Leaderboard

Dear Desertnauts. As mentioned yesterday, I have concluded that it would make for a more interesting drive to surprise you with a new meeting point and a revised drive plan. We'll meet along E14, a bit closer to Faqa's side, to explore the south-eastern reaches of the Dubai emirate, and aim to end our drive at Little Sweihan (Dubai side) or perhaps at Ghantoot (AD side). I haven't driven in this area for a while, and would like to see if it has changed, or has maintained its characteristics, with long dunes, rolling cordons, some technical areas and frequent encounters with Ghaf trees and camel trains. Be ready for a medium/long drive. The new meeting and departing point is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bvmW2trEghw9ikHx5 Looking forward to seeing @Luke K P @Carl Stanley @Myrko @Amr J @B.K. @Andrew John Melvill @vinayak @Johannes Roux @Yurybel @Aser tomorrow. Have a nice Saturday evening.

Thank you for joining the drive today. We had nice runs in the first set of dunes, the highlight being the large bowl that was a good practice for ridge alignment, and climbing from the bottom. Also a strong reminder of the possible effects of gravity. @Abhishek Chikara and @Deepak Eswar found themselves fishtailing and fighting, luckily with no other consequence than a scary moment for all. After crossing the sabkha, the large virgin dunes were inviting. After a few loops and sidies we tried to go inside this maze of small pockets and ridges. The dunes were defending themselves, but we found a way around, and had a nice set of high soft technical terrain inside these massive dunes. Well done every one ! Then we continued to the West, with some nice runs on the white sand unfortunately cut by portions of bushes and vegetation. With the increasing number of bushes, I think this itinerary is losing a bit of its interest, as we don't have anymore the nice flowing portions, .... and the duration of the drive becomes a bit long. Thank you again for staying focused till the end, assisting each other for the recoveries. @Mike M., in SL, @Bjoern and @Mehmet Volga in support, and @Sam Selim @Abhishek Chikara @Deepak Eswar @Glenn W @ChrisW for sharing the fun !

we will hail those dunes on ch 2

@Andrew John Melvill noted

Thanks very much @JeromeFJ for the fantastic and scenic drive. Thanks to the support team @Mike M., @Mehmet Volga and @Bjoern for the many recoveries and getting us out safely. It was a great start to the weekend. @JeromeFJ, also thanks for the patience and guidance on fighting gravity - the slide was very scary and hopefully, it doesn’t happen again. Thanks,

Yes @Andrew John Melvill. Confirmed at 8 AM. Thanks

Congratulations @Sam Selim

@vinayak n please check the post from Ale

Please find the convoy numbering below. We will use Radio Channel 8. @Myrko @Danie @Kashx2 @Warbs @Kirill K @JC_E Gaurav Silver Pajero Myrko Land Rover Defender 110 P400 - 2025 - Green Danie 2024 Jeep Wrangler - 2door - Grey Kashx2 White Pajero Oussama Blue wrangler Warbs Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JC_E Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250

Dear Desertnauts in preparation for the drive, in order to avoid bad surprises, as we had the first time we attempted to complete this itinerary, I have scouted the trickier area, that is along the Abu Dhabi/Dubai border. Unfortunately, on the Abu Dhabi side there is not even one opening in an endless concrete wall, running all along the E14 Al Faqa Road. Given this unfortunate constraint, I have decided to turn this one into a surprise drive! By tomorrow afternoon, I will decide if we'll keep the planned starting point, and plan the drive in the Al Ajban area all the way to Sweihan town, or if we'll change the starting point to the Faqa area, opposite E14. In the latter case, we'll explore the dunes that run along the E14 itself, and reach Little Sweihan through their cordons, which during the recce I have found quite interesting, relatively clean, but with quite a few groups of beautiful Ghaf trees, and quite a lot of camels roaming. KINDLY STAY TUNED, AND CHECK THE MEETING/STARTING POINT, TO SEE WHICH ONE IT WILL FINALLY BE. In the meantime, the convoy order will be the following: @Luke K P in Second Lead @Carl Stanley at #3 @Myrko at #4 @Amr J at #5 @B.K. at #6 @Andrew John Melvill at Center @vinayak at #8 @Martin M at #9 @Johannes Roux at #10 @Yurybel at #11 and @Aser i Sweep. Please, do not forget to double check the meeting point tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, enjoy the beginning of the weekend.

