Burning Man Attendees Begin to Leave Soggy Festival Site

 

After days of being stranded by heavy rain and mud, thousands of people at the Burning Man festival in Nevada have started to leave the event. 

The festival, which is held in a desert in Black Rock City, was hit by a rare and prolonged rainstorm that turned the site into a boggy mess. The roads were closed for safety reasons, leaving many attendees stuck in their camps or vehicles. 

Some people decided to hike or hitchhike out of the area, while others waited for the conditions to improve.

The festival organizers lifted the driving ban on Monday afternoon, allowing vehicles to drive on the dry ground without getting stuck.

However, they also warned of long delays and congestion and advised people to consider leaving on Tuesday instead. 

According to the organizers, about 64,000 of the 72,000 attendees remained on site as of Monday afternoon[^1^][1].

Many people stayed to witness the burning of the giant wooden effigy, which is the climax of the nine-day festival. 

The ceremony was postponed from Saturday and Sunday due to the bad weather, and finally took place on Monday night. 

The burning of the effigy is a symbolic ritual that represents the festival's ethos of self-expression, community, and radical inclusion[^2^][2].

Some attendees said that the rain and mud added to the challenge and adventure of the festival, which is known for its art installations, music performances, and eccentric costumes. 

Others said that they were frustrated and exhausted by the ordeal and that they just wanted to go home. Some also complained about the lack of showers, toilets, and other amenities at the site[^3^][3].

One person died at the festival on Friday, but the organizers said that it was not related to the weather. 

The local sheriff's office said that it was investigating the death of a man who was about 40 years old[^4^][4].

The rainstorm that hit Black Rock City was the longest and heaviest since the festival began more than 30 years ago. 

The event usually takes place in late August or early September, when the desert is hot and dry. 

The organizers said that they were prepared for dust storms, wildfires, and earthquakes, but not for such extreme rainfall.

The festival will officially end on Tuesday night, with the burning of another wooden structure called the temple. 

The temple is a sacred space where people can leave messages, memorials, and offerings for their loved ones or themselves. 

After the festival, the attendees are expected to clean up their camps and leave no trace behind. 

However, this year's cleanup might be more difficult than usual, as some cars were abandoned or lost in the mud.

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