Falcon FT - Intermediate trip in Um Zamoul

[Ehab]

My dear Almosters

I usually refrain from writing feedback or sharing opinions about off-roading, as I still consider myself a learner in this hobby and far from mastering it. I don’t feel I’m in a position to give advice. However, this report will be an exception—and for a change.

We’ve visited Um Zamoul area many times, and I’m usually positioned at the front of the convoy, often as the second lead. This time, however, we Advanced drivers were asked to stay at the back. This gave me a unique perspective and an opportunity to observe my fellow off-roaders. To be honest, I was surprised by the number of mistakes I witnessed.

Initially, I was hesitant to write this feedback. But I felt it was important to share—not to criticize, but to offer advice.

The drive featured several challenging maneuvers. Personally, with nearly 130 drives with the club, I didn’t hesitate to take multiple second tries when needed. This is what we’ve been taught: safety first. I have no problem attempting a maneuver as many times as necessary until I feel confident it’s safe.

From the back, however, I noticed that most mistakes stemmed from one thing—ego. And in this hobby, ego can be dangerous.

There were three instances of cars getting stuck on very high dunes with short crests, leaving vehicles in precarious positions. These near-miss situations could have been avoided by simply taking a second try instead of forcing the maneuver.

Another incident involved a stuck vehicle on a soft wall—a scenario I’ve never encountered in an intermediate drive before. It was another near-miss that could have been prevented with better judgment.

The most concerning incident occurred when a driver, hesitant to follow the original track due to bumps and bushes, decided to create his own path. This resulted in his car going airborne and sustaining damage.

We all make mistakes—it’s part of the learning process. But deliberate actions driven by ego or impatience are not just mistakes; they’re risks. My advice to my fellow off-roaders is simple:
• If you let ego guide your decisions, this hobby will hurt you.
• If you’re overly worried about your car, this hobby will likely cause more harm than good.

Off-roading is as much about humility and patience as it is about skill. Let’s keep safety and learning at the forefront.

[optimus]

Drive : Falcon FT
Date : 21.Dec.2024
Area : Umm Zamul
Level : Intermediate 10+
Lead: myself
Supporting Marshal: Rashid & Scorpio
Advance support: Ehab & Orlan
Intermediates: Ahmed, Jamhi, Ghonem, Mostafa, Nidal

Falcon FT (full throttle) was the 3rd falcon series drive in Umm Zamul.
Myself Rashid & Scorpio teamed up for a late-night drive from Dubai to Umm Zamul, arriving at the camp around midnight. The night was cold. I had one of the best sleep. I usually stay awake after morning prayers, but the weather was amazing so after finishing my prayer, i went back to sleep that led me wake up at 8ish fully refreshed.

By 9:00 AM, we were ready to kick off the drive; however, fog delayed our start until 10:00 AM.

The drive began with a safety briefing, reminding the members the importance of basics. Avoiding ego decisions, particularly given the unforgiving nature of the area.

Usually when i start from this point, i divide the area into 2 sections :
Warm up section & Adrenaline Section.

The first section for warm-up, was slower than expected due to frequent stoppages, second tries, and convoy adjustments. Maintaining momentum was a challenge, as the support team often had to redirect the convoy through easier routes for safety. This disrupted the flow I usually aim for when driving in this chain.

After lunch, the convoy started to enter the thrill section of the drive. The adrenaline playground. This area is my favorite section, offers high crests, back-to-back switches. However, just 30 minutes into this section, an unforeseen event forced us to conclude the drive earlier than planned.

Falcon FT provided some highlights to the group’s capabilities. Once I am convinced, I look forward to leading them through the full Umm Zamul chain.

Thanks to my brothers @Scorpio &@Rashidjass
My advance support @Ehab @orlantsev
My safe 2nd lead @msghoneim & last but not least thanks to my intermediate convoy. I promise to take them back & make those engines cry out loud & rumble them crests!

Until Next Time!

[Aljamhi]

The drive began with meticulous preparation and a strong emphasis on safety, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

The main objective of the drive was to enhance the skills of intermediate members, and this goal was successfully achieved. The journey included tackling remarkable dunes with challenges that helped build new skills and boost confidence. Importantly, the atmosphere was one of collaboration and learning, with no egos encountered. Safety remained a top priority, and participants embraced the opportunity for second attempts as part of the learning process.

As a participant, I personally benefited from multiple second tries, which allowed me to refine my techniques and work towards greater independence. Basic off-roading principles were well understood and applied throughout the drive.

