Trip Report Sweihan Advance 101 Trip

[tompa-bjorka]

8 great drivers met at Khazna deflation point 8 AM 15 March for an introduction drive to Advance driving. However this morning it was raining all way from Abu Dhabi to Khazna, so due to the weather conditions and the hazards of driving in the wet top layer sand conditions, we decided to prioritize safety and made this an Intermediate trip instead

Marshals: tompa-bjorka (Thomas), Bisho
Experts: Escape (Al), MissoBisho (Maissa)
Advance: petro (Kevin), loefflmj1 (Mark), Kharadly (Mohamed), Falcon_83 (Mohamed Hammad),

So the safety briefing focused on explaining the difficult driving conditions when the top layer of sand is wet and why we will not do any side crests or bigger side slopes in this trip. I set up the convoy with MissoBisho as 2nd lead and Al as sweeper (Al great to see you back driving after long time away). MissoBisho and Falcon_83 expressed wish to part lead this Intermediate drive, appreciated intitative.

We took off direction Sweihan, playing it safe in the very nice area. It was rain and thunder on and off. After some time one supporting marshal was feeling a bit motion sick and had to make a longer break, meanwhile the rest of us were playing around in the area, having great fun.

Evvetually we reached the fence and took the entrance to the gatch road along the farm and followed it down towards Sweihan and when we finally reached the area with the really big dunes, I gave the lead to MissoBisho who lead the convoy with excellent track towards the huge dune where we have the burned-out car on the top (huge bowl). Here we practiced safe side sloping, going around and around. After this centrifuge we headed towards Sweihan and Falcon_83 took the lead, now with MissoBisho as sweeper. Falcon lead the convoy safe through the dune and managed to find a hole in the fence that led us out to a gatch that took us to the Sweihan road when the trip ended, after 61 km in the dunes.

I enjoyed the drive, it is seldom we get the opportunity to drive in these conditions, the desert was very beautiful. Thanks to Bisho for valuable support and MissoBisho and Falcon_83 for excellent part leads. And to the rest of drivers, hope you enjoyed and were not too disappointed for the trip to be converted to an intermediate drive.


/Thomas (tompa-bjorka)

[MissoBisho]

It was a pleasant morning and we really enjoyed the drive. I really appreciate the Marshals decision and taking it slowly due to the weather conditions. Though I was in a mood for an advanced drive but yet safety is our main priority. Safety by choice
Thanks Thomas for the great track and for the leading opportunity.
See you all soon.

[bisho]

Thanks Thomas for nice trip and allowing me to stay for a long break.

[FALCON]

Thank you Thomas for the lovely trip driving in the rain with hard layers sand was completely different experience .
Track was well chosen and safe

Thanks for giving me the apportunity of the part lead

Thanks for the supporting team and for everyone

Hope to see you soon

[Escape]

Thanks for a great lead Thomas, it i was a really good way to get back into driving after such a long break. It was fantastic to be the first group at the bowl, that doesn't happen often.

Great leading by MissoBisho and Falcon with mixed terrain (big dunes and small technical stuff).

Great fun and really looking forward to the next trip.

Cheers, Al

[loefflmj1]

Better late than never. Thank you Thomas for a great trip and gaining experience in those wet conditions. It was very different. But it was a great drive (up until I lost my phone after inflation)
The desert was very peaceful in the morning.
Mark