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Varun Mehndiratta

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Everything posted by Varun Mehndiratta

  1. Thanks @Gaurav for a wonderful drive. Amazing convoy, great route and awesome weather - was just perfect setup for Sunday afternoon. Every one rode brilliantly - we had our fair share of refusals and stucks however considering the terrain and the size of the convoy it was just fantastic outing by all. Kudos to all, especially the first timers. Thanks @DP1011 and @Krishna R for supporting the convoy.
  2. Wow just this one alone bowl is enough to summarize the drive. This is just awesome, @Asif Hussain bhai hope we will have some more drive planned in area sometime soon. 🙏🙏
  3. Thanks @Frederic this is really cool. Souly lodge does look smoking awesome - no availability through next week though. Will try if can get even one night, looks really nice. This is very interesting element you have added - we were generally planning to stay in a Hotel not a resort - mainly for reason that with 3 days in Salalah, most of the time we will be out. Appreciate your thoughts on that. Am I overestimating the time we can spend at let’s say Ain Khor waterfalls and around. And around Wadi Darbat. Or is it more like a drive to the spot, a bit of hike and be back in couple of hours. I am planning to have roaming data on my UAE number. However read some reviews that through coastal road network isn’t the best - so better to have offline map? Thanks Freddie 👍👍👍
  4. Hi @Frederic finally after two weeks of scheduling/rescheduling/almost cancellation of this trip, planning to go for it next week. However have some time constraint and don’t want to fly to Salalah. Seek your advice on what to/can be covered in Salalah in 3 days based on below parameters. 1. Not planning to be hiking much - with a 2YO, don’t think would be able to do much of hiking. Surely if something really nice within couple of Km of stretch would give it a go though. 2. Planning to have our first stop at Duqm and then through coastal road to Salalah. As of now wasn’t thinking to stop over much on the way - mainly as believe will be hot. Anything you advice. Believe there are some areas with nice lagoons but not sure if doable in present weather. 3. Planning to have more of 3 days of picnic at diff spots. Based on things you have shared in your post, it all looks fantastic and each place feel like something where one can just chill for whole day. Still if you have to pick 3 - what all would it be? 4. Any specific advice on what to must carry kind of things, other than ofcourse the usual stuff. Something (other than usual things) you felt would have been great if you had it or was great that you go it. 😀 Thanks again for sharing your experience. Despite some work engagements, your post is surely a big motivator for us to go ahead with the plan. Cheers
  5. Thanks Sailors for joining in on drive today. Had been a year I was here on this side of Badayer and what a beautiful day it turned out to be - great set of drivers, awesome weather and amazing terrain. Honestly after 1st hour, I had my chin hanging down to my belly. Bushes all over the places reminded me of our last week drive to Faqa and had almost killed my enthusiasm for the day. However, as it turned out - it was just a initial hiccup as once we reached the real play areas - it was just superb . And we made the most of it - side slipping through super soft sand, criss crossing and switching over those awesome ridges - the whole convoy just rocked it. No stucks, no ropes and not even a shovel used - brilliant all. @Bashar Beasha - you were the perfect Sl for the drive. Scarred with all those bushes we had transverse, I was reluctant at multiple points but you responded well to all challenges and adapted beautifully. Thanks @Gary F and @Jaro Tuzinsky for helping out with all refusals in the middle and thanks @Beide Worku for keeping the convoy together. With you and @Mark B at end I was always confident - alls good with the convoy. @Hugo for the first fb+, was a really good outing for you, don’t think you had any major challenge other than couple of refusals. Welcome to next level of off roading - it only gets better from here. @Salim Akhtar and @Gertjan another perfect outing for you two. @Zulfikhar Naiyar had moments of doubts on his car, however once the flow started - it was really rocking the climbs and switches. Right approach can make a big diff even if car is having some niggles. The fact we had not so happy faces when I announced the end of drive is testament to the fun we had together. Thanks again for your company today morning, looking forward to catch up with you all sometime soon.
