Egg Basket Game

Milan
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It was a fun afternoon in the desert. I decided not to be one of the players, so I could just drive around and take pictures. The sand was very soft, and many players had problems. There were many stucks; some more, some less serious. I was happily taking pictures and even helped to pull one of the players from the sand. After the first round was over, the players started to head back to the starting position. I slowly followed in the back when the voice came over the radio that somebody got stuck. I wanted to go there to take pictures, so I was driving while looking around for the stuck car. And then it happened... I was not paying attention to where I was driving, as we were pretty much still in the plain area. All the sudden my car literally fell to the right into a small bowl, not much bigger than my car. My right front tire popped out while the car was stuck in the bowl. I could not go anywhere. It was like somebody had put my car into a bathtub, with walls all around. I had to call for help. Bu Salem arrived first, followed by Faisal and a bunch of photographers who thoroughly enjoyed the situation... :011: It took us around one hour or so to finally get the car out (I will spare you the details). We then fixed the pop-out and moved on.

The first lesson learned: Never underestimate the desert. Even the most innocently looking plain area hides treacherous ditches and bowls. Always look where you are driving, even when you think nothing could have happened.:022:

The second lesson learned: Don't be too eager to document other people's stucks. This was the second time that I got stuck on my way to take pictures of somebody else getting stuck... :013:

The third lesson learned: Always be thankful of the Almost4x4 marshals and members. They never leave anybody behind. :045:


Thanks to Bu Salem, Silvester, Faisal, and all the other almosters for a nice afternoon. Milan
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Bu Adam
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I totally agree with our professor here, it was a great afternoon, nice weather, beautiful view, and a challenging sands,
After deflating, Bu Salem gave us the briefing, and we sat in batches, each waiting his turn to challenge the terrain,
Sadly I was the last car in the last batch, what meant that I'll will be the last car to head out to the desert, and to be honest the idea scared me a lot, as this will means that the sand in front of me will be full of tire tracks and we should be avoiding driving on others tracks,
So I sat in my car, allowed some space between me and the driver in front of me and, and headed to the unknown,
The sand was so soft it almost doesn't allow you to stop or you'll sink in, drove towards higher dunes to inspect the area and chose the path that i thought will be the best option for me,
Reaching the Tree and seeing no one, made me confused, how can it be? I'm I the first one to arrive? but I was too slow!! wait a minute where is Sandra? I knew then that it wasn't the tree we were supposed to reach, so I kept on driving till I saw Sandra's car at the horizon, and believe me it was a relief,
I was the fourth car to reach the destination, the second car of Batch three, Hooray :048:
A while later after everyone reached, Bu Salem told Sandra that the overall winner will be the one who will reach the meeting point first,
So all jumped behind there wheels and started racing towards the meeting point and it was FUUUUUUUUNNNN, I was so happy I didn't want it to end, Me and Diver were speeding and racing all the way, so thanks buddy for so much fun,
Finally after reaching the point and waiting for an hour or so, we all went to the inflating point and each was busy inflating his tires,
Bu Salem came, had his negotiations with the Judges, and came out with two winners : FADI (Scorpion King) and Bashar (me),
It felt good to win although my Halal Champagne didn't pop out, but it was ok,
I think that today we were all winners Especially our Marshals and there rescue team,
Thank you Marshals for always caring and thank you Almosters for the good, fun, and great company,
See all soon.:011:
VINU WARRIOR
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It was a different experience in an egg basket terrain. A a good learning experience to watch our experts getting stuck and use of different recovery techniqs. Thank you Marshals and all almosters for a wonderful time.
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CAMEL
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Our first outing in the dessert, Couldn't have asked for more!!

First thing that comes to my mind after the trip is Discipline, The meeting time was 14.00 Hrs and we were off to the deflation point at 14.30 hrs. All set and with the initial briefing done.And than after the second briefing we as first timers had our first taste of the desert sand and the professionalism of the group and its leaders, This is also when we proudly put on the 'ALMOST 4X4' sticker. Then understood the game and started to slowly venture into the desert sand.

The players started their game and we were watching, with much needed confidence booster from Bu salem, we ventured into the dunes. Was really amazing and the kids were enjoying. All belted up ofcourse. When Neha said she wanted to have a go and she did very well for the first time i guess. Taking on quite a few dunes. she was just crossing a dune and hesitation struck. We were stuck.

A quick word over the Radio (Walky Talky) and we were assured that help was on its way. And no sooner we saw Marshals, Caprihorse and NaSeR swiftly come down one of the higher dunes, backed up into towing position, gave me instructions and before we knew it we were clear and the marshals were on their way...

Big Shout out going to the marshals and the organizers!!

Then we were driving around the dunes enjoying every bit of the time spent and witnessing the players playing with their big wheeled toys..

