Ale Vallecchi

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 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!!

50 minutes ago, Emanuel said:

Hi @Ale Vallecchi, hope there is room for me on this drive. I decided to go for another drive this weekend.

Sure @Emanuel. Please sign up. Thanks 

Dear Desertnauts

getting ready for Day 3 of the 3-Emirates weekend. We'll drive the Sweihan Tilal area extensively, heading then to the Sweihan Pond, and finally across to Faya. I have been unsure if choosing the better-known part of Sweihan (the Nagrah and Nahil area, to be precise), or the less driven, south-western segment of Sweihan, and have picked the latter, as on Sunday morning it should be much more pristine, and less crowded by weekend off-roaders. The spirit of the drive is to enjoy and relax, looking, again and as usual, to cover as much distance as possible, in diverse terrains.

The convoy order will be the following:

@Andrew John Melvill in Second Lead

@ChrisW at #3

@Cesar Chacon at #4

@Batuhan Kulac at #5

@nithish468 at #6

@RiadJL at #7 and 

@Mohit Gurnani in Sweep.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a great Saturday.

3 hours ago, Matt - monkeywrench said:

Ah, I didn't look closely enough. I thought it was one long drive with camps. Hopefully see you Sunday 

@Matt - monkeywrench feel free to sign up if you wish. Thanks 

Dear Desertnauts,

slight change of plans, I believe, as you may have seen from the revised drive's title. We'll meet and leave from Lisaili's camel practice area, instead of the previously chosen Faqa, to make sure we drive as much of the Emirate of Dubai's off-roading paradises. Thus, I have included Lisaili, from where we'll head to Murqaab, take the infamous track to The Chimney (on some of the most challenging technical dunes around), and proceed crossing Faqa on the side of the Solar Tower, and on to Little Sweihan (to exit ideally at Ghantoot, or if too far given the sunset hour, at Solar Park).

The convoy order will be the following:

@Andrew John Melvill in Second Lead

@ChrisW at #3

@nithish468 at #4

@RiadJL at #5

@Zak_ at #6 and 

@Shiju Raju in Sweep.

Enjoy your Friday evening, and see you tomorrow to leave at 2:30PM.

1 hour ago, ChrisW said:

Morning @Ale Vallecchi, grateful if you can confirm the start point - need to plan some timings from home. Thanks!

Hi @ChrisW. We'll meet and deflate here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qCD32sJkXpbDfnzq8

See you tomorrow. 

5 hours ago, Matt - monkeywrench said:

Ah yes! I didn't spot that

I'll see what I can find 👍

Looks like the other Fewbie ones are 3 days which I'd love to do, but can't commit to...

I'll see what's happening next week 

Ho @Matt - monkeywrench. You can just pick 1 drive. not all of them. Ler me know. 

2 hours ago, JeromeFJ said:

Hi @Matt - monkeywrench, I should have noticed before, but this is a Fewbie Plus drive, not a Fewbie level. I'm sorry, but you cannot attend, and I will remove your RSVP.

There is a nice series of Fewbie drives organised by @Ale Vallecchi this weekend, with spots available. I'm sure you will enjoy if you want to join them.

Hi @Matt - monkeywrench. You are welcome to join any of my drives. Feel free to sign up. Thanks 

Dear @Nicolò, @RiadJL and @Sunil Mathew. Not too much to say about this drive. other than we'll try to make it fast and long. We aim to complete the first part, to Big Red in 1 hour, then proceed through Badayer to Iftar Bowl in another 1 and 1/2 hour, if possible, and to reach Area 53 (Bezhad Ranch) in Al Madam by sunset. We should make full use of the 4 hours of light that we'll surely have. Departure should be scheduled around 2:45 PM.

We may not loop around a great deal on the taller dunes, but we'll still make as many climbs as it makes sense, with the idea of completing a long trek (should be around 80 to 90 Km). This means we'll try to enjoy, and cover, as much terrain in this red-sand Sharjah area as possible.

The convoy order will be given on site tomorrow (shouldn't be too complicated 😁). Short and sweet convoy, ideal to complete such a long drive.

Enjoy the end of the week and get ready to start the Eid weekend in desert style.

2 hours ago, Sunil Mathew said:

@Ale Vallecchi ..are we meeting at the Nazwa farms / 2ndDec or other point?

Just need to calculate travel time , and decide if i can get out of office to reach..

Hello @Sunil Mathew. We'll meet here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9BK1uN6nYfLneZqt9

This is at Tawi Nazwa. Hope to see you. 

Thanks. 

Dear @RiadJL, dear @ChrisW, dear @nithish468, as already done for Day 2, considering the ample availability of remaining open spots for this drive, I'll be happy to add you to the participants' list of this Day 3, if you are OK with it. Thanks a lot.

Dear @Andrew John Melvill dear @RiadJL, considering the ample availability of remaining open spots for this drive, I'll be happy to add you to the participants' list, if you are OK with it. Thanks a lot.

