Pitchat Oren to Nahal HaMearot with Al–Hashvil, guided by Avi Farjoun
Photo album: Israel Trail Hike 2024-02-08
Our hike on this segment of the Israel Trail was originally scheduled for February 1. But as of February 4, Israel had experienced 14 consecutive days of rainfall for the first time in over 30 years. So the hike was postponed a week. Meanwhile, the rain continued. Sunshine and clear skies finally took hold just two days before the hike. The weather was glorious and ideal for hiking. But the potential dangers of mud and slippery rocks meant that our route was modified.
We began the day with a brisk climb that included 159 steps.
We had a short visit inside the Etzbah (Finger) Cave. It was too wet and slippery to venture into the inner chambers of the cave. We’ll need to return one day in drier weather to explore further.
After climbing some more, we got to enjoy the great views from atop Mount Carmel .
Some easy trail hiking on the ridge towards Ein Hod artists village.
Lunch stop in Ein Hod, with the luxury of a bench to sit on and clean public restrooms.
The afternoon portion of the hike brought the splendor of winter wildflowers.
Just a few examples of nature’s beauty.
We diverted off the trail and wound our way around banana groves. This was to avoid crossing a field of chest-high stinging nettles, as well as a slippery rocky downhill segment that was not sufficiently dry.
Back on the trail, a fellow hiker “complained” and pondered why the Israel Trail couldn’t just take us on the smooth, flat track at the bottom.
Some more rock climbing.
According to Avi our guide, this hike was far easier than our upcoming overnight hike in the desert. He admonished us to do some serious training before the end of the month. I’ll do my best.
The complete set of photos in a Flickr album: Israel Trail Hike 2024-02-08
In Memoriam
Tia and I began hiking the Israel Trail shortly before her granddaughter Lou was born in October 2021. During our first hiking season in northern Israel, we stayed overnight on Kibbutz Tzivon prior to a few hikes so that Tia could visit baby Lou, and her parents Dani and Tzali (Tia’s son).
Exactly a year ago, at age 16 months, Lou was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. It was vicious. By summer 2023, the best hope for a cure was at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. A fund-raising campaign made it possible for Lou and her parents to remain in the USA for an extended period while Lou received treatments.
Sadly, the cancer could not be beaten. Lou, Dani and Tzali returned to Israel last week. Lou died yesterday and was buried this afternoon. My heart is broken.
