Katamon Tour and Picnic – August 14th 2008

We met at the corner of Hagdud HaIvri and HaPalmach Street in Jerusalem.

After an introduction to the history of Katamon, the significance of this particular corner (This is where count Folke Bernadotte was assassinated) and a description of the various architectural styles in the neighborhood, we started our walk.

We walked down Hagdud HaIvri, turned right on Eli Cohen, left on Boustenai, right on Hizkiyahu, which took us to the San Simon Park.

Along the way we saw several interesting buildings. We passed the former RAF compound, the house where Benyamin and Yoni Netanyahu grew up, the Note House (Beit Hatavim), that has musical notes on its windows, and several other architecturally interesting buildings.

We ended up in the San Simon Park, where a fierce battle was fought during the War of Independence.

After finishing the walk, we set up the food and had a very nice Picnic.

Thanks to Maxine who organized the walk and all the food, and to our Guide Mike.

Moonlight hike, Thursday night, July 17, 2008 from Hirbet Hanut to Ein Mata

Having gone with Asher the Guide through the heat of the day in June, we continued our journey with him through the Jerusalem Hills by the light of the moon (when it finally came out from behind the clouds).

We began from Hirbet Hanut, with ruins featuring a mosaic floor and remains of a building.

Mosaic wasn’t the only party at the site: we interrupted a romantic couple who became engaged during a candlelit meal at the ruins.
Many new people joined the July event, which we hope will continue to come on hikes. As for the “program,” Nature did not allow stargazing nor did we see or hear any wildlife, although we had hoped to hear jackals.

What we did experience was the beauty and silence of the night and the scents in the field as we walked to a spring with a Crusader building constructed over the source. Intrepid Shannon climbed into the upper part of the cave to continue filming, and then we all turned off headlamps and flashlights and experienced utter darkness while standing in the water. People made their way back through the branches of an ancient fig tree towering above the cave entrance. We passed another spring, then the circular route brought us back to the parking lot by 1 a.m.

Special thanks to all of the drivers who made the arrangements possible.

Nachal Sorek - June 20th, 2008

It was hot.


We me at Mt. Herzl at 7 am. Once everyone was there we drove to Bar BaHar. After the drivers took the cars to the end of the route, and came back, we started walking.


As we were leaving Bar BaHar a dog showed up and decided to join us. We called him Sandy



Our first stop was a lookout overlooking the begining of our route, with Jerusalem in the distance.



We decended into Nachal Ktalav.





Our next stop was Ein Giora, a spring which has been enhanced by digging a tunnel to the springs source, anf building a pool to collect the water. This is common to most springs in the Judean Hills.


Unfortunatly the spring was dry because of the drought we had last winter.




We continued walking along Nachal Ktalav. We did not decendall the way into the canyon, but walked about half way up (on the blue trail).


Out next stop was Dier a Sheich, the remains of a sheichs tomb and mosque. This is we stopped for a bit longer, ate something, introduced ourselves, and heard some more explanations.


After the break, we continued walking, this time on the souther bank of Nachal Sorek.


By this time, some people were having trouble, mainly because of the heat. We had to wait longer and longer for the last people to catch up.


Along the way, we saw the train tracks from Jerusalem to Beit Shemesh, and a couple of trains going by.


At one stop, where we discovered that one of the people was really having problems, it was decided to seek help from the rangers. The person in trouble was escorted to a nearby dirt road, and picked up by a vehicle, which took them to the cave.


We ended our hike at the Sorek cave. This cave was discovered because of explosions in the nearby quary, and turned into a nature reserve.







After the cave visit, which was cut short because we were late getting there, we made our way back home.


Special thanks to everyone who helped those who had difficulties.


Thanx to evan who organized the trip on short notice and to Asher, our guide.

More pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/gadi.ben.avi/20080620MosaicNachalSorek

Ilana Browns Pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ilanabrownjerusalem/MosaicTripNahalSorekJune202008



Craig Prestons Pictures can be seen at
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CatmTVs0aNQU&emid=sharview&linkid=link5

Tzfat - May 15th - May 17th 2008

Thursday night some cars stopped off at the Beit Shean youth hostel to sample the restaurant, others dined in Tzfat, some came by Egged, and all hikers met at Beit Shalom Wolfinger’s inn, for the second year in a row. (Welcome back Blums with the new baby and veteran hiker Ziv).

We left “early” Friday morning for the Golan, entering the park for our hike to the upper Zavitan to end up in Breichat Hameshushim, Hexagon Pools. The brave went in, others sunbathed and caught their breath from the climb. Organizer Phyllis must have arranged with “Above” for perfect weather, and arranged for veteran guide Yisrael Ne’eman to lead our hike.

Another innovation was inviting local Tzfat residents to join our hikers, blending Jerusalemites, Tel Avivim and Tzfatim – welcome new faces, always a good idea. Benefiting from the previous photo workshop, those who came with digi cameras were eager to apply what they learned.

Back for a meditative kabbalat Shabbat in the tradition of the Ari and the mekubalim led by local kabbalists brought some of us into Shabbat, while others sampled the various local synagogues. We all met together for Friday night dinner, although well into the evening, followed by sitting out on the large balcony for the wonderful Tzfat air after dinner.

Next morning, those who went to their favorite synagogues and those who went to “Sha’arei Sheina” all met after Kiddush for a Shabbat treat at about 11:30 a.m.: A guided walk by storyteller/folklorist/guide Mordechai Zeller, son of the late Reb David Zeller, a direct link to Reb Shlomo Carlebach. Very excited to be a new resident of Zfat, Mordechai told stories of the mekubalim of Tzfat near significant landmarks in a unique and exciting style, leading us into the “energy of Zfat.”

