Not-so-high-times! Rainstorms forced Burning Man organizers to cancel opening day of the annual Nevada festival. Standing water rendered the dirt roads leading into the event “undrivable,” according to event producers, who posted an announcement on Facebook asking would-be revelers to wait it out in Reno.
Nevada Highway Patrol directed traffic away from the event gates, turning back drivers with the instructions to find a safe location to park until the re-opening of the event, which was scheduled for 6 a.m. today. Gerlach, the tiny town that serves as gateway to the debauchery-meets-art desert extravaganza, was expected to receive a massive overflow of Burners. Not to be deterred from having a good time, some of the party people turned away from the event designated nearby Pyramid Lake a spontaneous party spot. Maybe they got a swim in as well.
The Burning Man website warns, “Weather on the playa is often violent and unpredictable. Dust storms, high winds, freezing temperatures, rain – Burning Man has seen each of these at various times.” Hopefully, the rest of the week will be dry and clear—Burning Man tickets cost $380 apiece and the event offers no refunds.
