Ale Vallecchi

Join the dots...

Dear Desertnauts Find below the meeting point: Murqquab https://maps.app.goo.gl/rzMxpZxUBE7PeHZD6

Dear Desertnauts Quick facts about tomorrow's surprise drive. Meeting point will be updated at 9:00 AM. Please look for it here. We'll line up as follows: @Jessica Lambert in Second Lead @Stumpy Paj at #3 @Bravoecho at #4 @Anoop Nair in the Center @Pranjal Varsani1 at #6 @Zubair at #7 @Krishna R at #8, and @Pacific in Sweep. Please reach the meeting point a little before the scheduled time. We'll pick the radio channel on the spot. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a nice evening.

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: 8 March 2023, Wednesday Meeting time: 3:30 PM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Murqquab https://maps.app.goo.gl/rzMxpZxUBE7PeHZD6 Action Plan: A last minute, surprise desert drive, with a 2-hour time cap, in an area within Dubai's emirate, where we'll be looking for a relatively new track. There will be a mix of faster and technical driving, with an exit point in mind that, if all goes well, we may extend further. Perfect for a mid-week break on the sand. Approximate finish time: 06:00 PM 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 8 cars only. RSVP will close on Wednesday - 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 THE CALENDAR

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: 11 March 2023, Saturday Meeting time: 8:00 AM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/jffNNv6qw62ikT6Z6 Action Plan: There have already been several drives dedicated to celebrating the legend of the Long Range Desert Patrols, an elite group of British military scouts famous for finding enemy tracks, and exploring new friendly routes, in the deserts between Egypt and Lybia. As part of their skill set, they were required to cover a lot of ground, in a silent and speedy manner, to reach different enemy and friendly positions, and report of their conditions. With Carnity these celebratory drives have been done at Fewbie Plus and above level. I have confidence that we can also manage at Fewbie level, perhaps with a few adjustments of the route, but with no less speed, stealth, and most of all satisfaction. We should go from Solar Park to Faqa, connecting a variety of terrains, with various degrees of difficulty. Approximate finish time: 12:00 PM 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 12 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 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

No worries @Nicholas Cox1. We'll wait

Dear Desertnauts as promised, find below tomorrow's convoy order: @PETELCZYC PAJERO - luke in Second Lead @FERNANDO SYRIO at #3 @Ale at #4 @Maheshwar C.S. #5 @Sammy Six #6 @Theo09 at #7 @Simon D at Center Forward @essam ibrahim at #9 @Misha Puskar #10 @DEEPAK ESWAR at #11 @Ahmad Quadri at #12 @Hashem Rihan #13 @Sebb at #14, and @DP1011 , Deepak wrangler in Sweep. The Carnity Radio Channel will be #3 (446.056). Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM (please reach a little earlier so we may depart timely).

Hello @Ale. Thanks for updating me. Please make sure you have seen the mandatory video. Do you have a radio and a flag? Thanks

Hello @FERNANDO SYRIO. The meeting point is indicated in the drive's announcement. Let me know if you find it. Thanks.

Dear Desertnauts, in preparation for Saturday's drive, a few notes to prepare yourselves. First of all, the meeting point will be just off E14, in front of the entrance of the National Guard's barracks, just inside Abu Dhabi territory (hence watch for speed cameras and remember not to exceed the speed limit as I know you would in Dubai). The area is technically still Ghantoot, but you will reach the meeting point driving in the direction of Al Faqa, hence away from Ghantoot. Just follow the Google Maps or Waze directions, and you should have no issues finding it. The terrain, as described in the drive's announcement, is made of low dunes, many of them long range, with firm sand (most of the time), and presents various highlights, such as palm groves, clay rock formations, and possibly oryx herds. We'll drive around the dunes, make sure we know how to cross them straight on, possibly do some riding on flat top ridges, and perhaps practice some more advanced skills, based on the convoy's response. I will give a detailed technical briefing about all the necessary skills and security provisions just after the start of the drive, so all members, including Absolute Newbies will feel comfortable. I will issue the convoy order tomorrow, just before the drive, after I evaluate a couple of possibilities, based on drivers' experience and type of car. The radio channel will also be announced tomorrow. In the meantime, have a great end of the week.

