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Team carnity desert warriors @M.Seidam @Looper @FERNANDO SYRIO @DanielN @Glenn W @Rajat Verma @Bravoecho @Rk ram @Stumpy Paj @Gary F @Benjamin @Jaro Tuzinsky I hope you are all as excited as we are about the prospect of tomorrows drive. We anticipate a fun filled morning for all. So please come prepared rested, plenty of water as we may be shoveling but most of all, ready for fun :):) We will be Using Radio Channel 2 (446.031) The convoy order will be as below.

Hi @Patrick .. really appreciate the feedback and @Carnity is always open to learn and adapt best practices to always keep the drives and experience better every time of everyone in the @Carnity family .. rest assured that # 1 to 100 priorities for all of us are SAFETY & FUN and hitting the right BALANCE is our ultimate North Star . What you see today in the grading structure is a model that matured over several years with 100s of good (and bad) experiences and feedback gathered from all members throughout all drives and then was subjected to thorough analysis debate between marshals and crew to conclude on what fits best to get us to that North Star. For example, sometime back we adopted that Upgrade Drives for some levels, however the experience proved it brings more bad than good accordingly it was dropped. Every decision and specially promotion goes through a rigorous system to ensure skills, safety, comms, attitude, team work, … etc are assessed by different leads and support members (all of whom are volunteers by the way) and we do our best to ensure fairness and no bias. However, like everything in life, it’s impossible to achieve 100% and there is always room for improvement.. more importantly we all appreciate one size will never fit all so as we always say in the briefings we expect everyone to raise their tolerance, & patience and focus more on having fun while enjoying the company, adventure, and nature.

Dear @Pavel Pashkovskiy, dear @Ahmad Nerat, thank you for your kind gesture to let @Rk ram in the drive. Upon reflecting about it, I prefer to keep the convoy at its present size, since I only have 1 Support Team member to assist, and 14 cars would make it a bit too long, in my opinion, to insure a smooth and seamless management of the drive. So, @Rk ram, you're in, taking the spot generously left open by Pavel (and Ahmad, after Pavel). I look forward to driving with all 3 of you guys together at the next available opportunity.

Dear friends it’s with immense pleasure to let you know the our friend and new Lead @Davie Chase will be leading tomorrow the drive and I will be honored to be in the second lead . It’s part of his requirement for full independent leading after that. All the best my friend and good luck . shortly the convoy list will be announced hang on please and stay tuned …

@Pavel Pashkovskiy@Patrick allow me to provide my two cents on this: Self-declaration of how many drives one has done can never provide a real safe off-roading environment. We have noticed on multiple occasions where members declare they have driven for example +10 years offroad in the UAE, but upon joining we notice they don't possess even basic skills, and after some digging deeper they finally admit that this 10 years was more kind of camping and BBQ drives , Imagine taking someone like that on a higher level drive and getting into accidents and rollovers.... The same thing applies to drives done in another club. There is no common level with skillsets agreed across clubs in the UAE, so a Fewbie level with us could be a Newbie level in another club for example. Here at Carnity we use numbers as we have learned that for building a skillset or drive level it is a good healthy indicator. Of course, we do know that some people need more drives or other people need less drives to be ready for the next level, but every promotion you see passing by here has gone through a voting system amongst the marshals first and apart from the drive count we look at many other factors as well (see grading structure). Setting up a convoy for example a Fewbie Plus level drive in our current grading structure ensures that the drive lead at all times can be sure that his joining members are up for that level, and there are no members who would be out of their comfort zone or would get themselves in dangerous scenarios or slow down the convoy excessively. Please take note that all of our drive leads thoroughly look at the number of drives each person has done in order to decide on the proper convoy position and to keep an extra close watch on whoever is new on that level. The grading structure did not fall out of the sky in Carnity, it was built and tweaked numerous times thanks to the input of our members and leads to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment for everyone. There is no business aspect in that. Allowing a marshal to invite members from a lower level onto his drive ? How would that work ? And how fair would that be towards others ? "sometimes wish members were placed in the levels they belong based on their actual experience instead of having to do drives just for the sake of earning credits 😁" Please define how we would gauge your "actual experience" safely? A trip lead who is leading the drive is looking 90% of the time in front of him and would not see someone in the middle of the convoy fishtailing or fighting gravity, unless one of the other senior or supporting members would notice that. I would recommend you join to enjoy each drive, without counting as i have personally seen so many off-roaders rushing their drives to reach IM level as soon as possible, and then burning or fading out due to boredom. Driving in the desert is a fantastic hobby. Get to enjoy each drive, socialize, and don't focus too much on the numbers

If you are @Rk ram really want to go for this event, i will give you my spot. Being club member, it's not only chance to drive, but giving chance for others too. You are on top of waiting list, and supposed to be moved automatically. In case it will not happen, @Ale Vallecchi will add you manually. In any case you can go for the drive now. I will remove my rsvp.

There are many other drives coming. We will have chance to drive together!

