The Petra Area - the following info is supplementary to Edition 2, Jordan – walks, treks, caves, climbs & canyons, publication summer 2008.

In Dec. '07 we received details of three new climbs in the north Petra Area, all of which are inside the boundaries of the Petra Archaeological Park. Unfortunately, the PNT (Petra National Trust) advised us that issues of safety and management in the Petra area need to be addressed before climbing can be allowed or encouraged. PNT is developing a Zoning Management Plan for the Park, which will address these crucial issues. For more information about their work and the threats facing Petra see www.petranationaltrust.org or contact pnt@petranationaltrust.org.

The three existing climbs are therefore, at least for the moment, off-limits and no climbing exploration should take place in the Petra Archaeological Park until further notice. Please respect this request in the hope that the restrictions may be eased in the future; any changes will be advised on these pages of our website. The topos and route descriptions are included here for future reference only.

For photos etc see previous page on Petra Climbs For additional info see Link to Mountain Info, CLIMB April 08, which includes the 2007 Jordan update with climbs on the near Petra.
The routes were climbed in Nov 2006 and 2007 by James Garrett from the USA and Res von Känel from Switzerland. James says, ‘It was as if we had stumbled on the best parts of Utah's Canyonland cracks combined with Nevada's Red Rock featured stone. None of these climbs was in any way part of the popular tourist site of Petra. Climbing there would be both inconsiderate and disrespectful, particularly as there is so much unclimbed rock left in Jordan’.

Double 50m ropes were used on all routes and abseils. The first route is well N of Petra, on a large sandstone rock formation that the local Bedouin call Sh'karet M'Said (see Ed 2, R78, map 22, GPS alt. 1000m N30° 26.893' E35° 26.282'). It is located 10km along the Wadi Araba road from the road junction at Beidah near Little Petra, then about 1km to its N up a 4wd track. Its W side is known locally as The Face, due to a distinctive facial likeness:

The Face*** 250m approx 5+
Five-pitches, each around 50m, starting left of a tree then trending right to a ledge, then up to the left side of the 'mouth'. Climb up to follow the left side of the 'nose' then right above the right 'eye' and the overhanging 'eyelid' to the summit slabs, left of the gully. Enjoyable and well-protected (bolts, threads and trad pro) with some spectacular sequences and fine views down Wadi Mahmud and Wadi Namala to Wadi Araba. A classic.
Descent Walk off to the NW, veering left and down a well-cairned fairytale-type rock garden where beautiful mosaic-type rock provides an added bonus to the day. (Would be a very nice scramble in ascent.)

The next route is about 5km to the SE, in the Siq of Jebel Baaga (Ba’ja), a well-known Nabataean site as is evidenced by the litter in the siq (see Ed 2, R91, map 22). The S facing route is on the left, deep inside the shaded siq and is named after the Bedouin who showed James and Res the area:

King Faisal** 5-
Three pitches; a really enjoyable route on excellent black sandstone which follows hand cracks interspersed with overhanging features sporting huge patina holds providing a fun excursion. Bolt belays.
Descent Walk to the W (towards the valley) on a huge ledge then abseil to the ground.

The next route is on the S side of Wadi Maruan. It is not near any ruins or tourist areas. Precise location uncertain but Yousef Hasanat of ViaJordan believes the photo he saw of the route was taken ‘South east of Wadi Ghurab, east of Jmeidi cave and about 800 meters west of the road from Kharrubat al Fajja and 750 meters north of Wadi Muaysra Gharbiyya, at Wadi Snake mountain:

Bedouin Life** approx 160m 6a / 5+A0
A good adventure; a striking N facing blunt arête goes in four 40m pitches with trad pro and on good rock to the summit.
Descent Initially easy to the S, down the far side to rappel anchors.

Also see Climb Magwhere a full Mountain Info report is available for download. The following links have info on other developments in Jordan since March 2008:
Walks in Pella area
Ayoun treks & climbs
Walks in El Aluk Hills (SE of Jerash)
Dead Sea Hills: RSCN Dead Sea Canyons, a new climb in Karak area, GPS points, Wadi Assal, Wadi Numeira, Wadi Jamal-Khanzira, Wadi Jahal and Wdi Feid
Treks in the new Jebel Mas’uda Reserve
Wadi Rum & Aqaba Mts area: a new climb near Wadi Rum & Wadi Rum GPS points plus new info on Aqaba Mountains