Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Western Sahara Trip Report Western Sahara Trip Report
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Tim Cullis

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Apr 2012
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,172
So it's a route you'd recommend then...

Thanks for the write up. This is what memories are made of.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Apr 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Logie Coldstone, Scotland
Posts: 70
Would I go Again?
Nice one Tim!

Perhaps we cut it a bit fine with this one...Retrospectively I reckon if we'd stayed a couple of kms the the NW of the checkpoint we wouldn't have had any issues. It seems that perhaps the line of checkpoints on the piste that heads to the berm is the limit? We had planned our route to pass Bir Anzarane, so perhaps we would have still encountered trouble down there as it seemed clear they wanted to keep us away from this area.

There certainly is a lot more military infrastructure and presence in that area. There was a checkpoint every few km's a couple of large forts/bases and on the run over to the west coast we passed an airfield and a logistics depot. There was also an UN presence. Up north of the mountains there was nothing - just old berms and disused bases.

The trip was worthwhile. A real feeling of exploration(!) along with nice sand sheets, good "off-road" sections and the mountains. It was also a test for Gavins 300tdi 110, which I have to say is the best desert vehicle I have ever driven. Obviously I didn't have to drive it down 2000km of motorway to get there though!

Nice bit of country, I'd go again once the berm comes down.

Finally, it always pays to remian polite - these guys are only doing their job.
__________________
Fraser
Last edited by reggwensie; 10 Apr 2012 at 12:06.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Apr 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 52
Nice
It's good to read that you've remained polite and wellbehaved during your encounters with the officials.
It once again shows that being decent gets you furthest !
__________________
Landrover Discovery 2 Td5 with a Garmin 276c and a great co-driveress
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Granada-Spain
Posts: 247
Interesting... I´ve some read for tonight. I love Western Sahara
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Granada-Spain
Posts: 247
Congratulations! But I always encourage people of not goint out of the pistes or well marked tracks at Western Sahara. WS is plenty of mines and other explosives.

I´ve had several times similar "adventures" with the moroccan army and Gendarmerie Royal and escorted to the tarmac... It´s forbiden to aproach 20 km. of the berm and you were caught just in the berm. Two years ago I was intercepted by two land cruisers a little bit on South from you were, near Ausserd 2 km. of the berm, I lost the entire day. Last January the same, at Amgala zone. Another day loose. But I like this kind of meetings, I´ve made some friends on them.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
Sahara - XT500 - 1982 Chris Scott Ride Tales 17 28 Sep 2015 00:12
Western Sahara for beginners florence of arabia Morocco 22 16 Jun 2014 12:53
Western Sahara - MW6 Reinhard Lenicker Morocco 6 23 Mar 2012 21:08
Travel report, Kola Peninsula summer 2011 jah Northern and Central Asia 0 30 Jan 2012 23:58
Mauritania trip report Jose Brito North Africa 12 10 Jan 2012 13:02

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 13:25.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top