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@Benjamin thats the right spirit and totally agree with you. @Chris Wing @Patrick van der Loo @Gary F @Stumpy Paj @Krishna R @Joji varghese @Joseph Raju @Mario Cornejo @Mohamad Anwer @Gurcharan Mehta Today was a drive where the ghosts plagued us from the start. We had our fair part of issues throughout the drive, and when Joseph his Patrol decided to take some rest after overheating, we had to put all heads together to get the car pulled out of the desert. A massive hats off to @Zed and @Chris Wingfor coordinating this mission while I could focus on finding a smooth track out. Great teamwork and help from everyone involved in fixing 2 popouts and still we all kept the smile and soldiered on. Without teamwork this would have been a disaster to get that car out, but today showed that we can pull off anything if we all work together so I thank you all ! There will be more drives where we’ll be able to roar the engines. Until then let’s keep the Carnity flag high ! see you soon in the sands !!

Well said @Frederic and I am sure some day you will get to Ghost town! As @Benjaminsaid we learn something every drive and seeing @Zedget @Joseph Rajuout the way he did was simply stellar. Great seeing you all again today and I look forward to the next one!

Not every drive goes as planned but every drive that ends safely is a success. I think we can safely say winter is over and there is no moisture is left in the sand. Time to relearn how to drive on soft sand again and leave more space between myself and @Patrick van der Loo Airing down the 11 psi , with the heat and speed my tires were quickly back up to 13 in the first part of the drive which caused me some issues. Deflated down to 10 and I was on my way. What I didn’t know is that I was going to spectacular demonstrate how to crest a long wheel base Jeep Gladiator first first, rising up from a ditch that I had attempted to avoid based on @Frederic comms. Then secondly another crest while going up a relatively minor dune. in both cases it was great to hear @Krishna R comms on the radio. AND I was immensely proud to have my son @Benjamin tug me out from the front and back, despite the extra weight of the Jeep Gladiator, driver! And passenger. Nice work. Indeed I will be living this down for a long time to come 🤣 all my future drives I think I will need @Benjaminas my personal recovery personal. see you next time… @Frederic I hope you make it to ghost town at some point, a full moon midnight guy drive would up the spook level.

It's almost iftar time, and as I'm about to cut my rope... i mean steak, what better way than to give thanks to everyone here 😊 @Patrick van der Loo @Gary F @Benjamin @Stumpy Paj @Joji varghese @Joseph Raju @Mohamad Anwer great teamwork guys, thanks for spotting the pop-out and helping when the V8 pulled a bit too hard trying to do a non-straight tug. Can't ask for a better convoy today in terms of spirit and helpfulness... @Gurcharan Mehta brilliant idea on the ECU Reset, as software developer not sure why I forgot about restarting the computer! The previous codes (Knock Sensor Error) probably got stored and cached and Nissan programmers tried to be smart by reading from cache (faster) instead of loading 2mins for all the sensors to return values 😅 Anyone with Land Cruiser or Lexus of course will make a joke about helping with the tug 😁 but I wanted to check how far the 360hp VVTi engine can tow before giving to the Toyotas. @Krishna R thanks for always being the first to get out of the car and support anyone with refusals and stucks. You're on your way to Support Team i'm sure 👍 @Chris Wing great second-leading with the New Black FJ (is that the Good-Bye Edition?) and being patient to explain when I misunderstood the tug-planning instructions 😊 @Mario Cornejo sorry for stealing your thunder, but in the end you remained the True Sweeper 😁 I'm just the Recovery Guy they called all the way from Abu Dhabi 🤣 And finally @Frederic I don't know how you do your time-keepings. Even when there's stuck and dead-car-tug, you still finish at 11am! Great Project Management & Leadership skills 👍 Maybe next time decide Ghost Town or Iftar Bowl, one destination to concentrate on 😂

@Frederic amazing drive today! we had some refusals and car problems, but these things happen, and we shouldn't dwell on them; instead, I'll reflect on them as a chance to learn something new. I had the opportunity of rope recovery practice (and please anyone who got videos/photos can reach me on my whatsapp 0585610117, or my Instagram 'benjethemarine'😁) And also, the chance to revisit the method of fixing a popout, which is always good to see these techniques carried out correctly and safely, so I have a reference for the future. The whole convoy drove well considering how soft the sand was this morning, possibly because of the warmer weather. looking forward to the next one @Chris Wing @Patrick van der Loo @Gary F @Stumpy Paj @Krishna R @Joji varghese @Joseph Raju @Mario Cornejo @Mohamad Anwer @Gurcharan Mehta

DAY 1 - Dubai to Al Bathaa (557 Km) The first day goes quickly and unexcitingly, with the transfer to, and crossing of, the Saudi border, and an overnight at a not so Dream Home Hotel, just a few kilometers inside Saudi territory. The crossing itself has taken a little over 1 hour, mostly spent waiting in line for the various checks, which proceed in a very smooth, quick, and courteous way. Car insurance can be bought at the last booth before being allowed through. If it's the first time you enter Saudi you are required, after showing your visa, to register your fingerprints and picture. No travel photos for today. Tomorrow, almost a full day of driving to Edge of the World, which we should reach in around 8/9 hours (depending on how many stops we make), for an early camping and sunset view.

