Ale Vallecchi

Level:  Fewbie  and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  1:30 PM (Departure no later than 2:00 PM)

Meeting Point: TBA

Action Plan: Following in the footsteps of the long, long, long treks, we'll study an itinerary that we plan to cover in 4 segmemts of 25 Km each, within a timeframe of 4 hours. Stamina, patience and concentration are the skills required to complete the drive. 

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

Approximate finish time: 6:30 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 

50 minutes ago, Mark B said:

Ali! I’m sorry I have to drop out! I assumed this drive was Saturday! Didn’t even check the date 🤦🏻‍♂️ what an idiot appologies for that 

No worries @Mark B. See you another time. 

1 minute ago, Misha Puskar said:

hi @Ale Vallecchi where do you recon we will finish? asking as I have to be home by 1:30 latest (have a 6 week old at home) so if we will finish at the same spot we start at, I will sadly have to withdraw (didnt realize the distance is 140 km from my place). Thanks! m 

Hello @Misha Puskar. We should finish around 12 noon. There are several exit points we can take all along either the Sweihan-Al Ain Road (E16) or the AD-Sweihan Road (E20), but surely make your own calculation as far as how much time you'll need to drive back. Fell free to decide as you feel more appropriate. Thanks a lot

12 minutes ago, Sreenath G said:

Hello @Ale Vallecchi. I have signed up for the drive. Please include me in the convoy. Tx. 

 

Hi @Sreenath G. sure I will add you to the convoy list. See you toimorrow.

Dear Desertnauts

Eid Mubarak to all of you.

Let's prepare for tomorrow's trip. We hope to start as close to 8:30 as possible, so please try to reach the meeting point a few minutes before the meeting time. Fuel can be purchased at Sweihan's ADNOC gas station.

The plan is to drive westward along the third cordon of dunes visible from Sweihan along the Al Ain Road. It's a quite lengthy cordon of dunes, at the end of which we may loop back, or more likely, given my propensity for long range drives, we may cut across a couple of sabkhas and farm areas (fences permitting0, to reach the Sweihan's Pond, and from there return to the town itself across the Tilal area.

The convoy order looks as follows (with higher ranked members "planted" every couple of Fewbies, to better tutor them:

@Emanuel in Second Lead

@Andrew John Melvill at #3

@ZakWarah at #4

@Marek at #5

@Misha Puskar at #6

@Sandeep Nayar at #7

@Rob S at #8

@Mahmut at #9

@Hani Howeedy at #10

@Mark B and @munkybizness will alternate in Sweep.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning. Enjoy your Eid feast.

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  8:30 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HA6PD3e9oK3ue8ff6

Action Plan: One last drive in one of the more pristine parts of Sweihan's desert. We'll explore another large cordon of dunes just to the right of the road leading to Al Ain, north to a big farm vaguely resembling the shape of Africa, also known as .... "Africa". As in our previous drives in this area, we'll move through more unspoiled surroundings that offer just as much variety of dunes, bowls, and scenery as the more driven Sweihan's section. We may loop back to our starting point, or try to cross all the way to the Tilal area.  

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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 12:30 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 Desrtnauts,

ready for tomorrow's drive? A couple of pointers:

Please fill up the tank at the nearest gas station, at Sweihan, past the roundabout along E20.

We'll try to leave as close to 8:00AM as possible. Be also prepared to extend the drive, if the situation will call for it, until around 12:00 noon.

The convoy order at the moment is the following:
@Emanuel in Second Lead

@Andrew John Melvill at #3

@Pascal at #4

@Aser at #5

@Mahmut at #6

@Hani Howeedy at #7

@Luke K P at #8 and

@Stumpy in Sweep.

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Have a great Friday night.

Hi @Luke K P. Yes, it's a typo. Start is at 8:00AM and finish around 12:00PM.

BTW. which car are you coming with? Thanks

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  8:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uSSuoGtrzEcxrKvW6

Action Plan: One more drive in one of the more pristine parts of Sweihan's desert. The area most driven in Sweihan, just left of the road leading to Al Ain, and close to a big farm vaguely resembling the shape of Africa, is also known as .... "Africa". The side of Sweihan on the right of that same road, just opposite, and south of "Africa" is much more unspoiled, and offers just as much variety of dunes, bowls, and scenery. That's what we'll explore, either exiting at the camel drome just north of the Talal Resort, or perhaps going all the way back to Darzood (along the road from Al Ain, and closer to our starting point. Don't come in a hurry to return home, as we may take some time exploring this almost virgin area.

