Patience you must have - I
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presa
- Marshal
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016 7:52 pm
- Has thanked: 645 times
- Been thanked: 325 times
Hi Almosters!
Good to see many friends on a foggy morning!
@CARLOSS did a great job organizing the trip and leading a convoy. Location was great, some dunes that I don't visit for a while, might be on the map for the next trips!
@David was leading the other convoy and, by the faces at the end, they had a lot of fun!
We have a reasonably easy drive, since the wet sand didn't favor the back of the convoy, where the sand was messy after many cars doing the same track.
Viki and others already mentioned the need for slightly adjusting the track to current sand conditions, and this is expected from you at Intermediate level. There were more than expected 2nd tries and interruptions, but our leading driver were able to adjust the driving level keeping it fun, without making it too hard for the convoy.
Very few time myself and @alshamsi_m had to show the drivers what was the correct track, or a small variation of it, so they could do the climb or sidecrest. Many, as fresh intermediates, are still learning their cars, but this should be less common as they advance on their skills....
Since I had a passenger, I was going easier on the track, as Ratica knows, passengers can be prone to motion sickness LOL.
Regarding the coffee... my pleasure!
Hope to see you all at the desert!
Good to see many friends on a foggy morning!
@CARLOSS did a great job organizing the trip and leading a convoy. Location was great, some dunes that I don't visit for a while, might be on the map for the next trips!
@David was leading the other convoy and, by the faces at the end, they had a lot of fun!
We have a reasonably easy drive, since the wet sand didn't favor the back of the convoy, where the sand was messy after many cars doing the same track.
Viki and others already mentioned the need for slightly adjusting the track to current sand conditions, and this is expected from you at Intermediate level. There were more than expected 2nd tries and interruptions, but our leading driver were able to adjust the driving level keeping it fun, without making it too hard for the convoy.
Very few time myself and @alshamsi_m had to show the drivers what was the correct track, or a small variation of it, so they could do the climb or sidecrest. Many, as fresh intermediates, are still learning their cars, but this should be less common as they advance on their skills....
Since I had a passenger, I was going easier on the track, as Ratica knows, passengers can be prone to motion sickness LOL.
Regarding the coffee... my pleasure!
Hope to see you all at the desert!
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Hisham
- Intermediate
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:46 pm
- Has thanked: 29 times
- Been thanked: 64 times
Not sure what happened. I remember typing my report next day early morning. Today was checking reports, didnt find my report, looks didnt press the "submit" button 
Now need to remember what did i write. But i remember the word "patience" was required from the time I started from home. Heavy fog, patience was much required. Reached meeting point where found "patience" was again required since was again foggy and had to wait for clearance. "Patience" again when @Carlos mentioned during the briefing I will be the second lead
.
Drive started eventually, and fun started. Patience was much required, to see our Marshal @Carlos what is he planning and watch exactly what is he doing to follow and catch up. Was really amazing trip, I have enjoyed each part of it. As all mentioned the sand condition was very challenging and required more attention. Having @alshamsi_m and @presa was giving confidence we will be guided whenever required, and really grateful for that. Thank you again all marshals and support team for planning the trip. Media team, had good time at the meeting point to show their talents and during the drive as well, well done.
Apologies for the delay of the report, but better than nothing.
Thanks and see you in sand again
Hisham
Now need to remember what did i write. But i remember the word "patience" was required from the time I started from home. Heavy fog, patience was much required. Reached meeting point where found "patience" was again required since was again foggy and had to wait for clearance. "Patience" again when @Carlos mentioned during the briefing I will be the second lead
.Drive started eventually, and fun started. Patience was much required, to see our Marshal @Carlos what is he planning and watch exactly what is he doing to follow and catch up. Was really amazing trip, I have enjoyed each part of it. As all mentioned the sand condition was very challenging and required more attention. Having @alshamsi_m and @presa was giving confidence we will be guided whenever required, and really grateful for that. Thank you again all marshals and support team for planning the trip. Media team, had good time at the meeting point to show their talents and during the drive as well, well done.
Apologies for the delay of the report, but better than nothing.
Thanks and see you in sand again
Hisham
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Ehab
- Explorer
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2020 10:27 pm
- Has thanked: 776 times
- Been thanked: 726 times
Hi Almosters
It’s been a very busy period lately, and I’ve struggled to find the time to share my trip reports—but here we are.
I joined my fellow explorers @David and @Carlos for a drive through Nahil Desert, with a plan to split the convoy into two groups: one for the more experienced intermediates and another for the newer drivers.
