We all met at the rest stop near Ein Hatzeva for s snack at Aroma.
After checking in at the Hatzeva field School we drove a bit and then were led on a lantern lit walk through the marl hills. We heard some stories about the animals that inhabit the area, but didn't see any.
On Friday morning we drove to the beginning of our hike in Nachal Peres. Nachal Peres is the boundary between the Judean Desert and the Negev. The first part of hour hike was on a jeep trail. After taking a (official) short cut, we arrived at the Peres Pools where we had our first break. The more brave among us took a dip in the cold water.
We walked above Nachal Peres, until the trail took us into the actual river bed, and we started walking in a canyon. This involved sliding down small dry waterfalls, and clambering over rocks.
As we walked through the canyon it got narrower. The canyon ended at a dry waterfall. We had to backtrack a little and climb out of the canyon using handholds and walking along narrow ledges.
The rest of the hike was along a nice trail and down to The Arava Junction, where we got into our cars and drove back to the field school.
On Saturday afternoon we had a very nice guided bird watching walk, and we got to meet Chanan the Great Northern Shrike who accepted some treats from our guide, and posed for photographs. We then met a group of Babblers which live in the area and are the focus of a long study. This was a lovely end to a great weekend.
Thanks to Miriam and Deborah for organizing a great weekend, to Ben and Rotem for leading us safely through the Marl hills and to Yuval for leading us on the bird watching walk.
Pictures:
Gadi's Pictures (Nachal Peres, Bird Watching)
Miriam's Pictures
Monday, December 29, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Sde Boker - November 20th 2014 - November 22nd 2014
Some of us met at the Ringelblum Restaurant on Thursday evening in Beer Sheva for supper. It was OK.
After breakfast on Friday morning, we drove our cars down into Nachal Tzin, and started our hike.
The first part of our hike was up Maale Divshon and it was definitely up. When stopping for air, we had great views of Sde Boker, Midreshet Ben Gurion, and Nachal Tzin. There was also a vulture overhead, just in case.
After reaching the top of the ascent, and resting a bit to catch our breath, we continued along Ramat Divshon. We passed a Beduin Camp with signs inviting anyone to come and rest.
We passed the remains of ancient agricultural terraces and dams which were probably first built by the Nabateans, and maintained by other residents of the area.
After walking along the edge of a horseshoe shaped water fall, we descended towards Ein Akev. We had to use handholds to get down a little cliff, and then walked down to the spring and pool.
Those who jumped into the pool say it was very cold. There was a lot of screaming.
The next section of the hike was walking along Nachal Tzin. It was mostly boring and more or less flat.
Thanks to Deborah and Rachel who organized the hike, and to Adi, our guide.
Pictures:
Monday, November 3, 2014
Ein Gedi - October 23rd - October 24th 2014
After checking in at the field school on Thursday evening, we all met at the beach near Ein Gedi for a BBQ.
It was a bit challenging, since there was not enough light, but the food was great, and the company better.
After breakfast on Friday morning, the drivers took the cars to the end of the trail, and we started our hike, The trail is called Shvil Tzafit.
We started at the back entrance of the field school and started climbing up the mountain. The climb was pretty steep, and ended with a scramble of a cliff face. We all made it in one piece.
After a short rest and some explanations from our guide, we continued along the north side of Nachal David.
After a short while we climbed down into Nachal David, and started walking towards the Window Fall.
The way to the Window Fall was challenging, and we had to use some handholds, avoid some puddles, and try not to fall. We all made to the end, and got a great view as a reward. The brave ones even took a dip in the pool near the fall.
We made our way back to the main trail, climbed out of Nachal David, and after another short break continued on our way.
Our next stop was the Ein Gedi Chalcolithic temple. This temple is about 5500 years old.
Our next, very short, stop was at the Ein Gedi spring, and then down towards Tel Goren, our cars, and the end of our hike.
Thanks to Deborah and Rachel or organized the hike, and to Shira, our guide.
It was a bit challenging, since there was not enough light, but the food was great, and the company better.
After breakfast on Friday morning, the drivers took the cars to the end of the trail, and we started our hike, The trail is called Shvil Tzafit.
We started at the back entrance of the field school and started climbing up the mountain. The climb was pretty steep, and ended with a scramble of a cliff face. We all made it in one piece.
After a short rest and some explanations from our guide, we continued along the north side of Nachal David.
After a short while we climbed down into Nachal David, and started walking towards the Window Fall.
The way to the Window Fall was challenging, and we had to use some handholds, avoid some puddles, and try not to fall. We all made to the end, and got a great view as a reward. The brave ones even took a dip in the pool near the fall.
We made our way back to the main trail, climbed out of Nachal David, and after another short break continued on our way.
Our next stop was the Ein Gedi Chalcolithic temple. This temple is about 5500 years old.
Our next, very short, stop was at the Ein Gedi spring, and then down towards Tel Goren, our cars, and the end of our hike.
Thanks to Deborah and Rachel or organized the hike, and to Shira, our guide.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Northern Golan - May 15th - May 17th 2014
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
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
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
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