Good Afternoon @Hisham Masaad @Imteeaz @fayez @Pacific @Parliament @Misha Puskar @Paolo Pellegrini @Mahmoud Taha@Xavi Moyano @Bashar Beasha @Ishak @Bjoernand @Gok Krish Please see below the convoy order for tomorrows drive, hope you are all as excited as I am to take to the dunes, looking forward to seeing you all at 06:30 in the morning. We will be using channel 3 446:056 for our adventures tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. Thanks

Dear Desertnauts, as if I didn't have enough business trips (which have lately taken a little away from my off-roading), I have just finished preparing for another trip, this time for pleasure, which will bring me away from Dubai for the next 10 days. It's going to be a bit of a trip down memory lane, like the long overland adventures I used to enjoy, once or twice a year, while taking groups of travelers, mostly to North Africa's Sahara. This one is going to be an exploration drive to Saudi Arabia, from Dubai to Tabuk, via many hopefully amazing sites, and back. I have just finished to load up the FJ, which I have decided not to equip with a roof rack, or any other loading and storage gimmick, in the spirit of keeping the car as stock as possible and manage its cargo accordingly. The boot is organized with two layers of 2 boxes each, with a row of stripped-down recovery tools crammed at the back of the booth, secured against the backseats (shovel, kinetic rope and soft shackles, hard wood board, hydraulic jack, a mixed toolbox, and the compressor). The boxes contain the dry food pantry, cooking equipment, mixed items (mostly kitchen tools, and an ice chiller. Between the two rows of boxes there has remained enough space to put the tent and 2 foldable chairs. The suitcases (soft bags, stuffed inside a loose and large outer cover accommodating also an inflatable air mattress, toilet paper, a spray bottle, and a pillow) will be placed on the back seat, separated by a small ice box containing some munchies for the trip. The space between the front and back seats is packed with a picnic table, and a supply of water. I have planned not to take any extra gasoline, since it'll be possible to find gas stations quite regularly along the planned route. The availability of gas stations will also allow to manage the water supply, which will be limited to 8 lt. per person every 2 days (4 lt. each day, sufficient for drinking and cooking). Washing will be done by spraying any unused fresh water, but mostly with wet towels. Of course, in case of purely off-road long trips, an adequate supply of water (no less than 3lt/person/day) and gasoline (for an extra autonomy of at least 5/600 km) would have forced me to mount a roof rack to carry these critical goods. While looking to minimize the upgrades to the car, I have also chosen not to bring an electrically charged chiller and no extra battery pack. Charging of phone, PC, lamps, or air pumps will be done with a converter (700 W capacity) charged through the car's lighter (with the option to accommodate 4 USB's and a regular socket). To complete the preparations, travelers to Saudi need to get a Tourist Certificate from RTA (provided upon presentation of a Carnet de Passage from Emirates Motorsport Organization), a visa (1-year validity, multi entry), and a car insurance, obtainable at customs. So, now that all is ready, I'll update you on the trip one day at the time, with a few notes on the areas visited, a picture of the day, and the track completed each day. Looking forward to showing you what I find, with the goal, eventually, to organize an overland sometimes next winter. Let the adventure begin!

Thanks, everyone for the wonderful drive today, really got a good chance to enjoy Sweihan's pristine dunes to heart desire. Blessed with a brilliant convoy and drivers today, made all the big difference that we managed to say Hello to all possible peaks in that area. Have a nice weekend, see yall soon.

Thank you for this great drive @Gaurav Might be the best drive I've been to so far, and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you doc @M.Seidam the drive was amazing. With very few stucks and refusals the track you has for us was perfect. The pace was something I really enjoyed with the drive it felt the whole convoy was fluid with barely any issues whatsoever it was great seeing you again @Krishna Rand I’ll see you again this morning it was nice to meet you @Haitham Khattab thanks for the tips and tricks on watching my jeeps temps Thanks again doc and I’ll look forward to the next one. Ramadan Kareem!

We are thrilled to congratulate @Ale Vallecchi for reaching the coveted Senior Marshal with Carnity Offroad Club! This is a momentous achievement that speaks volumes about Ale's skills, dedication, and passion for off-roading. This is not just a recognition of his driving skills, but also a testament to his true character, passion and spirit. As a Senior Marshal, Ale is now one of the most respected and admired members of the Carnity Offroad Club. He has earned the admiration and respect of his fellow off-roaders, who look up to him as a mentor, friend, and leader. His off-road drives offer an exciting and unique experience that elevates the overall off-roading spirit. His achievement is a reminder that with the right attitude and approach, anything is possible, and that the world of off-roading is full of endless possibilities and adventures. Once again, congratulations Ale on reaching the Senior Marshal level with Carnity Offroad Club. You are an inspiration to all off-roaders, and we look forward to seeing you continue to blaze new trails and push the limits of what is possible in the world of off-roading! SENIOR MARSHAL The Senior Marshal rank is the ultimate badge of honor for off-roaders who have achieved unparalleled heights of passion, creativity, and dedication toward off-roading. This rank is not solely based on the number of drives but also on the quality and innovative concepts utilized during those drives. A Senior Marshal reflects exceptional maturity, tenacity, and courage even under the most challenging circumstances. As a Senior Marshal, you should be able to go above and beyond regular commitments and earn immense respect and admiration from all levels of off-roaders. Your knowledge and expertise in off-roading techniques, skills, recoveries and safety protocols should inspire others to improve their skills and knowledge. Your passion and dedication to off-roading should result in a strong bond with other off-roaders, to leave remarkable memories for a lifetime. You should be a true inspiration to others, and your contributions to the sport of off-roading should be remembered for years to come. As a Senior Marshal, you are not just a skilled off-roader; you are a beacon of inspiration and leadership to the entire off-roading community.

