended up using the Super 73 for going out on the deep playa and the OneWheel for short trips to visit friends or go to an activity at another camp during the day. 

These little luxuries helped make my Burning Man experience not just survivable, but actually incredibly enjoyable, allowing me to focus on the magic of the event rather than just the logistics.

Honestly, I felt more prepared for Burning Man than I thought I would. I spent months prior doing research, reading countless Facebook posts, and studying packing lists from veteran burners. With all the resources out there, there weren’t many things that I wished I would have brought or done differently. But, I learned a few things that I’d change next time.

1. Always close the door: Ensure my door is closed during dust storms, even when just running a few feet away to the bathroom.. Who knew a dust storm could come that fast?!

2. Plan activities better: Next time, I’d definitely take a bit more time to look over the schedule beforehand and make note of the events I didn’t want to miss. There were a few I had my heart set on but got caught up in the flow of things and totally missed them. That said, there’s something truly beautiful about just going with the flow at Burning Man—letting the experience unfold without a rigid schedule. It allowed me to stumble upon unexpected moments of magic that I wouldn’t trade for anything. But a little more planning could have made sure I hit those can’t-miss events while still embracing the spontaneity of the playa.

3. Make note of friends’ camps: Reach out to everyone before getting out on the playa and write down where they will be camped. People lose service or turn their phones off for the week, so I ended up relying on chance to see some of my friends. Thankfully, the playa provided, and in a sea of 70,000 people, I somehow managed to find almost everyone.

I felt incredibly fortunate to have my home there with me - it proved to be a lifesaver through this experience. The comfort and reliability it provided were invaluable, especially during the heat and dust storms. After a long day and night of exploring and dancing until the sun came up, returning to my home with my own bed, an air conditioner, and real food was an absolute gift. I felt a little guilty knowing how much comfort I had with my setup and how I was definitely not roughing it as much as others.

I had enough power to run my air conditioner when needed, use my Starlink, and microwave pre-made meals so I stayed well-fed the entire week. The Storyteller insulated window covers came in clutch keeping the sun/heat out of the van and the bug screens helped keep the dust out. I had plenty of power, food, and water, plus an extremely comfortable space (you can’t beat having your own home at an event like this!). And, in an environment where resources are precious, these features made a huge difference.

Burning Man isn’t just an event—it’s a shift in how you see the world. The principles of radical inclusion, self-expression, Leave No Trace, and communal effort stay with you long after you’ve left the desert. I left Black Rock City with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for community and creativity. These same values resonate so strongly with the Storyteller community. Just like in vanlife, we prioritize Leave No Trace, ensuring we respect the environment and spaces we explore. Radical inclusivity and communal effort are also at the core of both Burning Man and the Storyteller community, where we lift each other up, share experiences, and create meaningful connections on the road. The alignment between the two worlds really deepened my connection to both, making me more mindful of the way I live and travel.

The experience made me more conscious of how I want to live my life—less focused on material things, and more on building connections and experiences. And through it all, my MODE van was there to support me, proving that with the right preparation, you can take on even the harshest environments and come out with a greater understanding of yourself.