The early report was that alcohol was not involved, so it must have been either drugs or suicide.
Actually, a lot of folks do just that - rent big motor homes for the event.
There's also a few private jets there every year - they land on the playa, which is 20 miles or so long and flat as a pancake.
1. Held in NW Nevada the week ending with Labor Day.
2. Held on the playa in the Blackrock Desert, which is about as remote and desolate as it comes.
3. The little burg of Gerlach is close to the event and is the only town/burg/ whatever within 50 miles. It's also got to be the most God-forsaken town in America. And that was before a nearby gypsum mine closed a few years ago.
4. At that time of year, daytime highs will often be 100 degrees +/- a few degrees.
5. The playa consists of bare dirt covered with 1"-2" of DUST.
6. As I understand it, no cash transactions are allowed at the event, only trading and bartering. Which means booze, sex and drugs are serious commodities.
7. Here in Reno, it's easy to determine who's been to Burning Man. Their vehicles are totally covered with dust, almost all of them have mountain bikes strapped on in the back, and those bikes are decorated with a LOT of very weird stuff! Prior to the event, many of those people are wearing VERY weird costumes. Doctor Seuss outfits seem to be the favorite.
He was also from California, which might also explain it,
Totally different group of folks...... still kinda crazy though..... lots of big tire planes.... STOL drag races, tours to ridge lines and tight spots to land in and play around on, pumpkin bombing, etc......around 190 planes last year if I recall....
That one I'd like to go to...... had enough crazy people things in the 60-70s. Ok... maybe some 80s....
Apparently, the only items that can be bought and sold are ice and coffee. So, in an event that one is supposed to live the Principle of "Decommodification," where money is not allowed, the only things bought and sold are 2 basic comfort items. Sounds like a wonderful business plan to me.
You have to pay to get in, hence the fence.
That's a LOT of porta potties!
They were starting to set up everything for Burning Man at the time, so with a couple of trips up and back, I saw a lot of what was being done.
Fortunately, Burning Man didn't start until after my hunt, so I missed seeing tens of thousands of very weird people.