Hope you are feeling better soon @Bjoern

Hope no issues @Bjoern get well soon

Thanks everyone for the fun drive. Was great learning experiences as well as driving. See you next time 🙏

Not everyone makes it out 🙂 Thanks @Vanessa8580 for the nice ride today.

Confirmed

salute to whoever figured that the noise would go this way 😂

Hi @Frederic after visiting 3 garages and some prayers, noise eliminated. Happy to inform you'll have your Sweeper this morning 😄 Occam's Razor: replaced 2 tires since both rear tires were suspect (see photo below). The Transfer Case Motor issue I posted on Instagram is also solved by cycling the shift lever to TC Neutral (disconnect front & rear diff electronically), engine off 5mins, then to 4Low, drive a bit, engine off 5mins, then back to 4H.

All the best on your adventure @Ale Vallecchi. Look forward to see updates of your journey which im sure will help other enthusiasts including myself to plan our own.

In recent years, Dubai has been making great strides in its transition to clean energy sources. One of the most innovative projects to come out of this effort is the Molten Salt Power Plant. So, what is the Molten Salt Power Plant, and how does it work? Simply put, the Molten Salt Power Plant is a type of energy storage system that uses molten salt to store and release heat. The system consists of a large solar field, where mirrors reflect sunlight onto a central tower, heating up a mixture of molten salts in the process. The heat from the molten salts is then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity. What sets the Molten Salt Power Plant apart from other energy storage systems is its ability to store heat for long periods of time, allowing it to provide power even when the sun isn't shining. The molten salts used in the system have a high heat capacity, meaning they can store a large amount of heat energy in a small volume. This makes them an ideal medium for energy storage, as they can be heated and cooled repeatedly without degrading or losing efficiency. The history of the Molten Salt Power Plant in Dubai dates back to 2016 when Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) launched the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project. The project aimed to build the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. The Molten Salt Power Plant was initially planned as a 100 MW energy storage system to support the solar park, but in 2020, DEWA announced plans to expand the system's capacity to 600 MW. The Molten Salt Power Plant's ability to store and release heat at scale makes it a valuable asset for meeting peak demand, reducing carbon emissions, and improving the reliability and stability of the power grid. Additionally, the system's modular design makes it easy to scale up or down as needed, allowing it to adapt to changing energy demands and technological advances. 25th March 2023: Davie Chase's magnificent Jeep Wrangler JLU Rubicon Molten Salt Power Plant vs. Photovoltaic Solar Technology: While both the Molten Salt Power Plant and photovoltaic (PV) solar technology are forms of renewable energy, they differ significantly in terms of their operation and capabilities. PV solar technology generates electricity directly from sunlight by converting it into direct current (DC) electricity through the use of photovoltaic cells. These cells are typically made from silicon and are arranged in modules that are installed on rooftops, building facades, or large solar fields. PV solar technology is highly versatile and can be used in a range of applications, from powering individual homes to large-scale utility projects. The Molten Salt Power Plant, on the other hand, uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a central tower, heating up a mixture of molten salts that are used to generate electricity. The system is designed to store heat energy, making it capable of providing power even when the sun isn't shining. This makes it a valuable asset for meeting peak demand and improving grid stability, as well as reducing carbon emissions. One of the main advantages of PV solar technology is its scalability. It can be installed on a small or large scale, making it suitable for a wide range of energy needs. It also has a relatively low maintenance cost and can operate efficiently for many years. The Molten Salt Power Plant, while more complex in its design, has the advantage of being able to store energy for longer periods of time. This makes it a better option for meeting peak demand and providing a stable source of energy for the grid. 1st April 2023: Loopers Yellow Jeep The cost of PV solar technology and Molten Salt Power Plants can vary depending on a range of factors, such as location, size, and equipment costs. Generally speaking, the cost of PV solar technology has decreased significantly in recent years, making it one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy. The global weighted average cost of electricity generated by solar PV fell by 82% between 2010 and 2019, with the cost of utility-scale solar PV projects falling by 47% in the same period. In contrast, Molten Salt Power Plants are generally more expensive to build and operate than PV solar technology, due to the complex nature of the technology and the need for specialized equipment and materials. However, the cost of Molten Salt Power Plants is also decreasing as the technology becomes more widely adopted and economies of scale are achieved. The cost of electricity (LCOE) for a Molten Salt Power Plant in the US ranges from $0.16/kWh to $0.21/kWh, depending on the size and location of the plant. In comparison, for utility-scale PV solar projects in the US ranges from $0.03/kWh to $0.05/kWh, making it a more cost-effective option currently.

Hi @Gaurav, hi all, thank you for helping to fulfill my sidey addiction!!! It was a great morning in the sand. Thx @Jaro Tuzinsky for sweeping and the fun in back! Have a great weekend

Updating now 😁🙏

@Sunil Mathew on his not Black Fortuner. @Mehmet Volga refer this post for your queries regarding the tower this morning drive.

