Givanim to Gev Holit
​Section 37, December 2016  22km

We had planned on arriving at Tzofar at 6:30 am in order to get a ride to the starting point, one hour’s drive away. This meant leaving Ra’anana at 4 am. We had a slightly late start from the house, but for some reason, we ended up only arriving at the trail head by 9:15 am.  Ideally, we should have driven down the night before and stayed in Tzofar to get an earlier start. 
 
We “cameled up” before we started by drinking 1 ½ liters of water, then carried 4 Litres each, plus full packs laden down with sleeping bags, mat, tents, warm clothing and food. 
 
It was a perfect day for a desert hike; bright blue skies and a very slight cooling breeze.

We ran into many groups in the middle of the desert. Many grade 11 kids on the Masa Israeli week-long pilgrimage. Others were from seminaries and mechinot. Everyone was young and energized and I wondered what they thought of us ‘older’ hikers who were most likely more aged than their parents.  

       Link to WikiLoc trail map

​
After a flat walk through this canyon, we met our second ascent, twice the height of the first. With its sharp ridges and jagged uneven summit, it looked like a mini Carbolet and when I researched it, I realize it is called the Carbolet Haririm, the dry Carbolet. We ascended it then walked along the ridge enjoying spectacular views of the edge of the Machtesh. What goes up must come down. The descent was tricky and with a full pack, little sleep and weakened knees, it required concentration and a slow pace. The daylight was receding, the shadows increasing and I did not want to be caught on a technical descent with a headlamp.  We descended slowly then arrived in a sandy wadi, our campsite for the night. We put up our tents, then literally sank into our sleeping bags. We set a new record, falling asleep by 5:50 pm.

The car dropped us off just beside Highway 40 and as I hoisted my heavy bag onto my shoulders, I felt slightly panicked; we were about to say goodbye to a lifeline to civilization (a comfortable car, communication plus all creature comforts) and walk straight into the wilderness.  We were about to walk eastward from the Negev Desert to the Arava, where no roads go save for a few 4x4s, crossing from Highway 40 across the Ramon crater some 40 kms to Hwy 90.
 
We followed a dirt road three kilometers to a campground where we glimpsed the first of many ascents. It was crazy steep but not technical. We walked straight up Mount Saharonim, some 100 meters, panting and sweating, then walked along the ridge with incredible views of the horseshoe-shaped wadi, Parsat Nekorot, below. We then ascended sharply down into the beautiful wadi. In places, the stones looked like smooth waves with rounded holes.  I imagined the Dead Sea Scrolls would have been found in such a place.  At places, the rocks were large and it felt like we were bouldering.