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Great drive. Great people. Doing my favorite activity at my favorite position of the convoys. CF. I am a keen learner, as is every offroader. Hence, I love teaching others what I've learned over the years and helping out especially in fewbie and under. But you guys handled Sweihan (one of the most demanding areas close to the cities) like pros. We gotta work a bit on our communication and radio discipline (except @Cesar Chacon who was cheating, using his wife as communicator. She deserves a special shout out) Thanks @Emanuel for being a great sweep. Lots of refusals today... but no stucks. I think we guided the lads very nicely every time. Thanks ofcourse to lieutenant Sargent LRDG @Ale Vallecchi for making it possible. See you all next time and enjoy the long weekend. Dig and Claw.

Thanks @Ale Vallecchi for the great drive this morning. All 3 Emirates conquered This was my first time in Sweihan and I see why people like it. Very nice terrain with technical areas and dunes where you can let loose. I fear I may have let loose a bit too much though - got my first pop out today 😅. PSI was higher than other drives I've done in the past, I guess I just took the turn too fast and got the wheel caught in someone's track. Thanks @Cesar Chacon, @nithish468 & @Batuhan Kulac for the help getting me back up and running, much appreciated! Thanks to everyone who joined - was a blast! See you all again soon

Thanks once again @Ale Vallecchi for a fantastic and extremely varied drive. Had some of the most technical section I have done to date and some loverly flowing dunes, with lots of really soft summer sand thrown in! A good number of refusals along the way ably handled by @Batuhan Kulac and @Emanuel, but undertandable given the very soft sand at times. All in a great morning!

Another brilliant drive, thank you @Ale Vallecchi A valuable trip as much for the experience of getting out in AUH’s bigger flowing dunes, as well as the many learning points taken from today (comm’s, convoy discipline, working with soft sand and having to be smart with spacing, lines and momentum). One particular learning moment for me pictured below… As with yesterday, the main joy was being out with you all. A good team all in all.

So - a follow up to my initial post… I swapped out the Smittybilt ironwork for an OEM-ish bumper and skid-plate, and left the winch off for the moment. I think the net change is circa 60 kg lighter. I did two fewbie drives this weekend, both fairly technical and one with some more sweeping dunes. The front rides a little better I think - I suspect the front springs being less compressed gives some slightly better handling and rebound. Not sure there’s a discernible change in performance, but I’m sure it all helps. Thanks again for the discussion - and perhaps an offroader-to-be might read this and make a better choice! After: Before:

Just catching up on yesterday’s drive - many thanks @Ale Vallecchi, you set a bold plan and we mostly managed to follow you through it! I think that was my longest continuous drive so far with Carnity - and to be honest was hard work; I don’t think I’ve done so many technical dunes back to back. However as always a rewarding experience - both to build confidence in the techniques and enjoy the really unique sights. That was my first time driving up to the Solar Park - incredible spectacle. Thanks all, really enjoyed getting out there with you all!

It was an amazing desert drive led by @Davie Chase, who expertly selected a diverse route with varying levels of difficulty, allowing us to embrace and conquer new challenges. A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for their exceptional drive and seamless collaboration throughout the journey. Thank you @Davie Chase @Gary F @Benjamin for the amazing experience !

Congratulations @Hani crest king for reaching the Fewbie Plus Level with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. FEWBIE PLUS Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 10 Fewbie drives are required within last 6 months for Fewbie Plus promotion. What you'll learn Advance dune and sand reading Advance recovery techniques Rocking and crawling to make path Learn to flatten/compact soft sand patch Self recovery from crest Advance side sloping and long hill climb Advance ridge riding and criss crossing Advance control over technical dunes Slightly faster pace desert driving FULLY control and avoid fishtailing Never fight or challenge gravity Skills required Enthusiastic and positive attitude Willingness to learn and help others Extremely attentive and focused while driving Car Worthiness Any 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle Bash plate and skid plate protected Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Manage second lead and sweep positions upon request Intuitive and proactive to support Trip Lead Observe recoveries and offer help, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie, Fewbie and Fewbie Plus drives Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

