Go back to Egypt.
Go back to Sinai Desert Hiking.
Black Pearl.
After a leisurely breakfast the following morning, we set off on a 1-hour approach hike to our first route on Jebel Milehis: a fully bolted, 4-pitch 6a+ called Black Pearl. Though the route is actually 5 pitches, per Misha’s recommendation, we skipped the first 6b pitch as it looked slabby and unappealing (easy to bypass with a short scramble). The rest of the climbing was mostly easy but enjoyable and the desert views were outstanding! We were met by Misha on top where we spent a leisurely several hours exploring the high mesa that is Jebel Milehis. We were back in camp later that afternoon where Misha showed us how to properly enjoy the Egyptian punch we had brought along. As an integral component of a warm hibiscus tea it was indeed excellent especially in that setting.
Photos
Sunrise over our camp (Dec. 2020).
Breakfast which included Misha’s good coffee (Dec. 2020).
Racking up for our first climb on Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).
On the hour long approach to the climb (Dec. 2020).
Shirley and Misha at the pass (Dec. 2020).
We’d come back here the following day for a nice trad route (Dec. 2020).
More approach scenery (Dec. 2020).
Black Pearl follows the right skyline (Dec. 2020).
Scrambling on the way to the base of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Scrambling to the base of pitch 2 of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Starting up Black Pearl on pitch 2 of the route (Dec. 2020).
High on the long pitch (Dec. 2020).
Nearing our first belay (Dec. 2020).
Shirley starting up pitch 2 (our first) of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Shirley higher on pitch 2 (Dec. 2020).
Shirley nearing the second (our first) belay (Dec. 2020).
Leading pitch 3 (Dec. 2020).
Higher on pitch 3 (Dec. 2020).
Nearing our second belay on Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Shirley starting pitch 3 (our 2) of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Views from our second belay (Dec. 2020).
Shirley on pitch 3 (Dec. 2020).
Nearing our second belay on Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Leading pitch 4 (our 3) of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Higher on the pitch (Dec. 2020).
Looking back at Shirley from midway up pitch 4 (Dec. 2020).
Kind of face climbing with a pinch of chimney-ing (Dec. 2020).
Desert views from the route (Dec. 2020).
Pitch 4 of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Shirley nearing the fourth (our third) belay (Dec. 2020).
At the belay (Dec. 2020).
Leading the last pitch (Dec. 2020).
Looking back at Shirley from just past the crux on pitch 5 of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Past the crux on the final pitch (Dec. 2020).
One more view back (Dec. 2020).
Views from top of pitch 4 (Dec. 2020).
Shirley following the 5th pitch of Black Pearl. Click for a quick pano video (Dec. 2020).
Almost at the top of Jebel Mihelis (Dec. 2020).
Shirley arriving on the top (Dec. 2020).
Views from top of Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Misha arrived shortly after we topped out (Dec. 2020).
Shirley and Misha starting the hike off (Dec. 2020).
Hiking on top of Jebel Milehis – a large mesa really (Dec. 2020).
Desert views (Dec. 2020).
A zoomed in view of our camp as seen from top of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Shirley and Misha on the summit plateau (Dec. 2020).
Summit selfie on Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Black Pearl follows the curving prow culminating on the boulder visible at the top (Dec. 2020).
A closer look at the prow that is Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).
Scrambling around on top of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Summit plateau of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Amazing sandstone (Dec. 2020).
Starting the loose descent from the summit plateau of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Views towards our camp (Dec. 2020).
Our camp far below. Click photo for a pano video (Dec. 2020).
Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).
Camels in the desert (Dec. 2020).
Chilling back in camp (Dec. 2020).
Is it time for punch?
Gotta make time for Sudoku (Dec. 2020).
Tea time (Dec. 2020).
Hot sweet tea over a fire on a cold desert night – yeah, pretty magical (Dec. 2020).
Go to Crack The Skye.
Go back to Egypt.