issue 23 december

The Camping Issue

THE FIRST OUTDOOR MAGAZINE FOR THE UAE AND THE MIDDLE EAST

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Complimentary Copy

ODYSSEY RETURNSMike’s EPIC Solo 7 Day Drive

The Oman

John takes the boys outdoorsCAMPING PARTY!

Birthday

CAMPING!OutdOOruAE tEst sOmE grEAt cAmping gEAr

Let’s Go

HOlE IN THE WAllGordon introduces another great dive site

!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص٤٤-٤٥

here the pagenumbers 44-45

!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص ٤٤-٤٥



!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص



!للمرة األولى!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص ٤٤-٤٥

مقاالت باللغة العربية ص

Distributor [email protected]

Available at: Go Sport in The Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre, Ibn Batutta Mall,

Mall of The Emirates, Adventure HQ in Times Square Center

Halo 200 | Expedition tent

1,195,-

The popular Halo model provides a stable and innovative design with porch space to

store gear and an open section perfect for cooking. The pack can be split between

friends making this a firm favourite with youth groups and DofE expeditions.

TOTAL WEIGHT 4 Kg

PACK SIZE 44 x Ø17 cm

PITCHING TIME 12 min

3OUTDOORUAE

The information contained is for general use only. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this magazine has been obtained from reliable sources, however the publisher is not responsible for any errors. All information in this magazine is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information. In no event will the publisher, its related affiliates or anyone else be responsible for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this magazine.

All contents are under copyrights and may not be reproduced in any kind without written permission.

© 2012 Outdoor UAE FZEReg. at Creative City FujairahP.O. Box 4422, Fujairah, U.A.E.

WHEN YOU’RE DONE READING,

PLEASE RECYCLE!

THE FIRST OUTDOOR MAGAZINE FOR THE UAE AND THE MIDDLE EAST On the Cover: Daniel Birkhofer photo by Tara Atkinson

Managing Editor Daniel BirkhoferEditors Kim Perks, Tara Atkinson, Angelo CabreraDesigner Oybek DaniyarovAdministration Jane Mesina

Sales & Marketing (advertisement enquiries)Tara AtkinsonTel: 04-447 2030Mobile: 055 [email protected]

Published byOutdoor UAE FZEP.O. Box 215062Dubai, U.A.E.Tel. 04-447 [email protected]

DistributorTawzea, Abu Dhabi Media CompanyP.O. Box 40401, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Printed atGaladari Printing & Publishing LLCP.O. Box 11243Dubai, U.A.E.

© 2012 Outdoor UAE FZEIssue 24 December 2012

BETWEEN THE LINES

Daniel Birkhofer Founder and Editor in [email protected]

Oybek Daniyarov Graphics & [email protected]

Kim Perks Copywriter and Editor

Tara Atkinson Sales and Marketing [email protected]

Angelo Cabrera Junior Editor [email protected]

Jane Mesina [email protected]

EXPERTS & CONTRIBUTORS

Tori Leckie Writer, runner, blogger, adventurer and adidas athlete

Kit Belen Our fishing pro

Ian Ganderton Kayaker, climber, mountainbiker and snowboarder. Enthusiastic jack of all trades, master of none.

Mike Nott The 4x4 expert

John Basson Moto/ATV and all round adventure seeker

Pete Aldwinckle Climber and all-round adventure seeker

Toby Foord-Kelcey Climbing Expert

Darryl MacDonald Photographer, journalist, climbing and hiking junkie currently living in Oman.

Gordon T Smith Desert Diver and wannabe Marine Biologist

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE? CONTACT US! [email protected]

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This past 24th of November, I finished my very first mid-distance run! But I wonder if 1h 27m 26s time is not a bad for a first time 10km runner.

It feels great to having realized that I actually completed the distance, and all of that training and pain has paid off and what a wonderful feeling it was; personal fulfilment is the real reward of it all.

This kind of event not only tackles issues about being physically healthy but also, being socially healthy, gaining more friends, starting to do what you love and giving you more will power to continue with these types of events. Awareness in your community is also one of the additional consolations for being a runner. Its great that now people know I’m running 10kms they understand and great support has followed.

Also, let us avoid gaining excessive weight during holidays, eat in moderation and keep a consistent exercise program. Make a trend with some simple planning, and instead of waiting for the New Year to make resolutions, resolve to be kind to yourself NOW and to the people closest to you.

As we have said previously, this is the right time to go out and explore, enjoy the nice weather with family and friends. So to our outdoor buddies, be informed. And once you are,know how to keep yourselves healthy.

So saying that; what’s more healthier, is what we should feed our soul with.

Jane

The Camping Issue Price: 10 DHS


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ODYSSEY RETURNSMike’s EPIC Solo 7 Day Drive

The Oman

John takes the boys outdoorsCAMPING PARTY!

Birthday

CAMPING!OutdOOruAE tEst sOmE grEAt cAmping gEAr

Let’s Go

HOlE IN THE WAllGordon introduces another great dive site

!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص٤٤-٤٥

here the pagenumbers 44-45




!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص



!للمرة األولى!للمرة األولىمقاالت باللغة العربية ص ٤٤-٤٥

مقاالت باللغة العربية ص

OutdoorUAE would like to congratulate the whole UAE as it now celebrates 41 glorious years of being united under one flag. Carry on the uniting spirit of the founding fathers for ages to come. Cheers!

THE FIRST OUTDOOR MAGAZINE FOR THE UAE AND THE MIDDLE EAST DEcEMbER 2012 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.cOM

4 OUTDOORUAE

CONTENTS

16 Crossing The Finish Line

EVERY ISSUE

EVENT REVIEWS

OUR EXPERTS

60 O

MA

N E

SCA

PES

50 Al Ain to Liwa

05 BEST SHOTS06 EVENTS CALENDAR34 PRODUCTS56 PEOPLE67 DIRECTORY

11 DAWN OF THE SHRED 12 THE ABU DHABI FISHING, CAMPING & KAYAKING CLUB: GETTING CLOSE TO NATURE14 SPINNEYS DUBAI 92 CYCLE CHALLENGE

40 OMAN ODYSSEY 2012 - MIKE NOTT46 ADVENTURE CHICK: RUNS MAJESTIC MANASLU 48 A LOVELY ROAD TRIP - KIT52 CAMPING PARTY - JOHN BASSON

SPOTS & LOCATIONS58 EAST COAST - HOLE IN THE WALL

62 GET THEM OFF THAT GAME CONTROLLER Pt2

59 EXPATS ATTEMPT KAYAK SURVIVAL CHALLENGE

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

TIPS + TRICKS64 PEGGING USELESS!

54 Lithium: the ultimate fight against waste

TRIED AND TESTED !

30 Get Ready for BattleTRIED AND TESTED !


5OUTDOORUAE

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BEST SHOTSAfter a huge selection of awesome outdoor photo entries that was sent to us, OutdoorUAE is pleased to announce the winners of this month’s special edition of our “Want Fame?” Outdoor Photography competition!

Congratulations to all the winners! You may claim their prize before the 31st of December. So get a chance to be famous and win something fancy next month by sending us your best outdoor photos to [email protected] on or before the 25th of December. Get those cameras clicking and get outdoors with OutdoorUAE!

1st place: Heidi Cothron winner of the FujiFilm XP170!

2nd place: Alexandra Schwarz winner 1 Buff Head Gear and 5 complimentary copies of OutdoorUAE!

3rd place: Andrew Stelmach winner will receive one Meal Kit from Light my fire and five complimentary copies of OutdoorUAE!

Heidi Cothron: Lookout over majestic Oman mountainsLocation: Wadi Madbah

Andrew Stelmach: Andy LaBonte on ‘Little Princess’Location: Wadi Naqab, Ras Al Khaimah

Alexandra Schwarz: A little dreamLocation: Rub al Khali - Abu Dhabi

WINNER!

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6 OUTDOORUAE

The Dubai Creek Striders Half MarathonDecember 7, 6:30 a.m. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai

Now in its 11th edition, this running event is expected to give its participants a chance to experience running along the famous Dubai Creek whilst enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city. They will also be providing a hearty post-event breakfast, too! For more information, visit www.dubaicreekstriders.org.

Dubai Midnight Marathon (3.2km Fun Run)December 13, 6:00p.m.-12:00a.m. Burj Khalifa Park, Downtown, Dubai

During the 13th of December, to celebrate the launch of the ‘Dubai Midnight Marathon’, get yourself down to the Burj Khalifa Park, for festivities starting from 6:00 p.m. onwards, with mu-sic concerts, events and family activities, followed by widely anticipated 3.2km fun run starting at 11:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.dubaimidnightmarathon.com.

Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge 2012December 14, 6:00 a.m. Dubai Autodrome, Motorcity, Dubai

This annual cycling event is set to pass by an impressive collection of the city’s renowned landmarks. Supported by the Dubai Sports Council, this 92km road race will be open to both amateur and professional riders alike. For more information and to register, visit www.cyclechallenge.ae.

Urban-Ultra Desert StinkerDecember 14, 7:00 p.m. Bab Al Shams, Dubai

During this two-stage desert adventure run, you can choose from a 10k and 10k or 20k and 20k distance. On the evening of the 14th, you run your selected distance in the dark on a flat course, then return to camp for food and fun then prepare for the morning’s start gun to run your chosen distance over the dunes! All funds raised will be donated directly to the UK’s Macmillan Cancer Support charity. To learn more about the race, equipment list and to register, visit www.urbanultra.com.

(PS – It’s a no-frills camping; no shower, so prepare to get a bit stinky!)

Dubai Desert Road RunDecember 15, 7:00 a.m. The Sevens Stadium, Al Ain Road, Dubai

The Dubai Desert Road Run is back at The Sevens Stadium! The 10km senior and 3km junior races follow a fast course within The Seven grounds on traffic-free roads. There are trophies for winners in each age group, with commissioned medals prepared for the race’s finishers. Visit their website www.dubairunning.com for more information.

Featured Event page15


EVENTS CALENDAR ++Stay up-to-date with the latest events

7OUTDOORUAE

Al Dhafra Camel FestivalDecember 17 to 28, Madinat Zayed, Western Region, Abu Dhabi

Madinat Zayed in the Western Region is the place to be when you are looking for everything about camels this month. There are dedicated special shows for ‘Asayel’ (pedigree) and ‘Majahim’ (dark-skinned) camels, and even a camel beauty contest! A traditional ‘souq’ will also be set up, while a camel auction and various contests for traditional handicrafts, poetry, date packaging and photography will be also held. To learn more about the event visit www.aldhafrafestival.ae.

UIM Class 1 World Powerboat ChampionshipDecember 21, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Breakwater, Abu Dhabi

Looking for some high-speed racing action on the water? The Class 1 World Powerboat Championship is a racing event that is worth your while. The race boats are 42ft, twin-engine 900hp composite catamarans capable of speeds exceeding 160mph/250kmh. To find out more, call +9712 681 5566 or send an email to [email protected].


EVENTS CALENDAR ++

800 [email protected]

ZX-6R636

300

THE 2013

KawasaKiAll New Products Are here!

8 OUTDOORUAE

NEWS + COmmENT

Off-road vehicles spe-cialist Polaris officially opened its biggest facil-ity situated in Mussafah Industrial, Abu Dhabi on the 7th of November last month.

The company’s latest facility, which covers some 3,591sqm, incorporates two separate showrooms to display the off-road models and Victory motorcycles, as well as a service and maintenance facility and fully-equipped workshop with 102 bays. The facility will also allow customers to make the most of the wide range of customisation options that the company offers. Polaris, which sold 1,300 models in the Emirates that include Victory motorcycles last year, is looking to build on its popularity by offering custom-ers in the capital a one-stop shop for sales and servicing for the first time. It boasts an estimated 75 percent market share in the UAE, with its RZRs, Rangers and ATVs seen being widely used in the desert dunes of the country.

POLARIS OPENS LARGEST FACILITY IN ABU DHABI

“By opening the world’s biggest Polaris facility in Abu Dhabi, we are making a clear statement about our commitment to the brand and to our customers, the vast majority of whom are Emiratis,” His Excellency Ab-dulla Al Masaood, owner of Specialized Sport Equipment (SSE), said. “This new facility also reflects our confidence in Abu Dhabi, which has undergone such remarkable develop-ment over recent years, leading to an even higher demand for premium products and services,” he ended.

The company has showrooms in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Bada Zayed, and is represented in the UAE by SSE, which was established in 1998 and belongs to the Al Masaood Group owned by His Excellency Abdulla Al Masaood. SSE is also the exclu-

sive Polaris and Victory distributor in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making the Abu Dhabi-based company as one of the largest international dealers of Polaris vehicles.

By 8:30 a.m. on Friday, 9th of November 2012, 15 eager teams had registered and were strategizing in preparation for Wadi Adventure’s first ever Adventure Race.

The teams of three to five members faced a grueling race around the park from the word ‘Go.’ As the flag went down, teams paddled as hard as they could in a mad dash around the 300-meter lake, to be the first raft up the conveyor belt. From there, they headed straight into one lap on the blue channel, followed by three intense and adrenaline-fuelled runs around the black, Olympic standard channel. Bearing in mind that the majority of the participants had never even set foot in a raft, this was the most exciting leg of the race for them all but also the most exhausting. Teams then had to ditch their paddles and run to the second station which involved what seemed to be a simple ‘toss-three-bags-into-a-barrel-challenge.’ But after paddling intensely and then having to race up a hill, accuracy was not everyone’s strongest point.

Once they had successfully completed the bag toss, teams then raced down to the

More Intense Than a Triathalon!

airpark where two members had to ascend the 14-meter high climbing wall as fast as they could. Barely able to run by this point the teams were then expected to swim out to the far side of the surf pool, duck dive just over two meters to retrieve four bottles and then head straight into the boot-camp style obstacle course on dry land. What awaited them would test every last bit of mental and physical energy they had left. Every member of the team had to get over some balancing beams, complete the tire runs, navigate their way through a spider’s web and then face the cherry on top, to somehow get over a three-meter high vertical wall with no grip. Teams quickly learnt that they were only as fast and

strong as their slowest and most exhausted member. The only way over the wall was through sheer determination, teamwork and complete invasion of each other’s personal space. Shoving, pulling and dragging each other over the last hurdle all 15 teams made it across the finish line in one piece, relieved but overwhelmed with the satisfaction that they’d done it. ‘This was definitely more intense than a triathlon’ claimed several competitors who were regulars on the local triathlon scene.

Sponsored by Eastern Motors and Hilton Al Ain, the winning teams walked away with some fantastic prizes. Leading the pack was team of three ‘Goes Fitness’ followed closely

Race 2012


9OUTDOORUAE

behind by the local favourites, the Al Ain Mirage. In third place and proving that cool men can rock pink shirts was the Brookefield Multiplex team. Wadi Adventure’s first ever amazing-style race was definitely a huge success. “We organized this race not only to generate awareness of what we have to offer but to also prove that no matter what your background, age, physical or mental capabilities, you can achieve anything you want. A little teamwork and a lot of fun always helps, too,” says Wadi Adventure’s General Manager, Mr. Ben Barker. “The next installment in our Adventure Race Series will be in the New Year targeting individual competitors. But we’re also planning several other races throughout the coming year for teams and individuals with ever changing challenges to explore their limits!”

For more information on Wadi Adventure, contact +9713 781 8422 or visit www.wadi-adventure.ae.

Internationally acclaimed freestyle motocross riders revved up their engines and shot 80ft in the air with the Burj Khalifa as their backdrop in the FMX Show hosted at the Burj Park in Downtown Dubai, over two consecutive week-ends in November. To the delight of everyone, the event was open to the public for free! Friends, families and adrenaline junkies had their eyes locked on the fearless stunt performers as they pulled off stunt after spectacular stunt between 2:00-3:00 p.m. and 4:00-5:00 p.m. each day.

Freestyle motocross riders put up a stunning show in Downtown Dubai

A member of the audience even had the chance to perform with one of the daredevils as the stunt rider showed off his bag of hair-raising tricks with a customised motocross bike and a BMX bicycle!

Visitors and residents alike were treated to a host of aerial bike stunts ranging from back flips, whips and seat grabs to ‘the superman’

and some high flying surprises. Each of the action-packed performances was launched from a stage set in the park with black-clad ramps and superb viewing areas for specta-tors, close to the attractions in Downtown Dubai, one of the emirate’s great destina-tions to relax and have a breather after a great day out in the city.

Naish’s youngest SUP champion rider Manca Notar had recently visited Dubai to meet up with the company’s local distributor, Ocean Sport’s leigh Pothecary and Surf Dubai to hold SUP clinics for girls at the beach near the seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel in Umm Suqeim 3.

The 16-year-old female rider from Slovenia, who made a name for herself in the SUP world after claiming the 4-Lake Trophy Tour in Germany this past October, held sessions with the girls that ex-plained the basics of SUP and took everyone out to paddle through some small waves, practice turns and take photos of everyone in front of the world famous Burj Al Arab.

Some of her students were first-time riders, but due to Notar’s thorough instruction and the versatility of the Naish’s Stand Up line, which was made available for everyone to a free demo ride, the girls had a great time.

Naish female SUP rider visits UAE - hosts SUP clinics for girls


10 OUTDOORUAE

Q&A ++

???

???Anyone know of any dive sites in Ras Al Khamiah please? - Mike Silvester

Ceri Henderson Marketing Manager at Al Boom Diving the biggest Dive Operator in the UAE was so kind to provide us with the following information:There are a couple of dive sites in RAK but they are a minimum of 50 minutes by boat from the harbour or nearest hotel away. Al Boom Diving do not operate from RAK for A this reason and B that the visibility in RAK waters is not very good.“

“ Hello,I’d like to know if you are planning on making your magazine available on tablet devices for Android and Apple IOs devices? Viewing it online on your website at present is not possible under Apple IOS

devices as Flash isn’t supported. Thanks. Hi Tristan, we wanted to keep this a secret until we are close to the launch, but to answer your questions: yes we will work on an APP for android phones and tablet computers. If everything goes well, we will launch it in January 2013. But we will add links in December to download the magazine as a pdf so you can read it also on your IPad.


journey begin.

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11OUTDOORUAE

EVENT REVIEWS

Halloween is always a fun and creative time of the year, so we decided to spring a Halloween “Dawn of the Shred” skateboard-ing and BMX competition in Abu Dhabi, with buses driving the crews from Dubai saving them a rather long skate! The event con-sisted of ‘best trick’ competitions with both junior and senior categories at three differ-ent well-known skate spots in Abu Dhabi, followed by a BMX competition at the Abu Dhabi public skatepark to finish off the day.

The streets were filled with chaos; with over 100 skaters pushing themselves hard for all the free prizes that were given away. Kids were throwing themselves down stairs and ledges, with the older guys really push-ing the scene, with some big tricks being put down on the day. The level of trick difficulty was so impressive that free skateboards, shoes and clothing for the best skaters were being given out. It was a hot and sweaty day but no one was complaining after reaching the end of an arduous, hot summer of skat-ing in the UAE.

Winners of the competitions included Yazan Judeh, Adam Abdul-Hakeem, Faisal Lumbreras and more! There was also an award for best-dressed to keep up with the spirit of Halloween, and RAGE’s very own team rider Mark Gavigan took it out with his Ace Ventura costume.

Skateboarding and BMX, specifically in the UAE, brings so many cultures together despite differences, and everybody just relaxes and has a good time. These events that RAGE put on aim to bring all the skaters together, to either compete or just to hang out, so if you’re around, whether you skate, BMX, shoot photos, or just want to watch, come down to a RAGE event and enjoy!

DAWN OF THE SHRED

Rage go on a Skateboardingspree in Abu Dhabi

Be sure to follow RAGE Shop on Facebook, and visit the website for the latest competitions and events.And of course, come down to the stores! We are located in Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall.

Words + Photos: Luke Kelly

Skateboarding and BMX is constantly growing in the UAE and

around the world. So, to keep up with

the amount of enthusiasm and char-

acter that the kids throw at us, RAGE

Shop runs regular competitions and

events to keep the community buzzing.

The Abu Dhabi Fishing, Camping & Kayaking Club was founded in October 2011 by Mohamed Salem Al Mah-rouky, a 31-year-old Egyptian national born and raised in Abu Dhabi. The club focuses on creating a pathway to help those reach the magnificent coastlines of the UAE and Oman. Al Mahrouky ex-plains that getting involved with one of the club’s trips is not only an amazing experience that will hone one’s skills and zeal,but also provides a great way to meet like-minded people and prepare for a great adventure. What prompted you to establish the club, and when did it form? As outdoor lovers in Abu Dhabi, we felt that we needed some sort of group or club that could combine fishing and beach camping. There are groups out there that promote hiking and outdoor activities, but nothing that com-bines beach camping, fishing, and kayaking all at once, and we see it as the absolute or ultimate adventure and exploration. When do you usually hold your trips? We usually organise trips all through the year but the winter and public holidays are the best time for camping and adventures. Anyone interested in camping, kayaking, and fishing can join the club without any membership fee. What is special about the three outdoor activities that your club mainly engages in? We feel camping, fishing, and kayaking are all related to nature more than any other activity; sleeping on an isolated beach or kayaking to explore the ocean. Furthermore, adventure, exploration, and finding a new place every time are the common denomina-tors of each of the activities that makes them

enjoyable and exciting to do. How do you find out about the best places to visit? There are dedicated members look-ing and searching for new, isolated beaches and camping spots before we organise any trip. Besides the guidebooks for the UAE and Oman, we usually research articles, Google Maps, and YouTube to find out any interesting locations which are not likely published in the normal guides.

