Almost(er) and Furious
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ginger
- Intermediate
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:16 am
Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Almost(er) and Furious was a huge amount of fun, very challenging for both drivers and their vehicles, and in the most beautiful and remote Al Quaa desert area. Just getting there was an ‘event’ in itself as we went deep into the desert. The campsite was in a lovely location, and the chitchat and Stawb’s special entertainment was great fun.
In the morning we split into 2 convoys. The Newbies had the pleasure of driving with Strawb , Yoghybear and Rashidjass. I found it most interesting being behind another Xterra in the capable hands of Rashidjass. I’ve noticed that the vehicles length on occasions makes for a slightly different line to the shorter Jeeps.
The softness of the sand and the sharpness of the dunes really made us concentrate. The long fast sabkha stretches were interspersed with really challenging lines of dunes. There was a lot of side-cresting, huge dunes (making Super bowl look small!), small technical and sharp dunes, and all the time the mental challenge of concentrating and keeping focused.
This trip emphasised for me just how important it is to have small groups with a similar-level of experience.
Thanks to all the organisers for a great trip; and I can’t wait to explore more of this fascinating part of the desert.
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In the morning we split into 2 convoys. The Newbies had the pleasure of driving with Strawb , Yoghybear and Rashidjass. I found it most interesting being behind another Xterra in the capable hands of Rashidjass. I’ve noticed that the vehicles length on occasions makes for a slightly different line to the shorter Jeeps.
The softness of the sand and the sharpness of the dunes really made us concentrate. The long fast sabkha stretches were interspersed with really challenging lines of dunes. There was a lot of side-cresting, huge dunes (making Super bowl look small!), small technical and sharp dunes, and all the time the mental challenge of concentrating and keeping focused.
This trip emphasised for me just how important it is to have small groups with a similar-level of experience.
Thanks to all the organisers for a great trip; and I can’t wait to explore more of this fascinating part of the desert.
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FrancisJK
- Intermediate
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:46 am
fu·ri·ous(fyo͝or′ē-əs)adj.
1. Full of or characterized by extreme anger; raging.
2. Suggestive of extreme anger in action or appearance; fierce.
3. Full of activity; energetic or rapid.
Now I know why this is the title of this weekend drive. Thursday night we arrived at the meeting point & headed to the camp site. A chance to have a chitchat while entertained by Strawb with his singing & guitar playing (man your a total entertainer!) while sitting in front of the bonfire.
Friday morning the group split into 2 convoys. Newbies are led by Strawb, Rashidjass in recovery and marshal & Yoghybear was the sweeper. I must be honest that this drive was one of the most challenging, extreme, intense drive I have ever been with the club so far. I learned quite a lot of things in this drive and that includes the longest cresting, climb with a surprise big drop behind it, side cresting to cross a huge bowl to reach the other side, how to avoid bushes after cresting :) etc... Thanks for a great track, I salute.
Rashidjass you are the master of recovery, pop-out fix, etc... You did your part very well. Big thanks to you for your patience & willingness to rescue, Almost 4x4 Club made a good product and you are one of them.
Yoghybear thanks for keep on watching us and make the convoy smooth & for giving us opportunity to be part of this drive. This is the drive that you don't want to miss.
Thank you all and let's keep on driving.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1809[/ATTACH]
1. Full of or characterized by extreme anger; raging.
2. Suggestive of extreme anger in action or appearance; fierce.
3. Full of activity; energetic or rapid.
Now I know why this is the title of this weekend drive. Thursday night we arrived at the meeting point & headed to the camp site. A chance to have a chitchat while entertained by Strawb with his singing & guitar playing (man your a total entertainer!) while sitting in front of the bonfire.
Friday morning the group split into 2 convoys. Newbies are led by Strawb, Rashidjass in recovery and marshal & Yoghybear was the sweeper. I must be honest that this drive was one of the most challenging, extreme, intense drive I have ever been with the club so far. I learned quite a lot of things in this drive and that includes the longest cresting, climb with a surprise big drop behind it, side cresting to cross a huge bowl to reach the other side, how to avoid bushes after cresting :) etc... Thanks for a great track, I salute.