Dear Desert Wanderers, @Vijaya Kumar Doppa, @Fenya, @Rob S, @saumik1989, @Sheho, @Nadeem Ansari & @J-P L Please read the pre-drive information below: Be ready at the meeting point by 06:30am (or before) with tires deflated and flag up. Please ensure your programable radio is on, fully charged and set to Channel 4 (446,081). Please also ensure your radio is pre-programmed to all 10 Carnity Channels in case we have to move channels at some point during the drive Carnity Two-Way Radio Frequencies - Off-road - Carnity.com For first timers to Carnity, please complete all of the mandatory readings and watch the video (accessed from the link below) before arriving at the meeting point for this drive. https://youtu.be/hP-2ah4Eyek A full pre drive briefing for the drivers will be conducted on the sand before we start moving your full attention will be required. Please ensure everything in the car is tied down and there are no moving objects, Ensure that you are using cargo straps and not bungy type restraints to tie your gear down. Please check all car fluids (Oil, Coolant, Screen wash Brake Fluid,etc), Tow hooks are essential front and rear and ensure no hanging parts below the chassis. Please ensure you come with a full tank of fuel (as near to full as possible). Ensure you have all the necessary gear for this drive level especially your tire deflator, pressure gauge, compressor, first aid Kit, fire extinguisher, safety flag and radio. (NO FLAG or RADIO = NO DRIVE) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jrXFp27rNxMehda26 Convoy Order will be as below: See you all bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning for some Quadra Adventures :)

Thanks Fredy for opening up such a thoughtful and necessary discussion. It’s inspiring to see conversations around sustainability taking root in the off-road community. While the environmental impact of any motorized activity is real and worth acknowledging, I also believe it’s important to consider the human impact—how off-roading offers a deeply therapeutic escape from today’s hyper-digital, high-pressure world. In today's time when screens dominate our waking hours, and we all are trapped in cycles of stress from work, finances, and even family pressures, the desert becomes more than just a playground—it becomes a much need escape. For many of us, off-roading isn’t about “just driving for 4 hours on sand,” but about disconnecting to reconnect: with nature, with people, and with ourselves. The value of switching off from the noise of modern life—emails, deadlines, notifications—is difficult to quantify, but deeply felt. There's something profoundly healing about watching the sunrise, navigating the ever-shifting dunes with full attention (no time to think about our problems), or sharing stories by a campfire under the stars. These off-road drives offer mental detox, reset and emotional clarity that’s hard to come by elsewhere. That said, I agree with the idea of evolving our passion consciously. If we can practice “purposeful driving,” as @Mike M. and @JeromeFJ. beautifully put it, and make small but sincere efforts—like minimizing litter, exploring local trails, organizing desert clean-ups, or even combining drives with meaningful activities like stargazing or wildlife observation—we can naturally align our love for off-roading with sustainability values. Ultimately, it's not just about reducing carbon footprints—it's about balancing our lifestyle, so we leave behind not only a cleaner planet but also stronger, happier versions of ourselves to be remembered.

I’m really sorry, I don’t think am gonna make it today. Best of luck

Hello everyone, Apologies, I won’t be able to make it, down with a cold 😞 I wish you all an amazing drive , I see you next time .

Hi @Ale Vallecchi, I'm really sorry but I am unable to attend the drive. Reading your teaser for a surprise drive, I really regret I'm unable to join. Enjoy the drive and see you soon.