This strange desert plant looks like 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. In addition, the zone is riddled with oueds of different depths and various levels of difficulty to cross. During the terrain reconnaissance we ended up following a oued for more than 2 kilometres before finding a way out!
The driver will be put to the test: place the wheels with care, press on the gas at just the right moment… But if only that were the only thing to worry about…
In addition to the challenging terrain, this zone requires flawless navigation. There are few clear features, and those are often so far away as to be easily lost in the heat haze. Points of reference will be uncertain at best, and frequently nonexistent.
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… But tomorrow is another day!