Wrangeld

I don't know about you, but I really enjoyed this drive. Yes, I will accept it was a bit 'bitty' due to the number of recoveries - but that was, more or less expected because we were doing just the sort of practice and 'exercises' where people get stuck. If you keep in mind that, as drivers that do not have lots of experience behind them to criss cross and ridge ride, it's inevitable that we will get stuck. We could have just played on the wide dunes to our heart's content and convered more ground - but then what would the learning have been: that we can drive up and down the dunes and do a bit of side slipping. Instead, we approached the crest of dune after dune and rode the ridge or crossed to the other side. We ploughed through some soft sand and even ventured into some of the smaller more entertaining dunes that Qudra has to offer. We did not get technical (anyone interested I will post a Lisali drive soon) but we got close to it. And we covered a lot of ground and different types of dune. The teamwork was as always amazing - the enthusiasm to help each other out is astounding sometimes. The area around Qudra has so much to offer, and was we saw this morning, a lot of that area is not regularly travelled. It means we can drive without worrying that other convoys will come along (think Pink Rock or Fossil Rock) not, until we get close to the lakes do we need to worry about cross tracks. Highlights of the day? I am not sharing that one, because what goes on in Qudra stays in Qudra. Let's leave it that there are just some challenges that you might think twice before making. There were some excellent perfromances today. It's really great to see how drivers develop from Newbie through Fewbie and on to higher ranks. No specific feedback today because i think that everyone learned something and it would be good to think about what your key takeaway on the day was yourself. @Jeepie - sorry to choose a hobby that means we have to get up at 4am every Friday. As ever your help held it all together today. @Nivin it was a bit of a workout with all the diging - and you did great For those driving next week in Liwa - make sure your car (that means tyres, valves, flags, oil etc) are all in good order. It would be a real shame if you had the chance now and it was your vehicle that fails because of something you could have had a look at in the next few days. Liwa is simply not the sort of place you can 'wing it'. We can get away with it in Qudra because we are 15 km from a road at any time. In Liwa the roads are 50km or more away, and there's no recovery truck that can make its way in. We all saw the car in the bowl in Qudra this morning that had been left by its owner - you really don't want that to be you next week. As an anniversary drive, it was great. A chance to enjoy a bit of the community of Carnity and a great group with which to share the drive. Looking forward to seeing you all again in the sand soon.

Friday comes but once a week - and the terrible truth is that if all plans go as we want, our drive will be over by this time tomorrow morning! That's why the drive is now closed. You are all confirmed and expected tomorrow morning. Here are the convoy positions. We will reconfirm these in the morning. Morning Fewbie Friday 27 Nov - Angel's Anniversary Attendees Level Car Radio Pos # Wrangeld Marshal Mitsubishi Pajero SWB Y 1 Anand Nataraj @Anand Nataraj Fewbie Nissan Xterra Y 2 Shaaz Sha @Shaaz Sha Fewbie Jeep Wrangler SWB Y 3 Mahmoud Asar @Mahmoud Asar Fewbie Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Y 4 Ashok Chaturvedi @Ashok chaturvedi Fewbie Mitsubishi Pajero LWB y 5 Hennie Schoeman @Hennie Schoeman Fewbie Jeep Wrangler Y 6 Nivin @Nivin Intermediate Nissan Xterra Y 7 Abu Muhammed @Abu Muhammad Fewbie Toyota Sequndra Y 8 Ranjan Das @Ranjan Das Fewbie LR Discovery Y 9 Tamas Hoffmann @Tamas Hoffmann Intermediate Mitsubishi Pajero LWB Y 10 Francois Germishuys @Francois Germishuys Fewbie Ford F150 Y 11 Jeepie @Jeepie Expert Jeep Wrangler Y 12 We will also be checking that everyone has the equipment expected for a Fewbie drive - because shovels will be needed tomorrow morning. See you soon in the sand.

Great to read @Francois Germishuys ... let's see what we can find to throw at it.

Different cars, different challenges. A big car rides ridges more easily than an SWB. The SWB is more nimble in smaller dunes. It's all part of the challenge. That's why we enjoy it so much. Catch you soon @Mohamed Seidam

What a fantastic attitude - and yes, you're right. You cannot get the expertise without the practice and the practice has the risk of getting stuck. See you Friday.

Tamas Hoffmann @Tamas Hoffmann Nivin @Nivin Anand Nataraj @Anand Nataraj Hennie Schoeman @Hennie Schoeman Ranjan Das @Ranjan Das Shaaz Sha @Shaaz Sha Ashok chaturvedi @Ashok chaturvedi Francois Germishuys @Francois Germishuys Mahmoud Asar @Mahmoud Asar Abu Muhammad @Abu Muhammad Wednesday evening and we have had a few drop outs with spaces filled by our waitlist. I am really pleased we are able to fill the spaces now and that the waitlisted members get the chance to drive. In looking at the vehicles that we have on the convoy there's a lot of mega vehicles (i.e. BIG) which has me questioning my original plan of driving into technical dunes as a part of the proposed route. @Francois Germishuys, @Mahmoud Asar @Abu Muhammad please let us know your level of confidence of driving through small technical dunes. I have said it before that the ability to navigate through these small tightly packed dunes is an essential 4x4 skill, but it does not have the adrenalin of high and wide dunes [and let's face it, getting through without problems is more difficult]. Hopefully you are all up for that challenge. If not, get yourself ready for it! More to follow tomorrow, with the convoy numbering and the radio channel. See you soon in the sand.