  6. Oh good that issue identified in time. Take care @Arda Yagcioglu Mr @Gary F you have been promoted to the position of platoon leader. Have fun. Make sure shovel is sharp, rope shiny and jack is set for all trades. 😀
  7. Hello Sand Sailors Hope all set for the drive tomo morning. Here are the final details. We have a long convoy so will follow the tried and tested platoon concept, for those new to my drives - will share details during the briefing meeting. Channel : 3 Convoy Order: Varun in Rubicon @Bashar Beasha being the last to rsvp will be our sl @Zulfikhar Naiyar will be at No 3 on his Xterra @Hugo in his Fj (one of them) will be at no. 4 @Jaro Tuzinsky will be leading the 1st platoon in his fJ @Gertjan in his FJ @Salim Akhtar in his Pajero @Gary F in his sandrunner will be our 2nd platoon leader @Mark B in his black Gladiator and @Beide Worku in his blue F150’will be sweeping the convoy. See you all tomo morning.
  8. Done.. other info shall follow a bit later in eve. Busy today with my latest vocation - chauffering daughter around the town Its not fun and pays nothing..
  9. Will miss you buddy. Welcome onboard @Gary F and @Beide Worku, you have been added to the drive.
  10. Dear Sand Sailors Thanks for RSVPing for the drive. We have a really solid convoy with some regulars and some friends I haven’t met in long time. I am really looking forward to see you all this weekend - for an adventure through the crazy dunes of Shuwaib. Believe most of you have been to area, for those new to it - Shuwaib is known for its crazy steep climbs and some scary drops. Last time we were there, we scaled around 1.3Km of climbs - let’s see where we land this time. So gear up for a fun adventure. Some tips before we meet this weekend 1. Ensure your vehicles are in perfect health. 2. Unless fully convinced about yours and your vehicles climbing ability, avoid passengers for this drive. Keep the vehicle light and mind free of distractions. 3. Ensure your off road gears are in order. 4. Most important of all, ensure you are well rested and hydrated for the drive. Let sat night be the Friday night this weekend 😀. See you all this Saturday. @Gertjan @Arda Yagcioglu @Beide Worku @Hugo @Jaro Tuzinsky @Brett Eicher @Mohit Gurnani @Zulfikhar Naiyar @Salim Akhtar @Mark B
  11. Thanks Sand Sailors for joining in for the drive. Surely wasnt the usual Faqa. All the vegetation around provided us with a totally unique kind of challenge vis-a-vis what we expect in Desert (or perhaps i expected, since hadn't been to area in last 2 months). Then that's the beauty of being off-road - always have to be ready for unexpected - and you all did amazing well handling the same. Everyone drove beautifully - with limited number of refusals and only one main stop with @Gertjan pop-out. On same unexpected note, weather was just awesome the whole time. Even at 9am when we exited, it was pretty comfortable temp - so all an all a good outing in midst of long weekend. Thanks to you all for company and fun ride. Thanks @Imteeaz @hisham @Benjamin @Zed for continous support and keeping the convoy togather. @Saverio Arena and @MohamedSherif you both were just amazing - being in a convoy full of much more experienced drivers adds to its own pressure - you both handled it as well as your vehicles very nicely. @Gary F @Gertjan @Brett Eicher - as expected a smooth drive for you all. Thanks a lot for joining in for this nice though bumpy outing in desert.
  12. until
    Drive Details Level: Fewbie Plus & Above When: 29th July’23, Saturday Meeting time: 5:15AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions). Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/15Vvob4crExiKKAQ7 Type of Car: Any 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. Approximate finish time: 9:00AM THIS IS A COMPRESSOR ONLY DRIVE.
