Leaderboard

Day 2 - Al Bathaa to Edge of the World (685 Km) Let's start from the beginning of tomorrow (Day 3). A 6:00 am water up in a windstorm and 14 degrees, after a full night of rain. It felt we had punished for having reached the End of the World. A Martian landscape, of a miles long sharp cliff separating the central plateau of Arabia from the lower lands expanding from here to the Red Sea. Barely 68 km west of Riyad, yet 2 hours of driving away, End of the World is reached through 30 km M on a rocky dirt track. The excruciating drive, takes a heavy toll on the back and spine, but leaves you breathless once at the top (see picture). Everything else between Al Bathaa and here is quite insignificant, except a large dune field running along the highway not far from Riyad, which would warrant more time to explore (on the next trip). The camp was set at night on track back to the tarmac intersection, yesterday above a small wadi lined up with leafy trees. Food was served and enjoyed just on time for the arrival first of an electric storm, then of the heavy rains that were the sound track of the night, until the windy dawn.

Thank you @Hisham Masaad for allowing me to lead your drive today , thoroughly enjoyed the experience and as always learnt loads. Our journey took us to pink rock which all the guys climbed extremely well and then meandered through some lovely long range dunes towards the end, finishing up with a couple of nice climbs around the large bowls at the exit Thank you @Imteeaz for the amazing support in the CF role you did fantastically well in your first drive as full support. And a big thank you to @Pacific for sweeping the convoy and support us through the couple of refusals and stucks we encountered along the way. @fayez @Parliament @Misha Puskar @Paolo Pellegrini @Mahmoud Taha @Ishak and @Gok Krish you guys drove superbly and handled everything that I threw at you with very few staucks and refusals, I hope you all enjoyed the drive as much as I did and hoe to see you all in the sand again very soon @Bashar Beasha

Thanks All for joining in for the drive and making it a fun morning on sand. It started off as a very beautiful morning with amazing weather, oryx lined up to welcome us in Faqa, all riders on time and ended up with a smile on face having successfully traversed through a beautiful terrain that offered some amazing views while regularly challenging our driving skills. The pleasant morning start, followed by hot and soft sand provided us with a good idea of what lies ahead in coming months. Thanks @Looper for this lovely route planning. Very well executed drive, it literally had it all - some steep climbs, a beautiful over landing experience through bushes and for me the most amazing part was the last one hour with all the criss crossing. 👏👏👏 Every one did really well throughout the drive. Apart from a 45 min stoppage due to tyre issue at beginning of drive, we had minor refusals and minor stucks, which were either self recovered or at most sorted with help of little shoveling. This meant that we had ample time to even practice on 1 on 1 basis - criss crossing - hope came in handy for all. Thanks @Mehmet Volga and @Looper for executing some demos on it. @Sunil Mathew day didn’t roll out positive for you, hope all went fine on your way back home after that early exit. Do share feedback on that tyre with whole convoy - always good to know what went wrong. Overall a wonderful day, thanks all for joining and looking forward to see you all sometime soon. @Juan R @premindra rajaram @george charbel @Sebb

Hi everyone! I am sorry for any inconvenience I might have caused today. I know that were some other members in the waiting list, but I want to believe that was better to leave than having a major problem in the middle of the track. I just got the car fixed with new sway bars, so I hope to join the next ride! thanks to @Gok Krish I was able to see that a bolt was missing! Take care! Xavi

Thanks @Davie Chase @Hisham Masaad. And see you all next and my pleasure for new people i saw for first time.

@Davie Chase @Hisham Masaad thank you for the drive.

Thank you @Gaurav, thank you all for an amazing day. Really enjoyed the clean shrub-frew dunes and the good flow during the drive. Have a great Sunday everyone and catch you soon.

We drove 1:49 net time. @Gaurav it perfectly chosen track, I enjoyed it a lot. The whole convoy did fantastic job and everyone drove amazingly. Especially @Felix Obst in font of me, it was a great learning for me. Thank you all of you for your company and I am looking forward to the next long weekend:)

Well that was fun! 🤩 thanks @Davie Chase and thank you all for shoveling me out, hope this counted as your Sunday workout 😄

Tnq @Gaurav had a wonderful time driving the big sand dunes .... espicially the whole convoy in sync for the crossing loops...where one had to wait till the front car had to cross the track... looking forward for more fun and learning ....

