Hitting the UAE desert

[Desert Nomad]

I dropped off the trailer today to get the bedliner sprayed on. It was meant to stay overnight and get picked up the next day. "Luckily" when I got there someone pushed their appointment to the next day and they gave me their spot. So i ended up hauling the trailer 280 km doing all my errands.

 

[BulletHead]

Is that last trip with mountains to Hatta?

 

[Desert Nomad]

Is that last trip with mountains to Hatta?

No this was from AlGhail RAK through to Masafi FUJ, close by the wadi sidr. I wanted to find the old unpaved highway from the east coast to Dubai but most the old tracks aren't accessible anymore or have been paved.

I need to do more google maps research and try to find some nice tracks

 

[BulletHead]

Nice. My dad and I did the Masafi route ~25 yrs ago. It probably hasn't changed much.

 

[Desert Nomad]

Took the trailer out for a short desert run. The 200 didn't even notice it was there. I still need to take it to the scales and see how much it weighs.

 

[Desert Nomad]

Picked up an aluminium oil filter housing but I still have 2,500kms untill the major service. The brake bleeding sounds like fun, I wonder if I'll leave an LC shaped hole in the wall once I'm done.

 

[Desert Nomad]

Put on 300kms today tracking the wadi madha/ wadi shis route.
There was rainfall in some regions but the wadi beds were dry, either way it was a nice change of scenery.

 

[Desert Nomad]

From the mountains back to the dunes...
My playground

Gave the 200 a good run and it made through without having to deflate.

 

[navadv]

Hi Desert Nomad,

Just went through your full thread - nice build!

I have been in the UAE for many years now and just picked up a 100 - Gxr, manual.

I have a question for you - At the moment my 100 is running a set of sharjah rims that I am little concerned about - how did you like the original steelies you had - any downsides other than the pop outs? Am thinking of going down this route for now - 16".

I need to hit the desert - the weather is perfect. Will msg you in the new year to see if your doing any easy track driving and can tag along if your okay with it !

Nice build once again - Happy New Year !

 

[Desert Nomad]

Hi Desert Nomad,

Just went through your full thread - nice build!

I have been in the UAE for many years now and just picked up a 100 - Gxr, manual.

I have a question for you - At the moment my 100 is running a set of sharjah rims that I am little concerned about - how did you like the original steelies you had - any downsides other than the pop outs? Am thinking of going down this route for now - 16".

I need to hit the desert - the weather is perfect. Will msg you in the new year to see if your doing any easy track driving and can tag along if your okay with it !

Nice build once again - Happy New Year !

Thanks.
Other than pop outs i had no problems what so ever with the rims. You'll have to search around and haggle on pricing for these rims, i wouldn't pay over 500dhs per rim. Also once you get them balanced ask to see the weights used for the aluminum wheels and the ones for the steel wheels, there should be a slight difference. a lot of shops will use the aluminum weights on steel wheels and those will fly off the wheel.

I could organize a nice easy drive after the new year, you can pm me and we can work something out.

Hope you have a happy new year

 

[mummy3]

Very nice scene!

 

[navadv]

Thanks for the advice! I'll start the hunt this weekend. The 100 is in the workshop at the moment getting a couple things done - some preventive, some upgrades. Once it's out, I will take you up on that offer for an easy drive!

 

[Desert Nomad]

29-12-2014
Driving time: 9 hours
Distance: 490km

Drove from the west coast to the east cost town of Dibba (highway 1.5 hrs)

Took a dirt track that winded through a narrow valley between two mountains and crossed over a border post into Oman. From there continued on towards the switchbacks that take you up to an altitude of 1,700m along and up and over the mountains. (3 hrs)

Once crossed over the mountains headed on down to the cove just in time to watch the sun set. (Khor Najd)

Once the sun went down headed out and found the Acacia forest which is a good spot for picnic/camping. (no pics, too dark)

Then took the winding coastal road back towards the UAE (1.5 hrs + 2.5 hours back home due to retarded road construction in RAK, 2 main highways leaving the city were closed down)

Didn't get many pictures I'll try to see what the better half got on the camera and might add them up, basically just a scouting trip to see where everything is and what to expect on the way for a future trip.

 

[MScruiser]

Looks like a ton of fun. I'm jealous of your location.

 

[Willy beamin]

Nice little adventure you had there. The photo of the gulf you have posted, were you in the clouds or is that haze?
I imagine that water is clear, blue and beautiful.

 

[Desert Nomad]

Nice little adventure you had there. The photo of the gulf you have posted, were you in the clouds or is that haze?
I imagine that water is clear, blue and beautiful.

Thanks. It was beautiful, if only we reached a little earlier before the sun started setting. At that time the haze was just coming in.

 

[maujkar]

Great adventure ! Drive to KhorNajd is beautiful and the same going up to Jebel Al Harim. I wanted to do the mountain route like yourself, but all those red warning boards (Khasab side) put me off .. Didn't knew what to expect at the border crossing. Looking forward to the pics !

 

[Desert Nomad]

Great adventure ! Drive to KhorNajd is beautiful and the same going up to Jebel Al Harim. I wanted to do the mountain route like yourself, but all those red warning boards (Khasab side) put me off .. Didn't knew what to expect at the border crossing. Looking forward to the pics !

Hahahaha so that's what they were... I was coming from dibba side and couldn't see a single one, all were facing the opposite direction. The border crossing was easy even though i knew more about the procedures then one of the men there. I think as long as all people travelling are gcc nationals you can get through, that drive is a must just make sure your brake pads are thick enough for the trip.

 

[navadv]

Was just about to ask about the crossing and then you post all this! - I've been told it's a 'military' crossing and may have issues. I'm not a GCC national - think it will be a problem? Like most I've got a residence visa.

Been looking up this same trip having heard all about it! Your pics just make me want to do it all the more!

 

[Desert Nomad]

I think visa for oman can be gotten at the RAK border but the one at dibba is not an official crossing. Through sharjah border i think expats need a hotel booking and other documents sent before hand. Or you could try with the tour companies or hotels and ask what the procedures are. It would suck to drive all the way to fujairah and just get turned back at the border