Words + Photos By: Jim McIntosh
Jebal Hushuwat is a cheeky little climb at the beginning, but well worth the effort when you get to the summit to bask in the 360°view of the Siji and Shawka area. On a clear morning, you can see Jebal Rawdah, Fossil Rock and north to Jebal Yibir from the top. This route also sits next to the new oil pipeline well over 300km that runs from the south of Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.
This being route number four in the series, you should be happily following the advise and guidance of the three previous routes. And you should also be pretty confident in yours and the group’s ability on the hills. That said, it essential that you do not get complacent at this point in your planning and preparation as this is when accidents can occur. Before setting out on this 8km hike, you should unpack and check all your equipment. Check if it is all still serviceable, waterproofed and food has not gone out of date. Just because you have not worn your waterproof jacket does not mean you should ditch it to reduce weight! Once your kit is packed and checked, get yourself online and research the route (area in detail) and route to it (route in general). Now that these two are checked off, once again go through the process of “what if?” Like I have said before, I cannot answer all these questions for you and if you require me too, then maybe you should not be venturing on to these more demanding routes. February tends to be one of the wetter months in the Jebal area, so ensure you check weather reports before walking as rocks can become loose under foot. But don’t let a little rain put you off because all your planning will ensure that you are fully prepared and good to go.
The route (4×4 required)
There are two ways you can get to Jebal Hushuwat, either head out on the Sharjah Al Dhaid E88 road turning right at the closed Eppco garage to Grid UTM 40R 341303E 2788012N (MGRS 40R 41303 88012) and right again towards Shokah. Turn left at a T-junction just before Kadrah or you can use the Kalba Road E102 passing Fossil Rock and use the new Sheikh Kalifha highway to Fujairah. Whichever route you use, you will need to pass through the T-junction near Kadrah at Grid 40R 400356E 2787868N then follow the road east to the pipeline crossing at Grid 40R 407704E 2786785N. Head east along the track that handrails the oil pipeline to the parking spot at Grid 40R 412080 2786410.
Using the sketch map and route card
From the start point, head across the open area that gently rises to the small knoll. From the top of this knoll, head down the back right side into the wadi. Follow the wadi up to a faint track wadi junction and turn slightly right and start the climb up towards the ridgeline and cairn, then follow the ridgeline all the way to the summit. Along this ridge there are a number of small flat areas where you can take a breather. Once at the top, there is a circle of rocks that have been piled up to form a shelter. I have placed a small geocache (a logbook) in a green tub where you can record the details of your visit. From the top, simply follow the ridge down the north side of the Jebal until you reach the saddle (CP10) with the large wadi running away to the east. From here, there is an option of an escape route down into the quarry if you had any problems. Now you follow the wadi keeping to the right side looking for the faint track and cairns until the wadi turns south. Follow the wadi up hill and over the saddle and keep on the right high ground following the track to the square fenced off area. Once at this fenced off area, follow the graded track south back to the main oil pipeline junction and turn right. Head west along the track and take the lower track to the left of the very steep track/hill in front of you, this will bring you back around where you will be able to see your start point.
GPS settings, WGS 84 MGRS
The Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) is a simpler and easier method to use when navigating on the ground especially if tired, cold and hot or under pressure. It allows for less chance of error when inputting data into a GPS receiver or communicating to others due to there being only 10 numbers. The accuracy can be up to 1sqm. This is the commonly used map reading coordinate system all over the world and even children are taught this system in schools here in the UAE (OS, Ordnance Survey UK). The grids I have used are eight-figure, giving an accuracy of 10sqm. When entering into your GPS, add a zero at the end of the 4th and 8th number. Example: 40R 12080 86410. Mapping is, as I have stated in earlier routes, non-existent here, and what is available is usually in latitude and longitude or UTM satellite photography. On your GPS display, you can have multiple datum and so should have latitude/ longitude in case you need to pass your location to a helicopter in an emergency. However, one day I am sure that good mapping will be available here for all outdoor users.
