Basics of Driving in the Dunes for Geocachers

This is a fun event where first timers can learn some of the basics about driving in the dunes and experienced geocachers can share their tips and help.

This event will give you an opportunity to learn how to drive and stay safe while looking for caches hidden in the more remote parts of the desert. The area has some nice dunes and participants will get the chance to experience different levels of difficulty while driving out in the desert. For those who have never been before it will also give you the experience of camping out in the sand.

You will also learn some of the safety precautions, as desert driving can be dangerous. You will also learn what to do when you inevitably get stuck.

• DATE:      December 18, 2015
• TIME:      12:00pm
• VENUE:  The sand dunes near the small town of Al Hayer at coordinates: N24° 39.429 E055° 45.225
•  We will first meet at the Al Hayer ADNOC station at 12:00 PM (coordinates N24º 34.929 E055° 43.985) to go over what to expect before heading off into the dunes and will discuss different equipment and supplies you should have before going off-road and entering the sand.
• We will then travel to the Al Jabeeb turn-off from the E66 at Exit #50, to coordinates: N24º 38.490 E055° 42.653, before we head off into the sand to the event venue.

Pack lots of drinking water, refreshments, snack and/or a light lunch if you are only coming for the event itself.

The event will last about 3 hours and you will receive an introduction, along with some practical exercises, to the following:

• Off-road trip preparation and gear selection
• Off-road convoy etiquette
• Caring for the environment
• 4 wheel drive vehicle types and setup
• How to adjust tire pressure to suit the terrain
• Sand driving techniques
• Recovery techniques

What to bring:

• Hat and sun screen
• Chair for each person in your party
• You may want to wear closed shoes for walking on hot sand (you can still burn your feet wearing sandals)
• Drinking water, liquid refreshments, snacks/light lunch

Bring the following if you have it available (do not rush out to buy this for the event if you do not have it, we will be showing you some of the equipment so that you can make informed buying choices).

• Shovel
• Tire pressure gauge
• Air compressor
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• 4wd vehicle (SUV)

For those who are not staying past the event, or those who plan on being there for the evening, but not overnight, we will accompany them back out to the road.

For those who will be staying for the overnight camping experience, please also bring:

• Tent
• Sleeping bags/mat/pillow and anything else that will make your night more comfortable
• Grill (if you have it, or we will share ours)
• Campfire wood (let me know If you don’t know where to purchase it)
• Your own food for evening meal and light breakfast
• Your own refreshments
• And did we say… lots of water

We will share appetizers at the end of the afternoon while enjoying the sunset.

This event is meant as a low-key fun time in the sand. It will give you a feel for driving in the dunes and give you more places to travel in the UAE that might have made you feel were off limits before. And better yet, will give you more confidence for going after those caches that have been just out of reach previously.

Expect to have a lot of fun learning some new skills with your fellow geocachers.

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Please post a "Will Attend" log if you plan on attending so that we can know how many vehicles to expect. And please let us know how much of the event you are attending. That is: the day event, the evening, or the whole overnight camping trip.