Schribner's Canyon Saudi Arabia: Rock Climbing and Rappelling

On Sunday December 21st, My friends John Latendresse, Elias Bitar, Caitlin Taylor, and I ventured out into the Jebbles of Saudi Arabia. We drove into an isolated canyon known as Schribner's Canyon just out side the city of Hufof, Saudi Arabia. After scoping out the canyon we parked the SUV on the top where I set up our ropes and all the gear.

All Harnessed up Elias was first down the 70' Rappell, followed by Caitlin, after her was John and then my self. The day was perfectelly clear with temoertures in the high 70's.

The climbing began, Elias roped up began to onsite this cruxy wall with loose dirt and rocks. Thank God I top ropped it! Rocks fell and there were nothing but finger crimps and jams. What a great climb!!!

The next climb was a bit to the left. Looking to be easier with the crack, the rock was even more brittle. Elias went up first clearing the way of the loose crud. I followed up after. About 1/4 of the way up it seemed to me that the huge rock in the crack was not going to withstand anymore stress. So I abandoned the crack and swung to the face. This one had 5.12+ written all over it, what a dusey. Holding on with nothing but the tip of my index fingers I worked my way up. With a few creative moves I made it back to the crack above the sketchey boulder that could fall at any time.

Caitlin Roped up and began her first assent. Jamming her fingers into the crack she made he way up. John was next. After blistering his hands on the rope for one of his rappells he muscled his way up.

We climbed for about 4 hours that day. After cleaning all the gear and packing the car, we lit a fire in the canyon. Sitting back and relazing we cooked hotdogs and Zatar. What a Great day of Saudi climbing.

Here's the u-tube link for my latest adventure-

Salome Jug

Friday December 5th. Trevor, Lee and I went Canyoneering At the Salome "Jug". The trip involved a 2 mile hike from the car, then we put our wetsuits on (Trevor and Lee had a 7mm and I had a 5mm).
We continued our desert hiking for another 1/2 mile then entered the Canyon. The Water was flowing nice and strong for December, thanks to the rain last week. I led Trevor and Lee through the canyon. Trevor wore my head cam. and you can see the video on u-tube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti7Do80SDTU
We had many down climbs and a 65' rappel down a water fall. How cold was it? This cold "-" and nearing the last section of the canyon it became even colder. After about 4 hours of we exited the canyon, but the fun was not over yet. After we striped off our wet suites we had a almost vertical 200 ft climb back to our clothes and trail. That was the hardest part.
After having our muscles freeze from the cold and physically exhausted we had to hike up hill. It took a bit but we all made it. Once at the top of the hill we changed into dry clothes and made the 2 mile hike in the dark back to the car. This was a great trip and we shot off fire works to celebrate.

Special thanks to Josh Parifinik (instructor at SCC) for all of your training and Canyoneering advice.