TOUGH HIKE: Hiking and scrambling around Sphinx Rock (~15km)

This weekend, I will revisit a favorite hike around Sphinx Rock in Wadi Al Awsat. This is a scenic hike with the possibility of doing some scrambling at its midway point. While mostly flat, this is a challenging hike due to its sandy terrain, length, and exposure. I expect to cover 15 km over four hours of walking. It will be easy for anyone fasting to shorten the hike.

We will set out from a meeting point in central Riyadh and travel together to reach our destination. As always, we will be active and explore, while keeping safety top-of-mind. We'll be doing a good amount of walking as we go beyond the regular tourist route.

Both fasting and non-fasting hikers are welcome.

SIGNUP PROCESS

• Sunday to Wednesday: sign up to join the waitlist
• Wednesday PM: RSVPs close
• Thursday PM: group finalised and WhatsApp group live
• Friday PM: final itinerary sent on WhatsApp

Please review the our FAQs if it's your first time attending.

PREPARATION

Please bring a packed lunch and LOTS of water (3 liters minimum, given the exposure of this hike).

Walking in the desert requires preparation. Proper hiking clothes and hiking footwear (ideally hiking boots) are a must. So is appropriate protection from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunblock). Temperatures in the desert can change quickly: wear comfortable, breathable clothing to withstand the midday heat and bring layers for when the temperature drops in the evening.

Finally, and most importantly, make sure you are in great physical shape.
Every person is responsible for him or herself.

TRIP COORDINATION

• Read this information and the group's FAQs carefully as they answer a lot of the common questions before contacting me. I organize these trips in my free time while working and balancing family responsibilities, so please respect my time as the organizer.
• This is a free trip, organized by me on a volunteer basis and made possible by our wonderful volunteer drivers, who generously take other hikes along with them.
• Hikes are coordinated through a dedicated WhatsApp group, which is launched on the Thursday or Friday before the hike. All information about the trip (meeting point, final schedule, hiking start location) will be shared through the dedicated WhatsApp group, not here. Please don't contact me before Thursday asking why you're not in the WhatsApp group.
• Joining the Waitlist on Meetup is not a guarantee of a spot. You need to answer all your questions, provide a mobile number, and confirm your interest by WhatsApp when I reach out to you. If you don't provide a phone number or confirm your interest when I reach out, I will move you to "Not Going".
• No guests: everyone needs to register interest individually in Meetup.
• SUVs are not required but are preferable to reach the trailhead. Sedans are allowed on this route. I will prioritise SUVs and only add you to the group once I am sure that you have a ride if you need one.

APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE (to be confirmed by WhatsApp)

• 8:30: Gather at a meeting point in central Riyadh (location shared on WhatsApp) and check in. Everyone gets into vehicles and drives to the hiking location.
• 10:00: We arrive at the hike starting point, introduce ourselves and start exploring.
• 12:00: Pause hike for brief lunch for those who are not fasting.
• 14:30: Everyone back to the cars (option to leave, hang out, or explore more.)
• 16:00: Return to central Riyadh target time.

If you are as excited as I am about hiking and have a trip suggestion, please give me a shout.

Anna