Black Pearl

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Black Pearl

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

Jebel Milehis

Sunrise over our camp (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Breakfast which included Misha’s good coffee (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Racking up for our first climb on Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

On the hour long approach to the climb (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Shirley and Misha at the pass (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

We’d come back here the following day for a nice trad route (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

More approach scenery (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Black Pearl follows the right skyline (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Scrambling on the way to the base of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Scrambling to the base of pitch 2 of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Starting up Black Pearl on pitch 2 of the route (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

High on the long pitch (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Nearing our first belay (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley starting up pitch 2 (our first) of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley higher on pitch 2 (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley nearing the second (our first) belay (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Leading pitch 3 (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Higher on pitch 3 (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Nearing our second belay on Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley starting pitch 3 (our 2) of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Views from our second belay (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley on pitch 3 (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Nearing our second belay on Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Leading pitch 4 (our 3) of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Higher on the pitch (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Looking back at Shirley from midway up pitch 4 (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Kind of face climbing with a pinch of chimney-ing (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Desert views from the route (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Pitch 4 of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley nearing the fourth (our third) belay (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

At the belay (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Leading the last pitch (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Looking back at Shirley from just past the crux on pitch 5 of Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Past the crux on the final pitch (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

One more view back (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Views from top of pitch 4 (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley following the 5th pitch of Black Pearl. Click for a quick pano video (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Almost at the top of Jebel Mihelis (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley arriving on the top (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Views from top of Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Misha arrived shortly after we topped out (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley and Misha starting the hike off (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Hiking on top of Jebel Milehis – a large mesa really (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Desert views (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

A zoomed in view of our camp as seen from top of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Shirley and Misha on the summit plateau (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Summit selfie on Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Black Pearl follows the curving prow culminating on the boulder visible at the top (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

A closer look at the prow that is Black Pearl (Dec. 2020).

Black Pearl

Scrambling around on top of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Summit plateau of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Amazing sandstone (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Starting the loose descent from the summit plateau of Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Views towards our camp (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Our camp far below. Click photo for a pano video (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Jebel Milehis (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Camels in the desert (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Chilling back in camp (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Is it time for punch?

Jebel Milehis

Gotta make time for Sudoku (Dec. 2020).

Egypt

Tea time (Dec. 2020).

Jebel Milehis

Hot sweet tea over a fire on a cold desert night – yeah, pretty magical (Dec. 2020).

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