Anoop Nair

Congrats @Bjoern Hope you will enjoy this new level...

Thanks @Gaurav for the advice. I have already given the car to add 2 nos of recovery points in the front and back (each). Tomorrow itself I will check with them and ensure that it will be three-bolt tow points as mentioned.

Good morning everyone, the weekend was an eye opener and a perfect example of 'we always need to expect the unexpected in the desert'. The failure of my clutch cylinder was completely unexpected as I had a safety check on the previous week and I also used to check underneath the jeep every day to see if there is any leakage and there was none. Also, this has happened almost at the exact midway of the track next to the Saudi border made the task very difficult. But, the presence of all of our most experienced off roaders @Gaurav @Srikumar@Asif Hussain @GauravSoni @Hisham Masaad with us gave me relief and hope. and the rest is history! There were moments which was scary and felt like the car will slowly topple over but with improvisation, on the spot thinking and teamwork the car came out. The inclined position without seat belt has given me a stomach cramp. Another incident to note is that the last pull from raptor has sheared off the cast iron recovery point from the Jeep. Due to @Gaurav doubling down on safety and securing it separately it did not fly off and hurt anyone. This highlights the importance of practicing all the safety procedures during a recovery. I would like to thank each and every convoy member who gave me confidence such as @GauravSoni who said will not leave here without the car and otherwise we will camp there itself @munkybizness who accommodated and fed me during the night, and all the shovelling boys. I am sorry that @Tharun Kumar V @Bjoern has to miss out on their planned drives, but I am really appreciative of you being there at the recovery. Again, a big thanks to @Gaurav @Srikumar (who had to leave his son in the other car to lead this recovery) @Asif Hussain @Hisham Masaad @Ranjan Das @Dodi Syahdar @Bjoern all others for doing this and bringing the car (and me) out without any major issues. Just for update, the recovery truck came around 11.50pm that night and I reached home with the car around 5am. Now it's in workshop and the issues are expected to be rectified in a week-10 days time. See you soon on sand. Anoop

Hi @Benjamin this is a touchy subject especially for Jeepers. I personally feel that there is no need of a lift or not even a skid plate. But it is of benefit to have a firmer suspension which will allow you to negotiate bumpier terrains. For me I tried to change shocks from stock one without a lift but as i understand most of the shocks available for wrangler can only be installed with a lift kit. but if you are doing a lift then tires will have to be changed as well, so it's never ending. For the time being, I have decided not to do anything and keep it as stock.

Hi @GauravSoni 90% yes now, will have a full confirmation by tomorrow.

Does anyone have my video @ Pajero bowl. If yes, please WhatsApp me on 050 4500597. Thanks

HI @GauravSoni I have added myself to the list of attendees seeing that there is still space, but my schedule for 21/22nd is tentative and may have to travel. Will reconfirm by first half of next week.

Hi Dr @M.Seidam I will have to remove myself as well. Some relatives are visiting so unable to stay away full day on Sunday. Catch up with you on the next one. Apologies..

Hi @Hisham Masaad I thought i will be able to manage but now i have an unavoidable meeting tomorrow at 12 and it will be too tight to reach there if I attend the drive, so will remove my wait list request. See you on the next one, thanks

Congrats @Waqas Parvez Well done

Well done Gaurav @GauravSoni really well deserved 👏👏👏

@Warren Flay All the best for you and family wherever you go...

Wonderful write up as always @munkybizness. This time it seems extra special, kudos to you, amazing! When @GauravSoni tells you over the radio ' something interesting is happening over here', you can be assured that it is something extra ordinary. This is how he described the extreme recovery with such calm demeaner and assuredness to us who was waiting at the subka !. Like it was another pop out and we were astonished at seeing what has emerged out of the dunes- 2 cars pulling the dead car through the tall dunes and technical patch. It was my first outing at Qua. One thing assured me going to such distant and difficult terrain is Gaurav's as well as other @Carnity lead's 'no car left behind' attitude. Thank you @GauravSoni. On the drive itself, the terrain and company were fantastic as usual and the 3.5 hr drive from Dubai was absolutely worth it even though like @munkybizness mentioned I felt like sometimes I was letting down Gaurav and the team who made the best laid plan for that day. But retrospectively, things not going according to plan is also part of the fun. Many of the drives I greatly and fondly remember are the one's which did not go according to the original plan. Thanks @GauravSoniagain for a fantastic day spent on sand. thanks @Looperbeing the pillar of rock in the convoy (in fact I could n't believe that @Looper was not recording the drive on Gaia, such is the assuredness associated with him to do things correctly). @Mario Cornejo for the calm assured leadership, he brings to any drive. @ASAD. I have been driving with you for some time now and it's really remarkable how you have grown with your skill set but moreover, the calmness and other associated skills. Really well-done buddy. Thanks @munkybizness for the interesting perspective you bring to the drive. @Zixuan Huang - Charlie hope your car is ok and can be sorted out quickly. All in all, great company and great stories for such a long trip. Thank you all for all the shovelling during the crest and encouragement at the bowl. thanks @GauravSoni for helping me with the gear selection advise and these drives are really helping me to figure out what works for me and the car. If we do not meet before the new year, have a fantastic Christmas and New year ahead. May the new year bring new adventures and happiness. Cheers to all, until next time....

@GauravSoni where did you fill petrol from? (Al Qua 940?) Did you take E95 to reach there. It is showing approx. 30 min more for me if I take E66 / E95.

Wifey caught up with your tricks this time 😀

@GauravSoni only issue is the Eng Vs France match Saturday @ 11 pm 😡

@GauravSoni hi Gaurav, sorry I will not be able to make it tomorrow. I am sure you are going to have a blast tomorrow.

@GauravSoni I have messed up the planning which now conflicts with my wife's. May have to drop out tomorrow. Will finalise shortly.

Congrats @Fabien Monleau Well done..

Congrats @ASAD.

Congrats Deepak @DP1011 , Deepak wrangler Well done..

Hi doc @M.SeidamI just reached back from Fred's full day drive. We have driven 150+ km today. Extremely tired and have a stiff back, so I think it is better to sit out tomorrow. Hope you don't mind and will catch up with you on the next one. Have a good one.

Hi Ale @Ale Vallecchi sorry I will have to withdraw. sick from morning and on the way to see doc.

The best approach will be - for on road and off road- is to put the co-ordinate and study the route on the phone before you start out to ensure the route is logical the final location is as expected. If we follow the route without anticipation, there is a good chance to end up in wrong destination. Happened myriad of times, especially with google maps. As @munkybizness mentioned, in India it's a different ball game all together, sure to end up in a ditch.😁

Following this with interest, this year kids has been pestering me to take the top off but a bit apprehensive as I have never done it before. Soft top seems to be good in between.