Yes I'll be there Thanks a lot

confirm

Good evening everyone ! Below you can find our convoy list for tomorrow's drive. Position Driver Car Rank 1 Vanessa Nissan X-terra Marshal 2 Emanuel Mitsubishi Pajero Fewbie 3 Arvind Jeep Wrangler Absolute Newbie 4 Wile E FJ Cruiser Yellow Absolute Newbie 5 Tatsiana Jeep Wrangler Red Absolute Newbie 6 Gautam Toyota Prado Blue Newbie 7 Jeevan FJ Cruiser Black Newbie 8 Mohit FJ Cruiser Blue Newbie 9 Ale Jeep Wrangler Newbie 10 Deepak Jeep Wrangler Support team 11 Sohini Trailblazer Newbie 12 Cristian Jeep Wrangler Newbie 13 Saverio Jeep Wrangler Newbie 14 Michael Jeep Wrangler Green Newbie 15 James Jeep Wrangler Silver Newbie 16 Paul Zietsman Dodge RAM Fewbie We will be using radio channel 3 (446 056) Hope to see you all tomorrow at 7 am sharp ! @Arvind Uchil, @Tatsiana Chase and @Wile E Because it will be your first drive with Carnity, please make sure you have watched the Absolute newbie video please ...

Hahaha now I realize why they call it Nissan Petrol ⛽️ We can perhaps take that Cafu tanker with us in the sand. PS I’m the unlucky one with Automatic Transmission and LWB, but alas it came with the Sub tank 😅

@Frederic how are you doing? I just noticed you are now driving a Patrol! Let’s plan a theme drive, Patrols only, maybe also request a Cafu tanker wait for us at the exit 😆 Welcome to the club of proud Y61 owners and shrinking wallets! Looking forward to tomorrow’s drive.

Oops sorry to hear that buddy, keep us posted on the root cause. We can all learn from it.

@Ale Vallecchi looks like its gonna be an exciting experience. Have a safe and enjoyable journey. Cant wait to see the pictures 😁

Great adventure Ale, keep us posted and have a safe and enjoyable trip. it will be great if you have pictures of the setup in the car, i will try to mimic in my FJ.

Safe travels to the mystical Saudi Arabia, where i've lived for 2.5 years around 10 years back but never found the time to explore properly. The fact my FJ was a 2WD model didnt help either 😁 Keep us posted on your adventures ! There some interesting landmarks and places to visit:

@Krishna R @Benjamin and @Haitham Khattab really appreciate being punctual and on time . I am sorry @KAMALIO you have missed it . Next time inshallah. what a lovely short convoy and what a lovely drive I enjoyed it very much and I am sure you did as much as I did . Take care and see you in the next one .

Outstanding news.. congratulations @Ale Vallecchi.. you have been a beacon and true coach throughout my off-road journey since the start and am sure this applies to many others who had the privilege of following you on the sand.. thanks for being such an amazing Offroader and leader.

Dear Carnity Family, in particular the Seniors - @Gaurav@Srikumarand @Frederic- I am honored by this unexpected, yet very gratifying promotion. I have enjoyed learning from each of the members with whom I have driven throughout my years with the Club. Every drive has given me something, and has pushed me to always improve, and thinking about different and new approaches. I count to always come up with new ideas, and most of all, to enjoy every moment in the sand with this wonderful group of friends. Thanks to all for your support.

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi. A great achievement indeed. Well done and the most hearty congratulations.

What amazing news @Ale Vallecchi ! You’ve been a trailblazer and inspiration for many of us in the club and deserve this entirely ! Keep surfing the dunes in your smooth flowing style as only you can do !

@Tatsiana Chase welcome to Carnity and happy to see you in my drive !

Hi all I am Tatsiana, this will be my first drive in the desert driving my husbands shiny red Jeep Rubicon. My experience so far in the desert is as a passenger with my husband so now I am looking forward to getting behind the wheel and trying this hobby for myself. Our car has all of the necessary off road gear and tow points. looking forward to meeting you all in the sand on Saturday.

This one is from one of Ale’s midweek drives!

It amazes me the kind of questions that pop up on your mind at 3:30 am @Looper😁 Well, my take on this is, very few people own broncos as it's a fairly new launch. I have seen hardly 5 cars on road till now, and the off-road heads generally go with tried and tested cars. I am yet to see a bronco in carnity drives. we should start seeing more of those soon. Thinking to change the Jeep to a yellow bronco ? Huh @Looper

