The 2nd edition of our Jordan book was published in summer 2008. Info on a number of new climbs and treks was received just after the publisher's deadline, plus we added more on our spring 2008 & 9 visits, and some GPS points. We include some here, and in the following pages, working through Jordan, from north to south (trekking info is minimal, due to space limitations).

Any info received in the future that is relevant to this book will be posted on these 'Jordan-update' pages for the benefit of our readers.

R62. Wadi Jamal-Wadi Khanzir full length from Sela. Oct 09. Message from Pierre Voignier: people from Ein al Beidah told us Wadi Jamal starts north-east of Sela,so did we... we walked 3 hrs the 1st day, passed 'Sydreh square',crossed magnificent red gorges, another big 'crossroad',and slept a bit further(1/3 or 1/4 of the way). 2nd day we walked 7 hrs to reach the outlet in Wadi Araba, mostly on the banks, due to the jungle... to be confortable,people should allow at least 2 full days... it is beautifull all the way, even when the jungle is annoying, and you really feel isolated in those mountains!

Route65. Wadi abu Jahal close to Buseira, has no water at all and no more water fall at Gargur...

R77 Abseil info, Wadi Feid. Info supplied by Gregory Horvarth.
1. 25m no bolts easy bypass left
2. Three waterfalls
1. 10m Two solid rings
2. 5m Two Solid RIngs
3. 5m no bolts just continue down off of last anchor
3. 25m 2 flattened rings- there is actually still enough space to slip webbing or cord between the ring and the rock which I believe the Israeli's did. We bypassed right down a steep but managabe gully.
4. 20m 2 good rings
5.40m One Good Ring, One Bolt with a Hanger
6. No bolts easy bypass right
7. 30m One Chopped bolt, one flattened ring. We slung a thick treee a couple feet back.
8. 20m One Flattened ring, one good ring
9. 55m 2 smashed rings, One Bolt with a hanger that looks like it was hammered on but unsuccesfully
10.45m One good ring, one chopped bolt- we left a chock behind there.
11.30m One good ring, one good bolt with a hanger and a ring.

Photos. Top: Dead Sea canyons
Centre: Mark Khano of Sarha Adventure Tours climbing at Wadi Weida'a. Photo Brian Hodgkinson.
Bottom: Wadi Numeira exit canyon.
See the following updates for:
Pella area walks
Ayoun treks & climbs
Walks in El Aluk Hills (SE of Jerash)
Climbs in the Petra area
Treks in the new Jebel Mas’uda Reserve
Wadi Rum and Aqaba Mountains area: a new climb near Wadi Rum, and Wadi Rum GPS points plus new info on Aqaba Mntns

RSCN Dead Sea Canyons (access points from Dead Sea Highway)
Wadi abu Khusheiba GPS -380m N31 34.657 E35 33.334
Wadi ‘Attun GPS -395m N31 33.130 E35 33.320
Wadi Daba’ GPS - 380m N31 32.688 E35 33.415
All in the RSCN Mujib Reserve, nevertheless, beware of litter at starts.

R39 Upper Hidan - Wadi Wala we have received a number of concerned emails about access to this valley, this is typical, "Just over 1hour's drive from Amman, so a day trip. The car parking place as described in the guide is now just below an RSCN sign saying 'reserve & entry forbidden'. The ranger met us at the car & confirmed it's forbidden but relented when we explained we respected the environment. We all support the RSCN's efforts to preserve the wilderness but surely there must be a way to do this and allow people to enjoy and appreciate it responsibly. After all it will serve conservation in Jordan if people know and appreciate the wilderness - very frustrating.

R53 & 54 Wadi ibn Hammad will be preserved under the Integrated Ecosystem Management-Jordan Rift Valley Project, to preserve the area’s unique biodiversity and balance conservation needs with increased tourism. Implemented by the RSCN, the six-year project sets guidelines for land use to ensure the sustainability of financial resources supporting current and future environment-related projects and programmes.

New climb in Karak area:
Wadi Weida’a Left sector
About 300m L of Wilf Colonna’s climb, ‘Les Pirates’, the cliff gains in height again and drops closer to the road. An obvious shallow R facing corner rises up the centre of the cliff. High on its L is a small cave and above it, a much larger one.
Approach From the large parking are below Wilf’s climb and on the opposite side of the road. Cross the road and rise gently left along goat tracks to reach the base of the yellow cliff at below sea level in about 5mins. Start below the shallow corner.
Yellow Submarine 50m (or more) 4b/c (?)
1. 40m Trend right and left to the corner and up it for 3m then trend left past a peg to cross a crack line and reach the first cave.
2. 10, 20 or 50m Climb up directly right of the cave to a terrace below a huge cave, 10m. (This would make a good abseil ledge for this and any other routes on this wall, but probably needs a drill.) We carried on first left then right up an easy slab to pass left of the big cave to another terrace (20m from belay). It would be possible to continue but the climb loses its continuity; we traversed easily left to walk down a ramp to its base, then 10m left again to abseil about 15m to the top of scree cone.
If an abseil is fixed at 50m it would be a nice one star climb on perfect rock with quick and easy descent.
Equipment Cams from 1/2 to 31/2, (size 3 or 31/2 cam for cave belay) and 2 or 3 small to medium wires plus a few quick draws and some slings.
Tony Howard & Di Taylor 29 March 08.

Wadi Assal and Wadi Numeira
GPS points on way to top of Wadi Assal & cliff near Ayy
Ayy village GPS 914m N 31 08.312 35 38.661
Top of cliff GPS 898m N31 08.767 35 38.173
Track to Wadi Assal from crag GPS 901m 31 08.419 35 38.678
GPS points on way to top of R57 Wadi Numeira top
Taybeh road jnctn (W to El Iraq & W Numeira) GPS 1178m 31 06.244 35 38.839
Turning to El Bahr, W Beida at S end of village, poss saving 1km if otherwise walking to Wadi Numeira from El Iraq as in guide. GPS 886m 31 04.236 35 38.489
To Wadi Numeira (R57) from Dead Sea
Dead Sea parking for W Numeira, approx 13km from Karak/Dead Sea road jnctn
GPS -345m N31° 08.191´ E35° 31,656´ walk up siq to reach inner valley, 11/2hr max inc 3m climb (sling or short rope may be useful). 1hr return. Beware floods!

Route 62. Wadi Jamal-Wadi Khanzir full length from Sela. Oct 09. Message from Pierre Voignier: people from Ein al Beidah told us Wadi Jamal starts north-east of Sela,so did we... we walked 3 hrs the 1st day, passed 'Sydreh square',crossed magnificent red gorges, another big 'crossroad',and slept a bit further(1/3 or 1/4 of the way). 2nd day we walked 7 hrs to reach the outlet in Wadi Araba, mostly on the banks, due to the jungle... to be confortable,people should allow at least 2 full days... it is beautifull all the way, even when the jungle is annoying, and you really feel isolated in those mountains!

Route 65. Wadi abu Jahal close to Buseira, has no water at all and no more water fall at Gargur...