Hi @Mohamed Abo ElKomsan shame that we will not see you on Friday. @Abu Muhammad it's your lucky day, you are off the waitlist and into the drive.Please confirm to me that you saw this so we know to expect you Friday.

Camping round here is the only realistic option unless you want to spend an arm and a leg. A pice of advice from my side. I have done only one Liwa drive - and I can tell you that it's not the sort of thing I would do if I had also driven 350km from Dubai before the drive in the desert. Driving in the Liwa dunes is not like a morning desert drive in Al Qudra. The dunes are immense, and endless. We will be in a wilderness like you have never seen before. There's no easy quick exits if for some reason you decide it's not for you. There's no way out other than the way in ... and that's likely to be through dunes like you never saw or experienced before. I do not want to put anyone off: the experience is immense, but I also do not want anyone to disregard Fred's comments about preparation. Mentally, physically and your car will all be challenged.

Tamas Hoffmann @Tamas Hoffmann Nivin @Nivin Anand Nataraj @Anand Nataraj Hennie Schoeman @Hennie Schoeman Ranjan Das @Ranjan Das Mohamed Abo ElKomsan @Mohamed Abo ElKomsan Shaaz Sha @Shaaz Sha Ashok chaturvedi @Ashok chaturvedi Francois Germishuys @Francois Germishuys Mahmoud Asar @Mahmoud Asar As most of us have driven before, you will know that I do like to give a heads up about what to expect on our upcoming drives. This week will be no different. It was a year ago that myself and Jeepie (Marjan) first ventured out into the sand of the UAE. She has never driven off road before, I had only driven in Europe - where mud rivers and rocks are the challenge, definitely not sand. A year on, I am a Marshal in Carnity and Marjan at Expert rank. It's been an amazing year, learning about the UAE [mainly Dubai since COVID], our driving skills, our car and yes, as we shared a car for the first 10 months, our relationship. So far all of us survived! So what's this anniversary drive about? Fun: At the end of the day, driving in the sand should be fun. If that's fun because it is very exciting, or seeing nature or challenging ourselves, it should never be something we do because we have to. We have had a lot of fun during the year and want to share that feeling. Challenges: There are different types of challenge we face in the desert. The reason I chose the Qudra, Solar park area for this week is because there are a lot of chances to try different things. We can drive from area to area one part highly technical, one part with long straight dunes where we can side slope or drive the create one part with swooping high dunes where precision is esential because the sand is so soft nearby. Recoveries: I know it's quite boring waiting for someone else to be recovered, it's the best learnign you will get to be able to sort out your own problems if they arrive when you are driving. As drive leads, helping out with stucks and recoveries is part of the fun and the learnign as well. Yes, it's always nice to keep moving as much as possible but we also need to take up the level so that everyone learns how to get out of trouble as well as into it. Rising your drive level: We increase intensity on drives based on the driver response. If everyone is doing well, if there are no stucks, if the drivers can cope, then we will increase the intensity and the type of drive accordingly. Look out for moments of criss crossing, and ridge riding during the drive - you're fewbies after all. So, please, lets make it a fun drive. Come with your car in good order, with your mind clear and we will all have a great time. See you soon in the sand.

Hi @Rizwanm2 - good for you. @Mahmoud Asar you're in! Please confirm and I will add you to the drive.

@Mahmoud AsarAnd @Abu Muhammad dMade it to the waitlist

Tamas Hoffmann @Tamas Hoffmann Nivin @Nivin Anand Nataraj @Anand Nataraj Hennie Schoeman @Hennie Schoeman Ranjan Das @Ranjan Das Mohamed Abo ElKomsan @Mohamed Abo ElKomsan Shaaz Sha @Shaaz Sha Ashok chaturvedi @Ashok chaturvedi Francois Germishuys @Francois Germishuys Rizwanm2 @Rizwanm2 You are all confirmed on the drive. If anything changes please advise. We already have a waiting list.

Brilliant news @Jeandre Bezuidenhoutjeandre Bezuidenhout really pleased to see this.

Congrats @Jack Thomas looks like I'll see you in more drives.

Congrats @Janarthan. Will deserved after all those drives and recoveries.

Hi HIsham, Once you have done your absolute newbie you can sign up for any newbie drive that is posted. The newbie drives go live every Sunday at 7.10pm - you need to be quick to get one of the spaces. They go very quickly.