Team Carnity is the driving force behind Carnity Off-Road Club. Most off-roaders peak and plateau. Team Carnity exists for the ones who refuse to. It is the backbone of this club - the group of off-roaders who keep the drives running, the standards high, and the community growing. Not because they have to, but because they have chosen to commit to what Carnity stands for. The grading structure gives you a clear, transparent path to grow into that role. Each rank is earned through three things: your Capabilities on the sand, your Contribution to the community, and your Commitment over time. There are no shortcuts, but there is a roadmap - and every step of it makes you a more complete off-roader and a more trusted leader. The further you progress, the more you shape how this club runs. Senior ranks come with real responsibility, real recognition, and a genuine place in Carnity's long-term direction. This is where participants become leaders, and where leaders become the reason others keep coming back. If you have been looking for the next chapter of your off-road journey, this is where it begins. SUPPORT TEAM You are the backbone of every great drive. The Support Team is the entry point into Team Carnity. It is also where you demonstrate the one thing that no training can teach: whether you are genuinely built to give and help others. Not everyone who joins the club belongs in Team Carnity, not because of skill but because of character & natural personality. The Support Team is where that personality becomes visible. What This Role Actually Is You are responsible for making sure no driver feels alone, lost, or unsafe on a Carnity drive. That is a bigger responsibility than it sounds. In a convoy of 15 vehicles spread across 2 kilometres of desert, the Support Team member is often the person who spots the struggling driver, the vehicle drifting into bad terrain, the member who is quietly panicking. You are the safety net that good convoy management requires. This is also where you learn how a Carnity convoy works from the inside: the briefing structure, the radio protocol, the recovery choreography, and the people management. Everything you observe and practise here becomes the foundation of everything above. Eligibility Minimum 10 Carnity drives completed after your Intermediate grade promotion. What We Observe After your application, we review your history and then observe you across multiple drives with multiple different Marshals. We are not watching for skill - we are watching for character: Do you help before being asked? Not every time. But consistently. The person who walks to the stuck vehicle before anyone calls them. Do you stay calm when the drive gets complicated? Recovery number three on a hot day, with 12 people watching. How do you move? Do you contribute between drives, not just during them? Forum posts, group chats, helping a new member understand a route. The giving that nobody sees. Do you look for ways to make the lead's job easier? Anticipating what is needed, not waiting to be directed. Do you bring warmth to struggling members? A new driver on their third drive, embarrassed about getting stuck. How do you treat them? The Honest Test Ask yourself: do I genuinely enjoy being part of a team that makes things work for others, or am I here primarily to progress to the next level? Both feelings are natural and human. But only the first belongs in Team Carnity. What You Do On Drives Support second lead, center forward, or sweep roles as directed by the lead. Assist with stuck vehicle recoveries calmly, efficiently, with good humour. Monitor members at the back and middle of the convoy. Bridge communication between the lead and rear when a radio is needed. Help with convoy assembly, briefing setup, and post-drive grouping. Minimum 6 Newbie or Fewbie drives per quarter to remain an active Support member. Progression to Advisor Progression to Advisor is by invitation only. We reach out to you. You do not apply. The invitation comes when multiple different Marshals have independently observed genuine, consistent, unprompted value-giving across multiple drives and when the answer to this internal question is yes: "Would I want this person behind me when something goes wrong in the desert?" There is no fixed timeline. Some Support members receive the invitation after one season. Others take longer because their drives are less frequent. What matters is the quality of what is observed, not the speed of accumulation. Equipment Required Safety flag, tyre deflator, tyre pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, walkie-talkie radio, air compressor, rated recovery rope, 2 rated shackles, GPS, floor jack and jack board, tyre repair kit, toolbox, tie-down straps, vehicle fluids. ADVISOR This is where a skilled off-roader becomes someone who develops new off-roaders. The Advisor level is the most significant transition in your entire Carnity journey. The skills that got you here: driving capability, desert knowledge, and community presence are all necessary, but you need a lot more to progress further. What you are developing here is something different: the ability to make other people better. What This Rank Means Being invited to Advisor means we believe you have the maturity, passion, and instinct to carry this off-road community's gold standards forward to new off-roaders and help develop the next generation of off-roaders. You will always carry the Advisor title regardless of the rank you eventually reach. It stays with you because the values established here: patience, accountability, and genuine care for developing others, are the foundation of everything above. The Evaluation Period: 2 to 3 Months Before Leaders Lead training begins, you continue supporting drives across different Marshals. This is not a waiting room; it is an active assessment of one specific quality that the Support period could not fully reveal: "Does this person initiate things without being asked?" Do they spot a problem in Slack and try to fix it? Suggest an improvement to how something works? Contribute to a community discussion without being tagged? Help a struggling member before anyone else notices? You can start taking up a briefing under the lead's guidance. You can start managing the convoy during the break, while everyone does the side slope attempt safely. You can start giving drive feedback to specific drivers after the drive is over. Leaders Lead Training - Three Sessions Leaders Lead is the most comprehensive desert leadership training available in the UAE off-road community. It is conducted by a Crew member, in a small group only, exclusively for Advisor-level members. Session 1 - The Terrain Advanced sand reading and terrain assessment across all conditions. Route planning: scaling, safety exits, terrain sequence, group capability mapping. Navigation