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, 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 

Dear Desertnauts

quick word about this drive, kindly organized by @DP1011. It wishes to be the kind of drive where we leave our thoughts behind, and simply relax and enjoy the nuances of Dubai's desert. As Abu Dhabi's side presents its more challenging features in the form of tall dunes, deep bowls and huge stretches of unspoiled desert, Dubai's side offer a subtler type of challenge, mostly in the form of complex technical areas, with dunes arranged in a haphazard order, which require patience and finesse. 

This drive will take us to that infamous area of technical dunes which became known, at first, at the track to "The Chimney", where most of us Leads have been tested and tried by @Gaurav during our Leaders Lead sessions. The goal is to bring back happy memories, and at the same time fully enjoy the intricacies of this location.

Bring also some refreshments, as anybody who wants to stay can hang around after the drive ends, likely at the 3 Trees area.

The convoy order at the moment will be the following:

@Islam Soliman in Second Lead

@Imran Asghar at #3

@Rob S at #4

@Srikumar at Center

@Benjamin at #6

@Cha at #7

@Senthil Kumar at #8 and 

@DP1011 in Sweep.

We can play with the order as we go along. 

We'll pick the radio channel at the meeting point, from which we plan to leave as close to 8:00 AM as possible.

See you all tomorrow.

Dear Desertnauts,

One more drive in the rather pristine dune field west of Sweihan. Long range dunes, some of them also quite tall, separated by rather open areas, we'll driving in the direction of the sunset until we'll veer south, toward the small oasis surrounding the Sweihan's Pond. Once we reach our drive's intended objective, we'll consider extending to Faya, or taking a turn back to Sweihan, across a different set of cordons. I plan to start gently, to get comfortable with the terrain, then speed up to reach one of our planned exits.

At the moment the convoy order will be the following:

@Abhilash Kottakkal in Second Lead

@Vijay Cowlagi at #3

@Jessica Lambert at Center

@Shaun J at #5

@Hani Howeedy at #6, and 

@Anish S in Sweep.

Please reach the meeting point as close to 2:00 PM as possible. You may refuel at Sweihan's ADNOC station.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Enjoy your Friday evening.

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/rmHmGKSReYNbxkWH8

Action Plan: Another drive in one of the more pristine parts of Sweihan's desert: its western sector. One can find here beautiful sets of long-range dunes, sometimes as tall as on Sweihan's eastern sector (the one usually driven, where Bahil, Old Lady and Nagra dunes are located), but more open and separated by beautiful little valleys and occasional deeper bowls. In the middle of these cordons there is a small oasis, surrounding a green pond of water, around which we'll build our itinerary. 

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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6:30 PM

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

RECOMENDED 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 @Xavi Moyano. Thanks fot the reassuring update. We are all reliieved to know that you are OK and recuperating. Good thing that nobody attempted to do anything to the shoulder at the moment, and that we decided to head back to Dubai ASAP.

Rest well, and get ready to join the next drive in the beautiful Tilal area.

Enjoy the weekend and the week ahead. 

3 minutes ago, Julien Recan said:

Thanks @Ale Vallecchi. Can’t wait for the drive. Do you have the GPS coordinates for the meeting point yet please ? 
 

 

Hi @Julien Recan. Just posted. Thank you. 

Dear Desertnauts

tomorrow we are planning a drive which will mostly bank on its length, hence the need for concentration and endurance, as its main feature, and challenge. We'll be moving westward, along E20, from the entry point just south of Sweihan, following the setting arc of the sun, toward (we hope) al Faya's exit. 

Pace, and minimizing refusals, will be the two main keys for success of this drive. At the same time, we'll do our best to enjoy the beautiful landscape, and the various desert terrains.

The convoy order at the moment is:

@Cristian in Second Lead

@lucas amat at #3

@Hani Howeedy at #4

@Xavi Moyano at #5, and 

@Julien Recan in Sweep.

We'll pick the Carnity Radio Channel at departure. Please come with a full tank, as we plan to drive for around 4 hours. See you all tomorrow.

Dear @Sunil Mathew, @Gurcharan Mehta, @Cristian, @Marek_was003 and @Hugo, just a couple of updates following the drive.

Yes, we did beat the previous total ascension record, by climbing a cumulative 2,271 meters (that is 225 meters higher than the previous 2,041-meter limit). We managed in 33 minutes less time, and 18 Km less of driving. The average moving speed (24 Km/h) was 3 Km/h lower than on the previous record holding drive, that however benefited from starting in Tawi Nazwa, which presents a much smoother and faster terrain on the way to Badayer. 

On the matter of my new car's issues, it turns out that it indeed is equipped with a RPM limiter (which I plan to reprogram ASAP). I very much appreciate the patience and understanding of the convoy in the occasion of the couple of refusals I had on the steeper and longer climbs, which required a bit of rerouting. 

