Self-guided Solo Winter Day-Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl)

sightseeing Muscat and Oman's highest peak - Jebel Shams

March 17 to 18, 2017

Crossborder Bus Ride from Dubai, UAE (Hatta Border) to Muscat, Oman (Al Wajajah Border)

This mountain adventure is considered as my 7th major hike abroad. 

Jebel Sham is Sulatanate of Oman's highest peak located in Hajar Mountain range
Ascent: 5 – 6 hours with light pack               Descent: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
Highest point: 2,997masl                              Difference: 1,000m                 Distance: 9km
Degree of difficulty: long mountain trek... rocky, partly steep but relatively easy going.

Self-guided solo winter day-hike to the highest peak of Oman via crossborder bus trip and hitchiking... 12-hr challenge on a rocky terrain with chilling wind on 9km distance and around 1,100m altitude gain #oman #jebelshams #grandcanyon #winterhike #hitchhike #pinoymountaineer #taongbundok

No registration fee and no guide required. Trail is well-signed of yellow, white, red paint together with pile of stone. But still I got lost for how many times at night trek descent due to exhaustion. This is the best Middle East trek I gonna cherished. #winterhike #oman #pinoymountaineer

One of the moments I had on hitchhikes on my journey to trekking the Oman's highest peak. I had 3 hitchhike made, all of them intended to local drivers. #oman #hitchhike #goodsamaritan

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (Wadi Nakhar Grand Canyon)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (W4 route map)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (Bahla roundabout)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (1st hitchhike)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (early phase of the ascent)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (Wadi Nakhar Grand Canyon)

JEBEL SHAM (2,997masl) SELF-GUIDED SOLO DAY-HIKE W4 TRAIL ITINERARY

March 17, 2017 Friday

0800h ETD Ruwi Bus Terminal, Muscat; bus ticket 2.20omr

1100h ETA Bahla roundabout; taxi to Al Hajir 10omr; Hitchhike; 4x4 ride to jump-off 10omr
1230h trek start; gradual ascent on a rocky terrain; magnificent view on the Grand Canyon
1845h summit; very cold with strong wind chill; not much view due to fog and almost dark surrounding

1900h start decent; very exhausted; lost a couple times but still managed to stay on the painted trail

Total: 22.2 OMR

March 18, 2017 Saturday

0100h back to jump-off; cleaning, nap in the resort (free)

0630h hitckhike back to main road

0745h Drop to Al-Hamra Village; taxi to Bahla roundabout 0.50omr

0830h ETD Bahla roundabout; bus to Ruwi 2.40omr

1130h ETA Ruwi Bus Terminal, Muscat

Total: 2.9 OMR

TOTAL BUDGET: 22.2 + 2.9 = 25.1 OMR

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (around 30% phase of the ascent)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (around 40% phase of the ascent)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (overlooking the military base)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (overlooking the summit at 1845h)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (hitchhike view going back to main road)

Self-guided Winter Solo Hike to Jebel Shams (2,997masl) (3rd hitchhike)