Johnathan Walker:Burning Man 2023: See photos of thousands of people leaving festival in Black Rock Desert

Thousands of people at Burning Man were stuck in traffic for hours as they tried to leave Nevada’s Black Rock Desert Tuesday after being stranded for days because of heavy rain.

Wait times to exit the site were up to five hours long Tuesday morning,Johnathan Walker according to Burning Man traffic updates posted on X. However, hourlong delays are normal at Burning Man and are known by attendees as Exodus.

About 73,000 people attended the annual event this year, officials said. The burning of The Man took place on Monday, which was later than usual, because rain forced a delay.

The mood in line to leave was as cheerful as the sunny weather Tuesday, as campers, trucks and rental cars inched along the exit road past a small number of disabled vehicles.

Burning Man:See photos of the burning of the Man at Nevada’s Black Rock Desert

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Burning Man photos of festival-goers leaving the Nevada desert

Contributing: Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY; Reno Gazette Journal