With this, I thank you all for joining the drive, and look forward to seeing you soon on a new route.

Level:  Fewbie  and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:30 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rmHmGKSReYNbxkWH8

Action Plan: An exploration drive which could possibly turn into a Long Range one, within the limits of a 4-hour exit time. We will drive toward the sunset, setting off close to Sweihan town, and moving in a western direction toward Faya, which we may (or may not) reach, depending on how much we'll meander, and how well the convoy will behave. The distance to Faya should be close to 90 KM: will we be able to reach it? 

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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6:30 PM

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

RECOMENDED 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 

Hi @Davie Chase. I was thinking of joining your drive in Nahil tomorrow morning. I have signed up last minute, if you don't mind. Thanks

Dear Desertnauts

before getting into the details of tomorrow's drive, I need to ask you to PLAN FOR A STARTING TIME AT 3:00 PM, due to personal working engagements. I'll personally try to reach the meeting point as close to 2:30PM as possible, and so may you, but it'd be safer if we consider starting the drive a little later, so we count on leaving Badayer at 3:00 PM.

The drive will take us across the star dunes closest to Badayer in time to avoid the crowd of sunset goers. From there we'll look for, and aim to reach, all other sets of star dunes, which we'll climb as much as possible, in search for the 2,000 meter plus cumulative climb. We should continue well past Iftar and Super Bowl, to end the drive at the last set of dunes close to Bezhad Ranch, well within Madam sector.

The convoy order at the moment is the following:

@Gurcharan Mehta in Second Lead

@Marek_was003 at #3

@Gautam Banka at #4

@Cristian at #5

@Hugo at #6, and 

@Sunil Mathew in Sweep.

I am looking to have the Second Lead change with the Sweep position halfway through the drive.

See you all tomorrow (as mentioned above, actual starting time will be closer to 3:00PM than anticipated).

Have a nice evening.

Level:  Fewbie Plus and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  2:30 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LkepsuiiEemQdL7o9

Action Plan: The Vertical Limit series has been designed to challenge members to always seek higher cumulative climbs (total meters climbed in a drive). In the past it has been focused on the Badayer area, where we can find, and climb from all directions, numerous "star" shaped dunes. At first the goal was set to climb 1,000 meters, then 1,500 meters, and eventually we managed to climb cumulative 2,000+ meters in a very fast and long Tawi Nazwa to Bezhad Ranch drive. This time we'll try, if possible, to beat the previous record of 2,046 meters. 

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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 6:30 PM

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

RECOMENDED 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 

21 minutes ago, Pascal said:

Hi Ale, just double checking before leaving. The drive this afternoon is maintained right ? (as I see all drives tomorrow are cancelled due to weather)

Yes @Pascal. All confirmed. 

Dear Desertnauts

a few early words about this Friday's afternoon drive. 

We plan to execute a rather fast paced drive, from Sweihan moving east toward the so called "Pac-Man dunes", driving straight toward Nagrah, up until where we'll find a mix of long-range, tall dunes with some deep bowls, then on toward E95, across lower and wider cordons, all the way to our exit point. 

The meeting and deflation point will be posted ASAP.

The convoy order at the moment is the following:

@Sreenath G in Second Lead

@Hani Howeedy at #3

@Mahmut at #4

@lucas amat at #5

@Abdullah N at #6

@frederic demolder in Sweep.

Looking forward to sharing the beginning of the weekend with you. See you on Friday.

Dear Desertnauts.

Let's get ready for a relaxing, enjoyable weekday drive, following camels' tracks, looking for heards, which during this season also should have a lot of baby camels. We'll focus on the area closest to Lisaili, and toward Murqaab. Let's hope to have as many photo ops as possible. 

The meeting point has been published, at Lisaili's camel track.

The convoy order is the following:

@Lala G in Second Lead

@Hani Howeedy at #3

@Julien Recan at #4, and 

@frederic demolder in Sweep.

Looking forward to see you tomorrow afternoon. 

15 hours ago, RiadJL said:

Any chance for a Carnity newbie to join?

Hi @RiadJL. Unfortunately not. Sorry about it. Thanks for asking. 

Level:  Fewbie and above (all levels)

Meeting time:  3:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions)

Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPFt8TQZLskmoKvQ8

Action Plan: An excursion from Lisaili's camel track into the dunes toward Murqaab, looking for camel trains. This is the area in Dubai with the best chance to still view the traditional way of life of the camel caravans. It will give us an excuse to spend a relaxing day out in the wild, enjoying nature and the cool weather. 

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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Approximate finish time: 06:30 PM

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

RECOMENDED 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