Oman, Jabal Shams Ridge Walk
Replies: 2 - Last Post: Aug 8, 2012 12:55 PM Last Post By: almondy23
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Oman, Jabal Shams Ridge Walk
Could someone who has taken the Jabal Shams Ridge walk let me know how you would rate its difficulty? Could someone who needs to use a little care on an uneven trail manage it with a hiking pole? Are there places where the trail is very close to the edge of the cliffs that might incite a fear of heights?Any descriptions would be helpful
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Hello!The Jabal Shams ridge walk is amazing. I have done it twice, last sortee about 3 years ago. Someone who is moderately fit can do the walk without any problems. It is mainly flat and on the level without many points of phsical exertion.
I cannot recollect any point which is right on the edge of the Jabal. In saying that as you are walking and survey the track ahead it gets a bit camouflaged and appears to skirt the precipice but in actual fact does not. I am not great with heights by any manner of means but managed without any problem.
When you get to the end of the track you enter into an abandoned village that is built into the rock face in part and over a couple of terraces which are large in size and great for sitting down and taking it all in. You could easilt pitch a tent or sleep out in the open and get a fire going if you can bring wood in. There was a small pond/lake when I was there which looked to be permanent and a source of water supply for the village. It does not take too long to explore the village given its size but it really is fascinating and the locale is impressive to say the very, very least.
I have done quite a few walks in different parts of the world (Himalaya, Australia, Scottish Highlands) and this was up there with the best of them. Loved it!
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Having done it a few months ago, I can tell you the walk is relatively straight-forward, unless you are physically impaired or not highly unconfident walking up/down some inclined slopes over some rocky ground, you should get there and back within 3 hours. I did it in 1hr 45 mins return. IT actually skirts the cliff's edge quite some distance above it, and while there are few railings, there is little chance of you going off the edge unless you deliberatily wander way off the track. It's a great walk, just allow some time, have space on that memorystick, bring some water and you'll be fine.You shouldn't camp in the hanging village as its a protected area, but there are several other deserted places on the mountain you could pitch a tent and start a fire.