3 EMIRATES WEEK - SUMMARY AND THANK YOU NOTE A heartfelt thanks to all the members who chose to join one or more of this 3-Emirates Eid weekend series. I had a great time, pursuing my passion for overlanding. Over 3 days we planned and executed one drive in each of the main Emirates (yet by no mean exhausting all the possibilities to be found in Abu Dhabi, which would require a full week just on its own). Find below a crisp summary of the places we visited and the drives' statistics: Day 1 - Sharjah: from Tawi Nazwa's farm, skirting Pink Rock, on to "the dune next to Big Red", Big Red itself, across the highway to Badayer, through the main "star dunes", to Iftar and Super Bowl, and onward to reach the exit at Bezhad Ranch (AKA Area 53, AKA Ericson Tower); Driven 85 Kms in 3:28 hours of moving time (total of 4:23 h.), at 24 Km/h moving average and almost 2,000 meters of cumulative climbing. Day 2 - Dubai: from Lisaili's camel track, across to Murqab, onto the "road to The Chimney" (AKA Solar Tower), on to Faqa and west toward Little Sweihan, around the military enclosure, to Ghantoot oryx farms and palm oasis, to exit on the road back to Qudra; Driven 105 Kms in 3:42 hours of moving time (total of 4:29 h.), at 28 Km/h moving average. Day 3 - Abu Dhabi: from Sweihan Tilal's entry, all the way across the cordons, through the sabkha and very technical dunes to reach Sweihan Pond, and onward across beautiful white dunes dotted with palm groves and sculpted clay rocks, to exit at Faya Road. Driven 77 Kms in 2:52 hours of moving time (total of 4:05 h.), at 27 Km/h moving average. Thanks again to all the participants (in order of drives completed): @RiadJL (3 drives), @Andrew John Melvill, @ChrisW, @nithish468 (2 drives) and @DP1011, @Emanuel, @Sunil Mathew, @Batuhan Kulac, @Mohit Gurnani, @Cesar Chacon and @Nicolò (1 drive). See you all soon for another long trek !!

Congrats @Hani crest king well deserved mate! Many more crests to be crested in FB+!

Thanks @Davie Chase for a nice safari tour of Lisali! I enjoyed every moment! Managed to take a few snaps between the heavy concentration and both hands on the steering. Hope to see you all soon on the sand again!

An high paced and varied drive. Thanks @JeromeFJ, best start to a week-end. We were able to alternate high dunes, ridge riding and more technical area with very few stops. @Batuhan Kulac I hope you find out where the leak comes from and can come back for more soon enough !

Thanks @Ale Vallecchi, @DP1011 & @Shiju Raju for the drive today! Lots of small dunes and technical driving in Dubai. Must say I prefer Sharjah with the bigger dunes and bowls Did get to do a few additional fun lines thanks to @DP1011. Being at the back of the convoy has it's advantages 😁 2 Emirates down, 1 to go! Abu Dhabi in the morning!!

thanks for the lovely drive Davie.

It was a great 2 parts drive, good job the Toyota Wrangler leading the pack!

3 EMIRATES WEEK - SUMMARY AND THANK YOU NOTE A heartfelt thanks to all the members who chose to join one or more of this 3-Emirates Eid weekend series. I had a great time, pursuing my passion for overlanding. Over 3 days we planned and executed one drive in each of the main Emirates (yet by no mean exhausting all the possibilities to be found in Abu Dhabi, which would require a full week just on its own). Find below a crisp summary of the places we visited and the drives' statistics: Day 1 - Sharjah: from Tawi Nazwa's farm, skirting Pink Rock, on to "the dune next to Big Red", Big Red itself, across the highway to Badayer, through the main "star dunes", to Iftar and Super Bowl, and onward to reach the exit at Bezhad Ranch (AKA Area 53, AKA Ericson Tower); Driven 85 Kms in 3:28 hours of moving time (total of 4:23 h.), at 24 Km/h moving average and almost 2,000 meters of cumulative climbing. Day 2 - Dubai: from Lisaili's camel track, across to Murqab, onto the "road to The Chimney" (AKA Solar Tower), on to Faqa and west toward Little Sweihan, around the military enclosure, to Ghantoot oryx farms and palm oasis, to exit on the road back to Qudra; Driven 105 Kms in 3:42 hours of moving time (total of 4:29 h.), at 28 Km/h moving average. Day 3 - Abu Dhabi: from Sweihan Tilal's entry, all the way across the cordons, through the sabkha and very technical dunes to reach Sweihan Pond, and onward across beautiful white dunes dotted with palm groves and sculpted clay rocks, to exit at Faya Road. Driven 77 Kms in 2:52 hours of moving time (total of 4:05 h.), at 27 Km/h moving average. Thanks again to all the participants (in order of drives completed): @RiadJL (3 drives), @Andrew John Melvill, @ChrisW, @nithish468 (2 drives) and @DP1011, @Emanuel, @Sunil Mathew, @Batuhan Kulac, @Mohit Gurnani, @Cesar Chacon and @Nicolò (1 drive). See you all soon for another long trek !!

