Almost4x4

The trip began with a 170 km drive from home, accompanied by Ahmad Hasan. The journey to the meeting area was full of fun and excitement. Upon arrival, we received a quick briefing from Marshal Daggerfall, who outlined the plan for the day. I was assigned to be the third driver in the convoy, as instructed by the organizer.

The off-road area was quite challenging, with Marshal Daggerfall selecting dunes that were both fun and challenging. The driving style for the day was “last man standing,” which added an element of motivation to the experience. I managed to hold my position as the third driver for two hours, from 3:30 PM until 5:26 PM. At one point, I briefly moved up to the second lead for about 15 seconds before stepping back to my original position.

I want to extend my gratitude to the Marshals for their efforts in creating such an enjoyable experience. A special thanks to Ehab and Carlos for their support throughout the drive. Although I’m relatively new to this, the Marshals’ comments and guidance made it easier to navigate the terrain.

Thanks also to my buddies for their company during the trip. Lastly, I apologize to Alvaro for the shock jump that happened in front of him—it was unintentional.

Looking forward to more adventures

Hi Almosters,

We took a long trip to the Abu Tais area, eager to revisit one of our favorite spots where we've had so much fun in the past (the last time was about a year ago, I believe). With its high dunes and open spaces perfect for full-throttle driving, it’s always been a thrill. Unfortunately, we were shocked to discover that the area has been drastically altered by recent plantation developments. The once pristine, untouched sand was gone, replaced by grass. It felt more like we were driving on a lawn than the dunes we loved.

As a result, much of the drive was spent navigating through this new terrain, barely managing to stay on course (We were driving at Newbie Level ) . It was a far cry from the experience we were used to.

At the beginning of the drive, we decided to implement the "Last Man Standing System." For those unfamiliar with it, here are the rules:

Purpose: The primary goal of this system is to enhance the flow of the convoy. It is not a competition, challenge, or race. It’s a team effort where drivers support one another to apply it safely and successfully.

Second Try: If a driver needs to make a second attempt at an obstacle, they should move to the back of the convoy once it’s safe, allowing the next driver to proceed.

Stuck or Struggling: If a driver gets stuck or is unable to move far from the convoy due to the terrain, the convoy should not overtake them. Instead, everyone should wait until the driver can safely clear the track.

Communication: Effective communication and mutual support are essential for safely implementing this system.

Common Sense: Occasionally, the entire convoy may struggle with a particularly challenging obstacle, leading to multiple second attempts by various drivers. In such cases, it’s difficult to keep track of your exact position in the convoy or some members might get confused due to the situation. Use common sense—since the flow has already been interrupted, precision in maintaining your spot isn’t as critical. Remember, this isn’t about competition!

Despite the challenges, we managed to find a few moments to enjoy ourselves. Most importantly, everyone completed the drive safe and sound.

A big thank you to @alshamsi_m for the fantastic support, as well as the karak, date cookies, and watermelon "ice cream." A shoutout to @rapailo (great to see you after a while), @Mabubaker, @CARLOSS, @Ehab, and @dorudoru for your support and excellent second lead.

Looking forward to our next adventure!

Hi everyone!

What to say about this drive? I had a bit bittersweet feeling because I was very excited about coming back to Abu Tais after one year and at the same time, I felt a bit disappointed when I realized that this is not anymore the amazing and clean place it used to be and has turned out into a massive greenery.

I felt sorry about our beloved Marshal @Daggerfall because I could perceive from the distance his frustration while trying to find tracks inside a jungle of bushes. Still, he managed to give us lovely moments when making incredible links between dunes at full speed and discovering secret tracks that nobody else can see (the one we all spent some time challenging).

Floating was not an option so the only thing I could do it was following the convoy’s track most of the time (the only one possible, I would say) and from time to time, I manage to make my own tracks (most likely shortcuts) and challenging some tiny crests…but that was all.

The good news is that I have finally get divorced from Coopers after a long-lasting relationship of 4 years plenty of very satisfying moments and a lot of cash burned…let’s see how the new ones performs.

For finalizing, as usual, the recognition section: Thanks to masther Daggerfall for organizing and giving a chance to Abu Tais, @alshamsi_m for looking after the convoy and for the refreshing frozen watermelon and both @rapailo and @Mabubaker for supporting the convoy. And my mates and inter members who did a good job.

See you soon hopefully with some sand, no bushes.
Carlos

Hello Almosters,

This was my second intermediate trip in two weeks after more than 3 months of break so I was still a bit nervous to start with. I thought I drove in that area before but after receiving the meeting point, the app did not show any recorded track close by so I thought it was my first time. However, after another check today, I found I drove the same area two years ago - poor memory!!. Nothing to remember in terms of plants or greening except few isolated trees. So in two years, the area went from pure sand to lots of grassy patches, maybe another two years with the help of the rains, the area will become like a backyard lawn. Still though, higher parts of the large bowls were free from the vegetation but some areas for gaining the momentum to climb had a lot of vegetation, which can easily give a bumpy ride.

