Back to Um Al Oush

[Dirtdiver]

Everyone arrived at the meeting point on time and excited to see what the dunes had to offer us after the rain. I wasn't feeling 100% and ask Zak if he would start the trip leading. He agreed. I gave a safety briefing and discussed driving on the hard sand after the rain. We agreed to have a rotating convoy (if you had a second try you went to the back and assumed the sweepers position.
Convoy
Octopus ***** Yota Mafia (Part lead, 2nd lead, and support)
jamestylor **** 4Runner (Part lead and 2nd lead)
Bassamoreo *** Jimny
Tonisb *** Grand Cherokee
Shoni *** 4Runner
dreamerEtS *** FJ
Dirtdiver **** 4Runner (part 2nd lead)
vpuiul *** 4Runner
Ruttan *** Prado (sweeper)
cmj1388 **** Prado (Support)

Zak took us into the dunes and as we thought the sand was hard and we could easily climb everything with ease. The usual bumps were hard when hitting them, so hard that while riding a crest and hitting a small bump on the top one of the vehicles air bags deployed. The driver was in a little shocked but otherwise fine. We got the vehicle to the bottom and removed the deployed airbags. The driver wanted to continue the drive, so we did. After our first break James took over lead and kept the fun going as we headed farther east towards the larger dunes. We had one stuck and a fer second tries, but the convoy rotated positions and kept rolling. We were all enjoying seeing all the green grass all over the dunes and the spectacular views from the top of the crest. nearing the end of the trip, we had one vehicle start over heating, we noticed that the top radiator hose had popped part of the way off the radiator and caused a coolant leak. After getting the vehicle cool enough to install the radiator hose properly and filling it with water, we decided to end the trip. Once down to the subka those of us staying for camping was saying farewell to those leaving, we noticed water leaking from the bottom of the water pump of the vehicle that had the previous coolant leak. Recover was arranged and the vehicle was towed out to the asphalt to meet them.

For those that stayed we were joined by some of the intermediated going on the next morning's trip. We enjoyed a wonderful BBQ, perfect weather and great fellowship.

I appreciate everyone coming out for this trip. Thanks Zak and James for leading, Thanks Chris for keeping an eye on us from the back and sides.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Tim

[Bassamoreo]

Thank you Tim for hosting the drive. ZAk, James, Chris and all for the lead and support.

It was so lovely to see the green vegetation sprout in the desert like that! The hardened sand was a bit misleading, it made climbing dunes easier however the bumps were hard and for those with stock suspensions - a bumpy ride

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the sand soon -

[Ruttan]

Great drive and camp. Grass in the dunes was a new experience, as was observing a random curtain airbag deployment.

[Octopus]

thanks for organizing the trip Tim. was a really nice drive and wonderful camping.