Before it even began, this year's Burning Man was something of a Fyre Fest. Tropical Storm Hilary flooded the festival site almost a full week before the festivities started in Nevada's Black Rock Desert last Sunday (August 27) — and naturally, when the grounds proceeded to be hit with months' worth of rainfall in the 24 hours between September 1 and 2, even more chaos ensued.
Although it wasn't weather-related, a death was reported amid said chaos on September 1. A cause of death has yet to be determined, but the deceased was identified as 32-year-old Leon Reece. So far, no other fatalities have come to light, but an estimated 64,000 festivalgoers were stranded in the desert, where they were advised to shelter in place while the roads were closed following the flooding.
Antarctic enlightenment-seeker Diplo was luckier than most of his fellow tech bros and managed to escape by hitchhiking in the back of a fan's pickup truck alongside his slap-happy homie Chris Rock on September 3. The DJ shared the tale on TikTok after he was able to make it to his concert in D.C. for a three-hour Labour Day set.
"I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out," he said, apparently going forth to board a private jet barefoot and covered in mud after meeting "hippies with a van" in the next town over and negotiating a two-hour drive to the airport [via Insider]. Diplo also reportedly ordered Taco Bell for the flight, but it didn't arrive in time. (Nobody knows if Chris Rock ever got his cold brew, or why he was there.)
He added on Twitter that, although the festival "ended in ebola, cannibalism and people drowning in puddles," he'll take nothing but good memories away from the experience, suggesting that the six-mile hike may have even been the highlight. If that isn't a testament to the human spirit, I don't know what is.
Although it wasn't weather-related, a death was reported amid said chaos on September 1. A cause of death has yet to be determined, but the deceased was identified as 32-year-old Leon Reece. So far, no other fatalities have come to light, but an estimated 64,000 festivalgoers were stranded in the desert, where they were advised to shelter in place while the roads were closed following the flooding.
Antarctic enlightenment-seeker Diplo was luckier than most of his fellow tech bros and managed to escape by hitchhiking in the back of a fan's pickup truck alongside his slap-happy homie Chris Rock on September 3. The DJ shared the tale on TikTok after he was able to make it to his concert in D.C. for a three-hour Labour Day set.
"I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out," he said, apparently going forth to board a private jet barefoot and covered in mud after meeting "hippies with a van" in the next town over and negotiating a two-hour drive to the airport [via Insider]. Diplo also reportedly ordered Taco Bell for the flight, but it didn't arrive in time. (Nobody knows if Chris Rock ever got his cold brew, or why he was there.)
@diplo I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out cuz i have a show in dc tonight and didnt want to let yall down. Also shoutout to this guy for making the smart purchase of a truck not knowing it was for this exact moment ❤️
♬ original sound - Diplo
He added on Twitter that, although the festival "ended in ebola, cannibalism and people drowning in puddles," he'll take nothing but good memories away from the experience, suggesting that the six-mile hike may have even been the highlight. If that isn't a testament to the human spirit, I don't know what is.
The driving ban was lifted so that "exodus operations" could officially begin yesterday (September 4) afternoon, finally setting the trapped Burners free. But if they're optimists like Diplo, they'll probably tell you that it was all worth it to get to see the much-delayed ceremonial burning of the man while they were stuck on site for an additional night.
As of right now, traffic is reportedly flowing smoothly. Wait times to leave the playa initially began at eight hours.
Elsewhere, New York's Electric Zoo was also a disaster this weekend, with a host of logistical issues resulting in attendees gatecrashing even after organizers promised a full refund. It's last year's GTA music festival weekend of hell, part two — Electric Zoo-galoo.
The Stampede
by u/PapaKyleee in electriczoo
