Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Jul 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
Piste from atar to tichit - does anyone have GPS waypoints?

A 1970 landrover and a motorcycle want to do this route soon but do not have the waypoints. All we have is atar to tidjikja and tidjikja to nema from sahara overland. But not atar to tichit directly.
Is a 1970 landrover able to do this piste? How about the one from atar to tidjikja to nema?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 332
Hi,

basicaly, a Landrover from 1960 is able todo it - provided the crew is very experienced and skilled and the car is well matained, spares and skills to repair almost everything are availabe... A swb 4x4 is likely to be overloaded for the trip.
Don't underestimate the soft sand towards Tichit.

BUT: in summer with only 1 4x4 and a bike it is very, risky to try it, especially if the crew has no experience with similar situations.

My recommandation: If you need waypoints feel able to do it, forget it, even Atar-Tidjikja.

All best, Yves
__________________
Yves

Last edited by Yves; 8 Jul 2007 at 16:16.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Jul 2007
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
Think about it

Yves is of course talking sense.

There has been some chat here lately from beginners planning on doing summertime trips into the Saharan interior and one day when someone inexperienced pushes on despite the conditions it's going to end in tears. An old car (even if it was the best in its day) and a motorcycle attempting to go cross-country from Atar to Tichit (which is really a village) and then on to Nema - and expecting GPS to pave the way - could end up as the sort of scenario that Discovery Channel woman is looking for.

The 'yes but it's my summer holidays' reason was one commonly given by students who set off across the Hoggar piste to Niger in the 80s in an old 504 never to be seen again... It is said most years around 70 people went missing in Alg alone (probably mostly locals, to be fair). We may get the 'sure it was hot but we managed' replies and I've tried it myself attempting to lengthen the season but (especially on a bike) travel at these times becomes a matter of endurance rather than enjoyment.

IME your first time in the Sahara is tough enough in the cool season without adding the stresses of summertime heat on you and your machine. We are all keen for adventure but don't forget this is the Sahara we are talking about.

Ch

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
I won't comment on the general issue about travelling this piste, as it has already been done by Yves and Chris S.

However if you are committed to doing this piste, whilst I don't actually have the points from Atar to Tichit, there definately should be at least some form of piste that goes directly between the two, as it was used in 13th stage of the 1999 Dakar. According to the Dakar history, the piste is 548kms long.

http://www.dakar.com/2008/DAK/presen...79_2006_us.pdf

With a bit of digging you may be able to find these somewhere. I don't think the points are in Cyril Ribas's book GPS au Mauritanie, although i could be proved wrong as I don't have it with me........ I think your best bet to find these would be on one of the French saharan forums

cheers

Last edited by Matt Roach; 11 Jul 2007 at 00:31.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Jul 2007
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
there definately should be at least some form of piste that goes directly between the two, as it was used in 13th stage of the 1999 Dakar.

Dont want to go on but we should be careful about the use of the word piste. I understand and use it to mean a regularly-used and recognised track. I have not done Atar/Ching to Tidj (R10) but would classify that as a piste even though I hear it can be hard work. Tidj to Nema (R11) was not a piste when I did it in 1988 but it may be more used and clearer now.

What the Dakar did 8 years ago I would not classify as a piste - they go where they like and frequently add 'sporty' excursions to decimate the field and save on the catering. I doubt if any traces of their '99 passage remain - it's essentially a cross country route where you would be better off reading the ground not Dakar waypoints. According to the Dakar pdf maps we crossed the 2005 route in eastern Mori only a year later but I can tell you we saw no tracks going anywhere until well into Mali.

One should also note that over 60% DNF'd the Dak that year and 3 bike stages were flown over. A great pdf but follow deep desert Dakar routes at your peril - they are usually not pistes.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Jul 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rome, ITALY
Posts: 21
Let's say I don't recommend it but I know at least another crew who did this on a Series II on August 2005 (three persons, one car).

I renew the suggestion to consider very carefully what you're doing and not to overestimate your skill (or underestimante the risk).

You can find the track logs on this site, though (requires registration):

TraX v0.8.9

Cheers,
Mario
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Piste Update R2 - Nouadhibou to Atar Matt Roach North Africa 36 23 Apr 2016 09:26
Piste Update M13 - Assa to Smara Matt Roach North Africa 0 7 Jan 2007 00:21
desert piste or coast piste to Atar fons North Africa 7 1 Apr 2005 19:17
road conditions Ndjamena-Abeche and in Sudan john-l North Africa 14 2 Apr 2002 17:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:12.