Among them are: Khor Najd, Oman. A photo that was shared on the internet at-tracted us to discover the place. It a quiet and isolated beach made for local fisher-men marked with huge mountains where we can observe animals like mountain goats and foxes. Camping at Khor Najd offers an incredible experience as we camped between the mountains facing the Strait of Hormuz; most of the features are rocky which presents excellent spots for climbing and hiking as well. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: We took a field trip to discover new spots around Yas Island where we could launch our kayaks and camp. Yas Island is one of the most astonishing islands around Abu Dhabi; a remarkable camping site, teeming with fish species as well as dolphins. The location is unique for its clean white sands which are fused with the channels and man-groves around the island.

Where has been your group’s most remark-able outdoor adventure so far? The most amazing trip we had was Ras Madrakah, Oman. It was something new for the team as we used to camp on the Arabian Gulf coast-line, where the Indian Ocean merged with Oman. We caught a glimpse of its ancient fea-tures and the present extraordinary landscape which we don’t see every day. The remote and isolated aspects add more mystery and preserve the place, offering a unique experi-ence for visitors. We felt that we stepped back in time, taking us to a different era where the magnificent mountains stand beside white-sand beaches and turquoise water. While discovering the beach and walking between the rocks, we found amazing crab species and mussels which we tasted for our dinner there. It was also a full moon that evening and so we didn’t need any flashlights to walk around the

The Abu Dhabi Fishing, Camping & Kayaking Club

Getting Close to Nature

campsite. Do you have a message for our readers? It is the time to explore the UAE and Oman; in our last trip we met adventurers from Russia and Japan exploring the beaches. Get out of the office and feel the magnificent nature of the UAE and Oman. It’s not difficult, start plan-ning your next trip not only to get outdoors, but to meet like-minded people.

REPORT

Photos By: Mohamed Salem Al Mahrouky

12 OUTDOORUAE


14 OUTDOORUAE

92

The Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is an annual cycling event which this year takes place on the 14th of December. It covers 92km on the streets of Dubai, UAE, and is the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East. It is also one of the Dubai’s fastest growing sporting events.

Now in its third year, the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge has gone from strength to strength since the inaugural event in 2010 when close to 500 riders took to the streets in the first mass participation cycling event in Dubai. This year,over 1,000 cyclists from all over the world are expected to take part and the terrific success and growth of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge reflects the growth in popularity of cycling in Dubai over the past 36 months.

Between the increasingly busy Al Qudra cycling path and the fantastic, purpose-built cycle park at Nad al Sheba, cycling in Dubai has become much more than the pursuit of the hardcore cyclist. Families and riders of all abilities are making the switch from the sofa to the saddle and this is reflected in the structure of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge which has a number of pre-event build-up rides specifically to help cyclists of all levels test and build up their fitness. Seen by participants as social events as well as cycling events, the build-up rides take place each month and increase in difficulty each time: 35km, 45km, 65km and 80km, before the final 92km event. This year, the build-up rides have taken place at the new

Nad al Sheba cycle park, which was built to encourage mass-participation cycling events, and in this regard the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is leading the way.

The Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge benefits hugely from the support of the Dubai Police, RTA and the Dubai Sports Council, who ensure that the cyclists are safe on the roads. The growth of the event is also due to the continued support of its sponsors: Spinneys Supermarket, ARN radio station and Dubai 92. The long-term vision of the organisers of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is to rival the success of other ‘cycle in the city’ events, such as Cape Argus, South Africa, which regularly attracts over 35,000 cyclists from all over the world, including some of the world’s top riders. All information regarding build-up rides and the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge is available online at www.cyclechallenge.ae.

To Strength

The Spinneys DubaiCycle Challenge GoesFrom Strength

15OUTDOORUAE

In its 11th year running, the Dubai Creek Striders Half Marathon is taking place this December on the 7th of December from 6:30 a.m. Starting at the Dubai Golf & Yacht Club, the course will take 2000 runners through the hustle and bustle of the city, along the creek and experiencing both the old and new Dubai.

OutdoorUAE caught up with Kerry Ross, and Gigi Young, who will both be participat-ing in the race to get an idea of what it takes to compete in a half marathon, training, some interesting facts, and their running techniques on the day. Name: Kerry RossNationality: Australian passport holder but a New Zealander at heart (and not just because the All Blacks are awesome). Birthplace: Dunedin, New Zealand Weight: You are kidding - if you must know, 54kg Height: Tall enough to go on the Leap of Faith ride at Atlantis Full time Profession:CEO Ross Inc. Wife, Mother, runner, worker (at Jumeirah College)

How do you train for your sport? I love to run. I run outdoors in Dubai all year round. Right now, I am running about 60km a week (I wish I could fit in more) I run my long run with the Creek Striders on a Friday or on my own on a Saturday morning. The rest of the week I mix it up with a tempo run, intervals (this is usually the first to be dropped if I get busy) and some easy miles. Where do you train for your sport? I live close to Safa Park so I often find myself completing my shorter runs and speed work around Safapark. My favourite run takes in a section of beach from Jumeirah Beach Park up to Kite Beach. How long have you being running? Too long - I am surprised my knees still carry me. I only started running consistently when I arrived in Dubai in 2005. The running gave me something to do and also helped to

keep me in shape so I could afford a few indulgences. How many times have you ran the Dubai Creek Striders half marathon? 3 times - I love this run. Last year I helped out as a marshal. Your biggest sporting accomplishments: Finishing my first marathon and qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I ran the Boston Marathon in April 2012 is 30°C weather - definitely not marathon weather. Your future sporting goals: I want to run the marathon sub 3:30:00. I trained for this earlier in the year but the weather in Boston didn’t come to the party. Are you nervous about taking on the added responsibility of bringing so many runners under the goal time you are pac-ing for? No. A sub 1:45:00 half marathon is a serious time and the people taking this bus would have trained hard for this. How do you prepare for that added responsibility on race day? A few practice runs to make sure I can comfortably achieve the goal time. How will the runners in your pace bus know which bus to run with? I understand we will have a special T shirt with my pacer time on it.

Name: Gigi YoungNationality: Chinese Birthplace: Hong KongWeight: 43kgHeight: 154cmFull time profession: A mother How do you train for your sport? Put on my Adidas running shoes and go out every morn-ing in breaking dawn. Sometimes I will run to the gym and do my strength training then run back home. Where do you train for your sport? Any-where, most of the time I run along the beach, Safa Park. Friday long run is everywhere in Dubai. How long have you being running? 7 years How many times have you ran the Dubai Creek Striders half marathon? 6 times Your biggest sporting accomplishments: 160km race in South Africa, finished in 20hr57mins, 3rd overall female and 16th top finisher. Your future sporting goals: To do more 100 mile ultra races, may be another one in Florida. Are you nervous about taking on the added responsibility of bringing so many runners under the goal time you are pacing for? To be honest, I am very nervous about this ‘responsibility’! To be able to get the runners cross the line within their goal time is a great achievement! I will try my best to run it at an even pace, and if the weather condition is good, I might encourage some runners whoever feels strong to have a last kick after 17km, it would be good to see if we can run a negative split and finish strong! How do you prepare for that added re-sponsibility on race day? In regards for the preparation - I will practise running the goal pace for a couple of weeks, make sure I have my Garmin well charged and most importantly is to have a good beauty sleep for couple of nights! How will the runners in your pace buses know which bus to run with? The pacers will hold a flag which indicated the goal time. My advice for the runners; if for whatever reason they feel their bus pace is either too fast or too slow, they should listen to their own body and not force themselves to follow the pacer and run their own race.

If you would like to find out more about the Dubai Creek Striders: Johnson Arabia Half Mara-thon 2012 logon to www.dubaicreekstriders.org to support the runners during the day!

Dubai Creek Striders: Johnson Arabia Half Marathon 2012

16 OUTDOORUAE

EVENT REVIEWS

Making the right deci-sions can be one of the most challenging tests in life, espe-cially when it involves a lot of sacrifice, pain and hardship; choosing the right way isn’t always easy. But with a hefty amount of patience, determina-tion, discipline, courage, grit and faith in yourself and per-haps in the Higher powers that be, hard work will eventually pay off in the end, and you will be surprised that you achieved what had once seemed to be an impossible feat.

In the final days of training before our big run, Ouali, our trainer from Ignite Fitness & Wellness who had been the overseer of our training, and I went for a non-stop run at the running track in Al Barsha Park to gauge my endurance levels.

A few hundred metres before reaching the fifth lap, I was struggling to keep myself up-right and was wheezing, heavy with fatigue, and as soon as we made it to the end of the

Words: Angelo Cabrera

Crossing The Finish LineAngelo and Jane wrap up their 10km ADNIC Yas Run!

lap, I had almost passed out having hit that ominous fatigue “wall” once more. Ouali snapped me back to my senses and told me that I’d just managed to run 7.5km in 50mins. That was a bit disappointing as my target time to complete the full 10km was within one hour, but that motivated me more to pursue my target on the big day.

And as Jane and I lined up amongst the hundreds of entrants in the evening’s main event of the ADNIC Yas Run, the 10km race last 24th of November, the only thing I had in mind was to just keep running and finish what we’d started in the best time possible. The starting horn blew a few minutes past 6:00 p.m, signalling the first wave of runners to make a run for it, leading the other par-ticipants onto the track.

Run, run, run!The sea of runners around me from vari-

ous demographics were in a trance, deter-mined to keep their legs moving and endure the seemingly Sisyphean challenge that lay ahead. Different people were moving at dif-ferent cadences and paces, but we were all working towards the same objective; to keep on moving and reach the finish line. I had almost nothing on my mind except to run as quickly as I could and to keep my current pace steady or notch it up a bit. Jane and Oybek (who decided to enter the run with us and brought his cousin along) were nowhere in sight but I didn’t pay much attention to that detail. Some sections of the track had a few inclines and sharp turns that were a bit of a test for my strength and cardio, but thanks to the training that we underwent for more than two months, I coped pretty well.

I was at the 31-minute mark when I reached the runners’ starting point. I was shocked to learn that one lap of entire run-ning track was just half the 10km and the

distance boards around had misled me to think I’d already completed the full race! I struggled to get my running rhythm back, especially when I was starting to feel the exhaustion blanketing me. I was about to break and head to a grinding halt, but I kept upright and rallied myself to make a final push to the finish line.

The delight of seeing the arch of the end, finally, was uplifting beyond my expecta-tions; all the hard work that I’d put in was about to be realized in just less than 60m. I gradually picked up my speed and Usain-Bolted to the end.

Sadly, I was disappointed to learn that I hadn’t achieved my target finish; my of-ficial time of completing the full 10km was marked at 1h 1m 17s, while Jane’s official time was 1h 26m 34s. However, the main aim of the entire challenge was for Jane and I to complete our first 10km run, which we did, and it was in itself a fulfilling achieve-ment.We’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of our first 10km challenge, especially our trainers Fabian, Reyhana, Matt, Allie and Ouali of the Ignite Fitness & Wellness team who got us in shape for our first big run. Not to mention Go Sport Ibn Battuta for supplying our training gear.

Most of all, thank you for following Jane and me in our journey to wellness, and we hope to have encouraged you to get out there and run!

Angelo

Sebsports’ top rider Sebastian Husseini will be competing in the infa-mous Dakar Rally this coming January. Seb will be the first ever participant from the Middle East entering on a quad.

The Dakar Rally is considered by many to be the most difficult but also the most prestigious rally event in existence. It is one of the last remaining legendary adventures and a true test of one’s experience, physi-cal endurance as well as mental strength. The rally will travel through three countries starting in Peru, riding through Chile and ending in Argentina, covering a distance of over 8,000km over a two-week period with only one rest day in the middle. There will be around 200 motorbikes and over 100 cars that will be taking part this year. To Seb’s excitement, there will be a record number of 40 quads, and will give him the best op-portunity to prove himself against the world’s best riders.

With years of experience under his belt, including seven UAE Desert Challenges and endurance races both locally and in Europe, Seb is well prepared for what he considers the toughest race there is. Seb will be partici-

Sebsports at

pating with a top team from the Nether-lands, the Maxxis Super-B Dakar team. Seb brings to their team years of desert racing experience gained from the harsh condi-tions of the region and also the potential for a podium finish. The Honda TRX 700 quad being used was chosen for its reliability and independent suspension. Some of the up-grades include larger custom-built fuel tanks to cover 300km without refuelling, specially made Maxxis tires reinforced with kevlar, navigation equipment such as GPS and roadbook, and also some engine modifica-tion to increase performance, reliability and speed.

To follow Sebsports’ rider Sebastian Hus-seini at the 2013 Dakar Rally ‘like’ Sebsports on Facebook, check www.dakar.com and look for Quad No. 265, or even pass by the shop in Dubai to have a look at the race quad.

the Dakar Rally 2013

Run by riders, for riders!

Get geared up

Al Quoz Industrial Area 1Dubai, U.A.E, Tel: +9714 3393399GPS: N.25.09.602 E.055.14.338

The first & only online shop of its kind in the Middle East, sebsports.com is your one stop shop for world class off-road power sport accessories and equipment. Supported by a full-fledged workshop for services, repairs and customisation, sebsports.com is run by riders, for riders. Drop in, and gear up!

Photos By: DMX - Tanya

18 OUTDOORUAE

EVENT REVIEWS

Al Balooshi wins UAE’s Inaugural Arab Motocross Championship

Mohammed Al Balooshi has won the UAE’s inaugural Arab Motocross Championship on home territory last 16th of November at the Jebel Ali DMX Motocross track, bringing a fitting finale to the two-day action-packed race.

Competing in the top tier MX1 category, the Emirati home favourite won both of his two races with ease, clocking 11 laps on the 1,600m track in 21mins 55secs in the first race, while easing through his second race in 22mins .06secs.

“I have won this championship many times in other countries, but never in the UAE, so to finally win and to be the first Emirati to win here really means a lot. I hope that this encourages more Emiratis to take up this sport,” Al Balooshi said.

Held under the support and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Motocross Championship is organised by the Automo-bile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE).

The free-to-attend motocross event had attracted 67 riders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jor-dan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and the host country to the DMX Motocross track, and has all the ingredients of a classic motocross spectacle.

The powerful international line-up of competitors competed in two bike catego-ries (MX1 and MX2) and one pro quad bike category, with many tackling the highly tech-nical 1,600m DMX track for the first time.

The first day was dominated by seven hours of practice sessions across all catego-ries until the riders have had a feel for the course.

The riders also had another practice ses-sion at 10:00 a.m. prior the start of the last day’s race, followed by two races for each category in the afternoon, before prize-giving rounds off the weekend.

While Al Balooshi underlined his creden-tials as one of region’s premier motocross riders, fellow Emirati Mansoor Salem also dominated the pro quad bike category, win-ning both of his races with times of 14mins

31secs in the first race and 16mins and 49secs in the final race.

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti rider Mohammed Jafar reigned supreme in the MX2 category, with a commanding performance in both race heats, with winning times of 22mins 31secs and 22mins 33secs in Race 1 and 2 respectively.

“With this new beginning, we have a solid foundation on which to build a bright new future for moto racing in the Arab world, with a calendar of events run to the interna-tional standards laid down by the FIM,” Dr.


MX1 category (top six)

MX2 category (top six)

Pro Quad Bike category (top four)

1. Mohammed Al Balooshi, UAE; 50 points

2. Moaz Alansari, Kuwait; 44 points

3. Sultan Al Balooshi, UAE; 40 points

4. Anwar Khusaif, UAE; 36 points

5. Meshaal Al Khaledi, Saudi Arabia; 32 points

6. Mohammed Al Owairdhi, Kuwait; 30 points

1. Mohammed Jaffar, Kuwait; 50 points

2. Abdulla Al Shatti, Kuwait; 44 points

3. Rashed Abdulla, UAE; 38 points

4. Hassan Abdullah, Bahrain; 38 points

5. Mubarak Al Ali, UAE; 31 points

6. Nooredin Abdulla, Bahrain; 29 points

1. Mansoor Saleem, UAE; 50 points

2. Mohammed al Shamsi, UAE, 44 points

3. Abdulla Nasser, UAE, 40 points

4. Majed Al Jaraibi, Saudi Arabia, 30 points

19OUTDOORUAE

Winners

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, ATCUAE Presi-dent, and FIA Vice President for Sport said.

“We now look forward to some exciting action at the DMX Motocross track in Jebel Ali which has been designed to provide a stern test for many of the top riders from across the Arab world,” he ended.

The Arab Motocross Championship 2012 is the first competitive racing series of the Arab Motorcycle Federation (AMF) following its overhaul in August this year at its Riyadh

headquarters in Saudi Arabia – a move driv-en by the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees to take competitive bike racing in the Middle East to the next level.

Since being restructured, the AMF has been working toward developing a full calendar of motorcycle racing events in the Middle East that run to the international standards laid down by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), the sport’s world governing body.

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20 OUTDOORUAE

2nd NatureAdventure

REPORT

Having an obsession with the outdoors for some people means spending their lives in search of the unexplored, or even protecting it.

On Tuesday the 20th of November, Out-doorUAE and Adventure HQ came together to host an evening where two fairly normal people (Mike Nott and David Werney) spoke about their passions and adventures on the other side of their day jobs. With a format of 30 to 40 minutes each, the speakers attracted over 65 people to the talk, all of which were interested to hear what they had to say, and had the chance to ask questions in an informal and friendly environment after each presentation had finished.

First up was David Werney, founding mem-ber of the Emirates Environmental Group,

and presented about the journey he took with his wife to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the region called the ‘Plastic Not So Fantastic Expedition.’ Several members of the audience were keen to find out about how they prepared for this epic journey as well the reasons behind it, the red tape they encountered and what they aimed to achieve next.

The second and final speaker of the even-ing was Mike Nott, Off-Road Driving guru, chairman of the 4x4ME club and author of the Advanced Off-Road Guidebook for

UAE and Oman. Mike’s constitution is the outdoors and in search of the unexplored, Mike shared with the audience an unforget-table trip he took through the Empty Quarter where he encountered all sorts of trouble along the way. He shared some driving tips from within the Advanced Off-Road Guide-book for UAE and Oman and other expedi-tions he’d taken on previously.

Overall it was an excellent evening with some interesting people, and a great way to start meeting some of the outdoor crowd in the UAE. The next talk is set to take place towards the end of January so keep your eyes peeled!

David WerneyMike Nott

22 OUTDOORUAE

There are not many places in the U.A.E where you can find a forest of trees 10 metres high but in the new extension of the Dubai Garden Centre you can.

The entrance off Sheikh Zayed Road will have a magnificent, glass Swift conserva-tory complete with stone floor. To the left will be an exquisite show garden with paved courtyard, showcasing BBQ’s, as well as the Jamie Oliver wood fired ovens big and small. Then your eyes will feast upon tree after tree towering as high as the shade cloth roof and beyond. The urban tree farm has been laid out by tree types for your ease and convenience. You will first find Bonsai, Topiary and Cacti then Ornamentals and Succulents followed by Olive and Fruit trees, then row upon row of tall, mature Palms and other Trees. Advanced palms such as the majestic Cuban Royals, Foxtails, Areca, Date, Coconut and Royal just to name a few. You are confronted by ancient, thick trunked olive trees, gnarled, mature grapevines, you turn a corner and you are next to an orange grove.

Landscape supplies such as railway sleep-ers, bricks, boulders, rocks, marble, slat, lawn edges, wheelbarrows etc. are also displayed near the back and there is even a driveway and open gate at the back to provide an easy access loading bay for cars, trucks or utilities. Danny Powell, General Manager

New Extension to the Dubai Garden Centre

of the Dubai Garden Centre explains “the ex-tension was needed as the current store was too small for the increased product range we are now stocking and we wanted to satisfy the Customer demand for mature plants, landscaping supplies and large garden items such as fountains, lengthy Acacia wood tables, planted arches and obelisks as well as very, very big pots etc“. The wooden tables are stunning, you could easily seat 20 people at one sitting but they really are objects of beautiful, natural wood. There is a long wall running down one side of the extension and this has now become the ‘Wall of Fame’ which is sponsored by 7days newspaper and the Dubai Garden Centre. An idea to encour-age local artists to display and sell their work, this wall will be available to artists ‘free of charge’ during the weekend and will start 1 December 2012.

Amongst the foliage will be Dave, a very big dinosaur that is happy to give rides to children without eating them. The atmos-phere is one of serenity and peace and as you walk through you can hear water falling from the many water features. Stone tortoises, elephants and Buddha’s peak out from the foliage. This expanse of luscious greenery has attracted local bird life and their happy whistles and chirping add to the already wonderful creation of the Dubai Garden Centre expansion.

REPORT

New Extension to the Dubai Garden Centre

Get Dirty with SafetyGadgets that keep you safe while on an Off-Road Adventure:

Going off-road, racing, and having fun are some of the best things to do in the UAE and among all off-road adventures, motocross racing is one of the most popular extreme sports in which riders fly from one jump to the next, (which may mean shooting 70ft or more into the air, and at high speeds as they race around a motocross track). They whip the bike on its side, causing spectators to gasp at times. The speed, the com-petition, the danger- it’s an addictive adrenaline rush, which is why so many riders love it. But there is a catch; as far as the adventure is concerned, it is one of the most dangerous in the sporting world wherein broken bones are common and deaths do occur.