Stuck on a slope, I experienced a moment where my car unexpectedly got stuck from the rear, causing a temporary power cut. However, I managed the recovery effectively, applying the techniques I had learned from our skilled marshal. It wasn’t mistake rather uncontrolled process and error

The advanced drivers, who were following over 10 intermediate vehicles, demonstrated great patience and skill, maintaining a smooth pace and providing valuable support when needed. Their presence added to the overall success of the trip.

A heartfelt thanks to the marshals ( OPTIMUS, SCORPIO, RASHID , advanced drivers, and fellow intermediates for their guidance, support, and camaraderie throughout the drive.

[orlantsev]

Hello all,

I was not sure if I could join the trip until Friday due to some family situation and in as much as I like Umm Zumuul I hoped it would be a closer location. Thankfully, everything got sorted and I was ready to move by 5 pm, but the meeting coordinates were not in the app and it felt like there would be no early campers, so I decided to drive in the morning. This was a good decision since at around 6 pm our building fire alarm went off and it was not a test. There was lots of smoke coming from the garbage chute and everybody was told to evacuate. Fire and police was quickly on the scene and within 30 minutes it was solved. I was grateful to be still at home.

Woke up at 3.45 and started my journey at 4.30. Plan was to arrive early and have a nap, but due to heavy fog on Razeen road I moved slower than expected, so I reached the camp by 8.10 and very few were awake and some not even reached the camp. At last petrol station there were two groups from different clubs. It starts to remind me Al Qudra, so I guess at some point we will need to allocate chains per group

We started the drive shortly before 10 am. I took some wise people advise and almost entirely drove on 4L using 3-5 gears. Still need to get used to it, but roughly 4L 3 compares to 4H 1. I still struggle with some vertical climbs in soft sand. Nissan cannot down shift, so once momentum is gone game is over. Happy to let marshal drive to demonstrate once again that it is a driver, not the car

I had to leave at 2.30, so I did not stay to witness the unfortunate event. Sorry to read about it and hope car is ok now.

[Mghoneim]

Dear Almosters,

In the past 4 weeks , intermediate drivers had the chance to visit Um Zamoul twice & Liwa for the national holdiay which is awesome. (Thanks to @Rashidjass , @alshamsi_m & @optimus .

Coming back to Um Zamoul with a big smile on friday night, arriving at the entrance around 9pm when I noticed my offroad lights are cutting off power randomly. After some checks I managed to get them to work intermittently till I reach the camp around 9:30pm. I am used to arrive to the camps where everyone is there but that was not the case, I was actually alone with a bag of wood left from last year.

The weather was cold and windy, so I lit the fire and waited for others to join. In 45 minutes arrived @Ehab & @nidal78 . We chit chatted a bit then we went to sleep past midnight. I enjoyed the night sleeping in the cold weather with all windows opened in the tent.

Next morning, it was foggy so we had time to chit chat with other members who didn't camp (@Moustafa19 @AhmadHasan @Aljamhi @orlantsev .

Convoy was organized and lead by @optimus , @Rashidjass & @Scorpio were floating marshals, @Ehab & @orlantsev as advanced support. The 2nd lead position was up for grabs, @optimus asked for a volunteer and I volunteered since nobody else was interested.

Drive started around 10am , delayed by the fog, and kicked off with some warm up. The flow of the warm up wasn't the best. 2 hrs later we agreed to stop for lunch as the visibility at that time of the day is challenging. After lunch we entered the challenging part were dunes were high , multiple switches , high speed cresting and high adrenaline were involved. I personally enjoyed the track, and I think my position in the convoy played a big role in that.

Unfortunately we had to call the day early without finishing the chain, however we can always come back another time.

Big thanks to @optimus for the organization , lead, and for your positive feedback on my second lead.

Big thanks to @Rashidjass , @Scorpio ,@Ehab & @orlantsev for supporting the convoy.

And big thanks to my fellow intermediates for joining the drive.

[Rashidjass]

Sorry guys, I m writing my trip report short, but not sweet.

Almost 14 years with the club and almost 10 years as marshals. Learned with the best

We always discuss the trips between marshals & founders about the location & drivers.

So,
*Marshals know the area where they are driving

* Marshals know which level of the drive is and how should be done in this area

* Marshals know which drivers should be in this drive or in the area

* Marshals know when and where to stop drivers and warn them for their mistakes or dangerous attempts and they are doing it, sometimes in group and sometimes in person

*Marshals know how to discuss with members for their betterment, and all the marshals are available to discuss or to help

*The most important thing.
> As Bu Salem says organizer is the boss of trips, if you notice something, it is better to discuss with leading marshals or supporting marshals and this is the right way. That will help marshals & members in the trip. That’s why we keep more than one marshal in the single drive.

And later on you can share your general feedback in the trip report.

Mistake happens with everyone but repeating same mistakes that’s not acceptable.

Soooooory four mi bed englizee

See you soon