Across the sand (day 12)

The day started almost the same as it ended with blowing sand and the promise of high temperatures. This was a section that we feared because the notes said remote, deep sand and military checkpoints. The recent heavy rain had washed away the most frequently used tracks, and we were warned not to go too far onto “Dark Sand” which would almost certainly mean digging out.

Our first way point would be the dunes, we had no hope of seeing them but we thought that we would see motos and other 4X4 groups there and get a little information on the rest of the trail.

The crazy Hotel Titanic loomed out of the sand storm like something from a star wars movie. You can actually book this place on Booking.Com

We huddled inside the cave-like mud rooms and drank coffee with bikers who were either excited or exhausted with not much in between.

Next way point was the Lake Irik. We didn’t expect water but we were hoping that the mud of the lake pan would have dried enough to cross it. The bikers gave us mixed reviews so we just had to set off and find out.