Wadi Rum 2

Go back to Wadi Rum Quickie.
Go back to Wadi Rum 1.

The Beauty

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

Wadi Rum

Khaled’s desert encampment at sunrise (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

A slight disorder has crept into our tent (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

Starting the hike to The Beauty at the eastern mouth of Rakabat Canyon after Khaled dropped us off (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

The spectacular looking sandstone of Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

The stunning Rakabat Canyon during our hike to The Beauty (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

More Rakabat Canyon sights (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Nearing the base of the climb (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Leading pitch 1 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Shirley on pitch 1 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Shirley on pitch 1 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

…almost at the top.


The Beauty

Pitch 2 (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Pitch 2 (Feb. 2016).


Flight Of Fancy

Views of Wadi Rum Village and Jebel Rum Massif (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Leading pitch 3 of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Somebody enjoying the beauty of The Beauty (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

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).


The Beauty

Shirley topping out on pitch 5 of The Beauty with the view of Wadi Rum Village in the background (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

View from high on The Beauty. Wadi Rum village is on the left (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

Cool rock formations of the Rum (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Short bits of scrambling in Rakabat (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

Wild sandstone formations in Rakabat Canyon (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Waiting from Khaled to pick us up at the mouth of Rakabat Canyon (Feb. 2016).


The Beauty

Shirley and the amazing rock of Rakabat Canyon (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

Desert wildlife of Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

More spectacular looking sandstone of Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

Beautiful Wadi Rum (Feb. 2016).


Wadi Rum

Another evening of reading and enjoying very sweet tea over a fire in Khaled’s encampment (Feb. 2016).


Go to Wadi Rum 3.
Go back to Wadi Rum Quickie.