Almost4x4

EIB...what an experience!!!! Words cannot describe this trip/drive/challenge, but I'll give it a shot. So here goes...

EIB, a trip on the radar since 2023 but for one reason or the other, I did not make it. Perhaps it was the uncertainty, no lead no support, being on your own in the vast desert, lack of confidence/my weak point (navigation), some past reports...but, a trip that is absolutely and completely mandatory for every driver to learn a very important aspect of offrading..navigation, and self recovery! I cannot emphasise on how crucial EIB is for newbies- just go for it seriously! You won't regret it, and if you do, don't blame me

Anyways, fast forward to EIB 2024. I was at the Breast Cancer drive when Moustafa19 asked me to try out EIB and it's significance to the overall offroading experience. Still unsure, I got to reading the reports from 2023, a batch I started off with, then moved onto reports from 2022, left me wondering do I really want to do this? I must admit, if it wasn't for the encouragement and guidance from Moustafa19, and some inspiring words from Abu Salem, I wouldn't have made it to EIB 2024. Downloaded the Gaia app a few days before and started playing around with it + YT tutorials while trying to mentally prepare for it.

Day had finally arrived! Made it to the meeting point, deflated, flag mounted, 4H engaged, kill switch on..sat in the car then suddenly, everything I read on the reports, chats, videos, started flashing back at me hahaha. I knew I had to do this!

Upon arrival of Abu Salem, marshalls, observers etc, a very thorough and detailed briefing ensued, rules of the game were very well explained. Everything was sooo well planned, down to the very minute detail - pins, color codes, checkpoints, do's and dont's. Post briefing, drivers headed back to their cars, and lined up at the starting point. This was it! All I saw was the Almost4X4 flags, it was setup like a gate to another portal...

Abu Salem gave the signal, EIB kicked off! Once passed the entry point, my first check point, was fairly quick, made it to find Ehab chilling with his nice coffee setup under a tree. A quick handshake, verification, sticker, goodluck from Ehab, and I took off..a few seconds later Ehab called out on the radio, asked me to stop, and ran towards my car with a little bag, now EIB started making more sense..it was a bag with 5 eggs :D

As I continued to point two, I would step out of the car scan the area, look for a path or route while moving the Gaia app towards the direction of next check point. This added a few more minutes but helped me maneuver myself in a safe manner. Point two was at a slightly higher ground so seeing afar wasn't as easy at point 1, ended up slightly closer to the audience, radioed Rashid and he confirmed it was the audience, which was a no go zone and reaching that spot would be immediate disqualification! Circled around a few times and finally made it to point two where Mpodroid was in his white FJ. Handshake, sticker and a good luck from the marshall and off I went.

Used the same technique next few points and cleared them quite quickly (or thats what i thought atleast)..Carlos..Jamhi..marshall with the silver JK (sorry i fogot your name)...these were very technical routes, too many unexpected dips, bushes..but my Friday the 13th experience came in handy. Call it muscle memory or whatever, the physics, the turns, the bumps felt very familiar and i knew what to avoid and keep going. I was warned that the Gaia app was notorious for glitching/freezing but it all went smooth...untill..I reached my 6th and final point which was guarded by David.

I was somewhere around the 40 min mark, quicky met David, got the stickers, while hearing comms from Barish about 2 challengers completing the course. Rushed back to the car..and good ol Gaia decided to be a foe and not a friend. All my points were named and saved, including the finish point. At this very moment, the guide me option with straight line decided to stop working!!!! Closed the app several times, nothing..uninstalled and reinstalled, still nothing!!! All while hearing comms about drivers making it to the finish line. I could see Brett's Red FJ and Barish's JK, and could easily make it there without Gaia, but I wasn't even sure if it was the finish line. Lost good 15 or more minutes there and finally Gaia decided to work, only to point me towards the red FJ and JK which was easily within reachd. Mix of emotions as I made it to the finish line..a sense fulfilment yet a bit of disappointment at the last checkpoint. But then I remembered Abu Salems opening words..at EIB, everyone is a winner As I crossed the finish line and made it to the parking, with nothing broken or bent, felt incredibly happy to have joined this trip.

Nothing else to say that's not been said already but again, I wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for the Almost4X4 family, Abu Salem, supporting marshalls, observers and everyone involved in planning this. So many little moving parts, so much effort put in by the organisers, one simply cannot comprehend the work that goes into these events...all for the greater good of newbies. I could go on and on about this trip! Also, a very very big thank you to Moustafa19 who's support and positive words helped me massively in completing this trip successfully. Lastly, congratulations to the winner, runner up, and every single challenger to took part in EIB. Hope your eggs were safe, both the ones inside and outside the bag

What does not kill you, makes you stronger
@S.ALSHAMSI @baris @Rashidjass @CARLOSS @Ehab @David @mpodroid @Aljamhi @Moustafa19 @brett

Just when I thought I am good at “off-roading”
Smack on face
I reached on time, had all relevant tools and had confidence that I won’t have many obstacles, heard challengers talking about “GAIA” app, and reading trip reports and how to enter coordinates, “lost ground below my feet” that’s when I realized I wasn’t ready, didn’t read previous trip reports, neither asked anyone. “Basically I entered drive unprepared”

Thanks “Mustafa”for helping me setting up coordinates, “M Alshamsi” to send me at the back of line to allow enough time, Marshal “Barish” for valuable information on GPS systems.
Thanks again for a wonderful experience, gathering and snacks and valuable insights.

