This region known as CHEGAGA features sand, hills Djebel Bani, Oued Draa … and public enemy number 1, strong winds! Navigation is already a challenge here, and uncooperative weather just makes things worse.

In addition to poor visibility, there is an endless stretch of small dunes. Impossible to stick to a heading… up, down, up, down… for kilometres on end… Or hours on end, as distance is measured in time rather than kilometres. The navigators will have to keep a sharp eye out for features that appear and disappear as they drive up and down… It’s their only hope of keeping their heading, but if the wind rises, they will have to resort to dead reckoning… like on the open sea!

The strongest teams will tackle the dunes towards the end of this first day. Chegaga is less impressive than Merzouga, but you shouldn’t trust appearances alone. The feeling of “surfing” the dunes could quickly be slowed down by an unstable or more exposed dune. And the wind has also done its best to complicate the lives of our Gazelles.

In any case, this will be their last night alone among Gazelle in the muffled calm of the dunes.

The following morning, the goal will be to get out of the sand. Whichever route they choose, the Gazelles will have to cross the Erg, a relatively difficult task. There is no time to be wasted getting stuck in the sand… it would be a pity to mess things up so close to the end.

Once they have exited the sandy hills of Chegaga, the Gazelles will head for the last bivouac. But not in a straight line: that would be too easy. Challenges include Lake IRIQUI and its baseless mountain, dinosaur crests and impassable passes, the cliffs of M’daouer jealously guarded by its Sumerian soldier… And they reach the final bivouac, an emotional moment filled with pride, joy and a touch of regret… that the adventure is already over.

One last night at the bivouac before tomorrow’s long drive to the coast where another world awaits…

The difficulties begin on the first day. The Gazelles will need to navigate with precision, avoid rushing ahead blindly and choose their route wisely. In fact, the start of the leg takes them through “Gazelle Hell”. And the area lives up to its name: every year during the terrain reconnaissance we ask ourselves how the Gazelles find their way through without going crazy!

Things get easier after CP4. Plains stretch out as far as the eye can see and there are greater distances to cover between checkpoints. Let’s hope that the wind doesn’t rise, masking the features that serve to guide the Gazelles in a haze of dust…

This will be their first night away from the brouhaha of the bivouac, shared in good company with other Gazelles. A night under the Stars.On Day 2 of the marathon, the Gazelles will have to face the sandy plains of Hassi Bou Haiara. Sand and more sand for all the competitors, not as majestic as Erg Chebbi, but not necessarily any less treacherous…

Teamwork and confidence between navigator and driver will be essential for overcoming the challenging navigation and difficult terrain. But what spectacular scenery: black, brown, yellow, pink, grey… an entire palette of desert colours spread across the landscape! And vast empty plains, devoid of all sign of life apart from the occasional Nomad collecting water at a distant well.

Teams will continue to reach the new bivouac well into the night. While it may appear that the podium is taking shape, it is important to remember that things can change very quickly and unexpectedly. Only the last leg will tell what the final outcome will be, and there is another marathon leg in store for the Gazelles tomorrow!

As the more experienced Gazelles are all aware, the real challenges in this area are called OUED ZIZ and OUED RHERIS. While the first is relatively open, the second is rather stingy when it comes to access. In fact, with its metres-high cliff banks, Oued Rhéris is often considered impossible to cross. And when an opening does appear along the banks of the oued, the frequently muddy river bottom tends to put the brakes on enthusiasm… and on the vehicle as well! Important to make the right choice of where to cross.

Once in the oued, one might expect things to get better… But no, the teams must find a way back out of the oued and then navigate through a section of steep cliffs and valleys closed off by bigger and bigger rocks. One mistake could mean turning around and retracing their steps.

Clearly, nothing is ever easy at the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc.

And tomorrow, the westward migration continues!

Teams in AUTO/TRUCK and QUAD/SSV/MOTORBIKE classes will have to confront the sand; there is no way out. However, they will have 3 different routes to choose from: Z, Y and X.

Route Z meanders around the feet of the dunes: a good choice for less experienced Gazelles. But be warned: Route Z is no day at the beach. While the slopes may be less steep and the hollows less deep, it is the same sand.

And then there is Route Y, which passes close to the highest sandy peaks. While navigation is not particularly difficult, the terrain is more rugged and increases in difficulty as the day progresses.

Finally, there is Route X for those who dare. With veritable walls of sand rising before them, the Gazelles will need to circle around, take stock, coax their way over or through. Checkpoints may be visible from a distance but will prove difficult to reach.

Unable to take on the “big” dunes, Crossover/Hybrid, e-Gazelle Auto and e-Gazelle Buggy/Prototype teams will have their share of challenges, with sandy oueds that will put up a resistance worthy of the most valiant Gazelles.

Whichever route they choose, whichever class they are in, the Gazelles will return to the bivouac proud and exhilarated at having faced down the sand… And there will be more!

The first two CPs should be no more than a formality as they lie along the route and will be checked off automatically on the way to the day’s first “playing field”.

Day among the cauliflowers (or “choux-fleurs” in French)… Nothing to do with the evening meal at the bivouac, this cauliflower is a “small” desert plant that resembles a giant grey-green cauliflower but, in addition to being inedible, is as hard as rock. The Gazelles will need to avoid them or suffer the consequences.

And if only the cauliflowers were the only problem…
The zone is also riddled with oueds of different depths and various levels of difficulty to cross. In some cases, following a oued may take them several hundred metres off course…

And if only the oueds were the only problem…
The area offers few clear features, and those are often so far away as to be easily lost in the heat haze. It’s not easy to navigate without a point of reference.

This is a day that will require all of their skills and attention to avoid the many pitfalls. A good night’s sleep at the bivouac will be more than welcome after a long grueling day, especially since tomorrow’s leg may require some intensive shovelling!

There is good news for the Gazelles even before Leg 1: the Kingdom of Morocco decided not to move the clocks back last fall! That means that the famous morning wakeup call of “Bonjour, il est 4 heures” has become ” Bonjour, il est 5 heures”… Not a bad start!

Briefing at 6 a.m., first start at 7 a.m.… And, unlike the Prologue, every extra kilometre counts.

There are 7 checkpoints on today’s itinerary across generally wide, open terrain. Under the watchful eye of Amada du Guir on one side and the monumental Erg Chebbi on the other, the Gazelles will make their way across wide plains and low hills, and get their first taste of sand.

That is not to say that it will be easy. The maps of this area are very precise but not necessarily explicit… the leg is sure to be challenging for some, and there are sure to be cries of joy as the Gazelles reach the famous red flag decorated with a gazelle’s head.

Today’s goal is simple: continue to learn how to read the terrain and gauge the vehicle’s capabilities… without getting lost and dashing all hopes of a podium finish!