Adventurous Snake Canyon of Muscat

Is this the adventure to beat all adventures? Chances are, you probably don’t know what to expect. Perhaps you have undertaken a few mountain climbs and experienced that sense of accomplishment upon reaching the pinnacle. Well, this beats them all!

SnakeGorgeCanyonis only 150km outside Muscat, making it easily accessible for you and a group of friends. You will need an off-road vehicle, and the trip is a must-do for both adrenaline junkies and nature lovers. So what actually is the adventure? You will spend a day traversing gorges and rock faces using steel cables, ladders, and bridges, otherwise known as via ferrata.

The use of these allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities. The first via ferrata were built in the Dolomite mountain region of Italy during the First World War, to aid the movement of the Italian mountain infantry.

After an overnight camping to ensure everyone is well rested, you will meet up with your instructor for instruction on how to jump into the safety gear. A word of caution: dehydration is your enemy during this trip, so take lots of water!

The entire route of the via ferrata takes place along metal ropes latched alongside the mountains. There are also metal bars and steps created for vertical climbs and drops, but the metal ropes are still alongside them. Each climber is fitted with a safety belt – this helps keep your weight distributed evenly. Attached to each safety harness is a pair of carabinas. This is the maker or breaker of your trip – always have both your carabinas hooked onto the metal ropes while traversing the mountains. At no point should both the carabinas be off the ropes. Always unhook and latch one at a time. Helmets and gloves will also be part of your wardrobe.

You might think you are a bold soul, and maybe you are, but the first glimpse of the route you have to cross is bound to get your heart rate racing! With knees quivering, it is best to stop thinking and just start doing. Everything gets easier as the day progresses. To make your climbs easier, you should lean back while grabbing the cables to make them taut. This means walking sideways on the mountain. Now, the experts say that women make excellent climbers because they have a better sense of balance and are more graceful and tactical with their feet than men, who tend to rely on muscle and strength. Get with the programme, boys!

One highlight of your trip will be when you reach zip line. You sit hanging from your safety carabina and swoosh to the other side on a wheel, just like a laundry line between two buildings. It is a hair-raising moment. Hanging on to the lifelines, tiny toe-holds seem like pockets of hope on the mountain. Try the power of positive thinking. This route has been designed tourists and amateurs. That means you. You can do it.

It is quite surreal hanging in mid-air and listening to the shrieks and laughter from the people doing the canyon hike way below. Yes, hiking might seem like the more sensible, less daring option, but you definitely won’t get the same sense of satisfaction and self-accomplishment. When you are descending or ascending, you have to keep a safe distance of two ropes to ensure you don’t fall onto anyone or that anyone falls onto you. Even if you do slip, you are firmly attached by a safety line and the instructors are always there to help you get back on track.

Friends make a huge difference on this trip – words of encouragement, constant conversation and learning from the mistakes of the climber ahead of you are just some of the perks you get. Also when dehydration gets the better of you and you’re noticing that metal taste in your mouth, just keep talking to keep your spirits up. During your climb, with the sun beating down on you and sweat pouring down your back, you will have magic moments to share with friends for the rest of your life. No one will ever be able to take that away from you!

One other hint. Don’t ask the instructor how far you have left to the finish. He will only make some smiling remark about how long is a piece of string. In other words, make sure you pace yourself throughout the entire trip. That way, you will have plenty of energy for the last challenge – the monkey bridge, which consists of walking on a tight rope while balancing yourself with a rope running above you.

Your precise thoughts at this moment are sure to be a mix of elation and fear. But trip is almost done and the sheer sense of pride you will feel at the end makes everything else well worth it.

Snake Canyon 1

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Snake Canyon 3