After a certain wait, it was time to inflate and just then the winners were announced and came out the champagne (Halal tough!!). Bashar did take some time with the 'SLIPPERY CORK' but did finally manage to let the FIZZ out;))

Was time for good byes with our new made friends an we were off, the kids, Neha and me look forward to the next...

Until Then..... Amit Neha Khushi Kasak
delta83
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great afternoon with Almost 4x4 family... as Bashar stated..we were the unlucky ones to be on the last batch :) ... but it was so fun ... i reached the first tree and guess what ... no one there...no tracks... went up bit higher and i saw sandra, fadi and rommel... then went straight to finish line :) ... it was really fun... seeing only flags... stand still in between the dunes :) ... on the way back ...the guys were super flying over the small dunes, had to stop to avoid any accident and got stuck :D .. thanks Bu salem for rescuing me .. left me alone to fix my popout and run to rescue the others LOLOL... on the way back had to stop to help our peep friend... sitting hoplesss waiting for resuce to fix his popout... got it fixed and we head back to main tree...
big thanks to almost 4x4 and marshals and all members who joined this trip...
sanbloody
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As per Vinu, It was a indeed a different experience, all the previous trip were in a convoy and we did not feel the pressure of getting struck. It was a test for our energy levels too, digging with shovel drained all the energy............Thanks Capri for your help!!!!

It was a wonderful experience!!
fida
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As the name rightly reflected the tricky ditches and bowls, it was overall a day of al together new experience for me. Once we approached the area and the "Basket" was in sight, I thought, the marshals are just making us scared as these dunes are too small and there is no reason why the experienced drivers of intermediate levels should face any issue........But once we stepped in, the real game started.... I volunteered myself to be one of the judge and was escorted by AL Shamsi alongwith few other Newbie Colleagues.... :Al Shamsi placed me and Miss D to a point where we couldn't see anyone but to watch the dunes and strugling Players from far...After a while, I couldn't resist myself and decided to move closer to play area. On my way, i found one of team memeber got stuck in a bowl and I stopped (litteraly on a wrong place) to watch him and take some pictures... but once the picture session was over, i found out that my car is stuck and i couldn't move an inch... Suddenly, I found Naser approaching with his Camera and taking the shots before pulling his gear to help the stucks.

Then the master arrived... I mean Master Caprihorse with his style.. calculating the area.. making assessment and discussing the plan with Nasser to pull both of us out.... It was a treat to watch as how to handle difficult and imposible situations with proper planning and calmness. Once I was out... Caprihorse showed me the way out with his way.. and I was thrown out of the track.... without any mercy....:010:.. But the following lessons were learnt in day which i will not be able to learn without you guys, specially Caprihorse..

Lessons:
* Smaller dunes are small in size but naugtier in nature and never underestimate them nor mess with them.
* Never be over confident, No matter how skillfull you feel, desert is always waiting to destroy your confidence level.
* Always follow instructions... and don't make rash decsions.(like mine)
* and the last but most important one" Never be spotted by Caprihorse in horrible way of stuck.. He will have no mercy on you..

In the end, the last gathering and celebration with Champaign (Hallal) was the best reward of the day and all the family of our Beloved club was in good spirts and light mood. Congratulation to Bashar and other winners and Congratulations to all the marshals for great organziation. We are Proud of you....
salhinai
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Thanks Almost4x4, this trip was a totally different style and approach, the comfort and safety that was there as a part of a well organized convoy was no longer part of the game. It was a day to learn new sets of skills, How to navigate an unknown terrain and How to use your cars capability to assist you to make it to the end line( hopefully without any missing parts:013:). The most important point learned to me by this trip:
If you see the end line don't let that deceive you and let you losse your focus, because at that time you start to sink in the sands. (this is based on personal experience where the car just sunk like a rock in a blink. Thanks to George for trying to get me unstuck and to Milan and Diver for pulling me out).
Thanks to Bu Salim, Selvister, Naser and Milan for keeping a watchful eye over the whole event. To our Judges for monitoring the tracks and fellow players for making it fun and challenging.
bu-hamdan
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Hi All,

I'm not her to explain how was the feeling that afternoon(24/02/2012), because i believe that every single member of this club was happy there..

I am writing here because i didn't get the chance to thank our GREAT Marshals for their efforts, hardworks...etc, to bring the trip up to this level of excitement.:048:


Thank you Bu Salem, thank you Silvester...........& i willl not forget to thank Khaled (Prado 2drs.)..he knows the reason behind this:033::011:


Thanks all for your participants & sharing wonderful time together.
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DIVER
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[quote=bu-hamdan;8179]

Thank you Bu Salem, thank you Silvester...........& i willl not forget to thank Khaled (Prado 2drs.)..he knows the reason behind this:033::011:

[/quote]
I smell CHEATING here :015:
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