Golden sands 26-April-2025 drive report
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Rajalingam
- Newbie
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2022 12:51 pm
- Been thanked: 19 times
After few months of time I finally joined for the drive. The registration spots filled up within minutes once it opened, so I end up on the waiting list. I got confirmed only at the last moment—huge thanks to the organizers for their kindness in accepting newbies like me!
Excited to join the drive, as I haven't driven in sand for the last few months due to several family & work commitments.
We touched the sand and went smooth until we are hitting the high dunes. I was struggling to cope with the climbing and cresting. The sand on top was churned by vehicles passed in front and made it little technical to cross. At one point Abu Salem was instructing the FJ to use 1st gear to cross the soft sand area. It clicked me that I am not using my first gear and that the reason I am struggling in the dunes due to the auto shifting at high rpm.
From then I started in 1st gear for the high climbs and 2nd gear for the small ridges etc. Drove in D for the straights. I was surprised to see the power of my car and I realized what Abu Salem told me in the break that Xetrra is a powerful car in the group. Had the constant power due to this change which helped me to cross every dunes in front of me. I am not sure if Barish or our supports have noticed the Xterra in second half of the drive.
Overall, it was a fantastic drive that covered almost all the techniques needed for desert driving: vertical dune climbs & followed with side slopping to cross the bowls, crossing the bowls, self recovery from a bowl, ridge driving, crest crossing, tackling soft ridges, and more. I also got to witness and learn some critical recovery techniques—like support from the top and bottom side to avoid rollovers, handling pop-outs, and simple ridge recoveries.
What made this drive truly special was the way the support team worked together and enjoyed helping others. Huge thanks to all of them for making this experience a memorable one for everyone. I felt safe whenever I am driving with ALMOST and moreover the difficult drive was made easy to pass through…
A very special thanks to Mr. Samshi for accepting me at the last moment, and an extra-special thanks to Barish—he was literally everywhere, providing support wherever it was needed. Felt great to be back!
Excited to join the drive, as I haven't driven in sand for the last few months due to several family & work commitments.
We touched the sand and went smooth until we are hitting the high dunes. I was struggling to cope with the climbing and cresting. The sand on top was churned by vehicles passed in front and made it little technical to cross. At one point Abu Salem was instructing the FJ to use 1st gear to cross the soft sand area. It clicked me that I am not using my first gear and that the reason I am struggling in the dunes due to the auto shifting at high rpm.
From then I started in 1st gear for the high climbs and 2nd gear for the small ridges etc. Drove in D for the straights. I was surprised to see the power of my car and I realized what Abu Salem told me in the break that Xetrra is a powerful car in the group. Had the constant power due to this change which helped me to cross every dunes in front of me. I am not sure if Barish or our supports have noticed the Xterra in second half of the drive.
Overall, it was a fantastic drive that covered almost all the techniques needed for desert driving: vertical dune climbs & followed with side slopping to cross the bowls, crossing the bowls, self recovery from a bowl, ridge driving, crest crossing, tackling soft ridges, and more. I also got to witness and learn some critical recovery techniques—like support from the top and bottom side to avoid rollovers, handling pop-outs, and simple ridge recoveries.
What made this drive truly special was the way the support team worked together and enjoyed helping others. Huge thanks to all of them for making this experience a memorable one for everyone. I felt safe whenever I am driving with ALMOST and moreover the difficult drive was made easy to pass through…
A very special thanks to Mr. Samshi for accepting me at the last moment, and an extra-special thanks to Barish—he was literally everywhere, providing support wherever it was needed. Felt great to be back!