But this doesn’t mean that you should not do the adventure; go for it and go the extra mile, but do keep certain safety elements on your mind at all times:

Use High Quality Safety GearFace it, crashes happen. Don’t you want to get back in the saddle as soon as possible? Even more important, avoid permanent injury? First, consider your helmet (the brain bucket). Think of the things it protects. Choose the best brand such as the latest FOX V4 Future Helmet, featur-ing a carbon fiber composite shell construction with an astonishing, high-tensile strength of carbon fiber and exceeds the Snell 2010 and DOT Standards compliant. The FOX V4 helmet has DRY LEX™ comfort liner moisture wicks with cheek pads featuring a cupped lower edge design to mold to the rider’s face. And there are many other features and benefits of this new Fox helmet; as per rider’s feedback, this is one of the best helmets of Fox Racing USA.

The helmet should be coupled with well-fitting goggles so that your sight should not be compromised. How do you know your helmet is a good fit? Obviously, it shouldn’t feel sloppy on your head when the snap is snuggly locked. Comfort is important since that’s the only way you can compete effectively. Other than your head, other parts of your body deserve protection as well. A plastic chest plate will protect your breastbone and your ribs. A broken rib will bench you for a while. Also, wear your kidney brace to avoid those sucker punches.

Think ahead – more Safety GearSo far we’ve covered your body’s core; the areas that (hopefully) remain rela-tively centered over the saddle. Those areas comprise of your major organs, but being centered, they are less at risk than the parts of your body that are out of your personal safety zone. Take your leather gloves for example. They will protect your knuckles and palms when you take a dive. What’s the next protective gear to consider? Motocross boots! They’re not just stylish; they’re probably the most important protection after your helmet. Consider how often you use your feet to stabilize during tight turns. When you take a tumble, they are a buffer zone against strains and sprains.

The cool and protective looksYou’re a participant, not a fan. You don’t want expensive ‘knock-off’ team logo gear. You want functional gear that really performs and protects you. Quality motocross gear strives to strike a balance between aerodynamics, protection, weight, and the ability to move freely. The padding should be in the right place on your body. Focus on padding your elbows, knees and across your shoulders; these are going to be your most vulnerable areas in a tumble. Include the fashion element in your choices, but remember that protection is the first objective for the serious athlete.

Overall, it’s not just a sport; it’s a passion for the enthusiast and their thirst for flying through the air and doing it. If all the safety measures are kept in mind and proper focus is given, then the chances of injuries can be reduced enormously. Therefore, it is always advised to take proper training and chose the best accessories and right protective gear from the well-known brands for example: FOX Racing, MX Force, Scott, etc. For more information about safety and where to get the right gear, contact Al Yousuf Motors in UAE.

24 OUTDOORUAE

When I first heard about the

cave tent, my imagination put all kinds of funny pic-tures together to visualize the combination of a tent and a cave. In my imagina-tion, I made a connection with Stone Age living cave-men and anything prehistor-ic. Oh boy was I wrong!

The cave tent is a very innovative and modern interpretation of a cave, and I would be surprised if your imagination would even come close to what the designers and en-gineers from Heimplanet (translation: home planet) came up with. The tent looks like it’s directly taken out of the props room from a Hollywood science-fiction movie. The prod-uct description says: “Nature invented one of the most efficient and stable structures: the molecular structure of a diamond. We trans-late this principle into our Inflatable Diamond Grid. This makes the tent easy to pitch and offers outstanding stability – for a good time you can count on when travelling.”

The grid is made out of five modular dou-ble-layered air beams providing five separate air chambers giving the tent its strength even if one chamber is damaged. For windy conditions the tent can be strapped down like a normal tent. To be able to setup the tent within a few minutes the chambers are

connected by 2-in-1 valves with a one-way system to inflate the tents through only one valve. To deflate the tent all five valves have to be opened. The description gives a time of less than one minute for either step set-ting the tent up and breaking it down.

The inner and outer tent gives more strength to the structure and it’s also possible to use only the inner tent for hot weather conditions. The inner tent has a very good ventilation system, which works perfectly with and without the outer tent and no moisture built up inside the tent during our test. There are some useful pockets for storage inside the inner tent. There is also a detachable gear loft underneath the rooftop which provides additional storage or space to put a torch to generate some ambient light. The bottom material is very robust and absolutely waterproof. The outer tent forms a star-shaped roof with five slopes, which guides the water quickly off the tent in case of rain. The tent offers space for up to three people to sleep in, but we recommend using it for only two. Also importantly, all parts of the

inflatable diamond grid can be replaced or repaired in case of damage.

For a more detailed description of the tent and information about its technical details, please check out their website (in English): www.heimplanet.com. Yes it’s true; the tent’s structure is purely inflated and provides a very rigid grid without any poles. It sounds unbelievable and I was very skeptical about how strong the structure would be and if it is strong enough to withstand heavy winds. The design as well as the concept is definitely innovative and you will certainly get a lot of attention with the tent wherever you pitch it. However, the price of the tent which is about 2,600 AED is quite high compared to con-sumer tents but if you like the latest gadgets, innovative and high-quality products, the price will be secondary.

You might be familiar with the concept of learning by doing which involves plenty of trial and error. When I camp, I usually enjoy watching people struggling to get their tents up or down and how groups can spend hours discussing the best way to get it right. Full of

The cave of the future

PRODUCT REVIEW

1. 00min 00sec 2. 00min 10sec 3. 00min 20sec

7. 00min 40sec 8. 00 min 50sec 9. 01min 00sec

25OUTDOORUAE

confidence, I took the new tent for a camp out in the desert, meeting up with a bigger group. Since the camp was close to the city and for a birthday BBQ, we arrived only half an hour before sunset to setup the camp. Usually setting up in this time is no problem at all for standard tents, but as mentioned before, we are talking about a completely new and very innovative tent here. I opti-mised the weight whilst packing the car and took out the tent’s manual, without even looking at it and also the pump which comes with the tent, as I have this useful little fan to inflate mattresses etc. which had always worked well. And from there, the errors began to add up. If you open the tent for the first time without any clue what’s awaiting you inside the bag, apart from the image of the tent, which you have seen before, you will be quite surprised!

It didn’t look like this would be an easy fix and I immediately doubted ‘easily setup in less than a minute.’ First we laid out the grid to get a better idea of what to do that was quick and easy. The second step which seemed obvious was to inflate the five cham-bers. To cut a long story short: the little fan is not strong enough by far to build up enough pressure in the chambers to generate a rigid structure; it’s not even strong enough to open the 2-in-1 valve so you have to inflate the five chambers separately. To be able to get a standing structure I had to fill my lungs, make big hamster cheeks and try to blow

up the tent manually as much as possible after the fan had failed. It had already taken half an hour to get to this stage. Unsurpris-ingly our nice spot on a dune, which was in full view of all the other campers, was the center of attention and this time I was on the receiving end, entertaining others with my lack of knowledge about my gear. The next step was to connect the inner and outer tent to the grid which resulted in another error on my part. I tried to do it the usual way, by first connecting the inner then the outer tent, which in this case is the wrong way. Fortunately after about 45minutes and many arguments about how to do it right, the tent was finally up and we went on to enjoy a very pleasant night. The tent is made to a very high quality, which you can see by the seams and stitching, and even the ventilation is per-fect. With the temperature dropping at night and the humidity still high, you can easily get a moisture build up in the tent but our cave was perfectly dry.

Part two of my misery was trying to put the tent back into the bag. Again many errors were made here, which I know now having watched the very helpful videos on the web-site of Heimplanet after my failed attempts. We disconnected the inner and outer tent and then deflated the grid to pack it up. It’s essential for the packing to get all the air out of the grid and I can assure you that it took much more than 2minutes to get the tent

back into the bag. After the first ‘trial and ERROR’ session I

knew that this couldn’t be how the tent was intended to be used, so I urge everyone who buys this tent to watch the videos or read the instructions first. With this little additional knowledge, the tent is really fast and fun to setup.

The only criticism I have is about the break down, which takes more than two minutes if you are not familiar with the tent. This is because you have to squeeze all the air out of the beams; I also missed the overpressure valves which are there in case you pump up the tent too much or if day temperatures increase and the air in the beams expands. That said, the setup is so much fun and really cool. After you have setup the tent the first time and in the correct order as mentioned, it really only does take a minute. To ensure that you get the audience this quick setup deserves, I recommend you unfold the tent, connect the pump to the valve, then shout ‘Rise!’ as loud as you can until you get the at-tention of all campers around and then start pumping. The beams should be pumped up so that the structure is very stiff; don’t forget that at night the temperature drops, the volume of the air in the beams shrinks and if they are not pumped up enough, they might lose a bit of their rigidity.

In my opinion, the cave tent is the cool-est tent you can get and it’s perfect for this region, where ventilation and easy setup surpasses other requirements like strength against strong winds, insulation or water resistance which are not essential for the region. Of course not to forget in a country where fashion and style statements are im-portant, this tent will ensure you have plenty of attention wherever you camp.

P.S. After my experience, I now have a new theory about how the tent was named; no doubt I was not the first one acting and struggling like a caveman to setup this tent without instruction. So perhaps the cave name originates from how we approach something new rather than through the tent itself.

4. 00min 25sec 5. 00min 30sec 6. 00min 35sec

10. 01min 10sec 11. 01min 20sec

26 OUTDOORUAE

You might think that testing a cool box would be a challenging and boring task, as did I, however, thinking more about my past experiences and what I would actually demand from a proper outdoor cool box made for this region, it made the task easier than expected.

Most of my experiences are based on low-range cheap cool boxes, and I guess this will apply for most of you who read this. So to get an understanding of what makes a ‘good cool box’ I’ll start by sharing some of my experiences of what’s gone wrong before.

Apart from camping, I use the cool box a lot for fishing, especially during summer as it’s important that your catch is cooled instantly and kept cool until you eat it or put it in the fridge or freezer, (the cooling prop-erties will be analysed later as a key feature of a cool box). Going fishing with an open deck boat is similar to driving a convertible car and keeping the cool box in the wind. If the cool box lacks a good locking system, the wind might open the lid. Cheaper cool boxes only have a clipping system to lock the lid so it opens easily which has often happened to me. The Icey-Tek cool box by comparison has strong rubber straps with heavy-duty hinges and a 3mm rubber seal which all help to close the cooler tightly, giv-ing the lid no way to accidentally open due to the wind.

Even worse than the wind opening the lid, is when it pops it up, providing a lot of surface area thus acting as a sail. Cheaper cooling boxes have very weak hinges which break easily after long-term use or if they are exposed to the forces of nature. I’ve seen it twice before, how the lid of a cooler popped open and was then torn off, flying directly overboard by the force of the head wind, (the force was so strong it looked almost like something had exploded in the cooler!)

In contrast, the Icey-Tek cool box has three heavy-duty plastic hinges, which withstand even the force of a 40-nautical-mile head wind. You may not think that the structural strength of a cool box is important especially if you don’t go fishing, but you are mistaken. If you go camping, you might strap the cool box in your car or on your trailer. Proper straps are essential to secure your load but they can also put a lot of struc-tural stress on the cooler and deform them. The stress will always guide to the weakest point of the cooler, most likely the hinges, and they will break if they are of low quality. It’s also good to note that the cooler doesn’t have any corners or sharp edges, which can

PRODUCT REVIEW

damage boats or cars when knocked around when driving in rough waters or on dunes.

Anyone who has been camping or has had a party in their garden or on the beach will know that seating is often not provided for everyone, so anything which could make a comfortable chair or bench is used. Bigger cool boxes make a perfect bench for two to three people and even with my weight alone on a cheap cooler, it starts bending danger-ously. The Icey-Tek cooler by comparison is very strong and withstands a lot of weight; I’m even able to jump on it and I’m more than 80kg. Big cool boxes offer a lot of space, which is great, but on the other hand, if you pack them with food and drinks, they also get very heavy. The 60 litre cooler that we tested is not only lightweight but robust, made of A-Grade Polyethylene. The Icey-Tek coolers have strong rope handles on either

IceBoxA New Generation


27OUTDOORUAE

side, which makes them comfortable to carry. This minimises the amount of bending required to pick up the cool box and can al-low two or more people to carry it at a time.

Many people disregard the draining system of a cooler, but it’s also an essential part for easy cleaning, or to drain melted ice and refill new ice on top without having to unload the whole cooler. All bigger coolers have a drainage system but the cheaper ones have one simple plastic plug which easily breaks or doesn’t close properly after some use. If you carry the cooler in your car, of course you want nothing leaking out of it. On the other hand, for the cooling proper-ties of a cooler, it is very important that it is sealed perfectly to not lose any cold air. The makers of the Icey-Tek coolers have thought about this and have included two drainage plugs with a seal and screw thread, thus en-suring durability when opening and closing for drainage.

To complete our review of the Icey-Tek cool box, we’ve kept the highlight and the most essential argument for the end. A cool box is there to keep things cool and ideally, for as long as possible. Icey-Tek advertises that the internal temperature of the cooler, if it’s kept closed under normal conditions (not our super hot summer conditions), will keep its inside temperature for up to 12 days.

To put this in a better light, we tested my old cheap cool box against an also used Icey-Tek cooler for a period of three days to simulate a weekend camp out. Both cool-ers where opened twice a day, once in the morning and once the evening to take the temperature and to see the state of the ice inside the cooler. Both coolers have about the same volume of about 60L and were filled with each three packs of ice cubes.

The results show the superior performance of the Icey-Tek cooler, which is no surprise. First of all the walls and lid are thicker, made

of 35mm pressure injected, medium density, ICI polyurethane; meaning, it is a very well insulated cooler. The drainage system is sealed properly as well as the lid, the rub-ber straps keep the lid tightly closed and a seal on the lid prevents any air exchange between the cooler temperature inside and the heat outside. A little test underlines the difference in sealing; if there is water in the coolers and they are put upside down, all the water leaks out of the cheap cooling box but nothing leaks out of the Icey-Tek cooler.

The only argument against the Icey-Tek is that it is more expensive than (as named) the cheap cooler at 60L the price is 750AED. (50L the price is150AED onwards). But if you want to rely on your cooler, which will keep your stuff cold, especially in the hot months, and not break, invest more money for the quality. If you don’t, I am certain after one or two seasons, you would have spent more on your cheap cool boxes than you would have done had you invested in an Icey-Tek cooler.

For more details visit: www.iceytekuae.comOr get in touch with [email protected]

Daniel

Day 1 Icytek cooler -3C° / Cheap Cooler -3°C

Day 3 Icytek cooler air temperature 6C° Water temperature 0C° (ice cubs not fully melted)

Cheap Cooler air temperature 14C° Water temperature 8C° (ice cubes fully melted)

Results:


Photo By: Amanda Nimon Peters

28 OUTDOORUAE

When I learned that the brand of the down jacket I was due to re-view was Columbia, I had mixed feelings. I had a nostalgic connection to the brand that dated all the way back to my first skiing jacket and salop-ettes I’d bought twelve or so years ago. I can still draw upon the feelings of excitement I had as I’d personally picked out the set - it was only a couple of weeks before my first trip to the Three Valleys in France.

Being a beginner back then, I tested the kit to the max, which included countless tumbles and a good deal of taking off the skis and sliding down both red and black runs on my backside! I loved that ski combo; they served me well on many more trips to the various snow-capped mountains of Eu-rope and they are still going strong, my mum being the current happy owner of the gear.

For the last three years, I’ve had a faithful pair of Columbia trainers. They have served me well as my approach shoes (shoes you wear to walk to the crag) whilst out in the mountains of the UAE and Oman rock climbing. If you’ve been out there, you will know how harsh the terrain is, and what a battering your footwear takes. It’s so easy to roll an ankle or trip over yourself or the razor sharp rock. Many a time whilst I’d bounced from boulder to boulder I’ve relied on my trusty footwear to provide me with the grip I needed. They have never, ever let me down. However, when it came to down jackets my loyalty firmly lay with another brand. I’ve had my down jacket for the last 10 years. Whether out skiing, boarding, camping, hiking, mucking out my horse each night during the freezing British winters, my beloved ‘sleeping bag in disguise’ had worked tirelessly to keep me warm. Similarly, over the last three years being out on the mountaintops of Ras Al Khaimah, Dibba or Hatta (where you may be surprised to know that I’ve experienced temperatures as low as 8˚C) the jacket was an essential part of my kit. Whilst I consider myself very open-minded, it was going to take something very special to impress me.

Columbia

I genuinely felt that Columbia, whilst a steady and consistent brand, hadn’t come up with anything that had truly caught my eye for a while. Enter the Omni-heat series described by Columbia as “breathable fabric with little silver dots that reflect body heat”; an initiative that in my opinion gives them a significant differentiator in the outdoor gear market. Without consideration of the func-tionality, the metallic, shiny Omni-heat spots had glittered at me on many occasions from the store window. Omni–heat gear just looks plain good, full stop! When I saw the colour of the jacket I was psyched. A head start I thought -neon is my favorite colour! Aside from my purely aesthetic neon obsession, I truly believe that it is a very practical color for outdoor gear. If you get lost on a moun-tain trail or worse, swept up in an avalanche, there is more chance of a search and rescue team being able to locate you if you are wearing neon over many other colours.

The day I picked up the jacket, I’d trav-elled to Abu Dhabi to see a client. I’d taken almost two hours to drive there, sat in an over-chilled meeting room and then hopped back into the car to travel back. I then met Tara and she passed me the jacket through the window.

Impatiently, whilst at the traffic lights I ripped the plastic off the jacket to take a

quick look. Inevitably, the lights changed and I dropped it onto my lap and drove on. My thighs heated up instantly to my surprise! It was only at this point I realized how cold I must have been, having been blasted by the air conditioning for the last five hours straight!

Talk about good timing. In two days’ time I was taking part in the Ski Dubai Ice Warrior Challenge; the perfect place to test out the jacket. Coincidently, Columbia was sponsor-ing the event and had generously provided each competitor with an Omni-heat base layer. At 5:30 a.m. on the Friday morning I got dressed and was properly kitted out Columbia style! The smart new gear gave me a confidence boost; I felt good and was ready to race! Whilst I didn’t wear the jacket during the race, the base layer did its job really well, keeping me warm, yet allowing

POWERFLY HYBRID DOWN JACKET

Words By: Rachael Garner


PRODUCT REVIEW

Photo By: Amanda Nimon Peters

29OUTDOORUAE

my skin to breathe as I pushed on through the 28-minute endurance course which saw me finish as the 8th placed female. In order to keep my muscles warm after the event, I threw the jacket back on and zipped it up with ease, even with my gloves still on thanks to the long ties on the zips. It kept me toasty and warm until I got back to the car to go home.

The next test for the jacket came a week later. The temperature had just dropped and I was due to spend the night camping in Ras Al Khaimah to celebrate the local climbing pioneer and legend John Gregory’s birthday along with a good chunk of the climbing community out here. I knew it would be cold at night, and I was relying on the jacket to keep me snug. There had been rain in Dubai the day before, and as we were climbing by the crag the dark clouds moved in. This could be interesting, I thought!

There isn’t much room left in the car by the time its packed up for the weekend so I was pleasantly surprised to find a little removable bag in the pocket of the jacket that it could be compressed into and stored in - bonus! Within a couple of minutes of putting it on, the jacket was complimented. But this wasn’t to be the last; it received a steady stream of compliments throughout the course of the evening. It’s a lightweight down jacket; it’s not a huge chunky number, so it scored well in the style department. The body is sculpted to the shape of a woman’s figure; it’s sleek and long enough to cover your lower back from any potential snow, mud spray or drafts. The sleeves are also generously long, and the extra protection around the cuffs are a great added benefit for trapping in the heat, (I know this from having previously found out the hard way in the past).

It was a great party, with energy and great people and as I crawled into my tent just before sunrise, I made a mental note of how the jacket had worked almost effortlessly to keep me warm for a solid eight hours. I have to admit, the jacket won me over quite easily;it passed its probation with flying colours and has earned the right to become a full-time member of my gear kit! I couldn’t put it better than Columbia when they de-scribe the jacket as “shockingly warm, amaz-ingly breathable and incredibly photogenic.” A job well done Columbia!

Rachael Garner


30 OUTDOORUAE

Photo By: Xavier Ansart

Words By: Olly Eveleigh

Since I Started riding, each year I’ve adapted to specific racing gear. After sus-taining various injuries, I won’t ride without knee braces, a strong DOT approved helmet and boots with a good hinge support system. However the more I’ve ridden, the less chest protection I’ve chosen to wear up until a few years ago when I started to use a Fox ‘Titan Subframe’ foam roost protector. I was initially skeptical to test the new Fox jacket-style chest protector as I’ve been riding with almost no chest, elbow or shoulder pro-tection for some time, though I wouldn’t recommend this to any rider out there. When first wear-ing the armour, it has noticeably more protection than regular chest protectors; the elbow and shoulder pads fit extremely well for the riding position on the bike. The back protection was also a nice feature which scales into itself allowing you to crouch forward without any constraints, and is also extended at the bot-tom which connects to a built-in kidney belt.

I was impressed with the lack of ten-sion that you would usually feel from each individual part of the armour. The elbow pads would usually need to be tightened by straps and made sure they fit in the correct position, where there is still a risk of them moving as you are riding, but once you put the armour on, each individual protective pad sits on the jacket firmly with no need to tighten the straps or move each pad into place. There was no bunching or creasing of material which I would have expected and the armour is not tight in any particular spot or heavy in any areas. It is made of a mesh-based material and is well ventilated.

