COVID19 Compliant - Afternoon Intermediate Desert Drive - Faqa to Sunset - Dubai - 2 June 2021

[Ale Vallecchi]

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely.

 

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions

 

MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST

 

Two Way Radio Guidelines

• Every Off-roader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic.
• We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. 
• Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving.
• Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops...
• No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it.

 

Drive Details

Level:  Intermediate Level and Above

When:  2 June 2021, Wednesday.

Meeting time: 3:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Action Plan: A fast paced drive, exploring the different facets of Faqa (from the arboretum to the tall and bushy long rage dunes, to its yellow sand plateau, and some stunning bowls), then on in a westerly direction, as far as the daylight will allow us. A hot and dusty itinerary, to test our all-around driving skills.

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9xyUJBq33B666r4E8

Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 7:00PM

THIS IS A COMPRESSOR ONLY DRIVE. WE WILL STARTING AND ENDING THE DRIVE AT THE SAME POINT, WHICH IS NOT CLOSE TO AN AIR LINE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPRESSOR, PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS DRIVE. IF YOU ARRIVE AND HAVE NO COMPRESSOR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE DRIVE. 

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE:

• Limited to 10 Intermediates and above drivers. RSVP will close on Monday - 9 AM.
  • If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting list. 
• Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS.
• Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others.
• Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month.
   

PLEASE RSVP ON THE BELOW CALENDAR 

 

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desertnauts

as usual, a quick rundown of the upcoming drive. This time we will have a mixed focus.

First we'll indulge in covering as much ground as possible in and around Faqa, starting from its north-west side, driving through its Ghaf-tree dotted long range dunes, across to the its southern reaches, with taller long range dunes rich in more bushy vegetation, then up the plateau of clean golden sand, through some of its bowls, until we'll reach the end of the Faqa area, to the west. 

Second, we will cross a couple of sabkhas and more technical area, following the sun in its westerly direction, to reach as far as we may, until sundown. These part may take us through Little Sweihan, slightly more south toward Ganthoot (Dubai side, of course), or more to the north, through the Middle Earth, with several exit points at our disposal.

We'll try to keep the fastest pace possible, while at the same time, enjoying our maneuvers on and through the dunes, in a safe manner for both drivers and cars (Inshallah).

@Tero Vallas, @Rob H, @GauravSoni, @Thomas Varghese, @Hisham Masaad and @Amir Amiri, welcome to the drive, and see you on Wednesday at 3:00 PM sharp, for an early afternoon departure.

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desertnauts.

Last update before this afternoon's drive. It will be Faqa (north/central side, to avoid unpleasant border encounters), it will be fast (as much as the terrain will allow), and it will be long (as far as the daylight will allow). The general plan, as mentioned, is to push westward, following the sun, looking for different terrains as we go, alternating open with tighter areas, taller and longer with lower and smaller dunes.,

At meeting time it will be warm, so please deflate according to what we expect to be soft sand conditions. We'll choose the radio channel on the spot, based on the less occupied frequency.

The convoy order will be as follows:

@Tero Vallas in Second Lead

@Thomas Varghese at #3

@GauravSoni at #4

@Hisham Masaad in #5

@Amir Amiri at #6

@Rob H at #7, and 

@Abu Muhammad will Sweep

As usual, with Intermediate drives, there will not be rigid convoy responsibility, other than SL, with the task of perfecting the lead's tracks, and Sweep, tasked with making sure the convoy is driving together. Everybody else, including SL and SW will be involved in assisting recoveries, of the cars in front or behind, based on opportunity and need.

Looking forward to seeing you in the afternoon.

[Hisham Masaad]

Good morning @Ale Vallecchijust opened the website to Request to change the meeting point, and found it done...glad you have made it. 😊 Last drive, I could see the police guys looking at us while deflating, as if we are saying...ok, will make it through the desert 😀 Look forward

[Ale Vallecchi]

Just now, Hisham Masaad said:

Good morning @Ale Vallecchijust opened the website to Request to change the meeting point, and found it done...glad you have made it. 😊 Last drive, I could see the police guys looking at us while deflating, as if we are saying...ok, will make it through the desert 😀 Look forward

Hi @Hisham Masaad. I have never used that particular meeting point since pre-Covid times, being aware that it's impossible to reach. No worries 😅. We'll meet in the sabkha north of Faqa (make sure you take the exit before Faqa town), and move from there, away from AD's border. 

[Ale Vallecchi]

Dear Desertnauts,

@Tero Vallas, @Thomas Varghese, @GauravSoni, @Hisham Masaad, @Amir Amiri, @Rob H and @Abu Muhammad, to update you on the stalling FJ, I should inform you that, after taking the car in for a more thorough check, they found error messages concerning the sparkplugs, injectors and throttle areas, which were checked, cleaned or replaced, when necessary, so things should hopefully be OK now. Furthermore, they detected a leak in the water pump, which they replaced. This is why the repairs took more time than expected, and I was not able to post our "repeat" drive on time for this week.

Nonetheless, I will post the drive for next week. I trust that Wednesday afternoon would still be the day and time of your choice: if so, please acknowledge, or suggest otherwise. 

This time the drive may be in a different area than Faqa. This is due to some controversy currently being played out regarding an incident which took place with the AD police, and which resulted in heavy fines being levied on one of our convoys. As a consequence, it has been decided to stay clear of this particular area, until the situation has become clearer, and brushes with the AD border will no longer be an issue. I will still choose a challenging and entertaining location for the drive, which will be disclosed when the "repeat" drive will be posted.

In the meantime, I wish you all a great week.

[Abu Muhammad]

Thank you @Ale Vallecchifor the update and I’m glad all are sorted with your car. For me as of now next Wednesday is fine unless something changes till then. 

[Rob H]

Glad to hear you were able to get your issues resolved @Ale Vallecchi, I'm looking forward to next week. 

[Varun Mehndiratta]

Hi @Ale Vallecchi if feasible during weekend would like to join. Weekdays usually become tough to plan. Cheers 

[Hisham Masaad]

Glad @Ale Vallecchito hear all sorted out. Honestly, found the afternoon drives start with extreme temperatures. Prefer morning ones. Enjoy the drive ☺️