  13. “Desert remembers every footprint that crosses it” - if this is true, no one can claim to be an off-roader in UAE, unless has left a mark on the dunes of Shuwaib. So coming weekend, let’s us all pay ode to all the off-roaders who have transversed through these beautiful dunes while leaving our own prints on the golden beautiful sand dunes at Shuwaib. General Overview We request every member that joins this drive to go through the information below and strictly follow these guidelines, etiquette, and responsibilities. MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy 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 Plus and Above When: 29th July'2023, Saturday. Meeting time: 5:15 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions). Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/15Vvob4crExiKKAQ7 Type of Car: Any 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: 9:00 AM THIS IS A COMPRESSOR ONLY DRIVE. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS DRIVE UNLESS YOU HAVE A COMPRESSOR. ANYONE ARRIVING AT THE DRIVE WITHOUT A COMPRESSOR, FLAG, PROPER SHOVEL AND DEFLATION KIT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE DRIVE. ALL TOW POINTS WILL BE CHECKED BEFORE DEPARTURE. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 10 cars only. 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
  14. Btw if you can get the deal including half doors, go for it… I had them on this winters and it’s a totally diff feel.
  15. Hey @Frederic amazing post and good to see these pics. Planning a trip early august. Did you had a chance To camp around these places - or preferred all in Hotels? Was thinking of camping one of the nights, seems some restrictions in place in these areas. Any advice/suggestions.
  16. Hi @controlz had Sahara and as @Gaurav mentioned recently moved to Rubicon around 7/8 months back. For me both have been my daily and off-road ride. Have loved them both on road as well as off road. Just like you Leather seats was a must thing for me - mainly as with young kids I know the pain of maintaining fabric. Plus for my on road, I needed the comforts of nice cooling system , good audio system, a decent feel on cabin and bit of electronics - we are in 2023, car without CarPlay - not going to work for me 😀, for my Sahara even went with the adaptive cruise, collision warning rtc. With JL, all these are good and meet the standard I was hoping for … surely isn’t a X5 but good enough to make it for comfort drive. I have a 2yo and over last 1-1.5 year we have multiple long drives as a testament to comfort. Surely Sahara was on road more comfortable compared to Rubicon - mainly because of more aggressive Tyres on Rubicon but diff is minor. And this was after moving from a Lexus IS300 sedan to Jeep as my daily drive. Again not saying it’s as smooth but didn’t feel the gap I initially expected. With JL (I.e 2018 onward) Jeep has really changed the game wrt city drive. And it literally grows over time. Reg off road capabilities - Wrangler stock is super cool - over two year of off-roading including leading drives for almost a year now, I never felt real need to upgrade. Did gear ratio in Rubicon made a diff for me when I switched from Sahara - yes felt it for first few drives, perhaps a month. Once got adapted, I don’t think I am missing any element. And ofcourse with Dana 44 and diff locks, Rubicon surely brings in much more value. The fact that I can take doors/roof off during winter is a big plus. That feel is just another level. Having said, I have an adv, we needed two cars - for me and one for wife. So for the other one we went for a comfortable Volvo s90. So yes, for days when official things call for something more comfortable, a bit more luxurious cabin feel with some specific passengers - I do use that 😀 Or the days I have my or wife’s parents here and don’t want them to go through the discomfort of climbing up on my Rubicon, I use my wife car. Since you have decent budget, unless you regularly have these specific needs like I mentioned above, go for a new Wrangler - it will meet most needs. Used wranglers JL are super expensive these days, found it more logic friendly to buy new and buying a sport and trying to upgrade - somehow maths hasn’t been convincing for me. Hope it helps.
  17. Hi Sand Sailors Seems we now have a full convoy. Hoping we won’t have any last min dropouts, here’s the convoy order. We will use Channel 3. Varun @Benjamin will be our SL. @Saverio Arena - you and I are only FB riders on the drive. It will be fun. @Imteeaz @Gertjan @Hisham Masaad @Brett Eicher @Gary F @Zed See you all tomo.
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