Not Afraid
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:45 pm
Dear Almosters,
Very rarely am I the first to write a trip report, But today is rather special !
Today was my first drive as an intermediate, it has been a long time in coming, but trust me it was worth the wait. I should add that the hours and hours I have dedicated to honing my skills and not being in a hurry to advance until our Founders and Marshals knew I was ready !!. In the early days as a newbie I thought no problem - a few drives (maybe 10) I would be ready for my second star, I was wrong, it takes time and dedication to learn the skills needed to upgrade to the next level. I am forever grateful to the Founders, Marshals, Explorers, Advanced and Intermediate members who have helped and encouraged me on this journey.
After waking up at 4:30am before my alarm, I prepared myself mentally for the morning ahead over a nice cup of coffee. The drive to Sweihan is pretty straightforward (rather boring), my mind was thinking all the way to the meeting point - what was this first intermediate drive going to be like ??
As I approached the entry point suddenly the area was engulfed in fog. Rather than entering the coordinates in my Garmin I just pasted them to google maps. In the fog I drove almost blind following google and bingo ! I hit the spot. So I set about deflating and set up my chair to wait for the others to arrive - I thought I was first as I was about 40min before scheduled meeting time. then I see @PedroLeal has posted a photo sitting in the fog ? where was he ? seems google had me not actually on the spot @alshamsi_m appeared in the fog and sped past -I realised my mistake and followed to the "real" meeting point some 200m away but un seen in the fog
We sat and waited for the others to arrive. soon enough everyone was there, but due to the fog our start was delayed so we sat around chatting. it was rather dauting realizing there were more Marshals than intermediates !! A huge thank you to @alshamsi_m @optimus @rapailo @presa @Rashidjass @Mahmoodyasin for showing up to keep an eye on us.
@optimus was to lead us with @PedroLeal in 2nd lead. I was assigned as sweeper.
The Fog cleared and off we went. the pace was faster than us newly upgraded drivers are used to, climbs, side crests, second tries, stucks, bowls, arches to be honest the details are a bit of a blur ! everything was happening so fast compared to newbie drives. what an amazing introduction to the new level. I survived ! without any major incidents - but lots of work to do on improving my skills.
By the end of the drive I was pretty tired, as were the other drivers who are new to this level. My brain was now Foggy trying to digest what had happened in the drive - it was over too soon, I drove home going over my performance as best I could in my mind
hopefully the fog in my head clears before my next drive.
Now time for a well earned nap zzzzzz
Very rarely am I the first to write a trip report, But today is rather special !
Today was my first drive as an intermediate, it has been a long time in coming, but trust me it was worth the wait. I should add that the hours and hours I have dedicated to honing my skills and not being in a hurry to advance until our Founders and Marshals knew I was ready !!. In the early days as a newbie I thought no problem - a few drives (maybe 10) I would be ready for my second star, I was wrong, it takes time and dedication to learn the skills needed to upgrade to the next level. I am forever grateful to the Founders, Marshals, Explorers, Advanced and Intermediate members who have helped and encouraged me on this journey.
After waking up at 4:30am before my alarm, I prepared myself mentally for the morning ahead over a nice cup of coffee. The drive to Sweihan is pretty straightforward (rather boring), my mind was thinking all the way to the meeting point - what was this first intermediate drive going to be like ??
As I approached the entry point suddenly the area was engulfed in fog. Rather than entering the coordinates in my Garmin I just pasted them to google maps. In the fog I drove almost blind following google and bingo ! I hit the spot. So I set about deflating and set up my chair to wait for the others to arrive - I thought I was first as I was about 40min before scheduled meeting time. then I see @PedroLeal has posted a photo sitting in the fog ? where was he ? seems google had me not actually on the spot @alshamsi_m appeared in the fog and sped past -I realised my mistake and followed to the "real" meeting point some 200m away but un seen in the fog
We sat and waited for the others to arrive. soon enough everyone was there, but due to the fog our start was delayed so we sat around chatting. it was rather dauting realizing there were more Marshals than intermediates !! A huge thank you to @alshamsi_m @optimus @rapailo @presa @Rashidjass @Mahmoodyasin for showing up to keep an eye on us.
@optimus was to lead us with @PedroLeal in 2nd lead. I was assigned as sweeper.
The Fog cleared and off we went. the pace was faster than us newly upgraded drivers are used to, climbs, side crests, second tries, stucks, bowls, arches to be honest the details are a bit of a blur ! everything was happening so fast compared to newbie drives. what an amazing introduction to the new level. I survived ! without any major incidents - but lots of work to do on improving my skills.
By the end of the drive I was pretty tired, as were the other drivers who are new to this level. My brain was now Foggy trying to digest what had happened in the drive - it was over too soon, I drove home going over my performance as best I could in my mind
hopefully the fog in my head clears before my next drive.
Now time for a well earned nap zzzzzz