The first time we rode with the armour was in the desert. It took a while to get the Alpinestars neck brace to fit comfortably over the back protection as I usually put the neck brace on directly over my head, but once we managed to fit it over the top of the back protection, it fit well.

GEt READY FOR BAttLEOlly Eveleigh tests out the latest body armor from fox

PRODUCT REVIEW

31OUTDOORUAE





At first, riding with so much protection on felt slightly uncomfortable and restrictive. We rode for about 20 minutes before the armour began to feel comfortable and I started to barely notice that I was wearing it.

The major change that I had to try and adapt to was the back protection as I had never worn any protection of this type for riding before. For the majority of the time I had forgotten it was on, but on the rare oc-casion when my back was extended straight, the brace would stop any further back movement. This may be an extremely good feature to prevent back injury both on impact and hyperextension in the event of a crash.

After getting comfortable with the armour, we tested it in various scenarios: high speed desert riding, jumping, cornering, camel grass sections, all which the armour felt easy to ride with.

One feature that I found to have helped greatly was the hinge between the back support and the kidney belt. This allowed my waist to move separately from my upper body so there were no restrictions, for exam-ple, leaning into the corners when making sharp turns.

For the purpose of the test and the photos, I chose to not wear a jersey with the armour where I usually would although the gear was very well ventilated throughout the period that we rode. There was no sign of heat insulation or lack of breathability which

I generally take well into consideration es-pecially riding in the heat in Dubai. I like my gear to be as well vented as possible which didn’t seem to be an issue.

The next session of riding with the body armour was at Jebel Ali motocross track (DMX). I have ridden considerably more on the motocross track than the desert so small changes in gear takes some getting used to. When I first wore the armour on the track, it felt like I hadn’t ridden with it before and had to start over getting comfortable with it. After a few laps, I got comfortable with the armour again and felt an added confidence from the extra protection. I was once more surprised by the back protection’s added support on hard landings and over-jumping. On the track, I felt slight restrictions purely from the added pads compared to the free-dom that I usually feel riding with just a Fox foam padding. This freedom is slightly sacri-ficed for extra protection of the torso, arms, back, kidney and shoulders. After riding for

a short while the armour felt comfortable in all sections of the track. I found it extremely easy to take the armour apart. It has the option to take parts of the jacket apart which also made it convenient for washing.

For riders that already use extra protection such as elbow pads, I would strongly recom-mend using the armour. It is an extremely easy way to comfortably include protection to all impact areas. The armour is very easy to adapt to and far easier than adjusting each individual protective piece of equip-ment. For me, the back protection was the most intriguing part of the armour as I have not ridden with anything like this before and back injuries can be severe when riding motocross or desert riding. Despite being so skeptical of the armour at first, after testing it, I would certainly recommend the armour to all riders looking to gain maximum protec-tion when riding.

Ol ly Eveleigh


Words By: Matt Farr

32 OUTDOORUAE

So the weather is bearable again, which means that I’ve been dusting off my running shoes, moun-tain bike and climbing gear and have been getting out to enjoy what the UAE is best for; predictable warm weather.

For the start of this season, I had the pleasure of testing out the new Marmot performance base layer: the Lightweight Crew. It’s the latest effort in moisture-wicking clothing from the company and I must say, it works well. Using familiar Polartec® Power Dry® technology, it also includes something I’ve not tried before; Cocona® technology to keep odour under control as well (some-thing we really do appreciate living here). Unlike most odour-control layers that I’ve previously used, this is wholly natural, using coconut fibres. The advertised upside is that chemicals normally used to do this job are

not washed out of the fabric over time, so this base layer keeps its odourless properties for the life span of the garment. Having only used the product four times, I can’t confirm the claim, but if true it would be a big improvement on some of its competitors. For those of you who are environmentally-minded, the technology utilises the waste products of coconut shells, which would oth-erwise be discarded by the coconut industry and sent to landfill.

I spent the week using the product run-ning, cycling and trekking. I wore T-shirts over the top, foolishly thinking I would be

cold in just a base layer, but the upside to this was that I could see how well the Mar-mot did wick away moisture. My normally drenched T-shirts were only mildly wet. I also didn’t find the top restrictive at all. It holds to the skin in the right places to help pull moisture away from the body, but maintains comfort at the same time. There are no an-noying seams to rub against the skin or tags to irritate. Most quick-dry fabrics are very good these days and the fabric used in this garment isno exception. I was able to use it four days in a row, washing it each evening and having it ready for the next morning.

If there is one criticism it’s that this is a little warm for the UAE climate. I did find myself quite a bit warmer than I would in just a T-shirt. I think it would be perfect if trekking, trail running or biking in slightly cooler climates; it would be a perfect buy if you are planning a trip to somewhere temperate, like low-level Himalayan trekking or European pursuits. It would make a great partner on a winter trek on Jebel Shams in Oman. Also, be careful with sizing. There are a wide range of sizes, but check the side of the box for your fit. These go as far as XXXL, so a simple XL for the bigger man may be too small.

So who should buy this? If you’re heading out on a multi-day trip involving anything physical, this will be a great purchase, espe-cially if you’ll be camping and without access to showers. Take it off at the end of the day, throw on a new T-shirt, hang it outside and it’ll be ready for you in the morning. The ad-ditional advantage is your tent companions will probably appreciate its wicking proper-ties as much as you. If you get hot easily, consider using it in temperatures of around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and below.

Matt Farr

Down to BasicsMatt Farr tests out the Lightweight Long Sleeve Crew

from Marmot


PRODUCT REVIEW

33OUTDOORUAE


ZSI Trading LLC, Official Distributor of Marmot in the Middle East. Marmot Collection available at GoSports, Mall of the Emirates, Adventure HQ, Time Square Mall, Snow Pro, SkiDubai , Mall of the Emirates.www.zsicorp.com Photographer Andy Mann

tRIED AND tEStED PAGE 30

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A round-up of quality products available right here in the UAE

Fox titan Sport Suit 748 AED ( Original price 880 AED) Available at: Al Yousuf Motors Showrooms Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah

Fox racing’s Full Body Titan Sport Jacket with complete plastic plating of key contact areas. Its full mesh main body offers a precise, bunch-free fit. Add in the intelligently engineered ventilation zones and the Titan Sport Jacket truly becomes the ultimate battle suit.

Features: • Anatomic high impact two-piece plastic chest plate• Removable articulated plastic back coverage• High-impact plastic shoulder and elbow coverage• Soft-vented mesh main body fabric for enhanced fit, comfort and ventilation• Center zipper for easy on and off• CE certified

ALFA Sun Lounger 699 AED Available at: PicnicoColour: White with blueNote: Replaceable fabric not included

Sunlounger with arms. Tubolar frame in resin and cover in breath-able synthetic fabric (replaceable fabric). Stackable, back reclining in four positions, with non-slip feet and small wheels.

Karrimor Global tropic 65 +15 travel Bag 685 AEDAvailable at: GO Sport Ibn Battuta Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre.

The Global Tropic 65+15 Travel Bag has a versatile design perfect for your trip, featur-ing a large main zipped compartment with suitcase styled zip opening and zipped base compartment coupled with Size Adjustable (SA) back system for comfort.


PRODUCTS

the LIROS Soft Shackle: 10 ton 180 AED Available at: www.blingmytruck.com or call 050 554 8255

The LIROS Soft Shackle is a perfect replacement for heavy traditional metal snap shackles and screw shackles.A safer solution for off-road recovery situations where you need a shackle to join a tow rope / snatch strap to a vehicle.

The main advantages of this shackle are:

• 10x lighter than a metal shackle with equivalent breaking strength• Easy to undo without tools• Locking system even when not under load• Multiple applications for off-road driving, yachting and industry

Made in Germany of 100% Dyneema® SK75. Two types available with a minimum breaking strength of six tons or 10 tons.

35OUTDOORUAE

the Raptor LtD 3,600 AED (Top performance freeride and freestyle board)

Available at: Adventure HQ and Shamalkitesurfing; www.shamalkitesurfing.com

The Raptor LTD has been CrazyFly’s top selling board since it first hit the ground. Every aspect of it screams masterpiece! The simple and clean carbon design, the Gullwing Double Concave shape, and the ultra lightweight all conspire to provide unbelievable performance for both freeriders and freestyle.This Gullwing Double concave shape combines perfectly with the full carbon construction and strong CNC shaped 3T wood core to provide amazing control of flex, stiffness and pop. Plus, due to the shape, the Raptor LTD just eats up chop and eliminates splash. There’s also heaps of grip for ripping upwind and for loading up for jumps. And the Flex Tips make the board very comfortable and extremely responsive.

• The Raptor LTD is a highly refined, popular and very well balanced high performance board with stunning design and an elegant carbon fiber look.

• The Raptor LTD comes complete with Dura footpads, Quick Fix II foot straps, a handle and Razor fins with ultra-thin profile to enhance the speed and promote early planing.

• Top performance freeride and freestyle enhanced by double concave bottom shape.

Vango Alpha tent 300 575 AED

Available at: GO Sport Ibn Battuta Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre.

Packed full of features including inner pockets, windows, and an easy to carry bag, the Alpha contains a large front porch and a high dome ceiling, making it a great tent for outdoor enthusiasts, cyclists and groups looking for an affordable, feature-packed solution.


36 OUTDOORUAE

AtLAS Neck Brace 1,190 AED Available at: Sebsports

The Atlas Brace is the next generation of extreme sports protection. The world’s first racer-designed, racer-tested, flexible neck brace that provides the ultimate mobility, safety, comfort and style needed to perform your best with no bulk.

• ‘Emergency Release System’ provides safe, one-of-a-kind removal of the brace after a severe crash. No head or neck movement required

• Dual pivoting back supports sit around your spine, not on it• Open sternum area - designed to help transfer the impact around the sternum, reducing the

risk of a fracture• Open frame design can ‘’hug your body’’ in the proper position during a crash, and allows the

brace to flex for improved comfort and mobility• Specifically designed padding uses unique material properties to help disperse the energy

from an impact before it reaches the body• Simplistic design is the lightest feeling brace on the market, no extra bulk• Only brace on the market with three-axis adjustability (length, height, and width)• Exclusive pivoting chest and back supports self-adjustment to the body and fold for easy

storage• Only brace that provides flexible suspension-like chest supports to help slow down impacts

during a crash• Available in a variety of sizes and colours

MAXXIS tyres 280 to 470 AED Available at: Sebsports

Sebsports has got a complete selection of Maxxis tires for quads, dirt bikes and UTV’s. Maxxis tyres suit the region’s conditions perfectly; they exceed expectations on all types of terrain, giving you the performance you need when you need it.

The options range from hard-pack motocross tyres, to soft sand tyres for the dunes, even rocky terrain tyres and supermoto tyres.

Stock available locally in various sizes for quads, dirt bikes and UTV’s.

CANtO KIDS JACKEt 215 AED Available at: Adventure HQBrand: Regatta

Warm backed, woven stretch. Softshell fabric. Durable water repellent finish, wind resistant. Adjustable shock cord hem age 7+


Campri 12 LED Lantern 99 AED

Available at: GO Sport Ibn Battuta Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre and Sports Direct, Khalidiyah Mall Abu Dhabi.

The Campri 12 LED Lantern is ideal for camping, creating enough light to illuminate your tent.

• 12 LEDs • Multifunction settings • Rain-proof design • Powered by 3x D cell batteries

37OUTDOORUAE

DRIFt HD 1,295 AED Available at: only at AdventureHQ

The compact, durable, easy-to-use Drift HD action camera elevates the point of view camera market to a higher level with the feature-rich, multi-functional, professional helmet camera.

• Full HD video for creating crystal clear footage• Rotatable, replaceable lens• Second rear cover to protect the camera when using an external mic or a USB

charger• An integrated LCD screen for shot setup and playback• Micro HDMI connector for HDTV playback• A remote control to enable you to film what you want to record, not the boring

stuff in between• New goggle strap in addition to curved and flat adhesive mounts, paired with a

universal clip for multiple mounting options

Vango – Halo 200 1,195 AED Available at: Go Sport in The Dubai Mall, MOE, IBN, Mirdiff and in Adventure HQ in Times Square Center

Halo 200, expedition tent for two persons.The popular Halo model provides a stable and innovative design with porch space to store gear and an open section perfect for cooking. The pack can be split between friends making this a firm favourite with youth groups and D of E expeditions.

Technical highlights

Total Weight: 3.60kgPack Size: 40 x 17cmPitching Time: 12 Mins

• All in one pitching• Protex® 5000HH HC polyester 68D• Polyester groundsheet 6,000mm• Polyester Inner Tent• PowerLite® 7001-T6 alloy poles• All poles identical for ease of pitching• Fire retardant fabrics• Multiple flysheet doors


Columbia Powerfly Hybrid Down Jacket 695 AED Available at: Dubai: Ibn Battuta, Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre Abu Dhabi : Al Wahda Mall

Keep your warmth not your sweat. Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective manages body heat. The pat-ent pending technology helps regulate your temperature with little silver dots that reflect and retain the warmth your body generates, while dissipating moisture and excess heat.

Technical Details• 800 fill power down insulation• Drawcord adjustable hem• Zip-closed hand pockets• Comfort cuffs• Abrasion resistant chin guard• Drop tail• Versatile and packable 12oz in weight


38 OUTDOORUAE

the Heimplanet Cave Inflatable tent 2,620 AEDIncluding a free Pump worth 200 AED Available at: GO Sport The Dubai Mall, Bawabat Al Sharq Mall in Abu Dhabi and City Centre Doha

The Inflatable Diamond Grip (IDG) is a self-supporting airframe. Pitching takes less than a minute - with no parts to put together, just pump it up and feel at home. The outer tent is a durable, light ripstop material with ventilation openings. The inner tent is a light and highly breathable resistant ripstop fabric, and the ground sheet is robust and absolutely waterproof. It includes additional storage space, and is a great way to keep camping fun!

• Multi-chamber safety system connects all air beams for an easy one-point inflation process.

• Parts easily replaced or repaired, if one area is damaged the air system stays stable.

• 5 values ensure easy deflation process• Great ventilation and airflow

FOX V4 Future Helmet 2,500 AED ( Original price 2,900 AED) Stylish Racing on the Go! Available at: Al Yousuf Motors ShowroomsDubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah

• Carbon fiber composite shell construction. Astonishing high tensile strength of carbon fiber is a distinct advantage

• Exceeds Snell 2010 and DOT Standards• DRY LEX™ comfort liner wicks moisture & provides a comfortable feel• Cheek pads feature a cupped lower edge design to mold to the riders face• 16 Intake and eight Exhaust Ports are designed to circulate serious airflow throughout the

helmetFour large brow/goggle intake ports pull air in and over the face• Removable single mouth guard• Integrated roost guard• Screened off Intake and Exhaust ports let cool air in and keep the mud out



Marmot Base Layer: Lightweight Long Sleeve Crew 240 AED Available at: at GO Sport: Mall of the Emirates, AdventureHQ: Times Square, SNOWPRO: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates.

Great for high-energy activities, this lightweight crew baselayer provides superb moisture-wicking performance. The shirt keeps you unbelievably dry thanks to Polartec® Power Dry® technology and breathable side mesh panels. Natural Cocona® activated carbon controls odor. Raglan sleeves and forward seaming for increased mobility. Marmot UpCycle® recycled polyester minimizes environmental harm.

Details

• Polartec® Power Dry® with Cocona® Performance Technology - Polartec Power Dry with Cocona Performance Technology

• Marmot UpCycle® Product with Recycled Polyester• Cocona® for Natural Odor Protection• Quick-Drying and Wicking• Stretch for Increased range of motion• Flat-Locked Seams for Added Comfort• Mesh Panels for Increased Mobility• Tag-Free Neckline • Provides very good sun protection (UPF 15


39OUTDOORUAE

Surly - Moonlander 11,000 AED Available at: Adventure HQ

Moonlander, like its name implies, is meant to go beyond where normal bikes can go. It is designed from the ground up to ride where there are no roads, no trails and no people. Moonlander accommodates staggeringly wide 4.7˝ tires on 100mm rims. Such a large footprint allows you to ride them at very low pressure, in the desert and will go where any 4x4 can drive. For once; FAT IS COOL!

Technical highlights:

Bike available in 5 frame sizes, 28mm offset fork, ultra light tire casing/KevlarFor specs and technical details on the moonlander bike look at: www.surlybikes.com

Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries Pack of 2 23.50 AEDPack of 4 42.00 AED Available at: Petrol Marts, and “High-Tech” segments in major supermarkets / hypermarkets.

“Energizer Ultimate Lithium” is the World’s Longest Lasting Batteries in High-Tech devices. It is lightweight & performs in temperatures ranging from -40’C to 60’C, making them ideal batteries for extreme weather conditions.

Technical highlights• World’s Longest Lasting AA & AAA Battery in High-Tech Devices• Works in extreme conditions -40oC to 60oC

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40 OUTDOORUAE

OUR EXPERTS

Oman is a strong lure to those who seek the isolation it offers and the feeling, not gener-ally achievable in the UAE, that you are indeed alone in a very big space. It also has a more diverse geography and climate which are additional bonuses to those who are looking for something that is not available at home. So, having resigned myself to another solo week, I was really pleased that my friends Sanjay and Sarah were able to join me in southern Oman for my first 36 hours, at the end of their own couple of days exploring the Salalah area. I’d taken the whole of the Eid Al Adha week off and was keen to explore some routes that were new to me in southern Oman. I had four routes to try and we were able to do the first one together which was left over from an aborted attempt during last year’s Odyssey. It’s a wadi and mountain route that starts east of Thumrait (near Barbazum) and heads south, following a series of narrowing wadis, then climbs out onto the mountain tops and finally finishes at the Dhofar escarpment above Mirbat. We’d camped at the start and then headed off early the next morning across the gravel plains and into the shallow wadi. The going was good, and, as we progressed, the wadi gradually got deeper, narrower, more serpentine and a whole lot more picturesque.

Mike is an avid adventurer. He is also the expert behind the

ME4x4 supplements that we have shared with you over

the year. We will also be bringing you his ‘opus’, if you

will, in the form of a book entitled ‘Advanced Off-Road

Adventure Routes for the UAE and Oman’. Available now at www.outdooruae.

com and Adventure HQ, Times Square Mall, Dubai.>>

Odyssey Oman 2012

Words + Photos: Mike Nott

I’d been warned of a blockage about 50km in by Kit Philps, a fellow traveller, but as we approached, it was evident that the Omanis had made a significant effort to rebuild the steep, previously washed out track and we happily carried on. Just beyond the escape route up to the village of Jibjat, we encountered an old barrier in the wadi bottom though we never worked out what was it supposed to be barring us from. It had been partly demolished and the track passed through it but shortly after, the track petered out into a decidedly tricky boulder field. After a bit of foot reconnaissance, the old track was found further on but a lot of boulder negotiating was going to be required. We ended up shifting some fairly large boulders, building ramps to climb over those we couldn’t move and then San-jay guided both cars through with aplomb. That done, we enjoyed fol-lowing the old track until we finished the wadi at a solitary mosque in the

wadi bottom and then climbed out onto the mountain tops. From here we negotiated the myriad of rough and rougher tracks that took us over the mountain tops and plateaus to the very edge of the Dhofar massif and, after 110km and seven hours of driving, we reached the escarpment

and an amazing camping spot right on the edge.

Sanjay and Sarah left me the next morning and I headed off to Mirbat and the second route. This follows the coastline from Mirbat to Sadh and while it was only 60km long, it was spectacular. It cross-grains


41OUTDOORUAE

through a myriad of ridges and wadis, which flow from the escarpment to the sea but the real treat was finding the numerous isolated sandy and rocky bays at which to stop and camp. The shell life was alive and abundant, and the rocks in many of the bays were teeming with black crabs. The track started off well but you’re lulled into a false sense of ease because it becomes more and more challenging (though there are escape routes to the north and up to the tarmac road). I ended up further deflating my tyres and using the diff-locks to climb the worst parts in order to stay on my intended route. There was also a fair bit of wading required in some of the wetter wadis. The spectacular scenery, however, made the effort worth-while. I eventually reached the old fishing vil-lage of Sadh having really enjoyed the route.

I then headed further up the coast to Hasek to see if it was possible to sneak through on the construction tracks for the new road to Shuwaiymia. Sadly it wasn’t; there was a very obvious barrier prevent-ing the public going further. I backtracked to an isolated bay and camped. The next day, I headed back via Salalah onto Marmul and then headed southeasterly towards the coast. The next two days were spent exploring this amazing area. The landscape is surreal. I found a few scary dead ends, overlooking 600m deep chasms and drove some really challenging tracks. At one point, as I was trying to find my way off the escarp-ment and down to the coast, I came across a very steep, loose, off-camber and decidedly dodgy descent that I hoped I’d not have to retreat back up. After descending with care, I explored further but after several more kilo-metres, the wadi became totally impassable which meant I had the agonising prospect of having to turn around. I did try to find an-other way back but there was no alternative. I walked up the slope and moved the loosest rocks and tried to remember the best line up this two-stage ascent. I deflated to 15psi and

locked the centre and rear differentials. Not wanting to be trapped in this rather isolated spot, I suppressed the gnawing feelings of panic, hoped for the best and headed up. My fears were unfounded; the G-wagen walked up the slope without slipping a tyre. This area bears a lot more investigation.