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  7:30 AM (departure time)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SxtvYdEXTLoqk88C8

Action Plan: During the upcoming Eid al Adha weekend, we will celebrate a 3-day trek across the main UAE emirates of Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The trek has been broken into 3 separate drives, all posted at Fewbie Level to make them more accessible to most members. As per Carnity's rules, you'll be able to only sign into 1 of the 3 drives as your drive of choice. But if you wish to do more than one drive, please wait list yourself into the other dates, and by Wednesday evening I will do my best to add members to more than one drive, so they may complete the full trek, or 2 of the 3 segments.

The plan for Day 3 is to find the most attractive, and possible unspoiled areas of Sweihan, to drive as long as possible, as a tribute to this most loved off-roading paradise. This promises to be the longest of the 3 segments, probably stretching until midday.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 12:00 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 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 - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:30 PM (departure time)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qCD32sJkXpbDfnzq8

Action Plan: During the upcoming Eid al Adha weekend, we will celebrate a 3-day trek across the main UAE emirates of Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The trek has been broken into 3 separate drives, all posted at Fewbie Level to make them more accessible to most members. As per Carnity's rules, you'll be able to only sign into 1 of the 3 drives as your drive of choice. But if you wish to do more than one drive, please wait list yourself into the other dates, and by Wednesday evening I will do my best to add members to more than one drive, so they may complete the full trek, or 2 of the 3 segments.

The plan for Day 2 is to focus on Dubai's more challenging off-roading paradises, going from Faqa trough to Little Sweihan, and on to Gahntoot's side, adjacent to Abu Dhabi's border.,

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 07:00 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 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 - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:30 PM (departure time)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9BK1uN6nYfLneZqt9

Action Plan: During the upcoming Eid al Adha weekend, we will celebrate a 3-day trek across the main UAE emirates of Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The trek has been broken into 3 separate drives, all posted at Fewbie Level to make them more accessible to most members. As per Carnity's rules, you'll be able to only sign into 1 of the 3 drives as your drive of choice. But if you wish to do more than one drive, please wait list yourself into the other dates, and by Wednesday evening I will do my best to add members to more than one drive, so they may complete the full trek, or 2 of the 3 segments.

The plan for Day 1 is to focus on Sharjah's better known off-roading paradises, going from Nazwa toward Pink Rock, then across to Big Red, across to Badayer, through the main bowls and possible going as far as Area 53 (or Bezhad Ranch), in Al Madam.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 07:00 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 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 - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 

Dear Desertnauts,

last minute tips for tomorrow's drive.

The meeting will be at Badayer Shops (see newly posted meeting point). Let's try to leave as close to the meeting time as possible (that being 2:30 PM).

The cobvoy order will be the following:

@Amr A in Second Lead

@Nicolò at #3

@Talal H at #4

@Bravoecho in the Center

@RiadJL at #6

@lucas amat at #7

@Hani crest king at #8 and 

@Stumpy in Sweep.

First objective is to reach Super Bowl in the shortest possible time, with the most climbs possible while getting there. Then we'll start the exploration of the passage to Faqa, moving through lower and tighter dunes, close to the fenced off protected nature reserve. Finally, if darkness has not fallen yet, we mat proceed to reach Dubai via sand tracks, sabkhas and some low cordons of dunes.

Looking forward to a nice start of the weekend. 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:30 PM (departure time)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z6CZmajiH6w3byLb6

Action Plan: We'll start with a pilgrimage to all the "star" dunes and bowls from Badayer to Super Bowl, climbing each of them as much as possible, before switching the drive to an exploration for the best route to cross into Faqa, through lower dunes, and a few camel farms.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 07:00 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 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 - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 

5 minutes ago, Ale Vallecchi said:

Thamk you @Zak_. You'll be Second Lead and Sweep 😅

@Zak_ we meet here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qcGbNJmeBSkAfsrJ9

44 minutes ago, Zak_ said:

Hey @Ale Vallecchi

Yes, I’m in! 

Thamk you @Zak_. You'll be Second Lead and Sweep 😅

Hello @zak. Are you still OK to drive even if only with a 2 car convoy? Thanks

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  3:00 PM (departure time)

Meeting Point:https://maps.app.goo.gl/qcGbNJmeBSkAfsrJ9

Action Plan: A fast moving pilgrimage to all the star dunes and bowls from Badayer to Area 53 (AKA Ericcson Tower AKA Bezhad Ranch). No plan other than joining the dots, from tall dune to tall dune, climbing as much as possible, before the sunset makes this area's red sand even more on fire.

What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 07:00 PM

P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive.

RECOMMENDED OFF-ROAD GEAR:

• Tire deflator & Tire pressure gauge
• Compressor (MANDATORY)
• Walkie-talkie radio (MANDATORY)
• Off-road flag (MANDATORY)
• Shovel, Tow Rope & 2 Shackles
• First-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher.

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

• This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 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 - Without any exceptions.
• Members without RSVP will be returned - 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 

Dear @Andrew John Melvill, @Dariush Eghtedari, @Martin Schwaiger, @Talal H, @Vijay Cowlagi, @Matt - monkeywrench, @Nicolò, @Ahmed Wagdy, @Guido Ferriani, @Abdul Hanaan, @Damian @Luke K P and @Frederic, as some of you already know, please come with as full a tank as possible. Search on your navigator for the gas station nearest to the meeting point, based on your place of origin. For sure, coming from Dubai there are very few convenient refuelling stations close by. 

Thanks and see you this afternoon