Exodus 2014- Party till the Pavement

Exodus 2014- Party till the Pavement, Bumper Sticker, photo by Brian Miller.
Brian writes, “You know when you Know”.

The story behind the sticker.
Compared to other years, the Burning Man Exodus in 2014 was marked by significant disruptions and changes due to unfavorable weather conditions.

• Delayed Start and Muddy Conditions: Heavy rain and hail storms before and during the event transformed the playa into a muddy swamp, making travel difficult and forcing the closure of the entrance gates and a delayed opening of the festival. Roads that had been drying out became lakes of standing water again.
• Stranded Participants: Many participants were stranded on the dirt road leading to the main entrance for extended periods, some for over 13 hours, according to the Daily Breeze. Bulldozers were needed to clear mud, and vehicles had to be towed out of the thick playa.
• Infrastructure Challenges: The severe weather created unique challenges for the Burning Man infrastructure and crews. Power outages occurred, and a work truck window was even popped by hail, according to the Burning Man Journal. Crews worked extra hours to manage the situation and keep services like Center Camp Arctica operating.
• Exodus Disruptions: While the Exodus process itself aims to manage traffic flow through “pulsing” and encourages participants to spread out their departures, the 2014 weather amplified existing challenges. The muddy conditions significantly slowed the egress, leading to long waits and potential vehicle issues.