The 2nd edition of our Jordan book is due out 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.

Left: Wadi Tibn.

Below left: Wadi Khorma, with a team from RSCN.

Below right: Khorma Bridge, reached by us and Mark Khano of Sarha in 2009 - a spectacular feature that should become popular, accessible from the 'Bedouin ladder' into Wadi Khorma. See our article Exploring Jordan in Nov '09 TGO

Jebel Mas’uda Reserve - some GPS points and route info
This proposed new RSCN Reserve is due to open in 2010/11. We visited it in spring 2008 with an RSCN team, checking out our Wadi Tibn route and continuing to the road in the bottom, from Rajif to Araba. We also did a route through the equally amazing Wadi Khorma:
From Taybeh to Wadi Tibn, Bahra spring and bottom road
Location m GPS reading
Enter Tibn siq 1027m N30 15.090 E35 26.600
Tibn inscriptions 850m N30 14.809 E35 25.770
end of Tibn siq 800m N30 15.169 E35 24.773
jnctn of 2 wadies 825m N30 14.822 E35 24.422
pass to siq 810m N30 14.495 E35 24.088
head of siq 760m N30 14.193 E35 23.911
Bahra spring (Ain Saadeh) 780m N30 12.794 E35 23.234
Road, W Saadeh 564m N30 12.383 E35 21.906
From Rajif via Wadi Khorma to bottom road
Leave road S of Rajif 1575m N30 10.630 E35 25.653
reach plateau & domes 986m N30 11.332 E35 24.386
Khorma canyon top 980m N30 11.452 E35 23.937
Canyon bed (W of descent) 890m N30 11.492 E35 23.831
dune cirque 881m N30 11.358 E35 23.415
above Ain Mashit 793m N30 11.208 E35 23.008
Ain Masheid (Khorma) 643m N30 12.093 E35 22.854
Road, W Saadeh (as above) 557m N30 12.364 E35 21.841

Wadi Khorma
A varied and amazing day incorporating white sandstone domes, a stunning constructed Bedouin route down vertical cliffs into the canyon of Khorma, then sand dunes followed by a rock terrace above a ravine leading out to orchards and finally the Rajif–Araba road down Wadi Saadeh.
Moderate trek and scramble some intricate route finding but generally cairned where necessary.
Guide recommended We were with Mohammed Sa’idiyin (mob: 0777857658) and members of RSCN. RSCN permission will be required.
Approach The nicest start is probably as for our route to Wadi Bahra, driving down the 4WD track from Rajif, then instead of going N, head S and follow the start of Itai Haviv’s route 53 then the latter part of his route 52, day 2, to reach the white-domed plateau above Wadi Khorma (approx 3km).
We started from the road directly above this plateau, saving distance but probably not much time on the long, zig-zagging descent of the stony hillside. To access this start from Rajif, head S along the road for 3km to just beyond Prince Hassan’s hilltop house, hidden in trees on the right of the road and on the edge of the escarpment. Good viewpoint down to the domes of Jebel Barza and Jebel Khorma and the deep canyons around them. For GPS points, see above.

Wildlife Whilst on the Tibn trek, we saw a Painted-Sawscale viper hiding in oleander roots, as well as hyena droppings, wolf spoor and numerous birds including swallows rock martins and kestrels.

The following pages have info on developments in Jordan since March 2008: Pella Area walks
Ayoun treks & climbs
Walks in El Aluk Hills (SE of Jerash)
Dead Sea Hills: RSCN Dead Sea Canyons, a new climb in Karak, GPS points, Wadi Assal, Wadi Numeira, Wadi Jamal-Khanzira, Wadi Jahal and Wadi Feid
Climbs in the Petra area
Wadi Rum & Aqaba Mountains area: a new climb near Wadi Rum & Wadi Rum GPS points plus new info on Aqaba Mountains