Gev Holit Night Camp to Be'erot Khan on the Israel National Trail: Day 10

A tiring day with three big climbs giving some expansive views.

It was only an 18 kilometre walk today on the Israel National Trail according to the Red guide, and an extra 3 kilometres to where I am staying the night at Be'erot Khan, but it felt longer. Partly no doubt, as this is my tenth consecutive day of walking, but also because of the 900 metres of steep ascent, split into three. The first climb was beside some impressive dry waterfalls. There were some difficult bits, a short two metre scramble up requiring hands as well as feet, and another scramble down of a similar length. On the second and third ascents of the day, metal rungs had been set in the rock to make for easier climbing up and down near vertical sections. The ridge sections were particularly attractive, the land sloping away steeply beneath the path, opening up extensive panoramas. According to the guide there should have been a view of the Ramon crater, but although there were plenty of cliffs, I struggled to see any sort of circular feature I would call a crater.

Path along a ridge

Today there were more people on the trail than I have seen since the Eilat area. Groups and pairs, even a party of bicycles. They were either brave or foolhardy following a path not intended for bikes where a slight deviation could mean a nasty accident. 

Jets thundered across the sky, high up so they were frustratingly hard to spot. Low flying military transports were easier.

Deviating off the trail, I followed a pipeline route to Be'erot Khan,  a national parks service campsite with showers, water, ice cream and a large number of young people staying tonight. Declining the offer of sleeping in a covered area, the hire of a mattress or wood for a fire, I pitched my tent as far away from anyone as possible to ensure I have an undisturbed night (and so that I do not disturb anyone by rising early in the morning). The setting sun gave the distant cliffs an attractive orange glow. Darkness has now fallen, because the moon has yet to rise, and lacking any nearby centres of population, the stars are putting on an excellent display across the heavens. 

22.1 kilometres recorded on my GPS, just a kilometre more than I expected.

Effect of setting sun on cliffs seen from Be'erot Khan