The following day I headed to Shuwaiy-mia, the coast and onto the new road. If you’re a civil engineer, you must go and see this. This outdoes road construction I’ve seen in the European Alps for sheer scale and making the seemingly impossible, pos-sible. I followed it, hoping to sneak through to Hasek but again a large barrier prevents the public going further. However you can get, frustratingly, to within about 10km of Hasek and see it over the few intervening wadis and ridgelines. There was also a small detour that takes you to a parking spot that opens up a view of a grand canyon leading to the sea; one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. Turning round again, I managed to pick up a track that led back to one of the tracks that I’d, serendipitously, driven the previous day. Thus, there is the potential for a really good circular drive through this area. In fact, I left the area de-

On to Sadh

Campsite

Near Sadh


42 OUTDOORUAE

termined to return to drive through it more. I eventually picked up another track and came out, again, in Marmul. I headed northeast on Route 39 and turned southeast and down again towards the coast.

I finally headed onto the fourth route, which was to try and head inland from the coastal village at Haytum and drive across the gravel plains, midway between the Routes 39/31 to the northwest and Route 32 to the southeast. The first leg was great fun. I was following old tracks from my 20- year-old pilot charts, which whilst they were unused in parts, the line of the track still existed. After 25 or so kilometres, the land had become a billiard table; flat, featureless, and with a full moon, I was driving without headlights and going by compass alone. After about 90km, I reached the village of Al Aim on Route 37 and stopped for the night. I awoke the next morning and saw a newish fence line barring my way. I headed off along the fence line and came across a large breach, which was evidently in frequent use. I had a reasonable suspicion that this was the fence of the oryx breeding reserve but thought, nothing ventured, nothing gained and headed inside. I picked up the old track line again and managed 45km before my dust plume must have alerted the rangers and I was intercepted. They were very nice about it but explained that I was in a prohibited area and that if I’d carried on I would have hit the fence again anyway though they didn’t mention any breaches, which may have existed on that side! Thus thwarted, I decided to abandon the attempt

and perhaps do a little more research and find an alternative way round for another trip next year. I did the long drive to Wadi Bani Awf, camped out on the top ridgeline in temperatures of 10°C and pouring rain and

headed home the next day after seven glori-ous and rewarding days. Of course, this trip left me with plans for a subsequent follow up, which, employment permitting, I hope to do next year.

Near Mirbat

Great terrain

Plateau campsite

Back to Marmul


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44 OUTDOORUAE

من هناك. اتجهت الى الشمال بمحاذاة الساحل قاصداً حاسك ألرى إن كان التسلل خفية عبر أساسات الطريق الجديد الى الشويمية ممكناً، و لسوء حظي فإنه لم يكن كذلك بفضل وجود حاجز واضح يمنع الدخول الى

الموقع، فعدت أدراجي الى خليج منعزل و قمت بالتخييم. و في اليوم التالي عدت الى صاللة عبر مرمول و اتجهت الى الجنوب الشرقي الى الساحل. قضيت اليومين التاليين في إستكشاف تلك المنطقة و مناظرها الخالبة التي

تعجز الكلمات عن وصفها. و بها وجدت بعض الطرق المسدودة التي تطل على وديان بعمق ٦٠٠متر و قدت عبر مسارات تتحدى القدرات. في

إحدى تلك المسارات وجدت نفسي أحاول العبور عبر جرف الى الساحل من خالل نزول خطير كنت آمل اال أضطر الى العودة من خالله الى

األعلى، و بعد النزول بحذر شديد، قمت بإستكشاف المنطقة شيئا فشيء و لكن بعد بضع كيلومترات بات الوادي مسدودا بدون أدنى فرصة للعبور، مما حتم علي العودة عبر ذلك الممر الخطر. تسلقت الطريق على األقدام

محاوالً أن أتذكر أفضل الطرق للقيادة عبر و زحت جانبا معظم الصخور هذا الممر ذو الفقرتين. خففت ضغط إطاراتي مجددا و

حاولت ان اتجاهل اإلحساس بالخوف الذي صار يمتلكني بهذه المنطقة المنفية. توقعت األفضل و باشرت بالقيادة

لألعلى، و فورا وجدت نفسي أمتلك نفسي و ثقتي مجدداً، تخطت ذلك المنحدر إذ أن سيارة المرسيدس الجي-واغن

بكامل السهولة. و من المؤكد أن المنطقة تلك تبتغي.إستكشافا مكثفا أكثر

في اليوم التالي سرت بإتجاه الشويمية و الطريق الجديد على الساحل، و إن كنتم من المهندسين المدنيين، فإني

أنصحكم بالذهاب هناك و رؤية هذا الطريق فإنه يضاهي حجم و جودة معظم الطرق األوروبية عبر بل يتجاوز

جبال األلب بل جميعها. إتخذت ذلك الطريق أمالً بالوصول الى حسك و لكن حاجزا آخر صادفني مجدداً.

إكتشفت حينها أن بإمكانك الوصول على بعد عشر كيلومترات من حسك على هذا الطريق و رؤيتها من خالل الوديان المتشابكة، باإلضافة الى وجود تحويلة

صغيرة تأخذك الى موقف يفتح لك المنظر عبر واد كبير يجر طريقه بإتجاه البحر بمنظر خالب لم أرى مثله في حياتي. و عندما عدت أدراجي، إتخذت مسارا عاد بي

الى أحد المسارات التي اتبعتها في اليوم السابق. لذلك فيبدو أن هناك مجال لرحلة دائرية جميلة عبر هذه المنطقة. و في النهاية وجدت مسارا آخر

اتبعته خروجا عند مرمول التي اتجهت من عندها الى الشمال الشرقي عبر الطريق ٣٩ و من ثم الى الجنوب الشرقي مرة أخرى صوب الساحل

في النهاية قمت باإلتجاه الى الطريق الرابع، محاوالً بذلك اإلتجاه الى البر الداخلي من قرية هيتوم الساحلية و القيادة عبر سهول الحصى بين طريقي

٣١/٣٩ الى الشمال الغربي و الطريق ٣٢ الى الجنوب الشرقي. كانت أول فقرة من تلك الرحلة ممتعة جدا و قمت بإتباع الطرق القديمة مستخدماً

خرائطي التي يبلغ عمرها حوالي العشرين سنة و التي ما زالت موجودة بعد تلك السنين ولو كانت قد محتها عوامل الطبيعة. و بعد ٢٥كم أصبحت

األرض مسطحة و بدون أي معالم واضحة، و كان بإستطاعتي القيادة بدون األنوار تحت ضوء البدر الساطع و باستعمال البوصلة فقط، و بعد ٩٠كم قررت التوقف و المبيت في قرية العيم على الطريق ٣٧. في اليوم التالي

استيقظت ألجد حاجزا جديدا يمنعني من إستكمال رحلتي عبر الطريق الوعر فقدت بمحاذاة الحاجز حتى وصلت الى كسر به إنتابني الشك بأنه كثير اإلستعمال مع أنه حاجز محمية المها. مع ذلك، صممت على القدوم

في هذا الطريق…و لكن بعد ٤٥كم إنتبه حراس المحمية الى غبار سيارتي و قامو بإيقافي و التفسير لي بكل أدب أن المنطقة ممنوعة و أن تكملتي

عبر الطريق كانت ستؤدي بي الى الحاجز مجدداً. و بذلك بائت محاولتي بالفشل، و قررت أن أتخلى عن المحاولة و أن أقوم بدراسة المنطقة أكثر لكي أجد طريقا آخر لرحلتي في السنة القادمة، و من هناك قدت الطريق

الطويل الى وادي بني عوف و خيمت هناك على حافة الجرف حيث كانت درجة الحرارة ١٠ درجات مؤية و المطر شديد اإلنهمار، و من ثم عدت

الى بيتي في اليوم التالي بعد سبعة أيام شيقة من المغامرات و اإلستكشاف. و بالطبع كانت اآلن بحوزتي خطط رحلة السنة القادمة التي أنوي القيام بها

.إن سمحت ظروف عملي


45OUTDOORUAE

من هناك. اتجهت الى الشمال بمحاذاة الساحل قاصداً حاسك ألرى إن كان التسلل خفية عبر أساسات الطريق الجديد الى الشويمية ممكناً، و لسوء حظي فإنه لم يكن كذلك بفضل وجود حاجز واضح يمنع الدخول الى

الموقع، فعدت أدراجي الى خليج منعزل و قمت بالتخييم. و في اليوم التالي عدت الى صاللة عبر مرمول و اتجهت الى الجنوب الشرقي الى الساحل. قضيت اليومين التاليين في إستكشاف تلك المنطقة و مناظرها الخالبة التي

تعجز الكلمات عن وصفها. و بها وجدت بعض الطرق المسدودة التي تطل على وديان بعمق ٦٠٠متر و قدت عبر مسارات تتحدى القدرات. في

إحدى تلك المسارات وجدت نفسي أحاول العبور عبر جرف الى الساحل من خالل نزول خطير كنت آمل اال أضطر الى العودة من خالله الى

األعلى، و بعد النزول بحذر شديد، قمت بإستكشاف المنطقة شيئا فشيء و لكن بعد بضع كيلومترات بات الوادي مسدودا بدون أدنى فرصة للعبور، مما حتم علي العودة عبر ذلك الممر الخطر. تسلقت الطريق على األقدام

محاوالً أن أتذكر أفضل الطرق للقيادة عبر و زحت جانبا معظم الصخور هذا الممر ذو الفقرتين. خففت ضغط إطاراتي مجددا و

حاولت ان اتجاهل اإلحساس بالخوف الذي صار يمتلكني بهذه المنطقة المنفية. توقعت األفضل و باشرت بالقيادة

لألعلى، و فورا وجدت نفسي أمتلك نفسي و ثقتي مجدداً، تخطت ذلك المنحدر إذ أن سيارة المرسيدس الجي-واغن

بكامل السهولة. و من المؤكد أن المنطقة تلك تبتغي.إستكشافا مكثفا أكثر

في اليوم التالي سرت بإتجاه الشويمية و الطريق الجديد على الساحل، و إن كنتم من المهندسين المدنيين، فإني

أنصحكم بالذهاب هناك و رؤية هذا الطريق فإنه يضاهي حجم و جودة معظم الطرق األوروبية عبر بل يتجاوز

جبال األلب بل جميعها. إتخذت ذلك الطريق أمالً بالوصول الى حسك و لكن حاجزا آخر صادفني مجدداً.

إكتشفت حينها أن بإمكانك الوصول على بعد عشر كيلومترات من حسك على هذا الطريق و رؤيتها من خالل الوديان المتشابكة، باإلضافة الى وجود تحويلة

صغيرة تأخذك الى موقف يفتح لك المنظر عبر واد كبير يجر طريقه بإتجاه البحر بمنظر خالب لم أرى مثله في حياتي. و عندما عدت أدراجي، إتخذت مسارا عاد بي

الى أحد المسارات التي اتبعتها في اليوم السابق. لذلك فيبدو أن هناك مجال لرحلة دائرية جميلة عبر هذه المنطقة. و في النهاية وجدت مسارا آخر

اتبعته خروجا عند مرمول التي اتجهت من عندها الى الشمال الشرقي عبر الطريق ٣٩ و من ثم الى الجنوب الشرقي مرة أخرى صوب الساحل

في النهاية قمت باإلتجاه الى الطريق الرابع، محاوالً بذلك اإلتجاه الى البر الداخلي من قرية هيتوم الساحلية و القيادة عبر سهول الحصى بين طريقي

٣١/٣٩ الى الشمال الغربي و الطريق ٣٢ الى الجنوب الشرقي. كانت أول فقرة من تلك الرحلة ممتعة جدا و قمت بإتباع الطرق القديمة مستخدماً

خرائطي التي يبلغ عمرها حوالي العشرين سنة و التي ما زالت موجودة بعد تلك السنين ولو كانت قد محتها عوامل الطبيعة. و بعد ٢٥كم أصبحت

األرض مسطحة و بدون أي معالم واضحة، و كان بإستطاعتي القيادة بدون األنوار تحت ضوء البدر الساطع و باستعمال البوصلة فقط، و بعد ٩٠كم قررت التوقف و المبيت في قرية العيم على الطريق ٣٧. في اليوم التالي

استيقظت ألجد حاجزا جديدا يمنعني من إستكمال رحلتي عبر الطريق الوعر فقدت بمحاذاة الحاجز حتى وصلت الى كسر به إنتابني الشك بأنه كثير اإلستعمال مع أنه حاجز محمية المها. مع ذلك، صممت على القدوم

في هذا الطريق…و لكن بعد ٤٥كم إنتبه حراس المحمية الى غبار سيارتي و قامو بإيقافي و التفسير لي بكل أدب أن المنطقة ممنوعة و أن تكملتي

عبر الطريق كانت ستؤدي بي الى الحاجز مجدداً. و بذلك بائت محاولتي بالفشل، و قررت أن أتخلى عن المحاولة و أن أقوم بدراسة المنطقة أكثر لكي أجد طريقا آخر لرحلتي في السنة القادمة، و من هناك قدت الطريق

الطويل الى وادي بني عوف و خيمت هناك على حافة الجرف حيث كانت درجة الحرارة ١٠ درجات مؤية و المطر شديد اإلنهمار، و من ثم عدت

الى بيتي في اليوم التالي بعد سبعة أيام شيقة من المغامرات و اإلستكشاف. و بالطبع كانت اآلن بحوزتي خطط رحلة السنة القادمة التي أنوي القيام بها

.إن سمحت ظروف عملي

لسلطنة عمان جاذبية قوية لمن يبحث عن العزلة الحقيقية في الطبيعة بفضل اإلحساس التي تمنحه

للمرء بأنه حقاً وحيد في فراغ كبير، و هو إحساس صعب إدراكه في دولة اإلمارات. تحتوي عمان

أيضا على جغرافية و مناخ أكثر تنوعاً من اإلمارات، مما يجعلها وجهة مثالية للمغامر الذي

يبحث عن ما ال يجده في دياره. لذا، و بعد أن أعطيت نفسي أسبوعا لقضاء بعض الوقت لوحدي،

سررت بمعرفة أن صديقي سانجي و سارة كانا على استعداد لإلنضمام الي في رحلة إستكشاف في جنوب عمان لحوالي ال٣٦ ساعة في جزء من رحلتهما الخاصة إلستكشاف المنطقة المجاورة لمدينة

صاللة. تفرغت لكامل أسبوع عيد األضحى و سعيت للبحث عن و إلثبات وجود طرق جديدة )أو على األقل جديدة لي شخصيا ( للقيادة الوعرة في

جنوب عمان. كان هناك أربعة طرق جديدة لإلستكشاف و استطعنا أن ننجز طريقاً منهم مع بعضنا البعض. كان الطريق هذا متروك من مغامرة

سابقة و محاولة بائت بالفشل السنة الماضية. يشق الطريق هذا مساره بين واد و جبل إبتدائاً من المنطقة شرق ثمريت بالقرب من بربزم و يتجه

جنوبا متبعا سلسلة من الوديان الضيقة و من ثم يعلو الى الجبال، منتهياً عند جرف ظفر المطل على مربط. قمنا بالتخييم عند بداية الطريق و من

ثم اتجهنا في الصباح الباكر عبر سهول الحصى الى الوادي الضحل. كانت

رحلتنا سهلة بعض الشيء، و كلما تعمقنا في الطريق ازداد الوادي عمقاً و.ضيقاً و اعوجاجاً بقدر ما ازدادت المناظر روعة

كان صديقي الرحالة كيت فيلبس قد حذرني قبل خمسين كيلومتراً من إنغالق في الوادي، و لكن عند وصولنا تبينت لنا جهود السلطنة في إعادة

فتابعنا مسيرنا، و بعد وصولنا بناء الطريق الوعر الذي جرفته السيول الى طريق الهروب عند قرية جبجات واجهنا حاجزاً قديماً في أسفل

الوادي، مع أننا لم نعلم مما كان يحمينا الحاجز هذا، فقد كان محطماً بعض الشيء و كان الطريق يمر من خالله. و مع ذلك، فقد كان الطريق يعوج

بداخل حقل صعب من الصخور الكبيرة. بعد فترة من التقصي على األقدام، وجدنا تكملة الطريق بعد بضعة أمتار و استنتجنا أن مناورة تلك الصخور

الكبيرة كان أمرا ال بد منه، فاستطعنا أن نحرك بعض هذه الصخور و بناء المنحدرات على بعض منها التي صعب علينا تحريكها، و من ثم قاد سانجي السيارتين بكامل الثقة. و بما أننا انتهينا من ذلك القسم الشاق من

الطريق، استمتعنا ببقية الطريق حتى وصلنا الى نهايته الوادي عند مسجد وحيد في أسفله تسلقنا الجبال بعده. من هناك أكملنا طريقنا من خالل طرق إزدادت مشقة و أتت بنا أقرب الى قمم الجبال و السهول على حفة الجزء الرئيسي من جبل ظفر. و هكذا، و بعد ١١٠كم من القيادة، وصلنا الجرف

.و الى منطقة رائعة للتخييم على حافته

تركني سانجي و سارة في الصباح التالي و توجهت انا الى مربط و الطريق الثاني. يتبع هذا المسار خط الساحل من مربط الى صد، و مع أن طوله ال يزيد عن ٦٠ كيلومترا، فقد كان رائعاً بإعوجاجه عبر العديد من

الممرات الضيقة و الوديان التي تتسلسل من الجرف الى البحر. و لكن الروعة الحقيقية أتت بإيجادي العديد من الخلجان الترابية و الصخرية التي

توقفت لديها للتخييم. تنتشر بهذه الخلجان الصغيرة األصداف و حيوانات السلطعون األسود. يبتدأ الطريق هذا جيدا، و لكن المرء ينتابه إحساس

خاطئ بالراحة عند العبور به، و سرعان ما أصبح الطريق أكثر صعوبة رغم وجود سبل الهرب الى الشوارع اإلسفلتية الى الشمال. إضطريت لتنفيس إطارات سيارتي ألسهل عملية تسلق أسوأ فقرات هذا الطريق

و اإللتزام به، و كان من الالزم الخوض الخطر في مياه الوديان األكثر غرقاً في مياه األمطار، و لكن المناظر الخالبة كانت بإنتظاري، و بالنهاية

.وصلت الى قرية الصيد القديمة المعروفة بصد

مغامرة عمان 2012


46 OUTDOORUAE

OUR EXPERTS

AdventureChickRuns majestic Manaslu

Tori writer, runner, blogger &

adidas athletePS. My email address is

[email protected] for thoughts, ideas, and

suggestions… or just to say hello!

For any readers who haven’t been to Nepal, I urge you to go. It really is a magical kingdom. Despite being one of the world’s poorest countries, the people draw you in with their unrelenting kindness, spirit and joie de vivre.

I go there often be it to support Tori’s top causes: summit a mountain or run a race. This time was for the latter; The Action Asia Manaslu 100km. This was my third Action Asia race, the last being in Lijiang, China earlier this year, so I arrived at the race hotel in Kathmandu knowing more than a handful of my competitors. The bonds formed at events like these are unbreakable. The race is multi-stage. It literally goes from A to B over 2.5 days with the overall placing deter-mined by your total time.

40km / 40km / 20km was the ap-proximate split although don’t think for a second that it’s just a walk in the park. Throw in altitude, which feels like running with a sock in your mouth, technical trails with the likes of narrow passes, large rocks, rickety bridges and river crossings and a mammoth amount of ascent each day and you have quite a little run on your hands!

Day 0Mission one was the long drive

to Manaslu itself. One of the world’s 14 mountains over 8,000m, she sits around 150km from the capital, Kathmandu. Nepal’s roads are chaotic; little more than dusty trails where chaos prevails so even this relatively short distance took a good five hours. The journey was pretty smooth and challenge-free especially consider-

ing the journeys to my last two races here have involved cancelled flights, lost luggage, landslides, avalanches, monsoon rains, leeches galore, travels on the back of a truck filled with chickens and Maoist road blocks. I kid you not! On arrival, we settled into our various guest-houses; all refreshingly simple, yet clean and totally functional. I say refreshingly because places like this are a wonderful antidote to

the bright lights and bling nights of the desert we call home.

Next up was race registration and this is where the fun began. You know you’re in for a treat when three key points conveyed in the race briefing were these:

1 “The red ribbons a.k.a. course markings have all been stolen so look out for red paint, except that disappears in the sun, so unless you are VERY careful and stop at every single possible junction, you WILL get lost. This course is a maze.”

Excellent, I thought. Tori gets lost in every race even when the markings are second to none.

2 “There are lots of VERY wild animals out there. Angry bulls with horns. They WILL attack you. Be wary, pass them calmly and don’t upset them.”

Two words – ‘Oh’ and ‘s***.’3 “At the 35km-ish mark, you will

climb a brutal 2km long, very steep staircase. I repeat, it is brutal.”

When Action Asia’s race director says this, you know it will be brutal with a large B. He himself is a phe-nomenal mountain goat.

And with that we finished up, had a delicious candlelit (thanks to a black-out) dinner of dhal bhat, Nepal’s sta-ple dish of rice and lentils, and then readied ourselves for the morning.


