When three Spanish expats set off “in search of altitude” in Qatar one would think it is rather an irrational idea in a country that is known for its flat terrains and with the highest point above sea level at 103m/338ft. But nothing can stop the adventurer at heart, and so in 2011 these three Spanish guys went on a mission to find a rock climbing spot to continue their beloved hobby here in the desert.
They literally Googled “rocks in Qatar” in the hope that it would disclose some unknown sites. After examining maps via Google Earth in depth, they saw that there were some formations on the northwest side of Qatar that could be favourable for their requirements. So they jumped in their car and started driving in that direction to see if they could find a suitable spot for their favourite outdoor activity.
The Zekreet National Park is located on the northwest side of the country and has a number of large rock formations, the highest of them begin around 15 metres and this is exactly where they went. There were a number of favourable spots found but one specific wall, shaped similar to a horseshoe when looking from the top; caught their attention and that’s where it all started.
They established a Facebook group called the Doha Climbers and invited fellow rock climbers to join them on this new adventure. In the beginning, it was only “the three musketeers” which went on regular trips for climbing but as the word spread, more and more people joined. It has now become a weekly activity that takes place throughout the whole year.
The type of rock formation is mainly limestone, with very sandy conditions. It makes for difficult grips and some would say technically challenging. Luckily the “designers” of the routes have made sure that you will not leave disappointed.
The wall is about 12m high and is suitable only for top rope climbing. Currently there are about 13 different routes with various difficulty levels and have names like “Tiger”, “Spanish Angel”, “The Crack” and “Chico Power”. If you are new to rock climbing, be aware that the difficulty level at Zekreet starts off rather high. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t reach the top on your first attempt! It is however a great place to start your exploration of climbing, with great support and encouragement from the more seasoned climbers. Be warned, it is something that “ropes” you in! Pretty soon you will be climbing to the top and attempting the more difficult routes.
I had the privilege to join the Doha Climbers group recently for a desert rock climbing adventure and what a fantastic group of people it is – friendly, warm and social. Anyone is encouraged to join, no matter what age or ability. You don’t even need your own climbing gear, as one of the regular climbers will be able to help you out with a harness and ropes!
One of the best things about the group is that they keep active throughout the whole year! During the cooler winter months, they meet mostly on Fridays for a day of climbing fun. And they don’t get beaten by the summer heat as they then change their climbing sessions to Thursday evenings and climb throughout the night! I can really recommend the night climbing during the summer months, even though it can become a bit sticky when the humidity is high. It is a really great adventure to spend time outdoors during the hotter months in the Middle East.
Weekly events are created on their Facebook page so it is easy to know what happens when and where.
So if you ever wondered what to do with that rock climbing gear lying at home, bring it along for your next visit to Qatar!
For more information on their weekly activities join the Doha Climbers Facebook group or send an email to dohaclimbers@gmail.com.
Words by: Eulogy van Dyk
Photos by:Doha Climbers