@Pavel PashkovskiySorry for see u drop a due to my request .... never thought that someone would drop and then I would be in for the drive.... thought the convoy could accommodate 1 or 2 extra with 2 in manage team. tnx again ... hope to see in some drive next time ...🙂

seems I moved automatically to @Pavel Pashkovskiy spot since i was in top of the wait list. i will remove my self too and give @Rk ram chance to attend the event.. 🫡

Coming via E20 Sweihan Road then ADNOC Service Station | Nahel (658) should be closer. It is technically closest fuel station, but you will have to take a U turn if you are coming via E66 so; if you are coming via E66 then ADNOC Service Station | Al Hayer-2 (659) will be the closest fuel station.

Everyone thankyou for the fun drive. Best fewbie fun drive we have done. Mia was very sure we found the lost city 💞💞 I've drop some photos in the gallery here https://carnity.com/gallery/category/1727-fewbie-zarzora-the-lost-oasis-dubai-12-may-2023/ See you next time 🙏😎

Zerzura found.

Ok

Thanks @M.Seidamjust give me an hour max to confirm if that’s ok- need to see if I can rearrange something

Wow...... Tnx for the kind guesture .... @Ahmad Nerat

I am really looking forward to join this event and was on wait list .. @Ale Vallecchiif possible plz let me know wether I can join the event .... as I have kept myself free for the event ... tnx

I have done my masterclass with carnity

ADNOC Service Station | Nahel (658) is the closest fuel station, it is on the same side of the starting point.

Dear Desertnauts couple more things about the drive tomorrow. Please reach the meeting point a little before 3:00 PM, so we can enjoy a timely start. You may refuel at Qudra Last Exit's ADNOC station. Carry some refreshments, as you please, as we'll try to have a last stop just before sunset, somewhere around the last traces of our Zarzora "lost oasis". The convoy order will be as follows: @Senthil Kumar in Second Lead @Gautam Banka at #3 @Cristian at #4 @Marketa Dobesova in place #5 @Pavel Pashkovskiy at #6 @Pacific in the Center @PETELCZYC PAJERO - luke at #8 @Juan R #9 @Zubair at #10 @george charbel #11, and @Amr Aydin in Sweep. We'll be communicating on Carnity Channel #2 (446.031). Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon.

Dear Desertnauts @Senthil Kumar @Gautam Banka @Cristian @Marketa Dobesova @Pavel Pashkovskiy @Pacific @PETELCZYC PAJERO - luke @Juan R @Zubair @george charbel @Amr Aydin The meeting and deflation point has been posted, as below: Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/WPggnLH2weo54A637 Worthy of note is the fact that there is a Lake of rainwater obstructing the usual entrance to the track. Do not attempt to cross it: just stop at the posted position and start deflating. Some of you know it from last week. Do not think the drive will be the same: we'll reach the pylon track (as last week) and then we'll divert in search of Zarzora !! Final drive's briefing to follow ASAP. MORE ABOUT ZARZORA There are myths and legends about a lost ancient oasis hidden in the Sahara Desert. Its name is Zerzura and it's supposed to be located somewhere deep in the desert west of the Nile River in Egypt or Libya. An anonymous 15th-century Arabic treasure seekers guide, "Kitab al Kdnuz" (The Book of Hidden Pearls) describes Zerzura as..... see below https://www.ancientpages.com/2020/06/10/zerzura-lost-ancient-sahara-oasis-guarded-black-giants/ Could it be looking like this? (Mandara Lakes, in the Libyan Fezzan region)

Yes definitely with the summer heat we usually revert to afternoon drives, SUPER EARLY morning drives, and many night drives

DRIVE DESCRIPTION This is a retake of one of my previous drive. It will be super hot, super soft with lot of push. I would emphasize to double or triple check your car, Please make sure you don’t have any overheating or any mechanical issues in your car. Its going to be a challenging drive, Hence please be prepared. MUST READ AND COMPLY Off-road Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquette's Emergency details for all off-roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities DRIVE DETAILS Level: Fewbie Plus and above When: 14 May 2023 Sunday Meeting time: 05:15 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions). Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/A1Q6WarVVUY2EAPv5 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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 09:30 AM 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. Mandatory off-road gears: Tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, compressor, walkie-talkie radio, off-road flag, shovel, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on FRIDAY - 12 PM 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 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 BELOW CALENDAR

Please Read Carefully Hello and welcom to another episode of inter emirates crossing and this time is more challenging in terms of difficulty of the route as we will be driving against the slip face from south east to northwest . please make sure from the begening of the week that your vehicle is fully ready as well as your gear per your rank. expect all sort of terrain from technical to long range dunes as well as wide landed sabkhas to cross over. very imortant to get very well rested the night before as you will need it to keep focus and attention to keep up with pace and time spent in drving. Note 1 : please keep an extra hour buffer in case of any delays Note 2 : its highly advisable not to join this drive if its your first Fewbie Note 3 : its highly advisable not to bring passenges not accustomed to long drives ( 85 km plus ) or known to develope motion sickness. Stay tuned for more info toward the end of the week. We request every member that joins this drive to go through the below information and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquettes and responsibilities. MUST READ AND COMPLY Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquette's Emergency details for all off-roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities DRIVE DETAILS Level: Fewbie and above When: 13 May 2023, Satuerday Meeting time: 05:45 - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/JnANM9MrDPGzKrod7?coh=178573&entry=tt Approximate finish time: 09:45 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. Mandatory off-road gears: Tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, compressor, walkie-talkie radio, off-road flag, shovel, first-aid kit, Tow Rope, 2 Shackles and fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close one day before the event . 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 couple hours prior to preparing a convoy 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 BELOW CALENDAR

Won’t be able to make it, wasn’t able to move around other plans- thanks for checking though, hopefully next one!

