 2Likes
 |
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
|
|
|
No Man's land Morocco-Mauritania - Dangers?
After researching a little bit about those 3-5 kilometers, it seems that it is not a 'walk in the park'.
It seems that after the Moroccan checkpoint and the Mauritanian one the piste has lot's of bifurcations and that every year several cars hit a landmine there. I have also heard that if one is stuck in the soft sand there and has to spend the night, he could be attacked by bandits.
It also seems that the Moroccan checkpoint is only open from 09:00 to 17:00 hours and that there is a hotel on the Moroccan side, which is awful.
Can somebody please give me exact information about this border crossing, as in autumn/winter maybe I will drive down (and probably back) alone with my car (an old Opel Astra - normal sedan/city car -not a 4x4-), as I don't want to die by hitting a landmine or getting stuck in a bandit area(actually I am more worried about this than the situation in Mauritania).
Some info that I found:
ARE WE THERE YET? - Buried In No Man's Land!
ExpeditionCamper: Marruecos-Sahara Occ-Mauritania-Senegal.
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
|
|
Read this entrie thread. It all sounds so shocking, but only when you dont follow all sensible advice. If you follow the main piste it's absolutely no worries. There is a small bit of soft sand, but a decent run up and you'll easily clear it. 2wd absolutely fine if you stick to the main route.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ish-road-25887
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave The Hat
Read this entrie thread. It all sounds so shocking, but only when you dont follow all sensible advice. If you follow the main piste it's absolutely no worries. There is a small bit of soft sand, but a decent run up and you'll easily clear it. 2wd absolutely fine if you stick to the main route.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ish-road-25887 |
From what I have read the main route has bifurcations and the one that looks easiest is the one with the most soft sand.
How long is the bit of soft sand?
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
|
|
|
given the whole thing is over in 2 km or so, it's really not worth worrying about. just follow another vehicle.
if you are on your own, and you get stuck in the soft sand, then you're going to have to try and get someone else to help you out.
if you take the 'most used' stoney surface you will be fine. camper vans cross it. last time I came through there an articulated lorry (western europe style) was crossing without problems.
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
|
|
|
As Dougie says, the mostly used stoney surface was the one I was on, and I'd say about a 200 meter section of softish sand (approx). Decent run up in lowish gear and we were through absolutely no worries.
Yeah, as Dougie says, for peace of mind, just follow another vehicle through (and hope they dont take a wrong turning!).
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
|
|
|
I think somebody talked about that Tropic of Capricorn or Tropic of Cancer programme where he crossed no mans land, and he kinda hyped it up a bit making it out to be a life and death situation. Potentially it could be, but he was with a local guide driving the vehicle, they all know what to do.
I think its one of those things that gets blown out of proportion, it's not anywhere near as exciting and dangerous as certain travel bloggers will make out, just as long as you follow the sensible advice. People who come unstuck are usually those who don't follow the advice and stray off the main recongised path.
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
|
|
|
I have also read/watched that there are lot's of damaged/burned cars there, like in a MadMax movie.
Most of them seem to have been damaged because they hit a landmine. It seems that they are just few meters outside the track. Are there lot's of landmines? Are this mines marked?
I am very afraid of landmines.
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 88
|
|
|
I've been through it three times and haven't got blown up yet! And I'll be going again in 2011. Best bet is to follow a big truck. But hang back about 100 metres and watch. The "bandits" will give you a push if you DO get stuck -- for a couple of quid! Most of the wrecks are cars that were stuffed anyway and the owners needed to get them out of Morocco to avoid import duty! (The "bandits" strip them down.)
Roger
|
4 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
|
|
Dave The Hat,
thank you very much for the link, as I would have taken the red road (as marked by Javier Carrión) and get stuck in the sand.
Actually, it seems that all the area is mine-free for at least 2 kilometers east and west (colored map by Javier Carrión).
If it is so, why are there all this burned cars there? Or they are just cars sold for spare parts, as Roger said?
There is also another thing: on the Swiss forum
www.desert-info.ch :: Thema anzeigen - MA-RIM - Niemandsland/No man's land/Zone neutre
it seems that there are landmines on the sides of the Spanish Road, but you have to take this road for about 50-100 meters (by crossing the sides, obviously).