tools and GPS setup for leading a convoy, not just driving it. Session 2 - The Convoy Leading, recovering, and managing 10-20 vehicles under pressure. Radio protocol and rear-to-front communication architecture. Decision making under load: when to push, hold, recover, turn back. Reading the convoy - identifying the struggling driver before the problem becomes a recovery. Session 3 - The People Managing different personalities, skill levels, nationalities, and expectations in one convoy. Giving and receiving feedback that makes the whole team better. The honest destination conversation - what Expert and Marshal actually look like day-to-day. The Cultural Shift That Starts Here At the support level, the motivation was giving back what you received. That served its purpose. "We are not looking for you to 'pay us back' for your training. Your debt is zero. We are inviting you to build the next generation of Carnity." At the Advisor level, the frame shifts permanently: Before Pay it forward Lead when ready Help the team From now on Build a leadership legacy You become ready by leading Develop the next generation Supervised Leads - Transition Phase Minimum 2 partial leads for daytime Fewbie drives under Marshal or Crew supervision. Minimum 4 full daytime Fewbie drives under Expert, Marshal, Senior Marshal or Crew supervision. After each supervised lead, your progress is acknowledged publicly within Team Carnity. You can extend beyond these minimums - there is no pressure to rush the transition. The First Independent Lead After Expert promotion, you commit to scheduling your first independent lead within 30 days. Not because we are counting, but because you owe it to yourself to move from learning into ownership without a long gap. No judgment. No evaluation. Full support. Your Mentor Marshal shadows your first independent lead silently. No judgment. No evaluation. Full support. Carnity Contribution Required Exclusive commitment to Carnity off-road club from this stage onwards. Minimum 6 drives supported per quarter. Active forum participation to earn Carnity points for subscription renewal. EXPERT You are responsible for developing off-roaders. Expert is not the finish line - it is the starting line. Every drive you lead from here is a development session for someone else. Every member who builds confidence because of your calm, your knowledge, and your presence in the desert - that is your contribution. Not the drive count. The people you shape. The Expert Journey - Three Phases Expert level offers a structured journey of three distinct phases, each with a clear purpose, a different set of challenges, and a natural trigger for progression. This structure exists to continuously sharpen your leading expertise and develop you into a well-rounded, capable, and respected desert leader, someone people naturally trust, follow, and look up to. Phase 1 - Foundation (Leading 1-10 Drives) Build consistent, calm convoy leadership Phase 2 - Growth (Leading 11-25 Drives) Find your direction and own your domain (interest) Phase 3 - Legacy (Leading 26-40+ Drives) Develop drivers, build systems, shape the community Phase 1 - Foundation Leader (Leading 1-10 Drives) Purpose: build the confidence and consistency to lead any Fewbie convoy safely and calmly. This is not the phase for experimentation or ambition. It is the phase for safe execution. Your focus is clean, safe, reliable convoy management. Every drive you lead should leave every member more capable and more confident than when they started. What you focus on in Phase 1 Clean convoy movement: pace, spacing, positioning. Safe decision making: when to push, when to pause, when to recover. Briefing quality: clear, calm, comprehensive. Reading your convoy: who is struggling, who needs watching, who needs reassurance. Radio discipline: information flows, no noise. The 5th Drive Identity Check-In Around your 5th independent drive, your Mentor Marshal has a 15-minute personal conversation with you - not about drive performance, but about identity: "What kind of driver developer do you want to become? What are you enjoying most? What have you found hardest?" This is not an evaluation. It is the beginning of your Phase 2 direction. Your mentor Marshal, listens and gently guides you forward towards the direction where you will enjoy the most. Phase 2 - Growth Leader (Leading 11-25 Drives) Purpose: develop your identity as a driver developer and own something real within the community. Phase 2 is where many Experts have historically felt the need for more growth and direction. The challenge has often been the same: repeating similar drives and roles without a clear sense of progression. This phase is intentionally designed to address that by bringing in new purpose, variety, and opportunities for evolution. The Rule of Thirds: Drive Variety Out of every 3 drives you post, rotate across these formats. Not a strict quota - a guideline to keep the drive interesting and your growth real: Teaching drive: standard Fewbie or Fewbie Plus lead. Your core contribution. Develop member confidence, build new capability, practise patience. Your craft. Exploration drive: smaller convoy or selective drivers to scout new terrain. Your own growth and thrill. You are also building route intelligence for the community. Sweep or support drive: ride in the back of a Marshal's convoy. Decompress, observe, learn without front-seat pressure. When you become a lead and then support, it opens new dimensions for you to observe, learn and enjoy. Why the Rule of Thirds matters Leading 15 identical Fewbie drives in a row does not develop you - it processes you. Variety is not a luxury. It is what keeps the work meaningful and growth real. Domain Ownership: Your Specific Contribution Around drives 11-15, your mentor Marshal guides you toward owning one domain within Team Carnity. This is not a badge or a title - it is a real responsibility that only you carry: Route Intelligence: maintain the GPS route library, review and retire routes, document new terrain. Recovery Knowledge: document recovery incidents, identify patterns, build the learning library. Member Progression: track members stuck at a grade, flag them to the right lead. New Lead Pipeline: manage the supervised lead process for Advisor candidates. Drive Quality: monitor drive patterns, spot what is underserved, and bring recommendations. Your domain becomes part of your identity within Team Carnity. You are not just an Expert. You are Expert [Name] - Recovery Lead, or Expert [Name] - Route Intelligence. This is how you introduce yourself. Post a 2-3 line domain update in your Slack channel once a month. Make ownership visible. Phase 3 - Legacy Leader (Leading 26-40 Drives) Purpose: transition from developing drivers to developing the community itself. In Phase 3, the question you ask yourself