47OUTDOORUAE

Day 1I slept so well. We all did. I think when

staying high up in the mountains with all that crisp ‘alpine’ air and when away from our day-to-day lives where everything is controlled by the touch of a button or the twist of a dial, our bodies welcome the lack of distraction with open arms. Forget social engagements, looming deadlines, training commitments and day-to-day responsibili-ties... instead, all that is called for is chilling, sleeping, eating and running. The run was nothing short of spectacular. Think 360-de-gree views of the towering snow-capped peaks of Manaslu and others, giant steep ascents, long and windy descents, gorgeous little villages with ramshackle huts and blue tinned roofs, little kids laughing and chasing us, the big ones, cheering and supporting us. I finished second in the female divi-sion, although hot on my heels were two other super sleek chicks. In first place, and way ahead of me, was the legendary Kami Semick, who competes with the world’s best. Another league altogether.

Day 203:30 and the alarm rang – a painful start

to the day. My legs felt stiff as bricks but once we got going, they started to loosen up. I expected the day to be tough; 43km with mammoth ascents, very technical trails and a strict cut off time, but I had no idea just what was in store for me. In short, I got lost three times, had a fall involving a lost footing and resulted in doing the splits over a steep ridge, had an intimate encounter with some dense jungle leaving me to battle through thick bush to emerge back on track and finally, I had some GI issues to deal with; all these within the first couple of hours! Needless to say, my second female position dropped to fourth pretty quickly. It turned out to be a pretty magical day though; the sun was shining, the skies bright blue, the route absolutely breathtaking and the residents of all the villages we ran through were out cheering, laughing, smiling and clapping. After my various setbacks, I had two choices: continue on with a bad mind-set, cursing myself for being in Tori-world and not paying close enough attention to the markings, trail and my nutrition or to get over it and just soldier on and enjoy the moment. Embrace the day and deal with my hand of cards. I chose the latter and ended

up having quite a fabulous day. I finished seven and a half hours later and collapsed on the sun-filled lawns.

My take-away from the day was this: with trail running, especially in beautiful places such as Nepal, there is no correlation between your race performance and your level of enjoyment. In lots of other areas of our lives, we often equate how good we are at something with how much we enjoy doing it – not so with trail running. In fact, when not at the front of the pack and having to push yourself every moment, you can more easily enjoy the community around you, the culture, the views, the people and of course, great conversations with other runners.

Day 3A leisurely 7:00 a.m. start and a sweet

20km. My kind of day! As we all arrived at the race start I had to laugh. Everyone, including me, was walking like John Wayne sans horse, all feeling quite broken after the distance and elevation gain past. ‘I just want to finish’ and ‘I’m just going to plod along as best I can,’ were the words on everyone’s lips. But then the race commenced and it was like a troop of frisky racehorses being let loose from their gates, or long-time prison-ers being released from their shackles. We all seemed to give it our all, any pain and niggles were suddenly a distant memory.

This, I suppose, is the perfect illustration of the power of the mind – even when your body feels totally broken, your mind will take you as far as you want to go. The route was again breathtaking; the mighty Manaslu was never out of sight. We crossed a long ridge with the most magnificent views followed by running through the most enchanting of forests. Fluffy clouds lay far beneath us and the first rays of the sun were starting to shine. Once I got going, I felt wonderful, strong, powerful and invincible. Complete and utter flow. I aimed for a two-hour finish but smashed it in 1:45. Third girl in.

Days like this leave an imprint on your heart, an unquenchable thirst for life and an irreversible smile. Fun in the sun, cool beers and some much-needed fuel followed and then the long drive back to Kathmandu for the closing awards dinner – always a wild affair!

Day 4Waking up the morning after a 100km run

and far too much post-race hydration is nev-

er easy! We talked over breakfast why trail running events such as these have such a wonderful atmosphere. Various answers were put forward but one in particular was that we do these events, not to get from A to B in the shortest time possible but to enjoy every moment of the journey…to experience new places, people, cultures and communities and at the same time, to forge new friend-ships and learn more about ourselves.This event proved all that and then some.

As I write this, I feel exhilarated and en-ergised and wish I had the words to convey how truly wonderful any trip to Nepal is. Enormous thanks to Rahhalah for sponsor-ing me and I cannot recommend enough, their own fantastic itinerary of adventures; whether for rafting, trekking, wildlife, safari, history, culture, mountaineering or climbing, all await you with eager anticipation! Just visit www.rahhalah.com and get planning.

Love Tori x Writer, runner, blogger & Adidas athlete.


48 OUTDOORUAE

Our fishing pro who shares his experiences and

expertise with OutdoorUAE through his regular column.

[email protected]

It’s not often that my wife and I get to go on a trip together. Our work almost always has both of us liter-ally, half the world apart. When last weekend present-ed itself as a chance to go on a road trip, we packed as fast as we could and headed north.

Most of these impromptu trips some-times leave you a bit puzzled about what to take. Whilst anglers like myself are mostly pack rats and would love to take our tackle warehouse with us “to keep us covered” in any situation, this is okay when travelling solo, but quite a challenge when you have a non angler on board with you.

With practice I have managed to keep my kit down to a minimum and surprisingly, am prepared for quite a few things. The basics are always a good starting point so the very first things I packed were my casting spoons, soft plastics and jig heads of varying sizes; plugs to cover the top and mid water column round up eve-rything. No deep divers were needed on this trip since we would be fishing on rocks and near structures that would snag lures.

Long cast lures are important to get the distance needed, so everything over three inches was either heavy or built for long casts. Distance is always an advantage when fishing from shore, so I packed mostly long rods and reels with long cast spools or multipliers with magnetic cast control systems for most of the heavier gear. Loaded with

A Lovely Road Trip

braided lines, these reels give you a lot more distance and help your line fight wind and current. Prepare to lose a lot of lures when you fish in shallow water especially if there’s a reef nearby. When fishing these areas, it’s also advisable to use a short length of wire, although I’ve done away with wire in most of my fishing. Anywhere you go with toothy critters present, a short wire leader is always a good deterrent to losing that shiny new lure.

For almost the whole day, I was catching Orange Spot Trevally, Snap-per and needlefish before switching to soft plastics. I also caught a few fish from the sandy patches and had three missed strikes on the poppers before the bites died. In between tak-ing pictures, my wife was busy picking up rubbish left behind by inconsider-ate campers and anglers around the campsite. I asked her why she was doing it and she immediately replied “it’s such a waste to see this beautiful place ruined by all this rubbish…I have to do something.” The ride home was shorter than expected and we stopped by our favourite Chinese restaurant. “Did you enjoy the trip?” I asked. “It was great, we should do this more often!” She answered. Looks like I’ve found another fishing buddy.

Till next Tide change,

Kit

A good selection of gear would give you more flexibility

An Orange Spot Trevally falls for a Casting Spoon

A long rod and a reel with long cast capabilities help deliver long range presentations

Make sure you get a good footing when fishing off rocks

Lovely couldn’t resist picking up rubbish that campers left behindA nice Needlefish from the rocks gave me some entertaining jumps and runsbehind

A good variety of lures will give you the most out of any trip

Photos By: Lovely Francisco-Belen

Words By: Kit Belen

OUR EXPERTS

49OUTDOORUAE

On the 28th of November, Ad-venture HQ officially handed over their donation of two kayaks and related safety equipment to local disabled sailing group, DOSC Sailability.

Adventure HQ’s support of the DOSC Sailability program came about when Sam Whittam, Adventure HQ’s General Manager and Founder heard about the disabled sailing program - the first of it’s kind in the UAE.

Sam says, ”When I first heard about the wonderful program that Sailability offers to the disabled community of Dubai, my immediate reaction was ‘How can we help’? After hearing more about the program and learning that they offer kayaking, there was an instant solu-tion at hand. With so many products on offer at Adventure HQ, the biggest decision was working out which kayaks would be the best

for the program to use.”DOSC Sailability is focussed on teaching

students to learn to sail but for some students, even seeing water can be scary for them.

Sailability Lead Coordinator and Chairman, Rachel Eglington says, “We’re so proud to have Adventure HQ support us. These new kayaks are extremely stable and will allow us to offer our students a chance to learn about the water, whilst sitting in a very comfort-able and safe environment. For some of our students, even getting them to sit on a kayak is a huge leap. Kayaks give us a starting step for getting students out onto the water, before they get onto sailing boats and for a few students, kayaking is a great fun way to spend more time on the water when they’re not out sailing.”

Adventure HQ’s support doesn’t simply end at the donation of the kayaks. Their team of outdoor adventure specialists are volunteering their time in the afternoons – giving the whole team a chance to give back to the community. “We wanted to do something more than just give products or money to the program. Hav-ing our staff give their time is more important to Adventure HQ, as we are truly giving back to the community,” Sam says.

DOSC Sailability has two sessions each Wednesday where students cover a wide range of activities that include sailing theory, knot tying, parts of the boat and opportuni-ties to sail or kayak. They currently have three independent sailors as part of the group and

many students are working their way through the curriculum to pass certification. Schools and groups that are part of the program include Dubai Centre for Special Needs, Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, Dubai Autism Centre, All For Downs and private students. DOSC Sailability has just begun its fourth season of sailing and is operated and run by volunteers, with support from local groups, businesses and the DOSC sailing community.

For further information about DOSC Sail-ability, call the Lead Coordinator and Chair-man, Rachel Eglington on 050 514 1207 or send an email to [email protected].

Adventure HQ launches support for local disabled sailing group - DOSC Sailability


An authentic shop for outdoor passionatesAn authentic shop for outdoor passionates

OUR EXPERTS

Al Ain to Liwa

John Moto/ATV and all round

adventure seeker

50 OUTDOORUAE

The UAE is a small country in comparison with others. This is a very limiting factor for someone like Oliver and I who enjoy endurance riding. This had also been the main reason why I did all my long rides in Oman over the last couple of years.

If you have a 200 to 250km ride in the UAE, it is a long ride! This has constantly made me look for new longer routes that are achievable in one day, and include for a good end destination where mommy can collect us with the pickup. It is a very long trip from Al Ain to Liwa and if you ride south, and stay close to Oman border, and then route west staying close to the Saudi border, the ride is 350km! This is about the maximum I am willing to attempt per day, if I am routing across the desert without following a track or a road, as the average speed will not allow for much more than this in one day.

Al Ain to Liwa is also a trip I have been wanting to do for a while, but logistics for people not living in Al Ain is problematic. They have to come to Al Ain to start the ride, then the only way to Liwa, for your sup-port vehicle or whoever is going to bring you back, is back to Abu Dhabi and then left to Liwa. The driving becomes a bit much for one day. My planning was for two consecutive weekends (16th to 17th and 23rd

to 24th of November). Oliver was available only for the first weekend and we would be five riders for the second weekend. However, the trip went as follows:

Friday Morning, 6:00 hrs: The sound of Oliver’s pickup in the

driveway woke me up! Damn-damn-damn! (I used slightly more assertive vocabulary, but rather not repeat it in print) I overslept and still had about 45mins preparation to do before we could depart! This is not the way I enjoy starting a long trip and as I

knew that time could be critical later that day, I was running to get the last bit of preparation done in as short as possible time.

We departed about 20mins later than planned and even though I was tempted to increase the pace, I knew that it could snowball later if we tired ourselves too early in the ride. I

had a route that I scouted the week before that led from the wadi behind my villa, past the palaces and then entered the desert (it was not long before we were in the dunes).

As the majority of the dunes in the UAE run east to west, and we were traveling due south, we were hitting the dunes head on! This is physically demanding and really reduces your speed. I knew this when I did the planning, but did not realize how big

effect it would actually have on the trip. We reached Al Qua’a (135km) after more than four hours. My plan-ning was for this leg to be about two and a half hours and we were now running far behind schedule. Also, my bike was on reserve by the time we reached the garage and that most certainly being the highest consump-

51OUTDOORUAE

tion my bike had ever given me (due to the accelerate –stop – accelerate- stop on the dunes).

Departing Al Qua’a 11:00 hrs:The stop for fuel did not include a rest as

we just fuelled, filled our camel backs and off with a bang. The dunes after Al Qua’a almost immediately rapidly increased in size! Not quite Liwa size, but a lot bigger than what we have in Dubai or Al Ain! Again during my planning, I was aware of this, but there are huge Sabkhas between the sets of dunes and I was sure we would make up for the time lost in the higher dunes every time we crossed the Sabkhas.

Ha-ha for making up time. The sand in the dunes was extremely soft and we both got stuck (and fell) several times. My Honda is fitted with an electric fan (not usually fitted to the bikes) because of my summer riding and the high temperatures we have in the UAE. To date, my bike has never overheated in three years. Due to the soft sand and high dunes, my bike overheated at least four times! Every time it reached critical temperature, I would turn into the wind and let her idle for a while till she cooled down a bit - every time losing critical minutes. By the second or third set of dunes, I knew that we were not going to be able to reach Liwa on the planned route and started thinking about an alternative plan/route. I knew the area as I did aerial work there some time back and decided to use one of the tracks used by the environmental agency to “cut the corner” of our planned route. This road meets up with our planned route but would save us more than an hour in riding time and prevent having to cross those monster dunes at 90 degrees! This section was also very long and we had to carry additional fuel in our backpacks!

I found the road and followed it, but due to new construction of some buildings (I think hunting “cottages” for royalty) the road had changed slightly, causing me to miss the connection with the planned track. I was sure that we would join the planned track but somehow we did not. This made the last section to Hamim VERY tedious as we were on a dirt road for about 40 of 50km! Look-ing at the time, we probably would have had to take this road in any case.

hamim at 15:30 hrs:By the time we arrived in Hamim we had

already covered 330km and the time was not looking good to attempt crossing the desert to Liwa Hotel. We stayed on the main road, but after about 30km decided to go back into the desert and parallel the main road. After an incident where Oliver fell and was trapped under his bike, we decided to rather get back to the main road and get to the hotel.

Liwa by 16:30 hrs:We reached the hotel by 16:30 hrs after

riding for nine and a half hours and covered 395km! Sadly, we missed the beautiful sec-tion to the southeast of the country, but looking at our time we would not have made it from Al Ain and included that section.

For the future I do plan to do this again, but I will take my quad bike and only start the ride at Al Qua’a. This would allow for the whole route to be done in the dunes and include the section we missed on this trip.

(Regarding the week-end of 23rd to 24th of November, I had been the support vehicle for the group!) Overall:

395km of riding, 220km of which was without fol-lowing any tracks, and the rest on sand tracks and road, is a very long trip for one day and took nine and a half hours. This I think is a bit much for social-level riders and even though I have done over 500km in one day, it was not in soft sand like this. Even with my plan-ning being conservative, I once again realized that you can never be sure how long something like this will take and must always have a contingency plan ready!

Nevertheless, a great adventure and a big tick in the box for my riding in the UAE!

Ride Safe and Go For

Gold,

John Basson

Camping Party

52 OUTDOORUAE

OUR EXPERTS

John Moto/ATV and all round

adventure seeker

Something I find dis-turbing here in the UAE is the amount of time some parents are spending with their children. Walking in the malls and seeing a nanny carrying someone’s child or pushing the pram is but one example.

I recall having several arguments with my wife as to who is going to car-ry our sons or push the pram. No, not because of who “HAS” to do it, but because of who WANTS to do it. They are our children and to date we have never given someone else the “privi-lege” of having to carry or push them!

Something else I saw in the UAE for the first time is indoor party centres. Just call, book the venue and your problems are over. They do every-thing! Even the invitations are printed for you. All you have to do is try to be

there before your children’s friends ar-rive. I have been to several of these in-door “party centres” with my sons and I am sorry, but I don’t think much of children being entertained by people who don’t even speak my language. It is not a memorable event and just an-other easy way out for some parents!

I know that a lot of people are go-ing to use the “it is too hot outside!” excuse and “we don’t have space” and-and-and, but after attending a children’s party on the third floor of an apartment in mid-July, I was sur-prised to see how much effort the parents had put into the party. There were about 15 children in the apart-ment and the parents managed, with great effort and interaction, to keep the children busy with games, arts and several other activities that were all possible indoors. It was a great party!

I am however fortunate that both my sons have their birthdays in the winter and the daytime temperature allows for great outdoor activities. As we had not yet been camping for this season we decided to combine John-John’s 10th party with our first camp-ing for the winter. What a great way for an active ten-year-old boy to enjoy his birthday! John-John invited six school friends plus his cousins, whose parents were content to send their boys with us, to join in the adventure. I had an action-packed time planned for the boys that included a “route march” at night, camping fire, barbecuing their own food and also made a 40m long “cable slide.” The venue: Al Hayer Acacia “forest” just outside Al Ain.

The plan was for my wife Mari to bring half of the boys, who were at-tending another party at one of the

malls, with her and the others to join me in the pick-up with the trailer and all the camping gear. Then we would rendezvous at our usual spot in Al Hayer. All sounded great and I am sure it would have been fine if it were not for the roadworks in Hayer that caused some detours. To cut a long story short, I got stuck, Mari got stuck, Louwtjie got stuck, and Kevin got stuck! All in different areas and it took two hours to recover all the stuck vehicles and finally, two hours later, we all rendezvoused and arrived at the campsite!

Now with my planning far behind schedule, and the last bit of daylight gathering to meet the setting sun on the horizon, it was a hair scram-ble to get the campsite pitched and ready. The boys all took to the dunes like Jack Russells and I knew that it wouldn’t be long before both my wife and I would be exhausted trying to keep those active boys entertained, fed and in a party mood! Luckily we had some great help from our brother-in-law Louwtjie and friend Kevin who were great with the boys.

Instead of the normal goody or party bag filled with sweets, we made adventure packs: a cheap shoulder bag, torch, water bottle, water gun and a soft ball. Each boy was kitted and ready for adventure. The boys of course immediately wanted the ca-ble slide to be fitted to the trees, but there was just not enough time and daylight remaining, and it was put on hold for the next day. The responsibil-ity of pitching their tent and arranging their bedding was delegated to the boys. In no time, their team effort got the tent standing, but that was more


53OUTDOORUAE

than enough for them and they just tossed their sleeping bags inside and charged up the dunes again only to be called back by mum-my to “complete” their assignment. It seems that men don’t change much with time!

The boys needed no encouragement to start the campfire and each had his own idea of how the fire should be packed and started. All I had to do was limit the size so as to ensure the wood would last the night as they were ready to burn all the wood in one go! Then as the fire was busy converting the wood to coals for our bbq, the boys and Kevin were off on a 30-minute route march amongst the trees. From a distance it looked like an alien invasion as the beams from the nine flashlights reminded me of scenes from Star Wars. Their noise, scaring every possible creature into hiding and just listening to their calls and joy was rewarding.

They returned ready for dinner and each boy had to prepare his own sausage on the fire. After dinner, John-John got his guitar and played the three songs he knew, Mary had a

little lamb being one of them, before dash-ing off into the dunes again! By around 10:00 p.m. it was time for the boys to get into bed. A task easier said than done, and I don’t think they were asleep before midnight. Unless they all talk in their sleep and giggle like girls.

Sunrise was amazing and listening to the many birds singing was great; just as it should be! The boys of course were not interested in breakfast or the birds and were already de-manding that the long awaited cable slide be erected! This was a 40m long cable to which I fitted a roller with handle. The cable was strapped to a tree halfway up a dune, and the bottom end to another tree, tensioning it us-ing the Dodge. I used broad nylon straps not to damage the trees and ensured that the end was close to the ground. This would ensure the boys come to a skidding halt in the sand BEFORE they hit the tree. It was a huge suc-cess and eventually had to call time out, as there was more fun scheduled apart from the slide!

The boys returned for breakfast that the

ladies had prepared and then straight onto a cricket match, while the morning tempera-tures slowly crept into the mid 20’s. This gave us some time to start the packing and prepare for the “final battle” of the weekend. We filled several buckets with water and placed them about 30m apart. Each boy was given a water gun and they split into two teams. This was an intense water battle with lots of running, water and sand everywhere! Their teams last-ed about 20secs and then it was every man for himself. This they continued till the water, after two or three refills of the buckets, was finished!

The boys were gathered for a group photo and the Toffee apples mummy and I attempt-ed the night before. Then the grand finale: trying to clean the boys before we returned. Next time I will bring the pressure cleaner and just give the boys swimming goggles and then spray them down! This was a great party and the boys had an absolute ball. Yes, the effort from our side was a hell of a lot, but they are our children, we enjoy interacting and being part of their childhood. Remember that time flashes by and soon your kids will leave home. The more memories you give them as a child, the more reason they will have to come and visit once they leave home.

Enjoy your children, they need interaction with YOU, not the nanny!

Regards,

John Basson


54 OUTDOORUAE

If you’ve ever asked a photographer how much gear they take on location with them, it’s usually an indecisive and hesitant answer, momentarily followed by an ‘ummmm’. Eventually you will get back ‘It really depends on the situation’ which rings true with most photogra-phers out there.

For example, if I’m on location both throughout the day and it looks as if it’s heading into the night, I like to have every-thing with me. It’s not because I’m indecisive but as the environment is not controlled I will be shooting in different light situations. Two of my most trusted pieces I never leave the house without, apart from the camera and lenses are my tripod and strobe.

Strobes are portable flash lights, or ‘flash guns’ as we call them, and the only problem with them is that they eat batteries up for breakfast lunch and dinner. Gordon Smith, OutdoorUAE’s expert in diving and underwater photography in the July Issue mentioned this in his article titled ‘Batteries and Underwater Photography.’ Generally the usage of batteries is much more of a talking point for the underwater photographers out there as the temperatures underwater affect the life of a battery. Gordon worked out that in order for his strobes to work efficiently he would have to use 8 AA batteries per day (a mix of standard Alkaline or rechargeable), for one of his 10-day dive trips to Borneo that’s 80 batteries!