Dear @Ale, dear @FERNANDO SYRIO, since I've noticed this would be your first full drive with Carnity, I'd like to ask if you have also had other previous experiences in desert driving. Kindly make sure you are carrying a flag and a radio. In preparation for Saturday's outing, please make sure to watch the 5 videos linked at the top of the drive's post, and review the following link: Let me know of any questions you may have regarding the drive and/or your car, etc. I'll be giving a technical briefing prior to our departure on Saturday, so that everyone in the convoy will be up to speed with the necessary skills and safety procedure that will ensure a successful drive. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Dear Desertnauts, due to work commitments, I don't have much time to prepare the briefing. All the more reason to go out there tomorrow afternoon, and let out the pressure. It will be a precision driving adventure, with mostly, if not exclusively, tight technical dunes, all the way around te "Eye of Sauron" (AKA as Dubai's Solar Tower). The new desert landmark will be always lurking from the convoy's right flank, and our goal will be, even more than in previous drives through this treacherous area (i.e. the "infamous" Leaders' Leads, and the Eye of Sauron's inaugural drive last month) to navigate the crests, twisting and turning along their lines, with utmost engine control, limiting the bursts of power perhaps to exiting a few sand bowl. Please note that the meeting point will be around the roundabout midway toward Solar Park from Qudra's gas station. There will be a break in the guard-rail, from which we can access the starting point, just next to the pylon track. The convoy order will be the following: @Fabien Monleau in Second Lead @Mahmoud Taha at #3 @Ali Abas at #4 @Pacific at Center @Senthil Kumar at #6 @Chris Wing at #7, and @Rob S in Sweep. The radio channel will be chosen on the spot. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a great evening.

Hello @essam ibrahim. The meeting point had just been published. Thanks a lot.

Dear @MohamedSherif, thanks a lot for signing up for the drive. Unfortunately, it's ranked as a Fewbie Plus drive, so I cannot accept your participation. Sorry for the inconvenience. I look forward to see you in another drive soon.

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: Newbie and above When: 4 March 2023, Saturday Meeting time: 8:00 AM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bj4BNXiubj7HKFm26 Action Plan: The area inland from Ghantoot, along E14, is seldom driven by off-roaders, yet it hides a trove of secret treasures, which make a desert trip worthwhile. We'll be looking for oryx, hopefully lots of them, roaming near a large feeding area, just north of the entry point, near the National Guard's barracks. They may be found around a few date palm groves, which magically rise from the sand, signaling long abandoned small farms. These groves often grow between long range dunes separated by hard clay rock formations, which look like small islands emerging from the sea of sand. A very interesting and diverse environment, perfect for a relaxing start of the weekend. Approximate finish time: 12:00 PM 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 12 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 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 THE CALENDAR

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 Plus and above When: 3 March 2023, Friday Meeting time: 2:30 PM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/yUbKrqCVD8X83XXXA Action Plan: The "Eye of Sauron" has become a well-known feature of Dubai's desert. We'll use the recently built solar tower as the landmark for the drive, circling it as close as possible from Lisaili's side all the way to Faqa. Most of the drive will take place on quite treacherous terrain. The quadrant just above the Eye of Sauron has become infamous during Carnity's Leaders Lead training sessions, as "the" place to test a leader (and his/her followers) ability to navigate tight dunes, plunging into soft bowls and emerging from them with a combination of finesse driving and engine power, requiring excellent control of one's car, and good skills in ridge riding and criss-crossing. This will be the place where the Gandalfs in our convoy will try to escape the "Eye of Sauron" 's magnetic attraction. Somehow, we'll manage to escape its grasp. Approximate finish time: 6:30 PM 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 Thursday - 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 THE CALENDAR

Hello @Ali Abas. Must have been a slip of mind. Sorry for it. Of course you will be in the convoy. See you this afternoon.

Dear Desertnauts, a quick head up before tomorrow's drive. We'll meet quite far from Dubai (plan a bit more than 1 hours, depending on your origin). You may refill just before Madam. The drive plans to move from one pyramid of star dunes to the next, all the way to Badayer. There are around 13 such pyramids in the area, and we'll attempt to climb and circle as many as possible, keeping in mind the exit time around 6:00PM. The extra element of difficulty should be that we'll be moving generally from the slip-faces to the hard faces. The bonus may be that we'll find less tracks and convoys then on a weekend (yet tourist will be crawling the dunes near Badayer, no matter what). The convoy order, at the moment, is the following: @Joji varghese in Second Lead @Richard Franks at #3 @Senthil Kumar #4 @Ashutosh Garg in #5 @Beide Worku at #6, and @Pacific in Sweep. We'll pick the radio channel at the meeting place. Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

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 Plus and above When: 10 February 2023, Friday Meeting time: 2:30 PM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/1hQfwFY26ATiafuE9 Action Plan: The dunes from Bezhad Ranch to Badayer are known as "star dune", because of their shape, modelled by the wind blowing in a circular pattern. This gave me the idea of a Star Trek series, which took place toward the end of 2022. It's now time to return to this universe of stars and voyage through their sandy slopes. This time the goal will be to explore the higher reaches of this star dune's paradise, attempting to climb more than 1,220 meters from one of the previous Star Treks. Approximate finish time: 06:00 PM 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 Thursday - 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 THE CALENDAR

Sure you can @Ishak. See you tomorrow