Get Set for our Second Hike on the Israel National Trail

17 May 2009
In light of feedback and requests following our first hike, this is the plan for our second hike. (1) The date remains as originally planned: Shabbat, June 6. Sorry, cannot be changed! Please confirm your participation by May 30. (2) In addition to the 19 people who hiked the first segment, another 12 people are also on the list. If I do not receive 20 confirmations by May 30, I will let you know spaces are available for newcomers. (3) We will slow down the pace a bit to keep the group together. Specifically, we will stop more often -- as a group -- to snack, sing, chat, view the vistas, learn about the sites, and to simply enjoy moments of pleasure and comradarie on the Israel Trail. (4) Varda Ingels has volunteered to share her knowledge about this…
The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

2 May 2009
Segment 21: Mitzpeh Modiin to Latrun *  My emails, phone calls and conversations over the past few weeks produced a group of 17 people ready to roll on the Israel Trail this morning. Here, then, is my account of our first hike: 6:45: Quick introductions in the restaurant parking lot at Latrun, regrouping into 3 cars, and shuttle to Mizpeh Modiin in Ben Shemen Forest. 7:29: The GPS ("the Garmin") starts recording. 7:33: We misread a trailblaze and turn off the main road onto a footpath in the forest. It's not a serious mistake, and actually takes us on a more pleasant route through the woods for 5 minutes. 8:08 (2.4 km): After climbing and descending several hills, we emerge from the Ben Shemen Forest. We head through the olive groves. 8:15 (3 km): We are moving at a…

Preparing for Our First Hike

20 April 2009
I was delighted with the positive responses from friends who want to hike the Israel Trail with Yuval and me. A group has formed and we hope/expect to have 15-20 people hiking on each segment. Our first hike on the Israel National Trail: Shabbat, May 2, 2009 Meeting Point: We will all meet at the segment END POINT -- in the parking lot of Asa Restaurant at Latrun. Meeting Time: 6:45 a.m. We will leave most of our cars at Latrun, and take as few cars as needed to get us all to Mitzpeh Modiin, where we will begin our hike. Start Point: Mitzpeh Modiin (Ben Shemen Forest) Start Time: 7:30 (or sooner, if we organize quickly) End Point: Latrun (Asa restaurant / gas station) Route Length: 17 km Difficulty: medium Time: about 7 hours, including rest stops Route:…

First Responses to Israel Trail Hiking Plan

6 April 2009
I had a number of immediate positive responses to yesterday's announcement about hiking the Israel Trail. Unfortunately a few will not be able to participate in the first segment. I suspect it might take a few hikes before we get a full and committed group formulated. But I figure the early two segments can be easily completed afterwards by the late joiners.

Israel National Trail – The Challenge Begins!

5 April 2009
For several years I have contemplated and often talked about hiking the Israel National Trail. Now that we have sold our 4x4 pickup, the time is ripe to embark on this project. MAPA's Guide for Israel Trek by Zevi Gilat breaks down the 940 kilometer trail into 44 segments. My idea is to form a group that hikes a segment of the trail about once a month, and not in sequential order.  The plan is to start with segments that are easier, to leave the more difficult segments for later, and to do segments best suited to the season. It will take several years to complete the entire trail. An orienteering friend, Shimon Shomrony, initiated such a plan four years ago. He has generously shared his group's itinerary and logistical plans with me and Yuval, and they will serve…