Rashidjass you are the master of recovery, pop-out fix, etc... You did your part very well. Big thanks to you for your patience & willingness to rescue, Almost 4x4 Club made a good product and you are one of them.
Yoghybear thanks for keep on watching us and make the convoy smooth & for giving us opportunity to be part of this drive. This is the drive that you don't want to miss.
Thank you all and let's keep on driving.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1809[/ATTACH]
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Green Giant
- Intermediate
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:19 am
All I can say is WOW! What an amazing (and humbling) experience driving with a great group of Almosters, in an absolutely stunning and challenging area. The long drive to the camp on Thursday evening was very much worth it as we gathered around the fire, for chit chat and Strawb entertaining us on guitar and vocals. I had no idea he was so talented!
Early morning briefing where we split into 2 groups, fellow 10+ drivers to be led by Strawb, Sweep by Yoghybear and rescue by Rashid Jass. Bu Salem was lead for the Intermediate and Advanced group. Strawb warned us all that it was going to be a difficult and challenging drive and it would be at an Intermediate level. I was set as Second lead with Bambam behind me, and off we went.
The first thrill was the sabka sprint where we were doing 120kmh+, exhilarating at 6psi!! We split off and headed for the 'nursery' dunes, where Strawb showed us the Camel Carcass and soon after we were side cresting, negotiating bowls and sharp crests. There were the inevitable pop outs, sticks and second attempts (and a puncture for Bambam caused by a matchstick size splinter; Strawb demonstrated the emergency tyre repair kit and on we went). After another Short Sabka run we entered the higher dunes, with sharper crests, deeper bowls and amazing drops. The lessons were endless, I got to to use my winch for the first time, when Strawb was stuck in an almost impossible situation for a standard recovery. Rashid Jass provided absolutely first class recovery all day, he was there quickly and efficiently fixed every situation.
I was sad to see the day end, as adrenalin was high, there were lots of highlights, plus a couple of lowlights. I got stuck twice in one day, on both occasions whilst cresting and the lesson I learnt there was to think and act quickly, and safely, don't delay making the move off the crest for a split second too long! I enhanced my self recovery skills, extracting myself after the winching of Strawb, and last but not least, the experiences of the day further re-enforced that the ONLY club to drive with, is ALMOST 4x4.
I have video and pictures, which I will add once I have time for editing. Watch this space.
Thanks to all Marshalls, Explorers, Advanced, Intermediate and fellow 10+ Newbies for a fantastic day in the dunes.
See you in the sand soon. :grin:
Early morning briefing where we split into 2 groups, fellow 10+ drivers to be led by Strawb, Sweep by Yoghybear and rescue by Rashid Jass. Bu Salem was lead for the Intermediate and Advanced group. Strawb warned us all that it was going to be a difficult and challenging drive and it would be at an Intermediate level. I was set as Second lead with Bambam behind me, and off we went.
The first thrill was the sabka sprint where we were doing 120kmh+, exhilarating at 6psi!! We split off and headed for the 'nursery' dunes, where Strawb showed us the Camel Carcass and soon after we were side cresting, negotiating bowls and sharp crests. There were the inevitable pop outs, sticks and second attempts (and a puncture for Bambam caused by a matchstick size splinter; Strawb demonstrated the emergency tyre repair kit and on we went). After another Short Sabka run we entered the higher dunes, with sharper crests, deeper bowls and amazing drops. The lessons were endless, I got to to use my winch for the first time, when Strawb was stuck in an almost impossible situation for a standard recovery. Rashid Jass provided absolutely first class recovery all day, he was there quickly and efficiently fixed every situation.
