Trip Report: almost4x4 Thrilling Solo – 28 July 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:38 pm
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We all know A53 very well, as we are driving this area frequently, but how a little change in trip planning can make the situation completely different.
Members received coordinates on Thursday afternoon, of a meeting point in A53, deep in the desert. The task was to come alone at requested time between 21:30 and 22:00, to the meeting point. Along with Advanced drivers were invited also Intermediate+ drivers, to show their skills.
Many drivers from all groups did not realize how far it is from the main road and were struggling to come on time. The point only form Al Badayer was 44 minutes of drive (measured by 2 Marshals earlier)…
This thrilling solo drive showed how big is a difference, if somebody is driving in the convoy or completely solo. In convoy you can rely on following the track of the buddies in front of you, driving solo it is your own decision making in various situations and single responsibility.
The area is much known to all, with small sharp dunes and many ditches, relatively easy to drive during the daylight, but in the night it can turn to be a nightmare. Many of the drivers were surprised and caught in situation, where they lost the traction and were hanging on the top of the edge with all 4 wheels freely rotating in the air.
Nissans, who arrived first to the meeting point, comfortably opened their chairs on the top of the high peak dune and were watching headlights coming from different directions one by one and having contact with the drivers over the radio.
“Identify yourself driver coming from 12 o’clock to the target.”
“Its’ me ‘nickname.’
After few minutes, watching in short distance geysers of sand (what a view), it is coming voice from radio:
“I’m stuck…”
“Wait, somebody will come soon and rescue you.”
Many drivers were cruising around the meeting point trying to find the way up. Even one driver, not having opened his radio, passed by 10 meters, where were other already arrived cars and went off, to get stuck at another bowl, a bit far away.
Marshals navigated remaining drivers to the best access route, to climb challenging meeting point.
At 22:25 almost all drivers arrived to the meeting point, except one driver, enjoying silent night and stars and waiting for the rescue 1.5 km away from the target. After a while, he welcomed the whole convoy of 19 cars with smiling face.
As we were now complete, we started night drive at 22:46 on the level of advanced route, led by AlKhatib. The drivers did very well, except some cases, where were not held appropriate distance between the cars, which resulted in additional circles, exploring new territory alone in the darkness or lost traction with typical rotating wheels in the air. As of course not to forget about some pop-outs, which were quickly resolved.
Some funny situations arrived, when we saw Bu Salem educating other members how to make circles at some steep places in his ‘Mini Me’ and screaming into the radio – ‘Sorry guys, my car is too weak :038:’.
With coming time, the focus of the drivers and their judgment went down, lost of traction and pop-outs did increase, so we headed to Al Badayer, where we arrived at 1:39. Majority of the convoy left back home, with their memories remembering this trip forever.
Nine last almost4x4 notorious ‘Mohicans’ headed to Pink Rock, to have additional advanced experience led by Hamdan, to discuss this night event and spend the night in the desert. Without any non standard event we had about one hour of excellent night driving experience.
Wake up in the morning at 6:30 and again 1 hour drive, without a single stop or additional circles for exploring a new territory, brought us back to Al Badayer, to enjoy joint breakfast and karak.
Lessons Learned
Is there anything else, which you would like to share with us, whether it is your own experience or Lessons Learned? Don’t be shy and share with others.
We all know A53 very well, as we are driving this area frequently, but how a little change in trip planning can make the situation completely different.
Members received coordinates on Thursday afternoon, of a meeting point in A53, deep in the desert. The task was to come alone at requested time between 21:30 and 22:00, to the meeting point. Along with Advanced drivers were invited also Intermediate+ drivers, to show their skills.
Many drivers from all groups did not realize how far it is from the main road and were struggling to come on time. The point only form Al Badayer was 44 minutes of drive (measured by 2 Marshals earlier)…
This thrilling solo drive showed how big is a difference, if somebody is driving in the convoy or completely solo. In convoy you can rely on following the track of the buddies in front of you, driving solo it is your own decision making in various situations and single responsibility.
The area is much known to all, with small sharp dunes and many ditches, relatively easy to drive during the daylight, but in the night it can turn to be a nightmare. Many of the drivers were surprised and caught in situation, where they lost the traction and were hanging on the top of the edge with all 4 wheels freely rotating in the air.
Nissans, who arrived first to the meeting point, comfortably opened their chairs on the top of the high peak dune and were watching headlights coming from different directions one by one and having contact with the drivers over the radio.
“Identify yourself driver coming from 12 o’clock to the target.”
“Its’ me ‘nickname.’
After few minutes, watching in short distance geysers of sand (what a view), it is coming voice from radio:
“I’m stuck…”
“Wait, somebody will come soon and rescue you.”
Many drivers were cruising around the meeting point trying to find the way up. Even one driver, not having opened his radio, passed by 10 meters, where were other already arrived cars and went off, to get stuck at another bowl, a bit far away.
Marshals navigated remaining drivers to the best access route, to climb challenging meeting point.
At 22:25 almost all drivers arrived to the meeting point, except one driver, enjoying silent night and stars and waiting for the rescue 1.5 km away from the target. After a while, he welcomed the whole convoy of 19 cars with smiling face.
As we were now complete, we started night drive at 22:46 on the level of advanced route, led by AlKhatib. The drivers did very well, except some cases, where were not held appropriate distance between the cars, which resulted in additional circles, exploring new territory alone in the darkness or lost traction with typical rotating wheels in the air. As of course not to forget about some pop-outs, which were quickly resolved.
Some funny situations arrived, when we saw Bu Salem educating other members how to make circles at some steep places in his ‘Mini Me’ and screaming into the radio – ‘Sorry guys, my car is too weak :038:’.
With coming time, the focus of the drivers and their judgment went down, lost of traction and pop-outs did increase, so we headed to Al Badayer, where we arrived at 1:39. Majority of the convoy left back home, with their memories remembering this trip forever.
Nine last almost4x4 notorious ‘Mohicans’ headed to Pink Rock, to have additional advanced experience led by Hamdan, to discuss this night event and spend the night in the desert. Without any non standard event we had about one hour of excellent night driving experience.
Wake up in the morning at 6:30 and again 1 hour drive, without a single stop or additional circles for exploring a new territory, brought us back to Al Badayer, to enjoy joint breakfast and karak.
Lessons Learned
- If you feel as experienced driver during the day, during the night drive it is completely a different experience
- If you are used to drive in the convoy, it is completely different to drive on your own
- Know your navigation system
- Keep distance
Is there anything else, which you would like to share with us, whether it is your own experience or Lessons Learned? Don’t be shy and share with others.