3 EMIRATES WEEK - SUMMARY AND THANK YOU NOTE A heartfelt thanks to all the members who chose to join one or more of this 3-Emirates Eid weekend series. I had a great time, pursuing my passion for overlanding. Over 3 days we planned and executed one drive in each of the main Emirates (yet by no mean exhausting all the possibilities to be found in Abu Dhabi, which would require a full week just on its own). Find below a crisp summary of the places we visited and the drives' statistics: Day 1 - Sharjah: from Tawi Nazwa's farm, skirting Pink Rock, on to "the dune next to Big Red", Big Red itself, across the highway to Badayer, through the main "star dunes", to Iftar and Super Bowl, and onward to reach the exit at Bezhad Ranch (AKA Area 53, AKA Ericson Tower); Driven 85 Kms in 3:28 hours of moving time (total of 4:23 h.), at 24 Km/h moving average and almost 2,000 meters of cumulative climbing. Day 2 - Dubai: from Lisaili's camel track, across to Murqaab, onto the "road to The Chimney" (AKA Solar Tower), on to Faqa and west toward Little Sweihan, around the military enclosure, to Ghanthoot oryx farms and palm oasis, to exit on the road back to Qudra; Driven 105 Kms in 3:42 hours of moving time (total of 4:29 h.), at 28 Km/h moving average. Day 3 - Abu Dhabi: from Sweihan Tilal's entry, all the way across the cordons, through the sabkha and very technical dunes to reach Sweihan Pond, and onward across beautiful white dunes dotted with palm groves and sculpted clay rocks, to exit at Faya Road. Driven 77 Kms in 2:52 hours of moving time (total of 4:05 h.), at 27 Km/h moving average. Thanks again to all the participants (in order of drives completed): @RiadJL (3 drives), @Andrew John Melvill, @ChrisW, @nithish468 (2 drives) and @DP1011, @Emanuel, @Sunil Mathew, @Batuhan Kulac, @Mohit Gurnani, @Cesar Chacon and @Nicolò (1 drive). See you all soon for another long trek!!

Can’t wait to join the FB+ drives and properly crest on higher dunes. Thank you all

Hey @Ale Vallecchi took a wrong turn might be 5 mins late. Sorry 😓

I went for a drive in sweihan Nagrah area up to nahel yesterday with Jerome. I can confirm that you made the right choice in this regarding the tracks. It was hyper active over the last two days. We need some rain!!

Great drive today to start the long weekend. I had the privilege to lead a pack of powerful Jeeps, starving for big dunes and high climbs ! And I believe we had had it all, from the start in the big dunes and bowls of Sweihan, continuing through the more open dunes and ridges in the direction of Nagrah. You were all focused on your lines, keeping the flow, so we just kept driving, silent on the radio, enjoying the desert. After a small break (thank you @Gautam Banka for the cold drinks) we reached Nagrah. On the second climb, crossing from the top, 2 cars were missing... @Batuhan Kulac 'x car unfortunately had an oil leak... The heat, the high climbs, and the vibrations from cross tracks are demanding conditions for the cars... We drove quietly to an exit point to leave Batuhan, and continued with the 4 remaining Jeeps. This last hour was the opportunity to explore a very nice portion close to the enclosed palm grove, mid-size technical, and to finish with a last run in the big reddish dunes of Sweihan. 85 km (incl 14 km on track) in less than 4h, with only 35 min stopped time, we made the most of the morning, and it was definitely worth the early wake-up. @Batuhan Kulac, i hope you can rapidly fix your car, @Julien Recan, @Aser @Gurcharan Mehta @Gautam Banka excellent driving, barely one refusal for each of you. thanks again for joining, and enjoy the rest of the weekend !

Thank you Ale, and team, see you early tomorrow,

I did some research about this car earlier & I disagree with some opinions here.. This car can go offroad, in terms of taking you to mountains, hiking places, deserts for easy cruising & camping.. Etc It is not suitable for serious off-roading, in terms of climbing big dunes or going rock crawling.. It was designed to do that, this is basically a Dacia duster, built for the rough roads of Eastern Europe & mild adventures off the Tarmac, the manual gearbox have a very low 1st gear ratio, to help in crawling off the road, and engine power is low but acceptable for the weight of the car.. if you want to simply take it to the beach, go camping in the desert, wadis, mountains... Etc, it is definitely capable.. if you want to go serious dune bashing, following an offroad club track for example, it will be fine for the first level only, easy drives.. After that it will struggle with power, clearance & front/rear bumpers... It will be around its limits in stock form.. all in all, it is a very nice small package, but for an active offroad life style, I would go bigger and avoid the risks