Night Intermediate Desert Drive - Sweihan Desert Series - Abu Dhabi - 24 Jan 2025

[M.Seidam]

Hello every one and welcome back to Sweihan series and for this season series we will be exploring the amazing Desert of Sweihan from different directions throughout this season by doing almost weekly drives in different  diverse areas which this big area has to offer  from the mighty dunes to the very tight technical patches over the many drives plan. 

these drives will test your endurance , focus , patience and put your skills into refinement at the end of season . 

stay tuned every week from now onward . 

 

 GENERAL OVERVIEW

We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette and responsibilities.

MUST READ AND COMPLY

• Environmental Policy
• Offroad Flag Guideline
• Two Way Radio Guideline
• Off road Driving Etiquettes
• Emergency details for all off roaders
• Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities

DRIVE DETAILS

Level:  Intermediate and above
When: 24 Jan 2025, Friday
Drive starts at:  7:00 PM - please arrive early and be ready to start 
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bFSu7brWnxBJySfU9
Approximate finish time: 11:00 PM approx.
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), smiles, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

RECOMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only.
• If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list.
• RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list.
• Latecomers will be returned - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 CALENDAR

 

 

[M.Seidam]

Dear Sweihan explorers 

@waqar @Nizar Shawwa @nithish468 @Jessica Lambert @Marek @christian @Brett Eicher

Please be on time 19:00 or bit earlier on at the meeting point so we can start on time and finish even ahead of time before the fog will be upon us . 
 

we will roll on channel 2 

Check your lights and torches as well as your fuel tank full to the brim . Please check your gear and car and that all the junk behind is fixed and strapped . 
 

Please note that this is a no passenger drive for your own safety and them . 
 

The convoy order will be informed on site . 

the plan is to cross Sweihan from west to east and exit on Nahil side . 
 

 

[Jessica Lambert]

Dear @M.Seidam, sorry I wasn't aware this was a no passenger drive at the time I signed up, so I will need to sit this one out. Enjoy!

[M.Seidam]

Dear @Jessica Lambert no worries and thanks for understanding 🙏

[Marek]

can we make some passenger exceptions here? I was also planning not to drive at night alone... but picked some dakar hardened co-driver, definitely not somebody who will complaint here or cause any issues ...

[M.Seidam]

Dear Friends 

to be fair for everyone. It’s an intermediate drive in the absolute dark and in the most notorious unpredictable terrain. You will need to be fully focused from the start till the end and the last thing you need any reason for distraction . However if you believe that your passenger is well accustomed and been in such environment especially in the dark and not known for motion sickness ( lights can induce motion sickness very easily with the maneuvers ) then please he or she is most welcome definitely. 
 

 

[M.Seidam]

Intermediate Sweihan drive series II

highlights 

First of all thank you all for joining the night drive and thank you for being punctual on time . 
 

As you realised the night drive is different than the day light drive where the world is far clear on the other hand at night every thing is lit tight bounded by our headlights , senses are alert to max and focus is sharper than ever. I am glad to learn that you all enjoyed it feeling the dark side of the desert . 
 

couple of refusals and stucks were expected not excluding my self which gave us the opportunity to shovel and warm up as well as to look into situations from different directions and solve it safely . 
 

@waqar brilliant second lead keeping the proper distance and in due time was able to correct my slips  especially when I got trapped in a deep 360 degree super soft tight bowl . 
 

@Nizar Shawwa first time we meet . What a pleasure . You drove like a walk in the night park . Very well done 

@nithish468 you realise that at day or night always the focus and sharpness are wanted and the night is just a bonus for extra. Well done 👍 

@Marek when you told me it’s your first night drive it didn’t feel like that as you were surfing just like after sunrise . I loved the 4Runner glowing . Excellent . 

@christian no doubt that you drive very well but man you gave my heart a shock when you criss crossed that dune 😅 

@Brett Eicher good to see you pal after a pretty long time . You watched our back brilliantly and thanks for the tug 🤞

till we meet in SDS III take care and wish you great weekend 

 

 

 

 

[Brett Eicher]

@M.Seidam Thank you for organising this drive bud, a fantastic way to start the weekend! Night drives are always interesting and definitely present a different set of challenges. Looking forward to the next one 💪

[Marek]

interesting experience! Thanks @M.Seidam for letting me be part of it! See you next time (daytime most likely )