A group of us drove up north on Thursday morning.
Our first stop was at the top of the Hermon. We took the chair lift up to the highest point (just over 2000m) unescorted civilians can go, and found out why the Hermon is called the Eyes of Israel.
After taking the last chair lift down, we drove through Ein Kinya, one of the four Druze villages on the Golan, and took a short (relatively) hike in Nachal Sa'ar, which is the divider between the Hermon and the Golan.
We met the rest of the group at the restaurant near Daphna, where we had a nice dinner, and then went to the Hermon Field School.
After breakfast on Friday morning, we got on a bus and drove to Nimrod, the highest Jewish point of settlement in the country (world) at about 1110 meters. After meeting our guide, we started walking down towards Masade, another of the Druze villages. On the way we had a great lookout over the northern part of Israel, and sothern Lebanon, saw many apple and cherry trees, and assed by the Druze holy site dedicated to Nebi Ilyia (Eliyahu). Our guide took a wrong turn at some stage, and we had to scrambple over some rocks as we crossed Nachal Saar.
We stopped in Masade for a quick pee stop, and continued to the Odem forest.
The Odem Forest is a unique natural oak forest between Masade and Buqata. Our goal was to find some orchids who grow in the area, and we did find them.
Our final destination was the Oz 77 monument. We walked on the northern outskirts of Buqata, through more apple and cherry trees. At some stage were were 'attacked' by three adorable puppies.
The Oz 77 monument is dedicated to the 77th armor battalion who clocked the Syrian advance in the Yom Kippur war.
After a short rest, we walked over to the Odem Vineyard (which is right next door), and started the wine tasting part of our day. While sipping wine, Yishai, a member of the family that owns the vineyard and winery, told us about all things related to grape growing, wine making, and wine tasting. We got back on the bus and drove to the Odem Winery, where more wine was tasted and purchased.
We had a very lively ride back to the field school.
Thanks to Ephraim and Craig for organizing a great weekend, Michael for being a great guide, and Usam, our driver.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures: Thursday, Friday
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Nachal El Al - March 20th - March 22nd, 2014
We all made our way north using various routes.
Some of us stopped at the Gilboa to look for Irises, but they were not blooming.
We all met in Aniam for supper. Most of us ate at Yaeli's restaurant, while others, who wanted a meat meal ate at Ziegel.
After breakfast on Friday morning we drove to the beginning of our hike in Eliad. Along the way we picked up our guide, and dropped of cars at the end of the hike.
We started our hike at the entrance to Eliad, and walked down into Nachal El Al. The views were wonderful, and everything was green and the flowers were blooming. We crossed some tiny streams where springs were coming out of the mountainside.
Our first stop was at the white waterfall. The brave members of our group took a swim in the pool, and washed off in the waterfall.
We continued along Nachal El Al. When we got to the blue trail, we started climbing the south bank. The climb was very steep, but not too long. After a short rest at the top, we walked along the edge of the cliff, passing the remains of an Canaanite village (4000 years old). We saw many flowers and some cows and horses.
We got to the parking lot at Umm el Kanatir - the remains of a village that is being restored.
On the way back to Alonei Habashan, we stopped to look for Golan Irises. We found two lovely flowers.
Thanks to Deborah and Rachel for a great weekend, and to Michael for being a Great Guide.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
More pictures by Alden.
Some of us stopped at the Gilboa to look for Irises, but they were not blooming.
We all met in Aniam for supper. Most of us ate at Yaeli's restaurant, while others, who wanted a meat meal ate at Ziegel.
After breakfast on Friday morning we drove to the beginning of our hike in Eliad. Along the way we picked up our guide, and dropped of cars at the end of the hike.
We started our hike at the entrance to Eliad, and walked down into Nachal El Al. The views were wonderful, and everything was green and the flowers were blooming. We crossed some tiny streams where springs were coming out of the mountainside.
Our first stop was at the white waterfall. The brave members of our group took a swim in the pool, and washed off in the waterfall.
We continued along Nachal El Al. When we got to the blue trail, we started climbing the south bank. The climb was very steep, but not too long. After a short rest at the top, we walked along the edge of the cliff, passing the remains of an Canaanite village (4000 years old). We saw many flowers and some cows and horses.
We got to the parking lot at Umm el Kanatir - the remains of a village that is being restored.
On the way back to Alonei Habashan, we stopped to look for Golan Irises. We found two lovely flowers.
Thanks to Deborah and Rachel for a great weekend, and to Michael for being a Great Guide.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
More pictures by Alden.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Flower walk in Shmurat Pura - February 14th, 2014
We met in Craig's parking lot, where we divided into cars and drove to Shmurat Pura.
Shmurat Pura is just of route 40, just south of where it merges with route 6, and north of the Kama Junction.
Once we all got to the parking lot, we joined the hikers for Tsaad Kadima, and started walking.