For myself, I felt like I was still not warmed-up for the level I used to be, and furthermore did not tried and pushed the new tires enough. The combination made me to make multiple tries to reach to the points for side cresting in some instances. It was kind of experiencing the limits as one bowl I made so many rounds to climb.

Only the part I may complain is driving to and back to the location, but once you are back home forget all that boring asphalt driving and look for another day with the friends.

Many thanks to @Daggerfall for the great lead, @alshamsi_m for keeping everyone under watch and directions, @rapailo and @Mabubaker for extended support and my recently upgraded advanced friends @Carlos and @Ehab, you proved why you were upgraded.

Sorry for my late post, first of all.

Saturday drive was really waited from my side, I heard good camp stories about Abu Tais. The reality is that desert is changing so fast and now it seems is becoming green.

The drive was as good as I can be there right now, with some area of adrenaline thanks to perfect lines from @Daggerfall .

Are to improve is communication of second tries and go back to the convoy under the “last standing man” rule. But so far we enjoyed a lot.

Thanks @Daggerfall @S.ALSHAMSI @rapailo @Mabubakr @CARLOSS @Ehab for the great support.

See you again on Saturday my beloved friends

Hello everyone!

It probably took me about 2hours to reach Bu Tais for the drive “Danger Zone III” and I was very excited to be going that far away to visit a new playground !

I believe if you read my comrade’s reports you would have understood that the area was “disappointing”. Personally not knowing how it used to be like, I still had a fantastic time in a challenging terrain ! Indeed filled with a lot of bushes and herbs of all kinds… it was tricky.
“Chapeau bas” to our leader Daggerfall since it must have been a pain to lead under such conditions…

Overall, this was a fast paced drive with a lot of very interesting bowls where we worked on our switching, cresting and side cresting skills. Following the “last men standing” rule… which is still a work in progress for me since I am not yet confident in my decision making for passing or not in front of a person effectuating a second trial so after I had my second attempt I mostly spent the rest of the drive at the back. Also, radio communication did not sound that clear to me, there was some missing beats here and there and sometimes it was confusing. For now I think I prefer being in survival mode rather than risking hitting another car. And it was a very good experience as you really need to focus to stay on the right track.

At one point toward the second half of the drive I scared myself to death while ascending a dune in a terrible angle… For a reason that I can’t recall now, I was unable to escape and my mind wanted badly to hit the break, which -if I did- would have resulted in a regrettable mistake, luckily I just pressed harder the throttle praying for a soft landing… thank God I made it but that wasn’t a good move either. I probably survived : because of my dear friend Ms Luck . And don’t get me wrong here I surely not recommend doing that… whatever the situation you find yourself in, you should always escape and follow gravity… and thus even if the way in front of you is filled with bushes… I guess getting the right reflexes comes with practice… (?)

In any case, big thank you to our marshals for organizing, leading and supporting, as well as the advanced squad (always there to support), and to my fellows intermediates !

Take care and see you on the sand !
Bisous

Hello There

Thanks @Daggerfall for the great organizing and lead. As mentioned above the greenery made it very difficult for the leading car to find fun and continuous flow... hat off to you, our leader

My Story

Since we traveled to Salalah I removed my primary radio and used handheld radio. during the drive, my radio died, No big deal I asked for another one from the members, and @Ehab gave me one. I continued the drive and before the sun set the second radio died ... well what could go wrong ?!!! the drive is coming to an end. That's where things went south !!! I was trying to climb a chewed-up track which caused me to pop out .... no problem ... but hold on I can't report it

While I was running up the dune I could hear the cars leaving so whistled all my lungs to hear me and thanked God @Carloss was the last to leave and he heard my crying for help ( I didn't cry it was a metaphor)

I got the third radio from @Ely which eventually died on the way home..... lesson learned stick to your main radio and always have backup


I have noticed one thing I would like to share with intermediates. You are used to see 1 side crest or max 3 .... but this time when @Daggerfall applied 5 switches I saw you lost like newbies !!!! it is important to have 2 cars in your line of sight or at least 1 so you never get lost!!!

in the future you will learn also, if you see the car in front of you it means both of you are in trouble but this a training for another day



Till then stay safe and keep the sand flying

Cheers
Shamsi

Bu Tais is one of the go-to areas for experienced offroaders. Despite the challenging terrain caused by severe plantation, @Daggerfall was able to create an amaizing track, throwing some twists to mix pushing the intermediates to their limits.

Tais in Arabic is the male goat. They say the Tais of Bu Tais have migrated after the recent storms and is settling down in Wagan. So we need to go find it and bring it home to eat the vegetation.

Thank you @Daggerfall for organising this amazing drive. Thanks to advanced members who joined for support. And thanks to marshals and Bu Salem...

Season is coming!
M Abubaker

Our playground is getting smaller winter after winter, i remember driving in this area multiple times last year and the year before, what we have seen this year was scary in how quickly the desert can turn into a green land

Our marshals safely navigated the area and everyone was safe with no major incidents which was an achievement by it self considering the circumstances.

Enjoy watching