I was sad to see the day end, as adrenalin was high, there were lots of highlights, plus a couple of lowlights. I got stuck twice in one day, on both occasions whilst cresting and the lesson I learnt there was to think and act quickly, and safely, don't delay making the move off the crest for a split second too long! I enhanced my self recovery skills, extracting myself after the winching of Strawb, and last but not least, the experiences of the day further re-enforced that the ONLY club to drive with, is ALMOST 4x4.
I have video and pictures, which I will add once I have time for editing. Watch this space.
Thanks to all Marshalls, Explorers, Advanced, Intermediate and fellow 10+ Newbies for a fantastic day in the dunes.
See you in the sand soon. :grin:
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Bambam
- Intermediate
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:31 am
WOW what a drive...
I will only add my point of view to the perfect trip reports below. :045:
Soo many lessons learnt, after my first popout (my first ever) I got very frustrated and wasnt concentrating anymore and, what a surprise: my second popout within 5 minutes. :omg: Thanx Rashidjass for the record time popout fixing twice!
Then a tire puncure - Strawb demonstrated how to use plugs to fix instead of changing the tire.
I think it is fair to say that I or we have learned more in this one drive then all the drives accumulated before. Needless to say that the 10+ drives before prepared us for this as much as possible.
Yoghy thx for believing in me and taking me along - hope didn't disappoint you too much. Officially the most challenging drive so far and respect to Strawb being able to navigate through this very very unpredictable terrain...
Happy to be an Almoster, the story to be continued...
I will only add my point of view to the perfect trip reports below. :045:
Soo many lessons learnt, after my first popout (my first ever) I got very frustrated and wasnt concentrating anymore and, what a surprise: my second popout within 5 minutes. :omg: Thanx Rashidjass for the record time popout fixing twice!
Then a tire puncure - Strawb demonstrated how to use plugs to fix instead of changing the tire.
I think it is fair to say that I or we have learned more in this one drive then all the drives accumulated before. Needless to say that the 10+ drives before prepared us for this as much as possible.
Yoghy thx for believing in me and taking me along - hope didn't disappoint you too much. Officially the most challenging drive so far and respect to Strawb being able to navigate through this very very unpredictable terrain...
Happy to be an Almoster, the story to be continued...
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Sacha
- Intermediate
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:15 pm
I don't want to just restate the excellent reports below so I will say I completely agree and add my two cents.
This was a very interesting and challenging trip. The camp the first night was fun and it was really good to get to know people better. Waking up in the morning at first light it was apparent that we were in for some serious fun.
What learned a lot on this trip but what struck me the most was how everyone rallied whenever anyone faced a challenge. I never would want to be out in the deep desert without a bunch of almosters with me.
Thanks to Bu Salem, Yoghybear, Strawb, Rashidjass and everyone else on this unforgettable adventure!
This was a very interesting and challenging trip. The camp the first night was fun and it was really good to get to know people better. Waking up in the morning at first light it was apparent that we were in for some serious fun.
What learned a lot on this trip but what struck me the most was how everyone rallied whenever anyone faced a challenge. I never would want to be out in the deep desert without a bunch of almosters with me.
Thanks to Bu Salem, Yoghybear, Strawb, Rashidjass and everyone else on this unforgettable adventure!
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Defragmantor
- Intermediate
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2013 5:12 pm
Well were should I start the trip was as expected fast and furious style with big dunes and big bowls. Al wagan is an area were u barely see people it's basically for some serious offroaders . The almost team that is :D . The drive was really technical. learnt a lot from this drive . What struck me was who the hell found this place as a offroad challenge cuz I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have the guts to wander of in the desert that deep by myself . Another trip well organized by founders and Marshall's
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Green Giant
- Intermediate
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:19 am
[quote=Green Giant;34164] I have video and pictures, which I will add once I have time for editing. Watch this space.[/quote]
As promised, a few pictures and a video compilation. Enjoy.
Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.spencer ... 414&type=3
Video: http://youtu.be/jfwu2bA8ags
See you in the sand.
As promised, a few pictures and a video compilation. Enjoy.
Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.spencer ... 414&type=3
Video: http://youtu.be/jfwu2bA8ags
See you in the sand.
