Wrangeld

@Foxtrot Oscar, @Nizam Deen, @Jolly Abraham, @Jorge Stepniak Felippe, @Lorenzo Candelpergher, @Vanessa8580, @Rizwanm2, @asifk, @Nacho, @J J, @Ale Vallecchi, @Frederic @Jeepie THIS DRIVE IS NOW CLOSED It's a lovely Thursday morning in Dubai/Sharjah and by this time tomorrow, We hope to be at the top of Fossil Rock, planning our descent to Faya and beyond. So here is the convoy list, so you know where you are and are expected to be. Radio Channel will be Carnity Channel 4 for this drive. If for some reason you did not yet program your radio, DO IT NOW. There is an excellent guide on how to do this written by @Frederic. There will be no time for nor anyone avaialble to reprogram your radio tomorrow morning. If you are really in trouble with the radio then ping a message here and we will try to help you through the prcess. So they can prepare themselves mentally. 2nd lead - @Foxtrot Oscar, Centre Forward @Vanessa8580 and likely intial drive lead @Jeepie - so it's a real power trio in charge. @Ale Vallecchi will sweep and @Frederic will be flying sweep. Sand conditions: The sand is soft and will suck you in, especially where we are headed ... but more on that tomorrow in the drive brief. Please deflate and get your flag erected as soon as you arrive so we can get moving ASAP. Morning Fewbie Drive Faya 19 June 2020 Attendees Level Car Radio Pos # Wrangeld Advance Jeep Wrangler Y 1 Foxtrot Oscar Fewbie Nissan Xterra Y 2 Nizam Deen Fewbie Toyota Landcruiser Prado Y 3 Jolly Abraham Fewbie Toyota Fortuner Y 4 Jorge Stepniak Felipe Fewbie Landrover LR4 Y 5 Lorenzo Candelpergher Fewbie Nissan Patrol Y62 Y 6 Vanessa8580 Intermediate Mitsubishi Pajero LWB Y 7 Rizwanm2 Fewbie Mitsubishi Nativa Y 8 Asifk Fewbie Mitsubishi Pajero LWB Y 9 Nacho Fewbie Jeep Wrangler Y 10 JJ Fewbie Jeep Wrangler Y 11 Ale Vallecchi Advance Toyota FJ Cruiser Y 12 Frederic Marshal Mitsubishi Pajero SWB Y 13 Looking forward to a great drive tomorrow. Have a lovely day. See you soon in the Sand.

Thanks everyone for your cooperation. Convoy will be published tomorrow. We have 2 on the waiting list so if anyone will not be able to attend please RSVP and let us know as that will open up a space for them. It would be a real shame to have an open space when there is so much demand at the moment. Thanks

Hi @Shiju Manuel and @Colin Jordan Unfortnately at the moment as there are no drop-outs. If anything changes in the next day and a half and vehicels are allowed, we will let you know.

The best advice I was ever given is that a Cheap [insert luxury marque] is the most expensive one you can buy. By the time they get to the 2nd hand market with attractive prices they are out of warranty and normally need some big bit of expensive engineering that the owner does not want to pay for (timing chain/transmission). I am with most of the comments above. I looked at dozens of these supposedly 'cheap' luxury wagons when I got here. I am not sure how many times the RR air suspension was on its last legs. X5 is a beast, until you have to pay to repair it (again) and every one I looked at that was in budget was missing some major service record. I was so desperate, that in the end I bought a Jeep!

Happy birthday dearest. Looking to piloting our TJ ship with you for many years to come.

Perfect @Nizam Deen thanks very much.

@Jolly Abraham @Jorge Stepniak Felippe Second call out for you to confirm agreement to the COVID conditions. As our moderators have already made clear, no agreement = no drive. The confirmation is important for the Club and the other people coming on the drive as well as yourself. @Nizam Deen please make sure that you confirm in the original thread post, and not just the message (above). Please make sure that you click on the right icon in the right place by the end of today 16th June or you risk your name being removed from the attendees and one or more of the alternates being given your spot. That would be a real shame given that you reacted so quickly to the drive being posted. Thanks in advance.

@Lorenzo Candelpergher @asifk @Nizam Deen @Jolly Abraham @Nacho @Vanessa8580 @Foxtrot Oscar @Jorge Stepniak Felippe @Rizwanm2 Fully understand your enthusiasm and the speed with which you signed up for the drive on Friday ... however, as with all covid period drives, you must also confirm on EVERY drive agreement with the drive rules. Well done @J J for doing this already. Thanks. As you read the drive details carefully again you will see this is a compressor only drive. No compressor, no drive. We exit quite some way from the nearest gas station. Thanks for your cooperation cc. @Frederic @Jeepie @Ale Vallecchi