before every drive changes. It is no longer "how do I lead this well?" - it is "who in this convoy am I developing, and what capability will they leave with today?" What Phase 3 looks like You think ahead of the convoy: predicting problems, controlling energy and pace. You mentor 1-2 upcoming Support members or Advisor candidates personally. You design and lead themed drives: recovery clinics, dune reading sessions, navigation challenges. You build out your domain ownership: not just maintaining, but improving and innovating. You are observed by Marshals for the qualities that define Marshal readiness. Expert-Designed Themed Drives Phase 3 Experts can propose drives with a specific development objective: you design the briefing, the terrain, the learning outcome. Your mentor Marshal reviews and approves. Examples: Recovery skills focus: every driver practises a specific recovery technique during the drive. Dune reading clinic: stops and discussions at key terrain features. Night drive with navigation challenge embedded. Multi-terrain route with progressive difficulty sections. Beyond technical skill drives, Phase 3 Experts can also design experience-led drives that build community connection: Drive & Trek, Picnic Drive, BBQ Drive, Sunrise Breakfast, Wadi & Rock Walk, Stargazing, etc. At Phase 3, you are not just leading a convoy. You are designing experiences. This is where you actively practise the craft of developing drivers, creating meaningful learning moments while keeping the drive engaging and enjoyable. It adds purpose to every drive and depth to the knowledge you share. Rest Is Part of the Marathon After every 20 drives led, your mentor Marshal checks in: "How is the pace feeling? Do you want to take a breath?" This is not a sign of weakness. It is endurance management. Pause Status: if life gets busy with work, family, travel, you can formally pause for 1-3 months. Your rank, domain, points, and community standing are fully preserved. You can pause and return with your contribution intact. The 6-Week Check-In If you have not led or participated in a drive in 6 weeks, your Mentor Marshal will reach out personally - not as a reminder, but as a genuine conversation. This community notices when you go quiet. The Marshal Pathway - What We Are Looking For Marshal promotion requires a minimum of 40 drives led as Expert. Drive count is the threshold, not the criteria. What moves an Expert toward Marshal is observable over time: Decision maturity: calm, consistent choices under desert pressure. Developing instinct: do you naturally grow the people around you, or only focus on your own lead? Domain contribution: what have you built that outlasts any single drive? Convoy control consistency: across terrains, group sizes, skill levels. Handling difficult situations: struggling drivers, ego management, crisis response. Community depth: forum, Slack, meetups, beyond the drives. Quarterly Pathway Conversation Every 3-4 months, your Mentor Marshal has an informal 20-minute conversation: "What have you enjoyed most lately? What has felt hardest? Here is one thing that would move you toward Marshal - and here is why." This makes the pathway feel walked with timely guidance and support. Benefits at Expert Level Full Carnity ecosystem access - no subscription fee. Carnity points through forum contribution, redeemable for subscription renewal. Access to all drives in the Manage tab. Advisor forum, Team Carnity Slack, WhatsApp community. Invitation to all Advisor meetups and campfires. MARSHAL You are responsible for developing leaders. The quality of Team Carnity runs through you. Every Expert who grows into a great leader, every drive that goes out safe and comes back with 12 more confident drivers, every new member who decides to stay in this community - at some point, a Marshal made that possible. What Marshal Means Marshal is the pinnacle of on-ground leadership in the grading structure. Marshal is much beyond a seniority badge. It is an operational and developmental role with real responsibility for the quality of what this community produces. You develop Experts. You govern the pipeline. You shape the standard that every drive is held to. And you do all of this while continuing to lead drives that push into terrain no Expert can access yet. How Promotion Works Marshal promotion is by invitation from Crew and Senior Marshals, based on sustained contribution and community feedback. It is never automatic, never based solely on drive count, and never requested - it is recognised. Minimum threshold: 40 drives led as Expert. The criteria that actually matter: Decision maturity: calm, rational, consistent under maximum desert pressure. Developing instinct: you naturally grow the people around you, not just manage them. Convoy control across all conditions: terrain, group mix, skill range, weather. Domain ownership: you built something as an Expert that the community still uses. Difficult driver management: patience, creativity, and effectiveness with struggling members. Community depth: your contribution goes well beyond your own convoy or drive count. The Marshal Journey - Two Phases Phase 1 - Mentor (Leading 40-70 Drives) Own all levels, develop your Expert cohort Phase 2 - Principal (Leading 70-100+ Drives) Govern the pipeline, shape community standards Phase 1 - Mentor (Leading 40-70 Drives) Purpose: take full operational ownership across all drive levels and begin formal development of your Expert cohort. What Marshal Phase 1 adds Lead all drive levels, including exploration and recce drives to new terrain. Conduct the 5th drive identity check-in with every new Expert in your cohort. Conduct the quarterly pathway conversation with each Expert you mentor. Trigger the 6-week check-in for any Expert who goes quiet. Mentor the full Advisor-to-Expert pipeline - your relationship with candidates during the 3-4 month evaluation period is the most important they have in Team Carnity. Invite Advisors to take up on briefing, convoy management and feedback task on your drives. Drive types available at Marshal Exploration drives - lead a small senior convoy to scout new terrain for future club use. Recce trips - independent route planning and terrain assessment in new areas. Multi-level drives - managing a convoy spanning multiple member grade levels simultaneously. Splitting Newbie drivers in front led by Marshal, followed by Fewbie drivers led by Expert. Phase 2 - Principal (Leading 70-100+ Drives) Purpose: shift from operational leadership to community governance and pipeline quality. Sign-off authority on Expert domain handovers - validate transitions when domains change ownership. Input into Leaders Lead training content - bring field observations back to improve what is taught. Formally approve new GPS routes before they enter the active route library. Assess