Back for the best meal of the entire weekend: the do it yourself “potluck” Seuda Shlishit which seems to get better and better as cooks inspire each other. Naps, board games, Ma’ariv and Yediot, conversation, filled the afternoon. Havdalah and into the cars, after paying up to our new treasurer, Craig, who has taken up the responsibility. Steve, we miss you but understand you moved.

Pictures:
Ilana: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ilanabrownjerusalem/MosaicTripToZavitanAndTsfat
Craig: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CatmTVs0aNOo&emid=sharview&linkid=link3

Photography Hike - May 9th 2008

After a few delays, our photography hike took place.

We met at the parking lot near the Saint John in the Wilderness monastery near Even Sapir. While waiting for everyone to arrive, some of us walked around the beautiful grounds.

When everyone arrived, Tal, out guide took us down to the spring and gavr us some pointers about taking pictures of the fountain and the views from the balcony.

Because we were late getting started, we didn't have as much time as planned at the monastery.

Next, we drove towards Ness Harim and the beginning of out hike.

We dropped of the hikers and the drivers took the cars to the end of the trail.

After coming back we started out hike towards Machal HaMeara - The Cave Stream.

A description of the route can be found here http://cms.education.gov.il/EducationCMS/Units/Tiyulim/maslulim/HriyehudaVyruslim/HriyehudaVyruslim1/ms1133.htm

Our first stop was at the Beit Itab spring. We then climbed up to the ruins of Beit Itab. The ruins go back as far as crusader times, when they where the center of a farm.

From Beit Itab, we started going down towards Nachal HaMeara.

After climbing down a small cliff, and walking down the hill, we arrived at Nachal HaMeara. The first part was on a dirt road, and then we went down to the stream bed where we walked through the brush. Along the way, there were some small steps we had to climb down.

We then arrived at one of the highlights of the trail, A natural slide warn smooth by many years of water, wind and tush erosion.

After satisfying out inner children, we went on towards the Twins Cave.

The cave is called the Twins Cave because ancient legend tells us that any barren woman who drinks from the spring at the end of the cave will give birth. The story goes that a brren woman who heard the story went to the cave was so thisty when she got to the springm she took two drinks of water, and nine months later had twins.

The cave is home to a large colony of insect eating bats. The cave is closed during the winter when the bats hibernate.

A short while later we arrived at the cars and made our way back home.

Thanks to Aviva and Michael who organized the hike, and to Tal, our guide.

Pictures from the hike:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gadi.ben.avi/20080509MosaicPhotoHike

Carmel - March 28th 2008

I know it's a bit late, but here is my take of the Carmel Hike.

On Thursday, some of us met in Zichron Yaakov for a snack before going on to Ramat HaShofet.

After breakfast on Friday morning, we drove to the gas station at the entrance to Ein Carmel to pick up our guide.

From there we drove up to the carmel on route 721. we took the turn towards the Carmel Forest Spa and ended up in Chirbet Rakit. This would be the start of our hike.

The drivers took the cars to the end of the hike and came back so we could start the hike.

At the begining of the hike (after everyone went to the bathroom), we saw the remains of a wine press and a burial cave.

Next we climbed to the top of Har Shokef, which is one of the highest peeks of the Carmel. Along the way we past some cyclists going down the hill.

As anyone knows, what goes up must come down, and we started down the hill. The descent was a bit trickier than the climb. Along the way we past a few European Redbud trees (כליל החורש, Cercis siliquastrum) with their brilliant pink flowers.

When we got to the bottom of the hill, we came upon some cows with calfs.

After a short explanation about how the valley was formed, we made our way towards a large oak tree. The Quercus boissieri usually found at much higher elevations and is therefore unique in the carmel.

We stopped under the tree and had some lunch.

After getting back on the trail, we made our way along Nachal Oren. We passed a few springs on the way.

We also passed a Druze Holy place. At this point the guide explaned some things about the Druze and their treditions.

We ended our hike at 'The Pond'. The pond is a damned section of Nachal Oren that can sometimes be used for swimming, if enough water flows.

We drove back to Ramat HaShofet for a rest.

On Shabat, some people took a walk down to Nachal Hashofet.

Thanx to Craig and Natalee for organizing the weekend.

Pictures from this hike can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/gadi.ben.avi/MosaicCarmelMarch28th2008 (Gadi's Pictures)
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CatmTVs0aNNG (Craig's Picutres)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035930&l=c77ca&id=12201107 (Beckys Pictures)

Wadi Kelt - February 22nd, 2008

We met at 8 am at the shopping center in French's Hill. When everyone arrived, we got into the cars and drove to Anatot, where we would begin the hike. Most of the drivers took the cars to the end of the trail at Ein Mabua.

When the drivers returned we started walking east along Nachal Prat. Because it had rained and snowed during the week, there was plenty of water along the route. We had to cross the stream many times. Some of us even got a little wet.

Along the way we found a turtle, who was a little scared by all the people and urinated on our guide.

Further on trail we met up with a goat herd. Our first indication of the herd was loud bleatting of one of the goats. Next we saw a doe (female goat) with a young kid. Some of us, who closed, said that they thaught the kid had just been born.

Further on we met the rest of the herd along with the shepards.

After crossing the stream again, we saw an Ilanit which is a type of small frog about 4cm in length.

We ended our hike at Ein Mabua.

Thank to warren for organizing the hike and to Bar, our guide.

More pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/gadi.ben.avi/20080222MosaicWadiKelt