You are first reserve @Shiju Manuel You are second reserve @Colin Jordan

I am no expert on this. I am sure more senior members will give their view. However, here's my view: The tracks take up a lot of space in the vehicle (I have foldable bushranger tracks and they still take up a lot of space) If you are on your own (why would you do that?) they might be a good idea I think they can be quite dangerous. If your wheel catches and they travel under the car (backwards or forwards) you are esentially launching a missile into the air It might get you out a bit easier than digging - but digging lets you take a bit more care and time With a rope you have a degree of control that I am not sure would be there with tracks - espeically if the access is challenging It feels like there is a lot more to learn about how to use tracks safely and effectively than ropes. All equipment is a personal choice at the end of the day so if you feel you want these in your vehicle go for it. I cannot imagine using them on a carnity drive. More importantly, as you move up the ranks there is equipment that you need to carry with you as part of the privelege of promotion. According to Carnity, a rope is a priority, so you will not really save anything, because you will need a rope in carnity at some stage.

Never used off-road in desert. Family commuting car. Always parked indoor. Not sure I want to take a risk on such a pampered vehicle ... having said that, for AED 5000 ... @Jeepie ?????

@Mahmoud Hamzawy thanks for this reminder - Yes, @Gaurav stopped and rescued other drivers in need: another really part of our drive and important rule of etiquette I should not have forgotten to mention. The example that he set, stopping our whole convoy to help them was important to see. If there are people in need, who you can help, and will let you help them in the way you think you can, make the offer. If we were ever tempted to go offroad alone it's good to know that there are kind souls out there prepared to help you out of trouble. And your other point about drive discipline: It's not easy to stay inside the car, it's not as much fun - but it does mean that we stay safe because WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE.

Welcome to the COVID 19 "new normal" lifestyle with restrictions and precautions for everyone's safety. Moving forward and respecting guidance from the authorities all desert drives will be done under strict control. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging MUST READ: Not following these rules and precautions = Not allowed to drive. We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we drive on the road now. So we will only do the desert driving sitting inside our cars at all the times and leave the drive without socializing or coming close to each other. Maintaining social distancing is a strict requirement. We want to continue our desert drives throughout the year as we were able before this COVID crisis, but this time we need your immense support to understand the strict control and to help everyone follow them all the time. How to maintain "STRICT" Social Distancing Meeting point will be set slightly (200m - 300m) inside the desert track. Please take a good note of the meeting point so you do not join the wrong convoy. The meeting point is inside. Everyone should individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point so that there are no problems as the meeting pointis further inside than usual. While deflating tires, stop cars 10 meters away from any other car. Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post before 6 PM on Thursday. All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction Just because you have clicked ‘Totally Agree’ for previous drives it does not apply to this drive and needs to be clicked again. Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised by the trip lead in the critical briefing here. Once everyone reach to the meeting point, everyone stay inside the car at all the times. Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio too. You can also speak to other members through the radio only. So please make sure that your radio battery is fully charged. Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. Refusal and Recoveries with Social Distancing Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, tug or winch, as required). If at any time Marshal require help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. Drive completion and inflation Now, there will not be any gathering or sitting down together for food-break like before. Once drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. For drivers having no compressor, can head to the near by fuel station. If drive is ending at a place where there is no fuel station near by, then trip lead will inform in advance so that drivers having their own compressor can join only. Now Strictly no more sharing of compressors, radio, shovel or any recovery gear, at any times. Mandatory things you require to attend the drive Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damage or fly away. Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. Wear face mask and gloves at all the times, when you are out of your car. Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. Fully charged radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. Shovel - Must for every car, to do little self recovery Safety flag - Must for every car, like before Compressor - If joining the drives that is ending far from the fuel station. Mandatory precaution that you need to take at all times Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advice by Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. If you have travel in last 14 days, then please do not attend this drive. If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. Drive Details Level: Fewbie and above only When: 19 June 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 7:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Action Plan: Morning drive till about 10:00 AM Meeting Point: Mahafiz 200m further in from the Tree Shade – https://goo.gl/maps/bK3mMyn53rzufpwM8 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. WE WILL END THIS DRIVE ONTO TARMAC. COMPRESSOR COMPULSORY. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPRESSOR. WE CANNOT SHARE EQUIPMENT IN THIS COVID PERIOD. Approximate finish time: 10:00 AM End Point: https://goo.gl/maps/wfUKMWBWB2yViU6C9 LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 12 cars maximum. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 1 Senior Member + 10 Members. If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting 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

@Jeepie gefeliciteerd! Amazing.

Thank you, thank you. To the amazing supporters and (now) friends who have brought me and @Jeepie to this point @Gaurav @Rahimdad @Srikumar @Emmanuel @Frederic and the new friends we are making along the way that make this journey even more fun @Xaf @Brette @Ale Vallecchi @javier @Shamil you all played a massive role in this and have my gratitude and respect for what you have taught and brought to the game. To the fantastic members with whom we've driven it's only gonna get better from here. See you soon in the sand. To @Jeepie you came on one big adventure with me, now we are truly in this new journey together. IHVJ!