The first section of the walk took us over a small hill. We saw many Anemones (כלניות), the first of the red flowers to bloom in the winter. There were also many other beautiful flowers.
We continued our walk on the Israel Trail passing a seasonal lake, a damn, and a small stream.
Our next attraction was the remains of a Turkish railway bridge from the first world war. The bridge washed away during the seventies, but some of it is still visible.
Next we climbed up to Tell Nagilla, the site of a settlement that existed from the Chalcolithic period to the Byzantine Period. The Tell was also important during the War of Independence because it served as a well known aerial landmark.
This the farthest point of our walk, and we started walking back to our cars on a parallel path.
Thanks to Asher, the guide, and added many stories and explanations to out walk.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
Craig's Pictures
Shmurat Pura is just of route 40, just south of where it merges with route 6, and north of the Kama Junction.
Once we all got to the parking lot, we joined the hikers for Tsaad Kadima, and started walking.
The first section of the walk took us over a small hill. We saw many Anemones (כלניות), the first of the red flowers to bloom in the winter. There were also many other beautiful flowers.
We continued our walk on the Israel Trail passing a seasonal lake, a damn, and a small stream.
Our next attraction was the remains of a Turkish railway bridge from the first world war. The bridge washed away during the seventies, but some of it is still visible.
Next we climbed up to Tell Nagilla, the site of a settlement that existed from the Chalcolithic period to the Byzantine Period. The Tell was also important during the War of Independence because it served as a well known aerial landmark.
This the farthest point of our walk, and we started walking back to our cars on a parallel path.
Thanks to Asher, the guide, and added many stories and explanations to out walk.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
Craig's Pictures
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Eilat - January 16th - January 18th, 2014
On the way to Eilat a group of us met at the hotel area near the Dead Sea.
Our first hike was in Nachal Bokek. This stream runs all year round, so we had to walk through water. At the end of the trail, we climbed up towards Maale Bokek (Bokek Ascent), and then down to the road.
After this hike we sat on the beach at the Dead Sea for some refreshments.
We met some more members of the group, parked our cars at the gas station near the Arava Junction, and walked on the road towards Nachal Tzafit. We Started at the lower end of Nachal Tzafit, and climbed up, some times using handholds. At the first intersection we took the Tzafit Tamar connecting trail towards Nachal Tamar where we climbed down Nachal Tamar using more handholds and ladders. We were promised a rope, but it had been replaced by metal handholds. We were all very disappointed. After a short walk back to the cars, we continued our drive to Eilat.
After checking in, we went to dinner at Il Pentolino in down town Eilat. It was OK.
On Friday morning we took a bus towards the beginning of the hike. After picking up our guide, we were delayed at the exit from Eilat by the Israman bicyclers.
The bus dropped us of near the Eilat seismological station. We started walking up, stopping at various places to look at the rocks, plants and views. Our route took us from Igneous rock formations, to land sedimentary formations (sand stone) to sea sedimentary formations (lime stone). The colors were lovely, going from black to read, pink and purple, with a bit of yellow and white thrown in.
We had some steep ascents, but at the highest peek we reached we had a great view of the Edom mountains, the golf of Eilat and probably even Sinai. If the visibility had been better we could have probably seen Saudi Arabia.
Since if you go up, you must come down, we walked down towards the Amram Pillars. It was steep at times, a very narrow path at others, but we all made it down in one piece. After visiting the Amram Pillars we got on the bus and drove back to the field school.
Shabbat was spent relaxing, some at the beach, and some at the field school.
Many thanks to Havi for organizing the weekend, and to Ron, our guide for a great hike.
Pictures:
Gadi's picture from Nachal Bokek, Nachal Tzafit, Friday Hike
Our first hike was in Nachal Bokek. This stream runs all year round, so we had to walk through water. At the end of the trail, we climbed up towards Maale Bokek (Bokek Ascent), and then down to the road.
After this hike we sat on the beach at the Dead Sea for some refreshments.
We met some more members of the group, parked our cars at the gas station near the Arava Junction, and walked on the road towards Nachal Tzafit. We Started at the lower end of Nachal Tzafit, and climbed up, some times using handholds. At the first intersection we took the Tzafit Tamar connecting trail towards Nachal Tamar where we climbed down Nachal Tamar using more handholds and ladders. We were promised a rope, but it had been replaced by metal handholds. We were all very disappointed. After a short walk back to the cars, we continued our drive to Eilat.
After checking in, we went to dinner at Il Pentolino in down town Eilat. It was OK.
On Friday morning we took a bus towards the beginning of the hike. After picking up our guide, we were delayed at the exit from Eilat by the Israman bicyclers.
The bus dropped us of near the Eilat seismological station. We started walking up, stopping at various places to look at the rocks, plants and views. Our route took us from Igneous rock formations, to land sedimentary formations (sand stone) to sea sedimentary formations (lime stone). The colors were lovely, going from black to read, pink and purple, with a bit of yellow and white thrown in.
