What Was Your Most ‘Oh No’ Moment in the Desert?

[Looper]

 

At 7:20 it is evident I thought Oh No.

[_luke_]

57 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

Another one I can rem (with pics & video) going in a huge bowl and not able to come out.

Al Quaa - Dec 2018

Last 50 meters, I have to winch myself out (winch line + 3 tow ropes)

 

the winch comes to the rescue again!

[Frederic]

I have been lucky and blessed so far to have had no serious technical breakdowns in the desert so far.

I do remember this one big sidey we did in Liwa where i got a bit too excited and we kept trying to climb higher and higher. The video below shows the sidey which worked out fine, but on my way down my little Pajero suddenly felt like fishtailing a bit, which was a bit of a scary moment and by sheer luck and instinct i was able to steer into it and correct it. The descent however was way too fast, and i realized only later that i got lucky.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Omvp0h_PG5j_5cWYdTVQa5NoAV2Gb9Ld-eHA0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Since moving over to the Trooper, which is a top-heavy and bouncy off-road thing, i have become a lot more careful. With the Pajero i always felt like i was 100% in control of the car and where to point it, but the Trooper has a mind of its own and is sometimes all over the place. Not fun when you want to ride ridges at massive heights. 😐

[Mike M.]

On 5/20/2025 at 12:06 PM, Gaurav said:

Great topic, @Mike M. – definitely one to laugh and learn from!

I still remember my near flip in Liwa a few years ago — all thanks to a rush of overexcitement.

I spotted this massive, tall dune and thought, “Why not attempt a sidey? Even reaching 70% height would be thrilling!” As I started the side slope, the car kept climbing effortlessly. At around 95%, I got greedy and decided to switch it up — let’s try a criss-cross!

Big mistake.

As soon as I crossed over, both wheels on the driver’s side went airborne. It was that classic “Oh no” moment. But by sheer luck or divine intervention, the car landed back on all four wheels just in time.

When I stepped out and looked at my tracks, I saw over 5 meters missing from the driver’s side. I just sat down on the sand for five minutes… letting the adrenaline settle.

I felt the adrenaline rush just by reading it!

I might be stating the obvious here but for future readers and newer members, would the lesson learned be that when you enter a slope or any maneuver, just execute what you planned to do and do not switch into a higher difficulty level, mid-execution. If you have other ideas during execution, exit and attempt again with the new objective in mind. Would this be a fair statement @Gaurav? Thanks for sharing ! 

On 5/20/2025 at 12:38 PM, Gaurav said:

Another one I can rem (with pics & video) going in a huge bowl and not able to come out.

Al Quaa - Dec 2018

Last 50 meters, I have to winch myself out (winch line + 3 tow ropes)

 

Now i get why you call it the Trusted Pajero. This car seems to have been through the high Ups and the low Downs with you. From the image, always easier said than done, it looked like fast loops would have been the answer and I am sure you tried it, how come it didnt make the last 50 meters ? underpowered for the steepness of the dune? 

Edited May 21, 2025 by Mike M.

[Frederic]

30 minutes ago, Mike M. said:

I felt the adrenaline rush just by reading it!

I might be stating the obvious here but for future readers and newer members, would the lesson learned be that when you enter a slope or any maneuver, just execute what you planned to do and do not switch into a higher difficulty level, mid-execution. If you have other ideas during execution, exit and attempt again with the new objective in mind. Would this be a fair statement @Gaurav? Thanks for sharing ! 

Now i get why you call it the Trusted Pajero. This car seems to have been through the high Ups and the high Downs with you. From the image, always easier said than done, it looked like fast loops would have been the answer and I am sure you tried it, how come it didnt make the last 50 meters ? underpowered for the steepness of the dune? 

Something i learned from my mentor @Gaurav:

1. Visualize your entry and exit points before attempting.

2. Once you commit: do not hesitate (this could result in panic steering or even braking)...

At the end we all like to "play" with nature, and sometimes when we are being overconfident, it will gently slap you on the wrist. At that point in time, be humble and respectful. That's why ego cannot have any place in offroading.

[Gaurav]

51 minutes ago, Mike M. said:

I might be stating the obvious here but for future readers and newer members, would the lesson learned be that when you enter a slope or any maneuver, just execute what you planned to do and do not switch into a higher difficulty level, mid-execution. If you have other ideas during execution, exit and attempt again with the new objective in mind. Would this be a fair statement @Gaurav? Thanks for sharing ! 

Perfectly well stated, as a learning lesson for all leads, stick to the plan and go for another attempt if in two minds.

51 minutes ago, Mike M. said:

I am sure you tried it, how come it didnt make the last 50 meters ? underpowered for the steepness of the dune?

The exit line was brutally covered in tons of super soft powdery sand, losing all power instantly, no matter how I tried with or without center diff-lock, 2nd gear, even in Lo with 3&4 gear. After multiple attempts, we even tried to cool off the car, but still, I couldn't beat the soft patch on the incline; it was like climbing up the slip face. Last resort TEAMWORK (always shine bright).

 

 

[Mike M.]

37 minutes ago, Frederic said:

Something i learned from my mentor @Gaurav:

1. Visualize your entry and exit points before attempting.

2. Once you commit: do not hesitate (this could result in panic steering or even braking)...

At the end we all like to "play" with nature, and sometimes when we are being overconfident, it will gently slap you on the wrist. At that point in time, be humble and respectful. That's why ego cannot have any place in offroading.

We need to create banners with this statement and promote it for all outdoor lovers:

”Check your ego at the asphalt!”

[Imran Asghar]

1 hour ago, Mike M. said:

I felt the adrenaline rush just by reading it!

I might be stating the obvious here but for future readers and newer members, would the lesson learned be that when you enter a slope or any maneuver, just execute what you planned to do and do not switch into a higher difficulty level, mid-execution. If you have other ideas during execution, exit and attempt again with the new objective in mind. Would this be a fair statement @Gaurav? Thanks for sharing ! 

Now i get why you call it the Trusted Pajero. This car seems to have been through the high Ups and the high Downs with you. From the image, always easier said than done, it looked like fast loops would have been the answer and I am sure you tried it, how come it didnt make the last 50 meters ? underpowered for the steepness of the dune? 

Same happened to me in Liwa and I caught it on film. It was at the end of the day when everyone was setting up camps. I decided with a few others to give it one last run. Huge mistake too. Didn't ride the crest before switching I just did what mike did and it was nearly a disaster. Lesson for me was know when to quit and know your limits. From that day on if there is someone in not comfortable with I will not even entertain the idea. When I find the video I'll post a link here. After the even the adrenaline was pumping. It wasn't good. 

[Gaurav]

16 minutes ago, Mike M. said:

”Check your ego at the asphalt!”

Something similar, I use as my disclaimer after every Masterclass.

• Deflate your tires, Deflate your ego.

Guaranteed way to go back in the same car with a smile on your face.

[Imran Asghar]

Seems to be a trend here haha "liwa"