Jebel Masafi attempt 2
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 14.17 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,634 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,634 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,172 ft
- TrailRank
- 8
- Min elevation
- 1,596 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 6 hours 4 minutes
- Time
- 8 hours 58 minutes
- Coordinates
- 3968
- Uploaded
- February 5, 2021
- Recorded
- February 2021
near Māsah, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 63 times, downloaded 2 times
Itinerary description
No summit
Comments (11)
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Hi Jo. Have you had any 'issues' about hiking in that area (east of the masafi - dibba road)?
Also, did you come across any water on that trail? I tried jebel Masafi a few years ago in June (stupidly) - first time I've understood what heat/sun stroke and severe dehydration feel like. Not pleasant.
Hi! We followed your route on this attempt! No issues in the area. We didn’t see any water all day but it was cool and pleasant if a long day out.
We didn’t summit as the whole top section was unstable and dangerous- though you obviously went straight up it!
We’re look for a safe way way up Masafi as have tried from 2 directions and turned back both times due to the rotten rock.
Do you have any ideas?
It looks like you reached the same height as me? Anyway, yes - the rock is very crumbly. Dangerous in places. It's annoying getting so close then turning back. My issue was - always is - water. Otherwise, I think I would have made it. I had my last drop at the highest point and then realised I have 6 hours in front of me with no liquid. Going up would have been suicide.
Have you tried from the south? The new road through to Khor Fakkan? I tried there a few years ago and reached 940 meters, in the shadow of Masafi. It's not on here though cos the GPS packed in.
There's a hike there labelled Shis 11 (wadi Shis but not the easy nature trail). The max height on the trail - if accurate - says 1128 meters. That must be Jeb Masafi at that height? It could be just a hundred meters or so to the east of Masafi though looking at the satellite imagery. Maybe they gave up as well!
Anyway, let me know how you get on and watch out for nosey authorities. Apparently, that whol,e area is out of off bounds. Daft authorities in the UAE clamping down on hiking. They want everyone to go to the sand dunes 50 KMs from Dubai and have a 'desert adventure'.
No - google earth shows that whoever it is stopped on the slope 80 meters below the peak. Maybe the same issue - crumbling rock. The easiest way I can see is from the new khor fakkan road. There are some wadis tucked away between the road and jeb. masafi.
Yup! We tried from that side too! It was good I til about the same height then we turned back. Going to make another attempt this weekend hopefully from further up that road to see if it goes.
Good luck and only take any risks!
We’ve not had any problems on our hikes so far. The other route we followed was the Shis route and we didn’t get as high as him. Also we didn’t get as high as you either as we had to retrace our steps- circular route wasn’t possible. That rock is just dangerous.
Thanks- and we’re pretty careful. It’s a shame ropes wouldn’t even help up there as nowhere to put in any protection.
If we make it you’ll know as the route will go up!
I meant to say DON'T take any risks! I'm out of action for 18 months now after breaking my back in Oman. Karma I guess for ignoring the risks for a few years. Only tourist hikes for me from now on.
I don't think they want folk up there. Some bigwig emailed me and told me it was a 'national park' and is under surveillance now. Aren't national parks made into national parks to attract people? Maybe that pylon they have there? Like Jeb Hatta. Also 'out of bounds' now. The UAE authorities would plant a pylon on every peak if they could. Clueless. Won't be long before the Liwa sands is closed too. Advertise the outdoors as part of your 'economic diversification' drive but then block the most popular and attractive/exciting areas. It's like the UK government saying 'the Lake District is closed now'.
So sorry to hear about your back. I hope it gets better.
We’re loving exploring so far!
Yes that entire space between the Fujeirah-Masafi-Dibba-Fujeirah roads is interesting. Less ambitious terrain than east of RAK where the 'big beasts' are but also less busy and very accessible without longish offroad drives. Some challenging hikes too and you can find the polished wadi climbs and scrambles if you look hard enough. The long hike from the main road to Wadi Wurraya and back is a nice 2-dayer.
Anyway, take care and be careful!