When Burning Man Plans Go Hilariously Wrong

Here are some tales from the r/BurningMan subreddit that remind us even the best festivals can have their challenging moments.

One attendee recalls ignoring the crucial advice to stay hydrated, plunging deep into the festival’s thrills only to suffer severe dehydration. Rushed to medical camp, they endured a panic attack so intense that they needed to be restrained and sedated, thankfully finding solace in the unexpected tranquility of a sunrise ride back to their camp after treatment.

Another visitor’s experiment with shrooms turned sideways, rendering them catatonic until a neighborly Samaritan took them in. Adorned in pirate attire, they became an unintentional spectacle in their rescuer’s RV, with frequent check-ins from concerned campers and the kind host ensuring a safe recovery, leading to a newfound friendship and future camping plans together.

A less fortunate soul reached into the darkness of a porta-potty only to touch something far from sanitary—a stark reminder to always bring a headlamp at night.

From heartbreak to heart attacks, attendees have faced them all. One recounted the consecutive hardships of a divorce and a medical emergency in different years, yet their passion for the festival keeps them returning.

Physical injuries also remind us of the playa’s merciless nature, like the couple who simultaneously broke legs far from medical help but found quick assistance and excellent care at the event’s medical facility, underscoring the importance of knowing your physical limits in such an unpredictable environment.