@Brette this is fantastic news and well deserved. It's always a pleasure to know that your cool head and hand are around during a drive. You really bring a feeling of confidence to everyone around you, helping them through the challenges, leading them away from trouble and accepting what ever is going on is just, well, going on! Really, it's been a pleasure getting to know you. How you handle that black dominator is beyond me. All I can say is that there are times I am glad you are sweep ... so we don't have to worry about what's happening at the back end of that vehicle. Can't wait to be on the first drive you lead. It's gonna be a lot of fun, for sure. See you soon in the sand.

There’s always a nostalgic excitement for my starting a drive at Mahafiz, because this is where we started our Carnity career and lining up for the Newbie drive with @Gaurav reminded us just how apprehensive, excited and engaged we were the first time we rolled up for a Carnity drive. Due to COVID things are a bit different. The briefing has moved on-line, we are not getting out of our vehicles and some of the best parts of a Carnity drive, like the convoy debrief and breaking bread together cannot take place. With everyone on time, Gaurav briefed the absolute newbies in our convoy and after not too much delay we moved off. There was a ‘cooling’ breeze which made for a slightly less uncomfortable drive (if you are worried about overheating = driving a Jeep or Pajero!). @E.C. TAN was appointed as second lead and @bunty_and_pops took over as sweep, leaving myself and @Jeepie as centre forwards for the day. Luckily, we had a few additional Fewbies in the convoy like @Jun Zamora @Mahmoud Hamzawy which allowed us to focus on our three Absolute Newbies in the convoy @Nikola Bozovic, @George Francis and @Carlos Fernandez @Gaurav had mentioned that our plan was to start with low intensity and build up depending on how things were going, and most of the newbies handled the challenges admirably. So much so that we made our way to an equally surprisingly empty Pink Rock in almost record speed. The combined effects of it being hotter than the sun, COVID and an afternoon (not sunset) drive meant that we more or less had the dunes to ourselves. Yes, a couple of refusals needed to be sorted @George Francis learned that steering down to get out of trouble is a good method, @Mahmoud Hamzawy got back in the swing of things after a long period focused on COVID as well as a tiny bit of digging took place to displace sand as a couple of people had dug themselves into the increasingly soft sand. In general, the sand was still quite firm as we literally wound our way through the dunes. With the benefit of experience, it was quite a revelation to vicariously experience once again what it’s like to venture out into the sand for the first time. Watching @Carlos Fernandez I could see there’s that tentative moment as you get over a crest and have to handle a steep descent, there’s the unusual feeling of slipping across the side of a dune, not sure if the car will slip down, there’s the contra intuitive steering down when you stop going up which @Nikola Bozovic learned is so you don’t fight gravity. It was all on display yesterday. After the initial dunes, climbing Pink Rock was the next obstacle to overcome. Everyone made it up first time and we reassembled the other side of the rock to make our way to play some more on some of the biggest dunes in the region. For a Newbie, I am never sure if watching others having fun is exciting, frustrating or after a while just becomes tedious waiting in the heat. But we did not stay too long descending with the plan to reach 2nd December Café as our exit point. That was when it turned out that despite the clear statement in the drive introductions, @Luca Bregni did not have a compressor. RTFM. If you’re going to spend 4 hours out in the desert, in blistering heat, make sure you come properly prepared. On one level no-one really complained, because it extended the drive and meant that we had to divert to Badayer to exit at a place where a gas station with a compressor would be open. Our Newbies ended up getting a bit of a Newbie + experience, but with @Gaurav's excellent lead we took a less challenging path through the dunes and this Newbie crew got to see the dunes from on high in the amazing cooling sunset light. Once at Badayer, there was a moment to play, with @Mahmoud Hamzawy being given every chance to unleash the power of the Prado on another of the region’s big dunes, before we exited … with another slight divert … reinflated and made our smiling faced way home. See you soon in the sand.

@Gregory Perkin great news and am delighted for you. Congratulations. See you soon in the sand.

Well done @Jose Martin great to see you elevated and promoted like this. Keep on driving. See you soon in the sand.

@E.C. TAN driven with you the last two weeks and cannot agree more with this promotion. Well done Sir. Looking forward to more drives with you in the future.

@Matti Brockman well done. Great news for you. Delighted to see you promoted and well derserved. You handle that Jeep like a natural.

@Mels Wolf this has been coming for some time. Gefeliciteerd. Enjoy, it just gets more interesting from here.

Just a quick note ... check some of my earlier posts about the difference from Newbie to Fewbie. Pace is just one of the big changes and @Foxtrot Oscar you got is spot on. Keep up with the pace, and never lose sight of the person behind. Yesterday was a real pleasure to lead ... and I think pre COVID we would probably have had that 5 minute pressure check you mention ,... So we could have ventured even further. Se you soon in the sand

?@Jeepie that you are a woman should not make any difference to how proud everyone is after your amazing lead, but the fact is you have the distinction of being the first female lead in Carnity. Brilliant lead. And great with recoveries. A real asset, man or woman, within Carnity. 😘