Why Angel's Anniversary? It's exactly a year since the Carnity journey started for us and it's time to celebrate an incredible year of investigation and development. We have been to some amazing places, met incredible people and grown personally. We want to thank the Angel that brought us into Carnity's arms. This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely. MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST Two Way Radio Guidelines Every Off-roader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic. We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving. Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops... No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it. Drive Details Level: Fewbie and Above (No Newbies) When: 27 Nov 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 6.00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/ShAjeRJ7ewypyZDU6 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: 10.00 AM End Point: (Depending on convoy performance) Last Exit Qudra exit 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. PLEASE RSVP ON THE CALENDAR EVENT

The Devil's in the Details What a great drive. Playful bowls, a great popout, some technical sections, the rat run, wide solar dunes and a little bonus at the end. And that's before we get to see the drone shots. I'm already quite breathless! It was an excellent drive. This was a great test for newbie level and it was for the main part well driven. We had problems where I expected, and the drive was scaled up because the convoy did so well. @Ahab ShamaaSuperb second lead again. Never put a wheel wrong. Hope your radio capitan had fun. @Pickey Singh you are getting more confident with the FJ, but you need to use the power properly and more often. @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQRest assured, driving the jeep will just get more and more fun. Great job today. @varunmehndirattaok so you did not need the shovel for yourself today. I like the way you are progressing. @Explored Dubai sorry about the bumper. I don't know a Pajero that has not lost bits of the car on a drive. Less recoveries today and more confidence. For your second outing, great job. @VipinShetty great drive. Well done with the help you gave. You'll understand a lot more in your own driving by helping others. @Derek FernandesFrom what I could see, you really started to enjoy playing with the car this week. Excellent 2nd drive. Really showed what you've learned to the best of your abilities @Sai BaskaranBaskaran dynasty drives meant we had you this morning and your mastery of the car is showing. Please continue this trajectory. @bassel el rafeireally good to see you bring your car to the game ... Although there was some competitive offering with 2 Y62s in your mirrors (must have been terrifying 😂😂😂). You have the power, use it. @Ken HüüdmaHüüdma your preference might be for slower drives, but you did really well today. I promise to let you know when we have a big technical sections coming in a drive. @Lorenzo CandelpergherCanCa you do more on a drive? Support, drone flying, popouts. As ever you were the ultimate senior to have on a drive. Thanks. As special thanks as well to the radio captains today. You did great too. See you soon in the sand.

@Malachy McGroganMalachy McGrogan congrats. Now we really need to will on getting you into some sticks.

Congrats @Mus_hus78

Hi Varun, As you have mentioned it up front we can accept it for this week's drive, but it is basic offroading equipment that every driver should have. If we need to dig you out tomorrow, rest assured, we will sanitize out shovels and give you the pleasure of digging See you in the morning.

Dear Devil Darers Here (as at 11 am Thursday) are the convoy numbers for the drive tomorrow morning. Morning Newbie Devil's Deceit Desert Drive to Al Qudra 20 Nov 2020 Attendees Level Car Radio Pos # Wrangeld Marshal Mitsubishi Pajero SWB Y 1 @Ahab Shamaa Newbie Toyota FJ Cruiser Y 2 @Pickey Singh Newbie Toyota FJ Cruiser Y 3 @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ Newbie Jeep Wrangler SWB Y 4 @varunmehndiratta Newbie Jeep Wrangler JL y 5 @Explored Dubai Newbie Mitsubishi Pajero LWB Y 6 @VipinShetty Intermediate Jeep Grand Cherokee Y 7 @Derek Fernandes Newbie Jeep Wrangler SWB Y 8 @Sai Baskaran Newbie Mitsubishi Pajero LWB Y 9 @bassel el rafei Newbie Toyota Land Cruiser Y 10 @Ken Hüüdma Newbie Nissan Patrol Y61 Y 11 @Lorenzo Candelpergher Advance Nissan Patrol Y62 Y 12 We will be using Carnity Radio Channel 3 As usual we will carry out a check on all vehicles at the start to check you have towpoints, flag, radio and shovel. This is a compressor only drive - the compressor at last exit, has left the building. As mentioned, we will take time out to allow for drone exercises, and to play - so we may be ending the drive a little later than normal to take that into account. Please advise the Home Ministry of this possibility. Have a lovely day. See you soon in the sand.

Hi @Arshad Roojee. Thanks for letting us know that you will not be coming. Have a good weekend.

For years and years, I was an "I will never drive an automatic". Then I realised, life is simply easier in an automatic day to day. I still remember how frustrating is was sitting in early morning traffic on the way into central London driving a manual. Off road, I went for Auto first simply because I knew there would be a lot to think about apart from changing gear. For sure, at some stage, I will have a manual for the desert. As long as it's not my daily driver. Auto is simply that, automatic, so easier.