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The Beauty.
For our second climb, Khaled drove us to Rakabat Canyon – the mouth on the far side from the village. Based on the reading of the map in Tony Howard’s book, the approach from that side looked less convoluted if a bit longer. Indeed, we reached the base of the classic Beauty (6 pitch, 6a) with no issues. Very aesthetic and mostly moderate crack climbing on very good sandstone. Exception was a variation face climbing pitch which seemed harder than 6a+ (to avoid some chimney thrashing). The crux off-width high on the route went quickly with a series of lieback moves separated by good rest stances.
Photos
Khaled’s desert encampment at sunrise (Feb. 2016).
A slight disorder has crept into our tent (Feb. 2016).
Starting the hike to The Beauty at the eastern mouth of Rakabat Canyon after Khaled dropped us off (Feb. 2016).
The spectacular looking sandstone of Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).
The stunning Rakabat Canyon during our hike to The Beauty (Feb. 2016).
More Rakabat Canyon sights (Feb. 2016).
Nearing the base of the climb (Feb. 2016).
Leading pitch 1 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).
Shirley on pitch 1 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).
Shirley on pitch 1 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).
…almost at the top.
Pitch 2 (Feb. 2016).
Pitch 2 (Feb. 2016).
Views of Wadi Rum Village and Jebel Rum Massif (Feb. 2016).
Leading pitch 3 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).
Somebody enjoying the beauty of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).
Pitch 5 off-width. Beta includes punching it for the first stance and firing in a #6, then put in a #5 and punch it for the belay ledge. Easier than it looks (Feb 2016).
Shirley topping out on pitch 5 of The Beauty with the view of Wadi Rum Village in the background (Feb. 2016).
View from high on The Beauty. Wadi Rum village is on the left (Feb. 2016).
Cool rock formations of the Rum (Feb. 2016).
Short bits of scrambling in Rakabat (Feb. 2016).
Wild sandstone formations in Rakabat Canyon (Feb. 2016).
Waiting from Khaled to pick us up at the mouth of Rakabat Canyon (Feb. 2016).
Shirley and the amazing rock of Rakabat Canyon (Feb. 2016).
Desert wildlife of Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).
More spectacular looking sandstone of Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).
Beautiful Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).
Another evening of reading and enjoying very sweet tea over a fire in Khaled’s encampment (Feb. 2016).
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