The sand was still wet, with no signs of drying despite some digging. This created a challenging driving environment, as vehicles could easily slip, and if not handled carefully, tires could dig into deep trenches. Without immediate correction or aborting the maneuver, cars could quickly end up in an unpleasant situation.
The experienced intermediates handled the conditions very well and performed confidently through most maneuvers. We encountered no major issues, aside from a single, straightforward recovery.
See you soon.
It’s been a very busy period lately, and I’ve struggled to find the time to share my trip reports—but here we are.
I joined my fellow explorers @David and @Carlos for a drive through Nahil Desert, with a plan to split the convoy into two groups: one for the more experienced intermediates and another for the newer drivers.
The sand was still wet, with no signs of drying despite some digging. This created a challenging driving environment, as vehicles could easily slip, and if not handled carefully, tires could dig into deep trenches. Without immediate correction or aborting the maneuver, cars could quickly end up in an unpleasant situation.
The experienced intermediates handled the conditions very well and performed confidently through most maneuvers. We encountered no major issues, aside from a single, straightforward recovery.
See you soon.
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Lapsis
- Intermediate
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:41 am
- Has thanked: 99 times
- Been thanked: 40 times
Hi all,
Sorry for the late post. I realised I drafted it but didn't actually post it!
“Patience You Must Have I” was my second Intermediate drive. My first cleared some of the initial shock of Intermediate, definitely a step up from Newbie, and this second drive allowed me to relax into 'feeling' things a bit more. Being a little more proactive rather than reactive.
Everything happens a bit faster, the challenge is higher, and there is much more focus on managing speed, momentum, and car control properly. That said, what I really like is that the Almost4x4 philosophy does not change: progress steadily, stay safe, and never force things. If the momentum is not there, bail out early, reset, and try again.
This drive was also special as it was @CARLOSS’s first Intermediate lead, taking care of the 10- convoy with support from @presa and the ever-watchful @alshamsi_m.
The morning started with heavy fog, which meant a delayed start but also gave everyone time to catch up over coffee. The conditions also highlighted how differently people prepare for the desert. I turned up in shorts and flip-flops, while some others looked fully equipped for an Arctic expedition. Always be prepared!
The fog had left the sand quite wet, which added another layer of challenge. Wet sand can feel grippy at first but quickly becomes chewed up and unpredictable once several cars pass over it, so it kept everyone paying close attention.
For me, one of the biggest lessons of the drive was learning how to properly use the momentum of the FJ to achieve the line set by the lead. It sounds simple, but in practice it’s a completely different skill from Newbie driving as the higher dunes require much more initial speed. It is definitely part of the learning curve at this level.
Many thanks to @CARLOSS for organising and leading the drive, and to @presa and @alshamsi_m for the support and guidance throughout. It’s very reassuring to know that while the level steps up, the watchful eyes of the marshals are never far away.
A challenging drive, a lot learned, and another great step forward.
Lapsis
Sorry for the late post. I realised I drafted it but didn't actually post it!
“Patience You Must Have I” was my second Intermediate drive. My first cleared some of the initial shock of Intermediate, definitely a step up from Newbie, and this second drive allowed me to relax into 'feeling' things a bit more. Being a little more proactive rather than reactive.
Everything happens a bit faster, the challenge is higher, and there is much more focus on managing speed, momentum, and car control properly. That said, what I really like is that the Almost4x4 philosophy does not change: progress steadily, stay safe, and never force things. If the momentum is not there, bail out early, reset, and try again.
This drive was also special as it was @CARLOSS’s first Intermediate lead, taking care of the 10- convoy with support from @presa and the ever-watchful @alshamsi_m.
The morning started with heavy fog, which meant a delayed start but also gave everyone time to catch up over coffee. The conditions also highlighted how differently people prepare for the desert. I turned up in shorts and flip-flops, while some others looked fully equipped for an Arctic expedition. Always be prepared!
The fog had left the sand quite wet, which added another layer of challenge. Wet sand can feel grippy at first but quickly becomes chewed up and unpredictable once several cars pass over it, so it kept everyone paying close attention.
For me, one of the biggest lessons of the drive was learning how to properly use the momentum of the FJ to achieve the line set by the lead. It sounds simple, but in practice it’s a completely different skill from Newbie driving as the higher dunes require much more initial speed. It is definitely part of the learning curve at this level.
Many thanks to @CARLOSS for organising and leading the drive, and to @presa and @alshamsi_m for the support and guidance throughout. It’s very reassuring to know that while the level steps up, the watchful eyes of the marshals are never far away.
A challenging drive, a lot learned, and another great step forward.
Lapsis