Dear @Mohit Gurnani your are the only one on wait list first drive . Please confirm if you are willing to join so I can add you to the drive RSVP

Hi @Thomas Collins Jayakumar, Welcome to Carnity. Please advise if you have any previous offroad experience or is this your first drive? For the drive, you will have to get a flag, radio, and a compressor. Dragon mall is a convenient destination to shop for those. The below post provides a nice reference

MORE ABOUT ZARZORA Possible location of Zarzora, in Egypt's Gilf el Kebir plateau, as identified by Count Almazy and the Long Range Desert Patrol's explorations Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/yggikaYoqQofZyd96

Hi Fred, thanks for your reply. Other clubs have "upgrade trips" where actual skills are demonstrated and assessed by one or more marshalls in the convoy. Yet at another club there is a system in place where 1 marshall can nominate a member for upgrade, and 2 other marshalls have to agree/vote before the upgrade takes place. I think Carnity works well for members who a) have never done any desert driving (so real newbies), and b) do not drive with other clubs concurrently. For members who have prior experience or who drive with other clubs it might not be so suitable. Or just go through the grading structure and accumulate credits. There are a number of members I know drive for other clubs, so I am not alone in my opinion. The members are there, but may not speak up. Agreed that number of drives does not equal experience and well noted on self-declaration. However a system of testing/demonstration as in an "upgrade trip" might be interesting to consider so that members are placed in the correct level. Nevertheless, I do not think that will happen but thought I will voice my opinion.

Agreed on the grading structure. I drive with multiple clubs and already do drives that at Carnity I would need to reach Intermediate level for just to join. This is also true for some other members who I have driven with privately. It's really numbers-based and doesn't take into account the overall and actual experience level, unfortunately. Personally, I am just trying to get the extra 15 drives done so I can reach Intermediate and do the drives I really want to do just based on my actual number of drives I have done overall in UAE. I love this club and am friends with many members, sometimes wish members were placed in the levels they belong based on their actual experience instead of having to do drives just for the sake of earning credits 😁

It's a bit strict system at Carnity with different, and sometimes unnecessary stretched grading. We respect, and understand that Carnity first of all business, and after fun. For my, personal opinion, Fewbie plus level is unnecessary, and maybe Marshals should have rights to add to their convoy members from other levels, based on their own evaluation. For example i will be happy to join Wednesday convoy with @Ale Vallecchiat sweihan, but lvl posted as Fewbie Plus. But generally, i agreed with you, weekday drives will be in demand, if they will be properly leveled and if Marshals will have rights to invite members. @GauravMaybe required some kind of "willing to participate" list, based on which Marshals can plan weekday drives.

Thanks Doc @Chaitanya D ! was a fantastic refreshing NB drive, right from the start till end. I term it as NB+ Drive and congratulations to all the NBs who did this drive so well ! On Few whom I had visuals - @Marketa Dobesova You Did absolutely impressive in your sunflower, being on your 5th NB and first as SL, you were proactive and all times giving clear updates to fellow drivers, at times I felt you were leading the drive Well done ! am sure you are looking forward to next level @Tatsiana Chase This was my second drive with you and I see that huge change on how you started to master the NB dunes including those technical patches ! I know the pressure to be driving with a co-passenger, ( @Davie Chase) who is a master too - and btw congrats for your first Shoveling experience. @essam ibrahim With every refusal, there was visible lesson learnt for you and keep up the spirit - as we say, the more you have refusals, the more you learn @Shinebabu am sure this drive had some interesting take aways for you too , you did well for your 4th drive and considering the track we covered yday. All others whom I am not specifically mentioned above - The reason is am sure how quietly you were just enjoying this NB+ Drive @Patrick @Felix Obst @Glenn W @Ben Lee @Mahmoud Taha ! @Senthil Kumar Thanks for Sweeping the convoy! @Pavel Pashkovskiy Thanks for another coffee treat ! I am keeping an eye on your RSVP ! and as always pleasure to have you as part of drive @Looper! See you all again soon in sands !

@M.Seidam & @Davie Chase Won’t be able to make it for the drive due to some other commitments. Hopefully will catch up on the next ones.

@M.Seidam unfortunately I need to withdraw myself from this drive so the spot can be taken by the waitlisted person. I got ankle injury last Monday and was hoping that it would heal before the drive. But I consider now it is still pain. Hopefully can join your next drive soon. Thankyou.

Good morning I sadly have to withdraw from this one (thank you for accepting me from the waitlist) as I lost the bash plate during last drive and I am going to the garage this coming Monday to install the new one. See you next week