Fewbie Plus Desert Drive (2 DAYS) - The Untamed Liwa - Abu Dhabi - 02-03 March 2024

[Frederic]

49 minutes ago, AlexM said:

and now all Liwa hotels are suddenly fully booked, I wonder why) I guess driving there early or camping is the only option. Is anyone planning to camp the night before? 

Definitely there will be a few members camping beforehand. With potential fog in the morning it would make sense doing so. Will post a location for a quiet camping spot soon. 

[Frederic]

@Imran Asghar@Salim Akhtar as the convoy looks pretty full (incl manage tab), it won't be likely that i will be able to extend the convoy, hence i would recommend you hopping into Gauravsoni's drive, who is doing virtually the same route and we all meet up to camp on Sat.night.

 

[AlexM]

Is the start 7am or 8am, there are conflicting times in the description and calendar. 8am is better of course)

 

*Meetup at 8AM in Khanoor: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rnGP9hxzHzt12Ewf7

Starting time: 7:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

[Frederic]

8 minutes ago, AlexM said:

Is the start 7am or 8am, there are conflicting times in the description and calendar. 8am is better of course)

 

*Meetup at 8AM in Khanoor: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rnGP9hxzHzt12Ewf7

Starting time: 7:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Well spotted @AlexM. Moved all timings to 8AM as its indeed much better.

[Frederic]

Potential Camping Spots:

OPTION 1. If you prefer to sleep in the car, and want to be nearby the ADNOC LIWA:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/S3iFtPUpegWJrbv78

OPTION 2. If you want to set up your tent nearby the starting point:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cExrzT4HgyAY44Ve9

Follow the directions for the starting point to pass through the gate, then go a little bit right onto the sabkha. 

OPTION 3. Camp deeper inside LIWA dunes for a tranquil night:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/phKVd7ySsSRX82dTA

Enter at this point and follow the dirt track that leads inside the dunes. It's a hard track with little bit of sand, where deflation is not needed. Guaranteed of a quiet night under the stars. GPX file in attachment.

Liwa Camp.gpx

Myself, i will probably go for option 2 and camp nearby the starting point and sleep in the car.

Feel free to let us know what your plan is. The third option is probably the most private one and there is plenty of space in that area to find something that gives you privacy.

 

[Frederic]

@Sreenath G@Batuhan Kulac@Alphin Aloor@Pascal@Rafey Hashmi@Richard Franks@Gautam Banka@Amr A@AlexM

with the fantastic support of several Carnity seniors: @DP1011@Asif Hussain@Simon D@M.Seidam@Ranjan Das@Senthil Kumar

Thank you all for signing up for another LIWA adventure !

@GauravSoni and myself are looking forward to plan an adventurous route, but there's a couple of things we want to highlight for those who have not experienced LIWA yet:

1. This is not a typical ridge-riding / dunebashing style of drive. The main reason behind this are the massive and unpredictable shape of dunes, and the remoteness from easy exit points. This means it's more of an exploration drive where we will need to navigate monster dunes, cliffs, and find our way through this challenging terrain with treacherous bowls and soft sand. 

2. Your skillset will be tested on this drive, so as your patience and mental resilience. It's a long drive where we will come across plenty of challenges with re-routing, stucks, and refusals. All part of the fun of going to LIWA of course  

3. You need to prepare yourselves but your vehicle as well. If it breaks down in this remote desert, it will be a massive challenge to pull it out. Hence, PLEASE check-check-doublecheck your tires, fluids, suspension, battery, and make sure the car is properly serviced and inspected. Breakdowns can always happen but prevention is the key here. 

4. Make sure you carry enough snacks, water, and the necessary stuff to camp comfortably.

5. Make sure all items, and especially your jerrycan is properly strapped tight in the car. 

6. Get enough rest beforehand, as tiredness can be extremely dangerous in this environment.

7. Enjoy the terrain but be humble, otherwise LIWA will make you humble. It's not the place for crazy stunts. 

 

Having said that, i have no doubt we will be having a fantastic day out, and we can all gather at the camp on Saturday evening to share our stories. 

Whoever has extra space for some firewood, please bring it along as we can make a bonfire to keep us warm

 

[AlexM]

1 hour ago, Frederic said:

Potential Camping Spots:

OPTION 1. If you prefer to sleep in the car, and want to be nearby the ADNOC LIWA:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/S3iFtPUpegWJrbv78

OPTION 2. If you want to set up your tent nearby the starting point:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cExrzT4HgyAY44Ve9

Follow the directions for the starting point to pass through the gate, then go a little bit right onto the sabkha. 

OPTION 3. Camp deeper inside LIWA dunes for a tranquil night:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/phKVd7ySsSRX82dTA

Enter at this point and follow the dirt track that leads inside the dunes. It's a hard track with little bit of sand, where deflation is not needed. Guaranteed of a quiet night under the stars. GPX file in attachment.

Liwa Camp.gpx 20.1 kB · 1 download

Myself, i will probably go for option 2 and camp nearby the starting point and sleep in the car.

Feel free to let us know what your plan is. The third option is probably the most private one and there is plenty of space in that area to find something that gives you privacy.

 

Thanks Fred. We are still debating with missus if we should drive directly from AD (which is manageable) or camp the night before. In any case we will be there by 8am.

Any chance you could share GPX for the whole route on Sat-Sun? (.. and bring my Seven Emirates sticker  )

Edited February 27 by AlexM

[Frederic]

Just now, AlexM said:

Thanks Fred. We are still debating with missus if we should drive directly from AD (which is manageable) or camp the night before. In any case we will be there by 8am.

Any chance you could share GPX for the whole route on Sat-Sun?

LIWA_2024 Draft.gpx

Sure, this is the draft route with the different waypoints. Reality might be slightly different of course, but this gives an idea.

[Sreenath G]

@Frederic, unfortunately, Iit seems I couldn't make it. Due to personal reasons. Apologies! 😔😔

[Frederic]

@Alphin Aloor @Pascal@Rafey Hashmi@Richard Franks@Gautam Banka@Amr A@AlexM@Asif Hussain@Senthil Kumar@Ranjan Das@DP1011@M.Seidam

Waitlisted: @Imran Asghar@Salim Akhtar

As we have now 13 cars, and two waitlisted members, this will definitely be a challenge to make it across and execute the planned route. If anyone is willing and free to shift to the second convoy led by @GauravSoni (which has only 2 cars for now), please do let us know and you are free to shift to that convoy so ideally, we can balance out the total RSVP which will be more fun and will allow for a more fluid experience.

In any case, as mentioned before, both convoys will be doing very similar routes, and will meetup the same evening at the camp site.