Almost4x4

Hi Almosters,

It was another beautiful afternoon as our Newbies challenged themselves to learn and improve their skills. We chose the Nahil area this time, and it turned out to be a great choice with a variety of different obstacles. We managed to complete only half of the planned track, but we look forward to returning in the future to tackle the second half.

Here are some points I believe might help improve our future outings:

Constant Communication: This is very important for safety and maintaining a good convoy flow. You need to be able to drive and communicate simultaneously. If you're struggling with your current setup to drive and communicate at the same time, consider using a remote microphone for better communication.

Acknowledging Instructions: It's important for us to know that you've received the Marshalls' instructions. Please reply with "Copy" to confirm that you've understood and will follow the instructions.

Navigating Crests: When approaching a straight crest, you can determine its sharpness and your car's position by checking from your side window under the mirror. Slow down (but don’t stop) until your vehicle crosses the crest (When your body crosses the crest line ) and the nose of your car is pointing downward to avoid getting stuck.

Avoiding Pop-Outs: If your car's direction is different (usually downward) from the direction your steering wheel is pointing, you are fighting with gravity and will most likely experience a pop-out. Follow the direction of gravity until your car is aligned with where you are steering.

Thanks to @Rashidjass, the advanced drivers, intermediates, Crew, and Media for the great support.

We had a great day in the desert, ending with a delicious watermelon served by @Moustafa19 , as usual.

Looking forward to the next adventure!

The drive title was true to what we experienced, Marshall daggerfall lead us through some some challenging terrain with extra elements thrown in to what we had done previously.

One particular obstacle a small hump before a straight crest collected nearly every newbie driver needing rope recovery and 2nd, 3rd trys.

We experienced a few two stage climbs, one in particular I found myself over the first part but did not have enough momentum to make the 2nd part. After reversing down a slope that was over 45 degrees and super steep I made a 2nd try and completed the obstacle. Adrenaline was pumping as I have not reversed down something soo steep before. Another climb Marshall jass watching from the top of a dune like a mountain goat, he saw me complete the first part of the climb but car lost momentum and traction in the soft sand. He quickly me instructed me to turn right and I managed to gain momentum and snake my way to the top. Always listen to the expert advice of the Marshalls.

We experienced surfing on some baby crests which was a great feeling, the Marshalls briefed us on approach angle, staying on the crest for a few seconds and the importance of this to not roll the car.

The track was cut short by quite a few pop outs and stucks unfortunately, part of the learning curve for us newbies.

As Marshall daggerfall mentioned radio communication was less than adequate something that is super important for safety and us newbies need to work on. I think the excitement, adrenaline and new challenges got the better of us, being able to multi task whilst driving is a key fundamental to improving our skills.

We got to hear the dunes rumbling, moustafa explained this phenomenon to us whilst we waited for other drivers to complete an obstacle.

All in all a super fun afternoon in the beautiful desert of nahil, great support and advice from our Marshalls, intermediates and advanced drivers.

Drive finished with a delicious iced watermelon from moustafa many thanks as always.

A new weekend on the sand. The best place.

@Daggerfall chose the Nahil area which was almost everything for a +10 drive.
It was neither us sunny nor as hot as the previous drive in Al Ain Airport.
I was appointed towards the middle with @Rashidjass and @brett floating. @marco and @Mustafa were also supporting.
It was an interesting drive with some important take aways, inform always of second tries otherwise the safety and flow of the convoy will suffer, listen to instructions and don’t fight gravity.

From my side I enjoyed a lot, worked a lot and learn like always something new. I was remembering thanks to @Rashidjass my time in this same area and almost the same track when I was newbie. Don’t worry mates in the first ten minutes that day I have a double pop out and two more later on.

Now off for holidays but I am already keen to start the new season after the summer break.

See you soon and thanks to all, the best family.

Hello everyone

@Daggerfall decided to to continue the fun in the hard way to the 10+ in Nahil

The convoy was leading by Marshal @Daggerfall , supporting Marshal @Rashidjass , rescue team our Advance @haider alnuaimi and our intermediate @brett @galindakis @mpodroid and I was the second lead with pleasure

Track was very challenging to our 10+ and the marshals has stop the convoy after around 20 minutes to give advices and instructions to the drivers

Our 10+ get amazing chances to learn many new skills and experience with good numbers of second try, stuck and couple of pup out

Was another beautiful day with almost 4X4 .

Thanks for our brave 10+ @Lapsis @BShehzad85 @ahmed77moharem @Spyda @mrwkassem @sandjose

Sorry if I forgot someone

See you all soon

Moustafa Selim

Dear Almosters ,

I arrived early at the meeting point in Nahil, joined shortly after by @Rashidjass soon all other members arrived and the briefing was undertaken by our lead marshal for the day @Daggerfall

The weather was overcast but hot with very high humidity ! so the sooner we were able to jump in the cars and off with the aircon the better !

@Moustafa19 was given the 2nd lead position, with @galindakis mid-convoy and @mpodroid as sweeper. Advandced driver @haider alnuaimi and @Rashidjass floating.

To my surprize I was given the opportunity to also "float" around the convoy - this was a first for me and I was rather cautious but it was a fantastic opportunity, so a big thank you to the marshals for allowing me to spread my wings a little (very cautiously I might add)

The track chosen by @Daggerfall did not dissapoint and true to the name it was "A little technical" ! my GPS was showing so many tracks from previous drives that it looked like a kid had scribbled the screen with coloured crayons, so I should have been familiar with the terrain - but I was too busy trying to float around the convoy, stay safe myself and not to take any "risks" like suddenly driving off a dune into a ditch or something. It certainly was a learning curve for me and yes I did manage to make a rookie mistake and get myself crested, thanks to @mpodroid for the quick recovery.

During the drive I was kept extremely busy recovering crested cars under the supervision of @Rashidjass and @Daggerfall I think at least 3 or 4 recoveries, thanks also to @galindakis too for stepping up and helping a couple of times. Also for the first time in a while there were multipule popouts to be attened to. I think again around 3 or 4 in the course of the afternoon.

Some of the climbes and arches really challenged the drivers, so @Daggerfall achieved the goal of the drive - to push the drivers to grow in their ability to handle their cars in different senarios

As mentioned Radio communication is an area most drivers need to work on as the intensity level of the drives increases.

Although we ended a bit later than expected - the sun had set and the light was fading fast all the drivers made it out with smiles on their faces, and maybe a few missing plastic parts

Thanks to @Moustafa19 for the excellent watermelon. To the young passenger who I was able to help with the motion sickness pills - hope they helped settle your stomach

Well done to the newbies - you did really well overall, looking forward to driving with you all again soon as your growth in this off road adveture with Almost4x4 continues

until next time

Hi everyone
As usual expectation from @Daggerfall increasing the adrenalin level for the 10+ trips.
We met at the meeting point and Marshal @Daggerfall & Marshal @Rashidjass, gave us the instructions to proceed in this trip & allowing us to take our positions in the convoy.
We started the trip and after 20 min of high speed and very challenging technical dunes Marshal @Daggerfall & Marshal @Rashidjass, they stopped the convoy & give more instructions to all of the 10+ drivers, we got more information & new skills.
It was one of our amazing trips as I did a new record of triple times pop outs.
I would like to thank the rescue team our Advance @haider alnuaimi and our intermediate @brett @galindakis @mpodroid @ Moustafa19 and the Marchals for their help and support.