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.

@Ale Vallecchi awesome achieve and well deserved. Congratulations!

And I thought it’s the eye of Sauron 😂 (very interesting - thanks for sharing)

Congrats! I will always remember my first drive with you! I had a passenger with me and every time we meet we are talking about the only man (probably from fiorentina) on earth for who can change the rules of physics. It was so inspiring to see you driving! Well deserved and looking forward to another drive! enjoy your Saudi trip!!!

Congratulations on your promotion, @Ale VallecchiYou have always been an inspiration to me when it comes to off-roading, and you were instrumental in helping me comprehend it as well.

Congrats and well-done Ale @Ale Vallecchi . Always a fan of your free-flowing style....👏👏👏

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi .

Wonderful news @Ale! It has been great attending your drives, in particular the Long Range Desert Group 🦂 and exploration drives! Gracias!

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi well deserved for your support of all us! Thank you for it.

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi you deserve this new title.

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.

Day 3 - Edge of the World to Al Hait, via Al Hatima Crater (839 Km) We have already told of the dramatic wake up of Day 3 (windstorm following a night of heavy rains). Having overcome the shock of such an unexpected and unbelievable weather, we set out to reach the Hatima Crater, near the small village of Tabah. Wadis were full of water, making crossings more fun than challenging, due to their relatively shallow depth. Huge bodies of water filled up, although for a likely short time, the lower points of the many valleys and plains we crossed. Dark and grey clouds filled the sky. A very unusual sight, indeed. After 557 Km of a rather boring drive (so far it seems that most significant sites in Saudi are separated by huge stretches of rather insignificant areas) the road finally led to an interesting, vast and green plain, with jagged mountains on one side, and what looked like low hills on the other. One dirt track led to the closest of these "low hills". At its end, as the track reached the top, an incredibly huge crater revealed itself, with an almost perfectly round shaped rim, and a small, reddish lake at its center. In the distance beyond, what appeared like at least another volcano, perfectly framed at the center of an opening in the crater's opposite rim. The lunch we had on top of this prehistoric looking place is one of the most memorable I ever had. Simply spectacular. After driving on the rim for about one fourth of its length, we got back on the road nearby, headed for our overnight resting place, in the small town of Al Hait, from which tomorrow we will move to visit another volcanic area, and then on to Al Ula. On the way, in the spur of the moment, we took a detour into an area of big boulders and small rocky outcrops, off-roading along the canyons separating these masterpieces of erosion. A very fun moment of improvisation, which provided a perfect opportunity to admire an unexpected sunset. Just to make sure that we wouldn't get used to too many clear skys, as soon as dusk started to descend, dark clouds gathered again, unleashing more heavy rains in the distance on our left side, while an amazing lightning storm blazed in the direction of our final destination. Our day ended as it had begun, with another incredible downpour of rain and hail...... luckily just as we were reaching the hotel. Yes @Anoop Nair. Planning to reach it tomorrow, and spend 2 days around there, including off-roading. Will tell you how it goes.

Hi Ale @Ale Vallecchi The picture is amazing. Are you going through Al Ula which is around 3 hrs from Tabuk I believe. I was there in Dec for a business trip (unfortunately not with the Jeep). The terrain was breath taking and really ripe for driving between the large rocks they have.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02vbN29VyiZsgQnEpm5dUdicssFmEFtqL14gd8cZtXxA33egnKXtJZ7SUBoJuGZsr4l&id=100051458372971&mibextid=Nif5oz Not so happy with quality of it:(

@Hisham Masaad @Davie Chase Thank you guys it was amazing

From Lisaili, in the foreground Waqas Parvez on 25th Feb 2023 From E18 crossing into Abu Dhabi on 9th April 2023

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

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

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 😂

Updating now 😁🙏

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.

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

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.

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi. You are an inspiration to all of us and I cherish driving with you. Your drives are special whether the Rush Hour Series or the whole day picnic drives I remember by heart most of your drives.

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi there is always something special about your drives. Looking forward to drive with you more. Well done and well deserved 👏 👍

@Ale Vallecchi congrats Ale on this milestone achievement. Your drives are simply amazing and you have the skills to keep pushing all of us. Congrats🥳🥳🥳

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

This was the closest I took with my phone at 3x magnification. May we make this post a place to share our pics of the Chimney!!