If the weight of a standard Alkaline (23g) or a standard recharge able (27g) is esti-mated at around 25g, Gordon would have had to take around 2kg worth of batteries for his trip.

In this day and age, everything you buy is digital and unsurprisingly as technol-ogy evolves, it becomes more demanding on power. No more are the motor-driven analogue cameras with a 36 roll. I know that when I am on a shoot whether it be for one day or five, to power up my gear I take at least four to five charged batter-ies for my 5D Mark2, at least three sets of rechargeable batteries and three sets of non-rechargeable batteries as backups (not to mention the chargers). In regards to the non-rechargeable batteries, I wouldn’t have as much weight on me as Gordon as I shoot in natural daylight as well, but it still high-lights an interesting topic for any outdoor photographer.

There is also a conversation to be had about how green it really is to use non-rechargeable batteries, but everyone still does, especially in the UAE, so to be green the only other option are rechargeables.

This brings forward another debate... There have been many occasions where I have been called up for a shoot last minute, left the house and realised that I don’t have my rechargeable batteries with me or the charger didn’t work properly and they are flat. I’ve then frantically rushed into a petrol station to buy some non-rechargeable bat-teries to bulk up what I have.

So when I read about Gordon’s article this July, I was interested to find out about which would be the most efficient non-rechargea-ble battery to use in a bid to help cut down the amount of waste I am creating. This is

how I stumbled onto Lithium batteries from Energizer. Gordon’s friend mentioned to him that they are more efficient than any regular Alkaline batteries on the market, not just in extreme temperatures but in daily usage of demanding technical devices. In addition to this an AA battery weighs around 14.5g. I understand that in my experience I would never need as many batteries as Gordon, but you really feel the difference when you pick them up, as if they were a fake or some-thing, so it’s a plus if you ever need that many for underwater photography!

I’m not going into detail about the chem-istry of a lithium battery or how it works, as we only have so much space, but most of which you need to know is that there are also Alkaline and Carbon Zinc batteries out on the market. The reason we have so much choice especially from the Energizer brand, which is a good example of catering to con-sumers needs, is that each battery is made for a specific use intended.

I get the feeling Energizer understand how wasteful batteries can be, so they create a technology which works at the most efficient level for each different category of product. I do think that by being given more choice, you create less energy wastage if you are

OutdoorUAE tests the latest Lithium batteries from Energizer.

LITHIUmTHE ULTImATE fight against waste

Words + Photos: Luke Neal


PRODUCT REVIEW

55OUTDOORUAE

conscious about your buying.This brings me back to the topic of using

non-rechargeable batteries outdoors with your gear. Let’s get down to what we all want to know. How effective are the batteries and do they really create less energy waste?

My (Canon 580EX2) strobe is, by a long mile, the most draining piece of equipment I have in my gear. Through recording how many flashes were fired in the space of 10 minutes in a range of different conditions, I would get a better idea about efficiency and the effectiveness of the batteries.

The batteries chosen to be tested were the Max Energizer Alkaline 4x AA batteries, and the Energizer Lithium 4x AA batter-ies. The strobe was set off from an external trigger (as you can see from the image of the tent below); the load time between each flash is about 3secs and so the trigger was pressed continuously. The strobe would be set on manual mode at 1/1, which sends out approximately 8,000 lumens; in comparison, a 25-watt bulb is rated at approximately 180 lumens so it’s pretty bright. During the first test, the flash was loaded with AA Energizer Max Batteries (Alkaline) and I recorded how many times the flash was fired over the space of 10 minutes. I then tested the AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries exactly the same way.

Using this test as a control in a lovely 25°C in the desert, I was also keen to see how well both the Energizer Max and Lithium batter-ies would work in both hot and cold condi-tions as Energizer claims that their batteries perform well in extreme temperatures. Of course being in the UAE, this seems slightly unrealistic, so I did a ‘mini test’ by submerg-ing the batteries in hot water in a sealed bag up to 60°C, and also in a sealed bag until they reached -15°C in the freezer.

After the new sets of batteries were heated or cooled, I then used the flash firing technique immediately to test the batteries once again as mentioned above. The results of these tests can be found in the table on the right.

Overall you can see that the test proves the efficiency of the Lithium batteries in both normal and extreme conditions.

During the 60°C test, I noted that the Energizer Max Alkaline batteries were taking more than 60secs to load the flash only after the 2nd timed minute and proves that heat actually reduces the effectiveness of the Alkaline batteries almost immediately. Dur-ing the 25°C (control), the Max batteries also acted this way after 35th flash, which was in the 5th timed minute (when the batteries were getting hot and drained) also affecting the load time from a modest 3secs to ap-prox. 60secs. In response to this, the Lithium batteries were working well throughout all the tests and very consistently. During the 60°C test they were still going strong at 6-10 minutes, taking approx. 10secs to load the flash, (in comparison to 60secs as with the Alkaline), this was the same with the -15°C test. I’m not exactly sure how many flashes it would take to drain the lithium batteries completely during this test, in situ or on a camera, as each situation will be different, but it seemed that for this particular test the batteries would have continued to power the flash after 10 minutes of continuous firing, with only a steady increase on the load time.

Overall it’s a very obvious test to do ‘Lithi-um vs Alkaline.’ However when I ask anyone if they know the difference between the bat-teries, not many do, and I think that it’s mak-ing people (not just photographers) aware that we all need to start thinking about using the batteries efficiently, and how much

energy waste and waste in general we are creating. For flash guns/ strobes the most ideal ‘green’ batteries are rechargeable, but the best non-rechargeable batteries are the Lithium, your next in line are the Alkaline ‘Advanced’ then the Energizer Max’s (overall, this test is not to prove that the Max’s are bad batteries, there is nothing wrong with them and would recommend them for a good standard alkaline battery for everyday use. In this test I am trying to highlight the most important thing, the efficiency and the use of batteries). The only down side to the Lithiums are that they are more expensive in comparison to their cheaper brothers; ‘The Max’ is at approximately 42 AED vs 14.25 AED, but in the long run they allow you to shoot longer with more efficiency, better value for money, and recommended on your next photographic expedition.

See you out there,

Luke

Note: Remember, you can always recycle your lithium batteries if the flash chews them up! As Gordon recommended: use them for other electronic devices such as: tooth-brushes, remote controls, radios, clocks and GPS units!

Battery: 10mins continuos firing with flash gun 25°C (control) 60°C (10 minutes) -15°C (12 hours)

Energizer Max Alkaline 4x AA 43 Flashes 13 Flashes 48 Flashes

Energizer Lithium Advanced 4x AA 90 Flashes 80 Flashes 79 Flashes

Energizer’s battery area in most retail hyper markets has four stations- Play time for Carbon Zinc, Everyday life for Basic Alkaline, High Tech for Lithium, Advanced Alkaline and Rechargables. Of course other battery brands will be placed here, but the whole point is to try and educate the user to buy the right batteries for the right purpose.

56 OUTDOORUAE

On Friday the 23rd of November 2012, Nizar Fakhoury and three volunteers of Climb for Cancer (a non-profit initia-tive here in Dubai) set out on an extraordinary adventure taking them to the coldest slope in the UAE in an aim to raise aware-ness for children suffering from cancer.

In an exclusive interview, OutdoorUAE was given the chance to talk to Nizar and his group about who they are and what they were about to achieve during their 24-hour campout in sub- freezing temperatures at the top of Ski Dubai. So tell us, what is climb for cancer? Climb for Cancer is a non-profit initiative that encourages amateur hikers and adventure enthusiasts to climb mountain peaks around the world in an effort to raise money for children suffering from cancer. Why are you spending 24 hours in here? It’s freezing! We’re here in Ski Dubai to train and raise awareness for children suffering from cancer in the process. Being in the Middle East it’s very difficult to train in snow, or on a slope. It’s got a great incline, a cold environment and we get to spend the night here to try our products and test them. This would be our jackets, sleeping bags and tents – this is the first time we are fully sup-ported by Marmot with gear and is great to help us prepare for Mt. Aconcagua in South America next year. Who are the other three volunteers here today? Maha, Mitch and Anis. In the last trip we took to Elbrus, the highest peak in Russia at 5,642m, in 2011 Anis came with me on that one. Maha and Mitch will be joining the Mt. Aconcagua 2013trip next year, which is the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,960.8m (We try to do at least one trip a year). How does the initiative work? We highlight the cancer centre, we share

Climbing for a Cause

expenses. This ensures that 100% of the donations raised goes towards the treatment of the cancer patients we are supporting. Can any one be apart of the group? Any one who wants to join, we base it on two basic principals; some one who believes in the cause, and fitness. It’s not an adventure trip and depending on the trip we are doing fitness is a must, and so is preparation. So it’s important that someone seeking to do this has both. How do you train? We all have our own in-dividual way of training but we mainly focus on cardio as well as strength and condition-ing, so this means boot camps and walking up stairs. We live in high-rise apartments and I normally walk up and down 50 flights of stairs with 20kg on my back three times a week, and a bit of rock climbing once or twice a week and maybe the gym as well Are you doing any training in Ski Dubai? Here the only thing we can do, because ski-ers are on the slope all day long, is walking up and down the slope with weight in our packs. We will do this for the whole day for about seven or eight hours. Ski Dubai has been extremely helpful through this, we approached them last year and we were al-lowed to stay for 48 hours. It might seem like a really simple thing to do, but it really does help when testing out the gear and getting you prepared. Anything else you’d like to pass onto our readers? Nowadays it’s really simple for people to do something good for the community. The key is not to do everything at the same time, but at least do something. As long as everyone does a little bit, we can support a lot of causes in the region.

For more information about climb for cancer, or how to get involved visit www.climbforcancer.org and www.facebook.com/climbforcancer

PEOPLE

their story and we share our story. We are not raising money but rather awareness. Through finding out about us and our trips, we provide the public an opportunity to donate to specific cancer treatment centres, a pathway to get involved with charity and be close to the cause. Also, the climbers fund their own trips and are responsible for covering all their personal costs themselves including tickets, equipment, and hiking

57OUTDOORUAE


40337_DIBS - Barter adverts batch 03 Outdoor UAE 210x280 ol.indd 1 11/21/12 5:09 PM

58 OUTDOORUAE

This is a very good dive for novice or newly quali-fied divers, offering a reasonably sheltered dive site with depths from 6 -15m. Location

There is a mooring, which has been there for some considerable time and at the time of writing this, is approximately N25 20.438 E56 22.662. The mooring is attached to a large rock at approximately 6m (this will vary with the tide) and the surrounding area is covered with a good selection of mainly hard corals, including some nice table coral.

Visibility however is variable, and frequently can be rather poor, but it is usually around 4-5m, and it makes an excellent second shallow dive after diving on Martini Rock or Inchcape 2. The actual “hole” is a short 7-8m tunnel which is situated about half way between the larger piece of rock above water and the shoreline, with a partial open fissure on the northern side where the opening is at 4m depth leading through to 5m depth at the opposite opening (south side). It is a bit of a tight squeeze and one should have good buoyancy control and finning in order to avoid silting up the area for the next diver. If visibility is poor and the exit cannot be seen from the entrance, then I would advise

UAE LOCAL DIVE SITES

EAST COAST Words + Photos: Gordon T. Smith

LOCATIONS

Gordon’s

HOLE IN THE WALL

not going through the tunnel, you just never know what might be in there! Note that this is an overhead environment, and although not a major one, you can usually see the exit when you enter, it should only be attempted if you have had training to dive in an overhead en-vironment. From the mooring, you can swim using a bearing of 150 degrees, you will come to the hole after about approximately 30m. Alternatively if the dive boat can drop you off at approximately N25 20.429 E56 22.678 you should more or less be right above one of the entrances.

Marine LifeAt the bottom of the mooring is (ap-

proximately 6m depth), the surrounding area is covered with a good selection of mainly hard corals, including some nice table corals, as well as a selection of differ-ent anemones and a few soft corals.

Lots of small fish can be found here, and you will find plenty to keep yourself occupied if you are on a fish identification dive, shoaling fusiliers are usually present and of course this attracts a few predators such as Jack. Check out the anemones not just for the anemone fish, but also for smaller creatures such as shrimp. Cuttlefish are frequently found around here also, and these creatures can be highly entertaining as they change colour, especially when photographing them. This is a good multi-level dive and even the worst air hogs should manage 60 minutes at this site.

Gordon T. Smith

Access: Boat

Experience Level: Novice Diver

Max Depth: 15m

Dive Profile: Multi-level Dive

Hazards: Sea urchins, occasional

scorpionfish

Other Notes: Do not penetrate

the tunnel unless you and your

buddy are trained to do so

Two expats attempt to kayak 200km through The Strait of Hormuz from the west to the east of UAE.

British expat John Weston and Australian Daniel Wills are currently in the final stages of planning an unsupported kayak trip spanning 200km, through the notoriously perilous Strait of Hormuz.

The extremely capricious 21km wide stretch of water between Iran and Oman is the single entry point for the Arabian Gulf, and is well known for 20 to 30ft swells, vicious currents and harsh climates.

The pair, both Dubai residents, will embark from Ras Al Khaimah, the northern most emirate on the West coast of the UAE in January, and head into Omani waters fraught with smugglers, pirates, and sharks. John and Daniel will be unsupported and carrying no food, as part of the challenge dictates that they must only eat what they catch along the way. Sleeping on deserted beaches on the many islands along the way, the trip is estimated to take five to six days averaging 30 to 40km per day, depending on the conditions. The two will be avoiding the sharks and water snakes on the sea and sleeping with the snakes and scorpions on land.

The challenge is set raise 3,000 GBP for cancer research, you can find out more at www.jdweston.com and you can help them reach their target by donating at http://www.justgiving.com/jdweston

EXPATS ATTEMPT KAYAK

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60 OUTDOORUAE

OmanescapesWords + Photos: Darryl MacDonald

Wadi Ash Shaab is one my favorite treks in Oman and my most frequented. First, I would like to tell you what Wadi Shaab is not; it is not an extreme back country adventure. It is not an adventure that requires copious amounts of plan-ning and equipment. It is not even a trek that takes a full day to undertake. What Wadi Shaab is; it is a fun and exciting half-day swim and hike that requires little planning and is easily ac-cessed by anyone that is a confident swimmer and comfortable with walking over some rocky terrain. How easy, you ask? Last year, I took my mom there who is in her mid-60’s and we kept a slow, comfortable pace with no troubles at all.

LOCATIONS

There are many reasons why I enjoy this wadi so much. Being only 1.5 hours south of Muscat, it can easily be done in a short day trip. It’s also a stunning drive along the coastal road to get there. And if you want to pack more into the day, there are a few other wadis nearby. There are also some fantastic, secluded beaches along the road that make perfect picnic stops. And, if you really want to mix it up, there are a few sport climbing areas on the way as well.

My wife and I took some friends there a few weeks ago that were visiting from Canada. We drove from Muscat to the town of Ash Shaab and parked underneath the bridge which crosses the wadi. We went during the Eid holiday, and the entrance to the wadi was packed with locals, some there for the day enjoying the large pools accessible near the entrance and some camped out for several days bringing their instruments and elaborate camp setups. One group we saw even managed to hike in a generator to run an Xbox and TV in their tent!

At the beginning of the wadi there is a wet crossing. On busy days, a boat driver will take you across for 200 baisas per person. It was busy when we arrived so we decided to wade across as we came prepared with proper footwear and dry bags. We hiked along the far side of the wadi until eventually, the trail serpentines up into the side of a cliff wall. From there, the trail winds along over-looking some large, emerald green pools where brave locals were jumping. Beyond this point the number of people we saw in the canyon dwindled until there were hardly any near the end. The canyon walls narrowed here and the trail wandered down from the cliff back into the bottom of the wadi where some light scrambling over the rocky terrain was required. After a short hike, we climbed up onto the ‘falaj’ system which runs along the side of the canyon and used this to walk in the shade under the many date palms growing in the area. Eventually, we arrived at a spot where the trail splits into two; on the right, the trail narrows and heads up over 80m above the water, on a trail barely as wide as my two feet which heads to a green area farmed by the locals from Ash Shaab. The trail to take is the one on the left, which heads back into the wadi and into the water. This is the best part of the swim and hike. Here, we swam across three small pools, each one about 50m long with small water-falls spotting the ends of the last two.

Then we reached the last pool, climbed up onto a large dry area and left our backpacks to allow us to explore the entrance to the cave beyond. It is difficult to imagine how small the entrance of the cave is without a photo and unfortunately, I couldn’t fit my camera through so I have no photos. The entrance is just large enough to fit a human head, so you are literally kissing the wall of the cave as you pull yourself through, sub-merged up to your neck in water too deep to stand in. It’s a little daunting at first, but well worth it to see what lies beyond. Once inside there is a large room that is open to the sky at the far end where a waterfall cascades down the back wall. There is a rope on the waterfall that can be used to climb up only to

jump back in from the top or climb up and out to explore a short way beyond. Behind the waterfall is another small hole that is completely covered when the water is flowing more aggressively in the winter months.

The entire swim and hike adventure from beginning to end can be done in three to four hours depending on how much time you spend lingering and enjoying the pools. This short journey can be an easy walk with a few short swims or can involve cliff diving, caving and water-falls; it’s as adventurous as you make it. Just remember – if you decide to undertake this weekend adventure, play it safe. Wadis should never be entered if there is any chance of rain; always check the water depth before you jump and if you’re uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to turn back. As we like to say in Canada, get out there, have fun and “keep your stick on the ice.”

Darryl MacDonald

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shamal_525x280_R4.pdf 1 12-10-16 9:46 AM

Get them Off that Game ControllerTHE NEXT STEP!Route 2 – Medium 3.5 to 4.5 hrs

Jebal Rawdah, Oman 680m

Leg From To Mag Bearing Distance Height Discription

1 9163 5241 9189 5233 120 degrees 300m 280m SP to flat slab of rock left side of wadi

2 9189 5233 9211 5225 120 280m 350m Tree, smooth rock in wadi

3 9211 5225 9238 5225 090 340m 460m Tree on a long slab of rock

4 9238 5225 9308 5175 130 1080m 680m Cairns at the top

5 9308 5175 9283 5160 - 2500m - Start of the wadi. Follow the wadi all the way back down to the start point

LOCATIONS

Words + Photos: Jim McIntosh

(Part 2)

Hopefully last month’s route on Jebel Al A’zab (Fossil Rock) was a nice and easy little introduction to hill walking in the UAE. It will have shown you what type of ground to expect on future walks, but more impor-tantly, helped with basic preparation and planning that is required before venturing outdoors and upwards. It will have also allowed you to make mistakes without any great danger to you or your group, like forgetting some piece of equipment or not taking enough water with you, and allowed you to break in those new boots you bought just the night before! It may also have been a reality check for some, as to just how unfit you are when the kids were leaping up the route ahead of you whilst you sucked in air from China. If any of this sounds familiar, don’t give up just yet: hill walk-ing is meant to be enjoyable for all. As I said last month, just remember to ask yourself ‘What If?’ as many times as you can and correct anything that you should have done last time in the future. Remember though, that just because you did not use a piece of equipment this time does not mean you may not need it in the future and then think that you will just ditch it to reduce weight.

In addition to last month’s route, there are a few extra ‘What Ifs?’ to consider as the height of the hills increase. A moun-tain is defined as a feature over 600m in height and as you increase the altitude and move into the cooler months, checking the weather forecast becomes an essential part of your planning. Every 100m of ascent, the temperature can drop by one degree. I have been in the mountains here in near freezing temperatures; just add rain and wind and it can become very cold very quickly. There was even snow on Jebel Jais in RAK earlier this year. The wadis are starting to show signs of water in them and so extra caution

should be taken when crossing or walking in them. Bad weather higher up in the moun-tains can cause powerful flash floods much further downstream with little or no warning.

Jebel Rawdah is a great ‘next step’ route (easy to medium) to do if you and your group found the Al A’zab easy.

The RouteGPS Datum: MGRS, WGS 84

Head out of Dubai along the Hatta/ Dubai road for approx. 45mins and pass through the border check point (Passport or EID and Oman insurance). Continue onto Oman until you reach a petrol station on the left hand

The gang at the top

62 OUTDOORUAE


side at the western end of the Jebel, then take the U-turn just after the station. Turn right at the petrol station and follow the road to the right alongside a large white-walled compound/fac-tory into the quarry. Pass over the weigh bridge and continue until the road bends sharply to the right. On the bend there is a gravel track head-ing east to some long beige-coloured buildings and machinery. Pass these buildings and follow the track through the cut rock blocks and keep right into the wadi to a flat, car-sized rock and park there.Using the route card, pass this large boulder and head for the wadi and first cairn. Initially drop in to the wadi keeping to the left side and head towards CP1 approx. 300m from the start. Continue along the left side of the feature hand railing the wadi on your right for 280m, head towards a small tree in the wadi near a smooth slab of rock. Head up and out of the wadi to the right and on to the long spur now heading up to the northern side of the Jebel towards a tree. As long as you are heading up this steep section towards the northern side you are doing okay, watch your footing and warn others below if you should knock any rock. Once at the tree, keep heading upwards, hand railing the northern side, making sure you stay a safe distance from the edge all the way to the cairns at the top. The start of the route down is in the prominent wadi mouth just below the summit of CP5. Follow this all the way back down to CP1 and take care on some of the larger boulders.

