Report: Drive While It's Not Too Hot.. 15/06/2012

desert_hawk · Post by **desert_hawk** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 5:46 pm

After a nice shower and a refreshing nap, here comes the report...

A bunch of sand addicts left their beds before 5 am, they all met on time, except me, but luckily I made it before the set departure time, so the group didn't have the excuse to leave me behind

After deflation and briefing, we all headed out challenging the terrain of Sweihan dunes and it's soft sand, a fun after the other but no one got stuck, we reached all the planned way points ahead of time, which gave us an extra time for nice breaks here and there, and a longish break under the shades.

Heading out again, and setting more challenges with the temp rising up and the sand getting softer, but all managed well, and to stick to the trip time frame, had to move even deeper in Sweihan to compensate for the NON LOST time

Then we all moved towards the Tarmac, leaving nice tracks behind to remember, but before we reach to the end of our trip, I had to teach this group something they lacked and weren't good at, the pleasure of getting stuck, so, a final demonstration under the eyes and lenses of all the drivers and their cameras, hope you all learned a valuable lesson

At that time, it was the perfect timing to leave just before the temperature hits 45C.

Thanks Grizzly for a nice 2nd lead, MLC and IDO for a clean sweep, Triplod and Tillybean for the support.
Special thanks to all the drivers and their passengers, who made a great group to share nice few hours with.

Till next time, take care.

grzegorz · Post by **grzegorz** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:02 pm

Thank you for a really nice trip.
I would call it "second try" trip.
It was nice to drive with such experience group (only 3 newbie including me).

Me and my passenger took some pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/11739108 ... 0801528625
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1125 ... 5642314209

Thank you all for a really nice morning.
It was worth to woke up at 4am.

MLC · Post by **MLC** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:34 pm

As always, a great day in the sand with Desert Hawk.

I think everyone drove very well, to the point that DH himself had to get stuck just to show us how it's done!

@ Gregorz, there is nothing wrong with second tries: in fact they are the best way to get to know and understand the capabilities of your car and to evolve your driving style accordingly. I have been the King of Second Tries (and stucks too!!!), but to be honest I don't regret it and am proud to say that all those second tries (and of course the advice received from our Marshals) made me understand my car better and now reach to Advanced! I am still not shy to have a second try and often do, if not for anything else than just as a result of approaching a certain obstacle in a different way or in a different gear - this helps you much better understand how your car needs to be driven. I remember I used to complain that my car is useless because it couldn't get me to all the cool places, but because of all those second tries, the same car now gets me everywhere!

Many thanks to all for a great day out! Till next time!

IDO · Post by **IDO** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:38 pm

Thanks DH for the early morning trip it was refreshing, had a lot of fun with the company of great people.

grzegorz · Post by **grzegorz** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:21 pm

I have nothing to second and third tries - I can learn more about my car.
But I wonder why couldn't I take straight this big dune - is it my fault or 177hp is just not enough or my passenger is too heavy.

Ghass · Post by **Ghass** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:08 pm

Thank you DH for this great trip.
looking forward to meet you and all the team again.

MLC · Post by **MLC** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 12:37 am

@ Gregorz: I haven't driven a Pajero in the desert but there are Marshals who can drive them anywhere. you might want to have a word with Mamoun and Cherif - they can take a Pajero where most of us can't even take a much more capable car. perhaps they can give you some tips.....

tillybean · Post by **tillybean** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:01 am

I just woke up now after a "brief" nap to recover from the very early morning start to the sands.

As usual, a great group, a fab leader and a really nice track. Everyone did so well coping with the route, the soft sand and the hot temperature.

Thanks to everyone for another lovely hot morning in the sands of Sweihan. Really nice to see you all.

See you in the sand soon.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:08 am

MLC wrote:@ Gregorz: I haven't driven a Pajero in the desert but there are Marshals who can drive them anywhere. you might want to have a word with Mamoun and Cherif - they can take a Pajero where most of us can't even take a much more capable car. perhaps they can give you some tips.....

to be correct MLC Cherif can drive a 3.0l LWB pajero in 2wd where most cannot follow in swb 4wd

...seen done toooo many times.....nice....

desert_hawk · Post by **desert_hawk** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:24 am

@grezgorz, nice pics, thank you and plz thank your pax on our behalf.

As for the way up, sometimes you need to do something few times to learn which gear is better than the other, what's the speed you want to use, and what's the route you can go up.
Yesterday we reached places I was struggling to reach when I was newbie, but I tried a step by step approach, so you all can make it and that's how we reached the top of the dunes.

waqmaster · Post by **waqmaster** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:09 am

I misss you guys!!!

grzegorz · Post by **grzegorz** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:25 am

DH we have to go there next weekend so I can try to make few more times

I don't remember trip after which I was so exhausted.

Ghass · Post by **Ghass** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 3:34 pm

grzegorz wrote:Thank you for a really nice trip.
I would call it "second try" trip.
It was nice to drive with such experience group (only 3 newbie including me).

Me and my passenger took some pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/11739108 ... 0801528625
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1125 ... 5642314209

Thank you all for a really nice morning.
It was worth to woke up at 4am.

thanks to you and to your friend for these nice photos

Voy · Post by **Voy** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:26 pm

desert_hawk wrote:[...] no one got stuck [...]

Hi Desert Hawk!
Do you mean you're nicknaming me "no one"??
Should I remind you I got 2 stucks! One on the right of where the yellow FJ of Grizzly got stuck (thank you for snatchin me out), one when I decided to go with the gravity and ended up at the joint of 2 dunes (thank you Paul for the recovery).
Thank you for a very nice trip (in driving and sightseeing) and good company everyone!
Regards,
Voy

Triplod · Post by **Triplod** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:08 pm

Thanks Desert Hawk for the great drive, my guest (first time in AD and first time in the Desert was very impressed) All did well and I made it back in time to enjoy a great brunch.

Regards Triplod