Are there really landmines?
|
5 Jun 2010
|
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,980
|
|
|
You are presenting a classic case of over-research, in which the more you read on the internet the more you've got to worry about. That's not because it's dangerous; it's because the internet is ideally suited to spreading worry, whether justified or not.
On the other hand, what you're hearing in this thread is a resounding chorus of "don't worry, no big deal," from people more reliable than the ones spreading their tales of death-defying adventure elsewhere. So why doesn't this seem to be helping?
|
6 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by qwer1234
I have also heard that if one is stuck in the soft sand there and has to spend the night, he could be attacked by bandits.
|
I spent the night there when I took the wrong route and broke down in the soft sand. (kickstart only bike and the kickstart snapped). I didn't see any bandits or anyone else for that matter. Next morning I had to walk 2km onto the main piste and then wait a couple of hours to find anyone to lend me a hand hauling the bike out.
If you're worried (and I wouldn't be) just make sure you arrive at the border early in the morning so you can see where you're going. I set off in half gloom about 6.00 in the evening (start of Jan) and lost my way in the dark.
|
7 Jun 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 258
|
|
|
Hi,
The border and the No Man's Land are crossed every day by dozens of Moroccan trucks that go to Nouadhibou or Nouakchott to buy fish. The best option for you is to just wait for one if this trucks (tipically Isuzu with frigo back) to pass and follow it. The trucks will drive slow and pick up the less damaged sections of the route connecting the border posts.
Cheers,
José
|
11 Dec 2013
|
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by qwer1234
After researching a little bit about those 3-5 kilometers, it seems that it is not a 'walk in the park'.
It seems that after the Moroccan checkpoint and the Mauritanian one the piste has lot's of bifurcations and that every year several cars hit a landmine there. I have also heard that if one is stuck in the soft sand there and has to spend the night, he could be attacked by bandits.
It also seems that the Moroccan checkpoint is only open from 09:00 to 17:00 hours and that there is a hotel on the Moroccan side, which is awful.
Can somebody please give me exact information about this border crossing, as in autumn/winter maybe I will drive down (and probably back) alone with my car (an old Opel Astra - normal sedan/city car -not a 4x4-), as I don't want to die by hitting a landmine or getting stuck in a bandit area(actually I am more worried about this than the situation in Mauritania).
Some info that I found:
ARE WE THERE YET? - Buried In No Man's Land!
ExpeditionCamper: Marruecos-Sahara Occ-Mauritania-Senegal. |
Hi there
We were stuck in the no mans land on Christmas eve 2011. We were refused on Mauri side to enter because we had no visas, in the mean time the Marocco border was already closed! So we make a tent near the Marocco border Point and slepped there. (ok, nobody can sleep - there was a lot of "traffic" during the night- People everywhere, cars with no lights etc). Maroccan soldiers brought us a nice dinner, we opened a bottle of champaigne which was brought from home - Slovenia and it was an unforgetable Christmas ever !!!!
|
11 Dec 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 678
|
|
|
As Jose says, if you are unsure about the route through the landmine zone, just follow the large trucks. They will most likely not deviate from the main track as they are so large they don't want to get stuck in the soft sand.
The main track is hard piste, pretty awful rocky bumpy piste in places, but firm and compact.
It is alot more simple than it used to be. The main track is pretty obvious, I am actually surprised when people can't figure it out (I don't mean that to sound offensive, but it is pretty straightforward).
Don't listen to the touts, they will offer to guide you through and will quite likely take you on the wrong path!
As for reading travel blogs about how death defying and dangerous the crossing is, don't believe the hype! It really isn't like it would have been 20 odd years ago and actually not that exciting. Yes there are burnt out car wrecks, but goodness knows how long they have been there. Mines are still present but just stick to the now very obvious rocky piste and head towards the Mauri flag!
|
12 Dec 2013
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Stockport UK
Posts: 51
|
|
|
I have driven through six times now. this January will be number seven.
I have found that if there is a choice of route, always take the left one and you will miss the soft sand. But if in doubt follow someone else.
All the wrecks in no mans land have been transported out of Morocco to avoid paying customs duty. If they had hit a land mine they would be even more wrecked than they are.
Last year there was a nice looking Discovery with plenty of parts, probably stripped bare now.
Richard
|
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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.
"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™ 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!
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.
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.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Linear Mode