and advise on Advisor evaluations - your view of readiness carries significant weight. Contribute to the annual community health review with Senior Marshals and Crew. Developing Your Experts - What Good Looks Like The measure of a great Marshal is not the drives they lead. It is the Experts they develop who go on to lead 50, 100, 200 drives and develop others in turn. Every Expert you develop who goes on to lead 100 drives and develop others in turn - that is your real legacy. Senior presence on regular drives: Once a month, join a regular club drive as a participant - not as a lead, not as an evaluator. The purpose is presence. Being visible in the day-to-day life of the community you helped build keeps the connection between senior leaders and developing leads real. The Alumni Track For Experts or Marshals who are genuinely exhausted by the operational grind but still love this community, the Alumni/Mentor Track is available now: No drive posting required. Join a drive once a month as a passenger or alongside a new Expert - observe and give informal feedback. Attend Advisor meetups and campfires as a community elder. Retain rank, community standing, and Carnity points. This track preserves your knowledge, respects legacy, and keeps long-serving leaders connected to the community without excessive fatigue. It is not stepping down. It is stepping sideways into a role that sustains the marathon. Benefits at Marshal Level Full Carnity ecosystem access - no subscription fee. Carnity points through forum contribution. Access to all drives in the Manage tab. Commission structure on Desert Driving Courses and Private Desert Drives. Exploration and recce drive access. SENIOR MARSHAL You are responsible for developing Marshals - and for keeping this community's soul intact across time. Senior Marshal is the ultimate rank in Team Carnity. It is not a drive count milestone. It is a recognition given when the community is ready to acknowledge that this person has given something exceptional and lasting to the next generation of off-roaders. What This Rank Means Your primary contribution is no longer operational. It is cultural. You are the keeper of what Carnity actually is, and your responsibility is to ensure it stays that way across generations of new leaders. You have led 100+ drives. You have mentored Experts who are now Marshals. You have seen this off-road community at its best and navigated it through its hardest moments. What you carry now is not just knowledge - it is the DNA of this great off-road community we have built together. Your measure is not the drives completed. It is the Marshals' creation. Selected by Crew based on exceptional sustained contribution across 100+ drives led and multiple years of community service. It is recognised with the highest honour. The qualities observed across years, not months: A mentorship legacy - Experts and Marshals who directly trace their growth to you. Cultural stewardship - you embody and protect Carnity values when nobody is watching. Innovative contribution - a drive format, training concept, or community system you originated. The bond you have built - members across all levels who trust you, follow you, and remember specific drives you led. Exceptional decision quality under the most demanding desert conditions. Senior Marshal Phases Phase 1 - Cultural Guardian (Leading 100-150 Drives) Own the quality of what Team Carnity produces Phase 2 - Legacy Builder (Leading 150-200 Drives) Shape the community's direction and future leadership Phase 1 - Cultural Guardian (Leading 100-150 Drives) Purpose: own the quality of every Expert promoted, every Advisor trained, every drive led under the Carnity name. Annual review of Leaders Lead training content - bring field observations into what is taught. Final sign-off on Expert promotions alongside Crew. Conduct one observation drive per quarter with a new Expert candidate - riding as passenger, assessing readiness for Marshal. Shape the Advisor evaluation framework - your standards define what Carnity looks for. Host or co-host at least one Leaders Lead session per year. Phase 2 - Legacy Builder (Leading 150-200+ Drives) Purpose: shape the direction of the community itself - not just the people within it. Participate in the annual community health review with Crew. Define and maintain the Carnity DNA document - the values, language, and standards that define what this community is. Mentor the Marshal cohort directly - your mentorship reaches up, not only down. Originate at least one new drive format, training concept, or community initiative per year. The Legacy Question Once a year, ask yourself: "Who have I developed this year - and who are they developing?" When you can answer that with specific names and specific stories - when the person you mentored goes on to mentor someone else, who then mentors someone else - your contribution has compounded beyond any single drive or single season. That compounding human chain is what Senior Marshal is for. That is the legacy. The Annual Community Health Review Once a year, Senior Marshals contribute to a review of Team Carnity's health alongside Crew: Where are Experts in their phases and where is the dropout pattern this year? What has the desert taught us that our training does not yet reflect? What does the community need now that it did not need two years ago? Which Experts are ready for Marshal, and why? This is not a formal committee. It is a conversation between the people who know this community most deeply. The output is a set of adjustments: training, language, structure, etc, that keeps Carnity relevant and strong. What Success Looks Like Members across all levels look to you not because of your rank but because of who you are when you are in the desert with them. You have left this community measurably stronger, more capable, and more deeply connected than you found it. The drives you led will be forgotten. The leaders you built will not. Benefits Full Carnity ecosystem access - no subscription fee. Carnity points through forum contribution. All drives including exploration and recce. Commission on Desert Driving Courses and Private Desert Drives. Strategic input into club steering direction alongside Crew.

sorry guys, need to drop out. must have caught something, not feeling fit for a drive. Have a great time and all the best!

Hi @Hisham Masaad @Davie Chase I will not be able to make it to the drive and have removed myself from the list . Thank you for confirming my waitlist Wish you all a fun filled drive tomorrow

@Vanessa8580I won't be able to join tomorrow as I am not feeling well. apologise for the late drop out.

Hi @Frederic i'm at the garage now and the Jeep's Transfer Case is making growling noise. Sad to say I have leave the drive and miss Ghost Town adventure, but looking forward for the next one!