Key learning “ I know how to use GAIA now ”

Dear Almosters,

EIB is a great experience for Newbies, being one of the activities/challenges that you must participate in on your journey to becoming a fully independent off roader.
This year the event was held in a different area (Qudra) from where I did my EIB a few years ago. But it still held many challenges, and a few surprizes for the brave few who signed up to tackle the course.
The number of challengers was less than we have seen in previous years – but full credit to those who did take on the challenge. As it has been mentioned before, there are no real winners in EIB it is a personal challenge to test your skill in navigation and putting in to practice the techniques you have learnt in the Newbies drives with Almost4x4.
The weather was brilliant and considerably cooler than previous years, giving the challengers an advantage when having to self-recover. As always there was a wide range of skills on display with the nimble little Jimny being able to complete the course is very commendable time, these little beasts have a distinct advantage in these tight technical areas. Some of the larger cars managed to negotiate the course and finish with respectable times. For a couple of drivers luck was not on their side this time with stucks and popouts slowing their progress – never mind there is always next year to attempt the challenge again.
Once everyone was safely out of the course, everyone gathered to hear the results with the 2 fastest finishers receiving the customary “halal” champagne.
Congratulations to all who took on the challenge and a huge thank you to The Founder, Marshals, Advanced and Intermediate Members who turned up to support and ensure the safety and success of the event.
@alshamsi_m @Barish @presa @Solmaz @Agalon @Rashidjass @Scorpio @David @CARLOSS @mpodroid @Aljamhi @nidal78 @Ehab @Petr @Enrique @Moustafa19 @nidal78 @Msharhan

Meat and Greet is coming soon – another great Almost4x4 challenge not to be missed.

From the beginning, EIB is a fantastic event, I believe that the most fun that you can participate in as a Newbie, and also the most critical in the preparation for becoming an "independent off-roader". Lets not forget that this is the final aim of the Club, to prepare drivers to venture into the desert alone with families/friends without the need of a Marshall´s rear bumper to follow.

I loved the area, very different from previous location providing other type of challenges, sand not so soft so less likely to get stuck but very bumpy (including bushes) with random dune formations that did not follow any logic/pattern.

I was planning on being lazy audience but I must admit I enjoyed position 6, good views and great company with Quique.

Congrats to all of you that participated as challengers, everyone is a winner, you all have learned something valuable regardless if about yourselves, your cars, GPS ... and I am sure that all of you have in mind if any areas of improvement are needed.

See you on the sand soon.

Hi everyone,

Another EIB as observer under my belt, this time being a solo observer which gave me the opportunity to relax on my own, sit down and watch the “movie” of newbies approaching my way point.

Even though it was a lovely Saturday afternoon time, still a bit hot so I strategically parked my car under a massive tree , and I enjoyed the landscape from my chair, under the shade. To be honest, the waypoint was around 20 meters away from my sitting area so I let the newbies to do a bit of extra work while approaching me.

There was a bit of everything, a member in competition mode not willing to chitchat too much , another member taking his time and checking the terrain thoughtfully before getting inside the car in his way to the next way point , a new member that just got installed Gaia app when he arrived at the meeting point and so on. Very interesting clientele.

All in all, it was a great exercise for our fella newbies who have just started their independent off-road life and the event concluded with the protocolary awards ceremony steered by master of masters @alshamsi_m followed by chitchat here and there. Lovely experience.

See you soon.
Carlos

Hi everyone,
From 1st day I joined the lovely group I heard from the marshals that “we are making independent off roader”
Day after day & trip after trip I start recognize what is the meaning of that.
At the meeting point we got the instructions from @S.ALSHAMSI and I was a little bit worried and excited to start.
We received the sheets with 6 points & the end point in different order for all of challengers.
I was thinking if I am capable enough to do this new experience, it was the 1st time to lead my self in the desert & design my track.
Once I started & crossed the entry gate, I struggled a bit to find my 1st point as my navigation application stopped working & I lost my directions, so I decided to depend on myself to navigate my direction.
Finally, I was very proud of myself as I succeeded to reach all the points & finished as 3rd winner in 39 minutes and 36 seconds.
Thanks for all the marshals whom supporting us to reach to this confidentiality.
Looking forward to meeting you all on sand soon.