Uncovering Egypt's best-kept sporting secret
Uncovering Egypt's best-kept sporting secret
Sinai is known for many things — biblical history, world-class diving, posh resorts and conflict with Israel to name but a few. Just a few hours north of the perennially popular tourist retreat Dahab is Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have carried down the Ten Commandments. Mountains, it seems, have figured prominently in the region's identity. And though adventure sports from kitesurfing to free diving draw thrill seekers from around the globe, few are aware that the mountains of Sinai offer the potential for world-class rock climbing.
That lack of awareness doesn't come as a total surprise. Climbing is largely undeveloped throughout the Middle East, particularly when compared to nearby climbing destinations on the European side of the Mediterranean. Globally, the sport is rising quickly in popularity and recent years have seen small but highly active climbing communities emerge in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Turkey. InEgypt, however, the sport is virtually unknown.
One group in Sinai is trying to change that. "At the moment, I'm the only climbing instructor in Egypt," says Jenny Lord, who leads climbing expeditions for the Dahab outfitter Desert Divers.
Desert Divers runs a dive center on the corniche, but has been a pioneer in Sinaiclimbing, heading inland and scouting locations, bolting routes and developing climbing areas since 2005. Countless hours exploring the canyons just half an hour by car from Dahab's main strip revealed rock faces and boulders that many climbers only dream of.
One of those areas is Wadi Gnai. Overlooking a lush oasis, the valley is home to over 35 bolted sport-climbing routes, with more being developed.
The diversity of climbing here is impressive, varied enough to accommodate first time climbers and long-time enthusiasts. (On the French rating system for difficulty, the routes here range from 3a to 7a.) It's an easy place for climbers of any level to pass a few days, with enough challenging lines to keep people coming back.
Not far from Wadi Gnai is a bouldering area affectionately known as "Little Hampi," named after India's bouldering paradise in Karnataka. In the base of a dry riverbed, boulders sculpted and smoothed by thousands of years of erosion and flash floods pose endless technical challenges sure to keep climbers puzzled. They extend deep into the canyons, ripe with possibility for honing advanced climbing technique just a few feet off the ground.
St. Catherine is yet another option for Sinai climbers. At the base of the epic, sloping granite are bouldering problems, a preview for the challenges that await traditional or ‘trad' climbers on multi-pitch ascents. Due to the historical importance of the area, drilling permanent protective bolts is strictly prohibited in St. Catherine, so climbers should bring full racks of trad gear.
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