Checking out Burning Man impact

By the time this column appears I hope to be at the Black Rock Desert, riding along with a Bureau of Land Management team checking on what kind of impact 35,000 Burning Man revelers had on the playa.

In the past there has been some dispute about how well the Burning Man folk cleaned up, so I thought I'd tag along and see what remains.

While there I hope to get in some exploring, heading out on the playa with back country gear. Rock Canyon seems to be the best site so that's where I'll head. This is about as late as one can hope to get around the playa before it all turns to slippery mud, which I doubt that my ragtop could handle.

The Burning Man festival has become a major event for all sorts of indpendent-minded people, and it's big money. Take 35,000 times $300 admission and that adds up. The BLM shares in that loot so there's little doubt that the agency makes sure all is kosher after the fires went out. We'll see.

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From Reno comes something new for skiers. Peter and Beth Honebein, owners of Reno manufacturing company Auntie A's, came up with the idea for Boot Dragon boot warmers.

Boot Dragon boot warmers are a pair of cotton bags that you heat in the microwave for 2 or 3 minutes and then fit into your boots. Remove the warmers when you arrive at the resort to start the day with warm boots. The natural grain inside the warmers holds the heat for up to 45 minutes, while the aromatic peppermint inside naturally freshens and deodorizes the boot. Auntie A's Boot Dragon boot warmers are available at www.bootdragon.com or at (866) 923-9276. Never worried about cold boots myself, but for those who do, this might be a winner.

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Diamond Peak and its Hacienda will team up Friday, Oct. 15 for a season pass party. Here's a chance to save on your Diamond Peak pass. Pick up a pass for $278 for adults and $96 for children. Diamond Peak will also raffle off a midweek season pass and other prizes, including gear from Village Ski Loft. Live music from Cold Sweat will get the party rockin'. Call (775) 832-1177.

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More than 3,000 runners will race along Lake Tahoe's scenic West Shore Saturday in the 9th Annual Lake Tahoe Marathon. During the race, participants climb to points as high as 6,900 feet and will endure "The Hill from Hell," a 520-foot, 1.55 mile climb at Bliss State Park.

This year Kenyan native and Mountain View resident John Weru, who won the event in 2003, will be back to defend his title. He will try to break the official course record of two hours, 30 minutes and 55 seconds set in 2001 by Joseph Maina Ngunjiri of British Columbia. Weru's time in 2003 was two hours, 35 minutes and five seconds. He won the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon last month.

Unlike other marathons, here the first man or woman to cross the finish line receives $1,000, with the women getting a 27-minute head start.

Kicking off Lake Tahoe Marathon Race Week was the Three-day Triathlon which began Thursday featuring long-distance kayaking, cycling and swimming. There's also the 72-Mile Bike Race and new 35-Mile Bike Race today.

Call (530) 544-7095 for more.

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The Village at Squaw Valley USA's Great Pumpkin Festival is Oct. 23-31. A Broadway musical performance of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and a karaoke party and costume contest takes place at Balboa, The Village at Squaw Valley.

Oct. 23-31: The Village opens a haunted house. Open from 5-9 p.m. Admission is $2 for children and $5 for adults.

Oct. 23: The Truckee Youth Theater presents "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" in the Events Plaza beginning at 1 p.m. It's free but donations are accepted.

Oct. 30: The Howlin' Halloween Doggie Costume Contest is back. Dogs in a Halloween outfit. The contest begins at 1 p.m.

Oct. 30th: Balboa is offering a little something for the adults this Halloween with a costume contest and karaoke party. Mamasake is hosting a pre-party at 7 p.m. and will be showing the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." The Balboa party starts around 10 p.m. and lasts ... Call 530-584-6267.

Sam Bauman is a Nevada Appeal Staff Writer. Contact him at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.