We had some steep ascents, but at the highest peek we reached we had a great view of the Edom mountains, the golf of Eilat and probably even Sinai. If the visibility had been better we could have probably seen Saudi Arabia.
Since if you go up, you must come down, we walked down towards the Amram Pillars. It was steep at times, a very narrow path at others, but we all made it down in one piece. After visiting the Amram Pillars we got on the bus and drove back to the field school.
Shabbat was spent relaxing, some at the beach, and some at the field school.
Many thanks to Havi for organizing the weekend, and to Ron, our guide for a great hike.
Pictures:
Gadi's picture from Nachal Bokek, Nachal Tzafit, Friday Hike
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Nachal Arugot - Novener 15th, 2013
We met on Friday morning at the Nachal Arugot parking lot.
Those of us who arrived early enough got to see the Ibex Cleaning Crew doing their thing.
Our first leg, took us along the northern bank of Nachal Arugot, to the upper pools. Along the way we saw Hryax at various points.
We sat at the pools for about an hour, it was nice and cool, but the water was warm.
We returned the same way we came, but went down the the Hidden Waterfall. We spent some time there, and the brave souls took a shower in the waterfall.
We too the wet way back, taking the trail that goes through the stream bed, and had to get our feet wet once in a while.
We got back to our cars at about 1, and made our way back home.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
Those of us who arrived early enough got to see the Ibex Cleaning Crew doing their thing.
Our first leg, took us along the northern bank of Nachal Arugot, to the upper pools. Along the way we saw Hryax at various points.
We sat at the pools for about an hour, it was nice and cool, but the water was warm.
We returned the same way we came, but went down the the Hidden Waterfall. We spent some time there, and the brave souls took a shower in the waterfall.
We too the wet way back, taking the trail that goes through the stream bed, and had to get our feet wet once in a while.
We got back to our cars at about 1, and made our way back home.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Ups and downs near the Dead Sea - October 18th 2013
On Friday morning, we met at Ein Feshcha, Einot Tzukim, the lowest nature reserve in the world.
After crossing route 90, we started our climb on the black trail towards Rosh Tzukim. The climb was long and quite steep. The trail started at an altitude of 340 meters below sea level, and ended at an altitude of 80 meters below sea level and was about 1.6 kilometers long. One of us did not feel well and returned to the starting point. This is the first trail that was marked in Israel. It was marked by the Palmach in 1947, just weeks before the start of the War of Independence.
The climb ended at Rosh Tzukim, where we had a great view of the northern part of the Dead Sea, and the nature reserve below us.
We rested for quite a long time, and then continued for a short while along the black trail and the turned left to the blue trail towards Nachal Samara. This part of the trail was rolling hills.We went up and down for a few kilometers, until the trail ended at the green trail. We walked a short distance to a beautiful lookout.
At this point we started our descent on Ma'ale Mezin. This would take us back to route 90, and our cars.
When most of us were at the end of the trail, we got the news that one of us was having cramps and could not continue the descent, even though he had help.
We decided to call for help, and after a while a team form the Megilot Rescue Team came to help.
While some of us waited for everyone to come down, the rest went back to Ein Feshcha.
The team climbed up and evaluated the situation. Our group member was given an infusion, which helped him walk down the descent.
Our route can be reviewed here:
Thanks to Elana and Deborah for planning the hike, and to everyone who helped others along the hike.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
After crossing route 90, we started our climb on the black trail towards Rosh Tzukim. The climb was long and quite steep. The trail started at an altitude of 340 meters below sea level, and ended at an altitude of 80 meters below sea level and was about 1.6 kilometers long. One of us did not feel well and returned to the starting point. This is the first trail that was marked in Israel. It was marked by the Palmach in 1947, just weeks before the start of the War of Independence.
The climb ended at Rosh Tzukim, where we had a great view of the northern part of the Dead Sea, and the nature reserve below us.
We rested for quite a long time, and then continued for a short while along the black trail and the turned left to the blue trail towards Nachal Samara. This part of the trail was rolling hills.We went up and down for a few kilometers, until the trail ended at the green trail. We walked a short distance to a beautiful lookout.
At this point we started our descent on Ma'ale Mezin. This would take us back to route 90, and our cars.
When most of us were at the end of the trail, we got the news that one of us was having cramps and could not continue the descent, even though he had help.
We decided to call for help, and after a while a team form the Megilot Rescue Team came to help.
While some of us waited for everyone to come down, the rest went back to Ein Feshcha.
The team climbed up and evaluated the situation. Our group member was given an infusion, which helped him walk down the descent.
Our route can be reviewed here:
Thanks to Elana and Deborah for planning the hike, and to everyone who helped others along the hike.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures
Sunday, May 12, 2013
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