Most Mitsubishi Pajero owners might have heard about the 4WD Super Select II system, which is the control system on their Pajero 4x4. There are a lot of misconceptions on what mode to use in the desert, and the use of differential locks. Below I will describe the functionality of the 4WD Super Select II system and how to use it for offroading in the UAE sand. Also, we will talk about the use of differential locks (center and rear) functionality, when needed. Your Pajero equipped with the 4WD Super Select system has 4 modes. Switching between 2H and 4H can be done while driving (max 100km/h). If you need to switch to 4Hlc or 4Llc you will need to stop the vehicle, put it in Neutral, then select the desired gear. 2H - 2 Wheel Drive This mode is for dry highway roads only, and will slightly reduce road noise and fuel consumption. 4H - 4 High This mode is the one we generally use for offroading in the dunes on most levels. The Viscous Coupling System distributes the power to the front and back based on the condition of the terrain (33% front / 67% rear). 4Hlc: Instead of the viscous coupling used in 4H, this mode locks the front and rear wheels together at a 50/50 ratio. (Center Diff lock) This mode can be used for more advanced offroading or soft areas when required. This mode is not for on-road driving !! 4LLC: - 4 Low with Lock Center differential This mode is used for self-recovery, steep hill climb, and descending from very steep slopes only. The maximum speed you should use 4Llc is 30km/h. Driving beyond 30km/h in Low gear will damage the gearbox sooner or later and should be avoided at all times. The well known Omani hack puts the car in limp mode, and can only be used in Low gear, hence is not recommended to be used if you go beyond this maximum speed. Rear Differential Lock Some Pajero models come with the R/D Lock or Rear Differential Lock. This option can be activated during your self recovery. How does it work ? In normal situations, your rear differential is "open". This means the rear left and rear right wheels can turn at different speeds, and this is necessary because of the speed difference when turning your wheels on the road. When the rear differential is open, and you are stuck in the sand with one rear wheel free, and one rear wheel stuck, ALL the power will go to the wheel that is free, hence recovery is quite difficult. Engaging your R/D lock will lock both wheels on the rear axle (like it becomes one solid axle). So even when your one wheel is free, it will still send power to the wheel that is stuck. The Rear Differential Lock is very useful, but not a MUST HAVE. It will come standard on the 3.8 Models. Drive Mode or Tiptronic Mode As you learn offroading, we generally advise you to keep the car in "D". The reason is that we want you to focus on the terrain and let the car think for you which gear it should take. Once you start entering higher level drives, you might find that the gearbox is a bit slow in reacting, or that it is upshifting or downshifting at the wrong time. This is not always the fault of your transmission, but could also be yourself who is quite nervous with the throttle pedal, making it hard for the car to decide what you want. As a result during offroading the transmission will be constantly shifting and during hot days this will lead to overheating. Tiptronic mode gives you as a driver full control over which gear you want to select. Initially this takes a bit of practice, but soon you will see that you'll be able to keep the car better controlled by choosing the right gear and keeping it in that gear as much as you can. For example during offroading you can keep it in 2nd gear, and shift back to 1st gear whenever you need to tackle a dune. As you can see, the Pajero has a lot of functionalities that might be confusing at the start, but once you start using them it will become clear that the Super Select II 4WD system is one of the best systems for 4WD on the market since a long time.

Common Pajero problems for sunroof: * The screws that hold the motor in place get loose or fall out, so the gears on the motor do not touch the rail anymore. Retighten the screws and use some loctite to keep them in place. You'll need to partly remove the headliner and its a pain in the buttocks to reach the motor but if you're a bit handy this is a DIY fix. * Proper lubrication of the rails: Our climate with abundance of sand makes the rails become dry and sandy and eventually the whole thing locks up. Remove the glass roof panel and clean out the rails and then apply lubricant (silicon based). This job is again DIY but it requires some elbow grease and swearing along the way. You'll find some tutorials online about it. Both my Pajero's (gen2 and gen4) had this problem and after spending blood sweat and tears after recurring problems i gave up and left it closed. I thought i was a good DIY'er but i'm short on patience sometimes. Most workshops that do Pajero will know about this problem, but you might be having a liner full of greasy fingerprints by the time it gets finished ..... Older generation Pajero's need a recalibration of the motor and sunroof opening and closing position if i remember correctly. It's a combination of pressing the open-close button... Google will know more about it.