Egypt 2003 - Sinai Part 2: The Longest Day
The ascent of Gebel Musa (a.k.a. Mount Sinai) began at 2am, up the camel track until the final flight of steps to the summit was reached. After waiting for the sun to rise, in the company of a large crowd of Russians, the descent down the "steps of repentance" began, with new mountain vistas opening up all the way down, until the monastery was reached. It opened shortly after 9am and we saw the "burning bush" and many amazing icons. Then it was off for a lunch in the desert with the Bedouin and a camel trek to the start of the amazing White Canyon, which ended at the remote oasis of Ein Khudra, where we spent the night.
The campsite for the evening before the ascent of Gebel Musa
Cliffs of Gebel Musa from near the campsite
Dawn over the Sinai mountains
Descending Gebel Musa after sunrise
Gebel Katerina, highest mountain in Egypt, from Gebel Musa
Descending Gebel Musa after sunrise
First sight of St Katherine's Monastery from Gebel Musa
The monastery revealed...
Justinian's wall round St Katherine's Monastery
Camel trek to the White Canyon
Entrance to the White Canyon - the rock funnel and ladder
In the White Canyon