Summit Out Of View

From the wadi just after the start, looking towards cp1, cp2, cp3, summit out of view and route back down the wadi

A spectacular view near the top

63OUTDOORUAE

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If you’ve been camping in the desert before, you will directly know what I’m talking about, for those who haven’t here is a quick descrip-tion: “Pegs are used to secure a tent against wind”.

Every tent comes with pegs and has straps to connect to the tent. Unfortunately these pegs are more or less useless if they are used in sand. They are usually made of thin metal beams of 15-20cm and they don’t

Pegg’ing Useless!TIPS & TRICKS

even withstand the slightest tension espe-cially in the desert.

So what can you do now? There are sand pegs available in some stores like Picnico which cost between 22 - 40 AED for a set of four. These pegs do well in normal condi-tions. If it’s really windy, you can get sand spears for umbrellas which come in metal or plastic. The spears have a thread and are formed in a cone shape, so that you can screw them into the stand. The plastic ones are much lighter and cheaper (25 AED/pcs) and can withstand a lot of stress.

If you have some tools at home, a metal saw and a drilling machine why not try the DIY way? Buy these building materials and do the following; take an L-shaped metal

beam, cut it into 50cm long pieces and drill a hole in one end to tie a line to, or put an eyelid or carabineer through the hole and connect the strap or line to it. The other end should be ideally cut in a V shape to be easily hammered into the sand. The beams usually come in 4m length so you can build some pegs in different lengths for different wind conditions.

All the above options do very well and it’s up to you which solution you want to choose. I have a selection of all the above mentioned and usually use the sand pegs for a normal tent. If I were to use a 3x3m canopy, a stronger solution would be neces-sary, as it will act as a sail against the wind.

64 OUTDOORUAE

Dan, the Desert Gardener loves

Poinsettias (Euphorbia Pulcherrima)


There is only one word to describe the Poinsettia and that is ‘beautiful’.

I’m not the only one that thinks so as Poinsettias account for one third of sales of all flowering plants sales in the United States and they sell approximately 70 million Poinsettias each year. In fact its Botanical name means ‘the most beautiful Euphorbia’. Poinsettias are a shrub or small tree and in their natural outdoor environment can

reach a height of 4 metres. In Dubai and in most other countries they are an Indoor plant. Poinsettias have dark green leaves at the bottom and flaming red leaves on the top which are called Bracts. The upper leaves can also come in other colours such as orange, pale green, cream, pink, white or marbled but red is the most well-known col-our. The Poinsettia flowers are small yellow structures in the centre of each leaf bunch and are called Cyathia. There are over 100 cultivated varieties of Poinsettia. If you buy a Poinsettia you need to place it near a sunny window, Poinsettias are tropicals and will enjoy direct sunlight as well as heat so make sure it is not in a direct draft like the A/C. Water whenever the soil feels dry to touch.

Let the water drain out the bottom, don’t let the Poinsettia sit in water.

Poinsettias are indigenous to Mexico and Central America and were brought to America by Joel Poinsett in 1825. He was the first U.S. Government Minister (before they had Ambassadors) to Mexico but was also a Botanist and saw the Poinsettias growing along the side of the road and was enchanted. He took several cuttings back to the United States, cultivated them and gave them away as gifts. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day in the United States in memory of Joel Poinsett. Their wide-spread popularity in the United States is due to the Ecke family who became intrigued by the Poinsettia and developed a secret grafting technique which made the Indoor plant fuller and more compact. They would send free samples to television stations for them to display and promote on air from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The Ecke family had a monopoly on the Poinsettia market until their secret was discovered but even so they still supply approximately 70% of the U.S. market and 50% of the world market . Poinsettias are available now at the Dubai Garden Centre.

Over the course of the past month you may have noticed a little more upper lip fuzz than usual on the faces of men all about town. It’s no coincidence that gents chose to simultaneously sprout soup strainers, as it’s that time of year again, Movember was in full swing! Each year the NO becomes a MO as the global Movember charity kicks into gear to raise awareness and much needed cash in support of men’s health issues, primarily research into prostate cancer. The average man has a 9% chance of developing prostate cancer between age 50 and 70 and a 15% chance of developing it by age 80.

For several years running, a lesser known, but no less worthy bunch of Dubai based BMX and Freestyle MTB riders deliberately “miss a bit” when shaving and leave a bit of lip foliage in order to rustle up a few much needed bucks for cancer research.

The Malochi Brothers (Kimbo Slice, Shamus McSeabass and V-Man) are a family; ‘ A Band of Brothers’ that have come together from three completely different parts of the world, who try and ride BMX, Downhill/Free ride MTB, FMX, and actually anything with practically 2 wheels and handle bars. They regu-larly kick-it at “Casa De Malochi” where they have their own training facility setup with a Mini ramp, Dirt jumps and no extreme sports facility is complete without a foam pit.

Free ride mountain biking doesn’t get much press here

in the UAE, it’s still a bit niche and edgy for the mainstream cycling community and very few people would have the chops to get through a day out free riding, Malochi style. The Malochi brothers are big hearted, lovable rogues who despite the penchant for light hearted mischief and hard riding, see getting behind Movember as essential.

Chris V aka ‘V-Man’ says: “Movember is important because prostate cancer strikes randomly, it’s a serious disease and it’s nice to help a cause that gives atten-tion to what is a silent killer”

Phil aka ‘Kimbo Slice’ strongly believes: “Prevention is better than a cure; the test only takes a couple of minutes and the doc uses lube”

Shamus aka McSeabass reckons: “Raising funds towards a cause such as awareness of men’s health issues like cancer of the gentle-man region buy growing a dirty mustache, is the very least we can do!”

So come October next year, spare a thought to supporting your local Movember team. Maybe even start one of your own, or donate via the Movember website to help the good work continue. Donations directly to the Team Malochi page can be made through the Movember website at the link below

www.au.movember.com/team/650785

Be sure to keep up to date with the Malochi Bros adventures on Facebook and Youtube, just type in “Malochi Bros” and you will find them.

Woop Woop!V-Man

Movember with the Malochi’s

65OUTDOORUAE

FINAL THOUGHT

December 2012 - WWW.OUTDOOrUAe.cOm

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EquipmentCycle Sports, Shop No. 1, Al Waleed Bldg., Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +97143415415, www.cyclesportsuae.comMicah’s Bike Shop, Warehouse no.4 6th st. Al Quoz 3, Dubai, +9714 3805228 Probike, Dubai, Al Barsha1, +97143255705, www.probike.aeRage Shop, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City, +97143369007, www.rage-shop.comRide Bike Shop, Dubai Mall, Festival City, Oasis Centre, Mirdiff City Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +97143750231, www.ridebikeshop.comSportz Unlimited, Sheikh Zayed Road & Jebel Ali, Dubai, + 97143388644Tamreen Sports LLC, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi +97126222525, www.tamreensports.comTrek Bicycle Store, 1a, Sultan Business Centre, Oud Metha, 112312, Dubai,+97143350399, www.trekbikes.comFun Ride Sports, Rm no. 4, Mezzanine flr, C-13 bldg. Khalifa A City, Abu Dhabi,+97125566113,www.funridesports.comPeak Performance, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Dubai, +97143413056/+97143308023 Wolfi’s Bike Shop, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +97143394453, www.wbs.aeClubsAbu Dhabi Tri Club, www.abudhabitriclub.com Cycle Safe, Dubai Autodrome www.cyclechallenge.aeDubai Roadsters, www.dubairoadsters.com

Diving Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi & Dubai+97142894858, www.alboommarine.comAl Masaood Marine, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +97143468000,www.masaoodmarine.comBlue Waters Marine, +97142232189, Dubai, www.bluewatersmarine.com Gulf Marine Sports, Abu Dhabi, +97126710017, www.gulfmarinesports.comPremiers for Equipment, Abu Dhabi, Sh. Zayed 1st. Road, +97126665226, www.premiers-uae.comAl Hamur Marine and Sports Equipment, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai,+9714 3444468 Scuba 2000, Al Bidiya Beach, Fujairah, +97192388477www.scuba-2000.comScuba Dubai, Al Barsha, Al Khail Road, Dubai, +97143414940,[email protected] Centers7 Seas Diving Center, Khorfakkan,

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+97126429995, www.alshaheenme.comAl Wasl Charter & Fishing ( Al Wasl Passenger Yachts and Boats Rental LLC),Airport Road, Al Owais Building, Dubai, +97142394761, www.cruiseindubai.comArabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, +971506146931, www.fishabudhabi.comArabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.comBarracuda Diving Centre, Fujairah International Marine Club, +9719222558Belevari Marine, Abu Dhabi,+97126594144Captain Tony’s, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, + 9712 650 7175, www.captaintonys.ae Fun Beach Water Sports, Dubai, +97153244550, www.funbeachsports.com Happy Days Sea Cruising LLC, Dubai, +971558961276, +971503960202, www.happydaysdubai.com

Hiltonia Beach Club, Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel, Abu Dhabi, +97126811900Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah, +97192449000, www.lemeridien-alaqah.com Nautica1992, Dubai, +971504262415, www.nautica1992.aeNoukhada Adventure Company, Villa 332/7, Al Meena Street, Abu Dhabi, +97126503600, www.noukhada.aeOcean Active, Dubai, Garden Centre, +971502898713, www.oceanactive.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971503336046, www.sheesabeach.comSummertime Marine Sports, Dubai, +97142573084, www.summertimemarine.comSoolyman Sports Fishing, Dubai, Umm Suqeim, +971508866227, www.soolymansportsfishing.comXclusive Yachts, Dubai, Dubai Marina, +97144327233, www.xclusiveyachts.comClubsAbu Dhabi Camping, Fishing & Kayaking Club, [email protected] Surfski & Kayak Club, Kitesurfers’ Beach, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, +971554986280, www.dskc.hu

General Sports Equipment Distributors800 Sport, Al Quoz, Dubai+971 4 346 7751www.800sport.ae Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae Flip Flop Arabia, [email protected], www.flipfloparabia.comGlobal Climbing Trading LLC,Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai+97148829361, www.globalclimbing.comGoal Zero, +971509128353, www.goalzero.aeJack WolfskinMirdiff City Centre Dubai, (04) 2840228Al Wahda Mall Abu Dhabi(02) 4437802Ocean Sports FZE, +971559352735, www.kitesurfsup.comSakeen General Trading, +97147094224, www.sakeen.aeTresspassThe Dubai Mall 2nd floor above ice rink+971 4 339 8801

Horse RidingEquipmentCavalos Equine Care and Supplies,16th Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, +9172 2222433, www.cavalosuae.comEmirta Horse Requirement Centre, Dubai, Sheik Zayed Rd, +9714 3437475, www.emirtahorse.comMirzan Equestrian Equipment, Dubai, +971 4 4472808, www.metdubaihorse.comEquestrian CentresAbu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi, +97124455500, www.adec-web.comAl Ahli Riding School, Al Amman Street, Dubai-Sharjah Rd., +97142988408, www.alahliclub.infoAl Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +97125568555, www.alforsan.comAl Sahra Desert Resort Equestrian Centre, Dubai, +971 44274055, [email protected] Dubai Polo Academy, Dubai, +971508879847, www.dubaipoloacademy.comDubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, Arabian Ranches, +97143618111, www.poloclubdubai.comDesert Equestrian Club, Dubai, near Mirdif +971503099770, +971501978888Desert Palm Riding School, Near Al Awir

Road (going to Hatta-Oman), Dubai,+97143238010, www.desertpalm.peraquum.comEmirates Equestrian Centre, Dubai, +971505587656, www.emiratesequestriancentre.comGhantoot Polo & Racing Club, Abu Dhabi, +97125629050, www.grpc.aeGolden Stables Equestrian Club, Al Khawaneej, Dubai, (Nouri): +971555528182,www.goldenstables.aeMushrif Equestrian and Polo Club, Mushrif Park, Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai,+97142571256, www.mushrifec.comQudraland Community, [email protected], www.qudraland.comRahal Ranch, Al Wathba Racing Area, Abu Dhabi, +971566127914,www.rahalranch.comRiding for the Disabled, Dubai, [email protected], www.rdad.ae,Sharjah Polo & Equestrian Club, Sharjah, Al Dhaid Road, +97165311155, www.serc.ae

Jet SkiDealerAl Masaood Marine, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +97143468000, www.masaoodmarine.comLiberty Kawasaki, Dubai, Interchange 4,Sheikh Zayed Road, 04-3419341,www.libertykawasaki.comAl Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +97143390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha/RentalsFun Beach Water Sports, Dubai, +971 5 3244 550, www.funbeachsports.comThe Cove Rotana Resort, Ras Al Khaimah, +9717206000, www.rotana.comXventures, Dubai, +971555404500, www.x-ventures.ae

Motocross & ATV’sDealerAl Badayer Rental (Rental), Dubai-Hatta Road, +971507842020,www.albadayerrental.comAl Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +97143390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha/KTM, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, exit 42, +9714323151, www.ktm.comGolden Desert Motorcycles Rental (Rental), Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai, +971551532550, www.goldendesert-dubai.comPolarisUAE (atv’s), Ras Al Khor, Nad al Hamar Road, Al Ghandi Complex, +97142896100, www.polarisuae.comLiberty Kawasaki, Dubai, Interchange4,

Dubai - Tel: 04 3390621 | Dubai Auto sport 04 3388822 Abu Dhabi - Tel: 02 5588890 | Abu Dhabi - Buteen - 02 6660591

Sharjah - Tel: 06 5388066 | Ajman -Tel: 06 7410004Al Ain - Tel: 03 7211444 | Fujairah - Tel: 09 2221188

Ras Al Khaimah - Tel: 07 2351592

[email protected]

70 OUTDOORUAE



Sheikh Zayed Road, 04-3419341,www.libertykawasaki.comSandstorm Motorcycles (Rental), Al Quoz, Dubai, +97143470270,www.sandstorm-motorcycles.comSeb Sports, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1Dubai, +9714 3393399www.sebsports.comWild X Adventure Shop, Dubai, 97148321050, www. wildx.aeEquipmentDesert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +97142959429, www.arabiantours.com 2XWheeler, Motorcity Dubai, +97144548388, www.2xwheeler.com Sandstorm Motorcycles (Rental), Al Quoz, Dubai+97143470270, www.sandstorm-motorcycles.comSebSports, Dubai, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, +97143393399, www.sebsports.comWild X, Dubai, Um Al Ramoul Industrial Area, +97142852200, www. wildx.ae

MotorcyclingDistributors & DealersAl Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, www.aym.ae/yamaha/Duseja Motorcycles, Dubai, Al Quoz, +97143476712, www.dusejamoto.comLiberty Kawasaki, Dubai, Interchange4, Sheikh Zayed Road, +97142822144, www.libertykawasaki.comPolaris UAE, Al Ghandi Complex, Nad al Hamar Road, Ras Al Khor, +97142896100, www.polarisuae.comTristar Motorcycles, +97143330659, www.tristaruae.comWorkshop & Services2xWheeler Adventures, Dubai, +97144548388Dune Bike, Dubai, Al Khail Road, +97143272088,www.dunebike.com Duseja Motorcycles, Dubai, Al Quoz, +97143476712, www.dusejamoto.com

Gecko Motorcycles, Dubai, Al Quoz, +97143413550, www.gecko-moto.comSeb Sports, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1Dubai, +9714 3393399www.sebsports.comClubsDubai Motocross Club (DMX), Jebel Ali, Dubai, +971 50 6950764 (Tom Wynn)www.dubaimotocross.com

MotorsportsAl Ain Raceway International Kart Circuit, Al Ain, +97137686662, www.alainraceway.comAl Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +97125568555, www.alforsan.comDubai Autodrome, Dubai, +97143678700www.dubaiautodrome.comEmirates Motorplex, Umm Al Quwain, +97167681717Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Off-Road Dealers4x4 Motors LLC, Shk. Zayed Rd., Dubai, +97143384866, www.4x4motors.comLiberty Automobiles, Dubai, 8005423789,www.libertyautos.comRepair and servicesOff Road Zone, Dubai, Al Quoz, +97143392449, www.offroad-zone.comIcon Auto Garage, Dubai, +97143382744, www.icon-auto.comSaluki Motorsport, Dubai, +971 4 347 6939www.salukimotorsport.comEquipmentAdvanced Expedition Vehicles, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, +97143307152, www.aev.aeBling My Truck, +971505548255, www.blingmytruck.comIcon Auto Garage, Dubai, +97143382744, www.icon-auto.comWild X Adventure Shop, Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai, +97148321050, www.wildx.ae Yellow Hat, Nad Al Hamar, and Times Square Center, Dubai, +97142898060, www.yellowhat.aeTour OperatorDesert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971-42959429, www.arabiantours.com Arabian Adventures, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, +97143034888, www.arabian-adventures.comOasis Palm Dubai, Dubai, +97142628889, www.opdubai.comClubs Abu Dhabi Off- Road Club, www.ad4x4.com

ALMOST 4x4 Off-Road Club, +97150 766 5522, www.almost4x4.comME 4X4, www.me4x4.com

RunningClubs ABRasAC, Dubai, www.abrasac.orgAbu Dhabi Tri Club, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabitriclub.orgMirdiff Milers, Dubai, www.mirdifmilers.infoAbu Dhabi Striders,[email protected], www.abudhabistriders.comDubai Creek Striderswww.dubaicreekstriders.org

Stand up Paddling, Kite & Surfing, WakeboardingEquipmentAl Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi & Dubai+97142894858 , www.alboommarine.comAl Masaood Marine, Dubai, SheikhZayed Road, +97143468000,www.masaoodmarine.comLeisure Marine Beach Street, Dubai, The Walk JBR, +97144243191www.leisuremarine-me.comPicnico04 3941653Jumeirah Beach RoadOpposite Sunset Mall, DubaiPearl Water Crafts, Dubai Marina Yacht Club, +971553749398, www.pearl-watercrafts.comSurf Dubai, Dubai, Umm Suqeim, +971505043020, www.surfingdubai.comSurf Shop Arabia, Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai,+97143791998,www.surfshoparabia.com UAE Kite Surfing, +971505626383, www.ad-kitesurfing.netDistributorOcean Sports FZE, +971559352735,www.kitesurfsup.comKitepeople Kite & Surf Store, International City, Dubai,+971504559098, www.kitepeople.aeOperatorAl Forsan Resort, Abu Dhabi, +97125568555, www.alforsan.comDubai Kite Surf School, Dubai, Umm Suqeim Beach, +971 504965107, www.dubaikitesurfschool.comDuco Maritime, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi,+971508703427www.ducomaritime.comDukite, Kitesurf Beach, Umm Suqeim, Dubai,+971507586992, www.dukite.comKite Fly, Dubai, +971502547440, www.kitesurf.ae

Kitepro Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and Al Dabbayyah, Abu Dhabi,+971505441494, wwww.kitepro.aeKite4fun.net, Abu Dhabi, +971508133134, www.kite4fun.netNautica1992, Dubai, +971504262415, www.nautica1992.aeShamalkitesurfing, Umm Suqueim Beach – Dubai, +971507689226, www.shamalkitesurfing.comSky &Sea Adventures, Dubai, Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Road, +97143999005, www.watersportsdubai.comSurf School UAE, Umm Suqeim Beach and Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai,+971556010997, www.surfschooluae.comWatercooled04 887 6771Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirateswww.watercooleddubai.comClubsAbu Dhabi Stand Up Paddle, www.abudhabisup.com, [email protected] SUPwww.uaesup.com

Water ParksAquaventure Atlantis, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, +97144260000, www.atlantisthepalm.ae Dreamland Aqua Park, Umm Al Quwain, Emirates Road, +97167681888, www.dreamlanduae.comWadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, +97137818422, www.wadiadventure.aeWild Wadi Water Park, Dubai, +97143484444, www.wildwadi.com

Other leisure activitiesAbu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, + 97125588990, www.adgolfclub.comDolphin Bay AtlantisDubai, +97144260000, www.atlantisthepalm.aeDubai Dolphinarium Dubai, Creek Park Gate No. 1, +97143369773, www.dubaidolphinarium.aeIfly Dubai, Dubai, Mirdiff City Centre, +97142316292, www.iflyme.comSadiyaat Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, +97125578000, www.sbgolfclub.aeSharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Sharjah, +97143999005, www.golfandshootingshj.comSkiDubai, Dubai, Mall of The Emirates, +97144094000, www.skidxb.comSpacewalk Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, +97124463653, www.spacewalk.aeHealth, Safety & TrainingSafety LessonsMarine Concept Yacht Charter & Sea School, Rania Business Centre, Dubai, +971559603030, www.marine-charter-concept.comSafety & Leisure Training Middle East, Dusseldorf Business Point, Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +97144502418, www.sltme.com Sport & Health CentresThe Physio Center, Suite 405, Building 49, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, +97144370570, www.physiocentre.ae

ZSI Trading LLCExclusive distributor for

Marmotwww.zsicorp.com

Currently Available at Adventure HQ( Time Square Centre), Go

Sports (Mall of the Emirates) and SnowPro, SKI Dubai (Mall of the

Emirates)

GoSport The Dubai Mall

Tel: 04-3253595 Fax: 04-3253590

[email protected]

71OUTDOORUAE


Dubai. Tel: 04-2896100, Fax: 04-2894914 Abu Dhabi. Tel: 02-6441478, Fax: 02-6443531Bada Zayed. Tel: 02-8844200, Fax: 02-8848322Al Ain. Tel: 03-7219999, Fax: 03-7210267Mussafa. Tel: 02-5555144, Fax: 02-5555299

Email. [email protected]. www.polarisuae.com

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issue 23 december

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