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Mount Sinai - Descent

Introduction

Descent from the Mount Sinai starts after one has witnessed the sunrise and spent sometimes at the top of the mountain. This mountain is referred to the place where Moses (Musa) received Ten Commandments from God. Mount Sinai is 2,285 m (7,497 ft) in heights and it is the second highest mountain after Mount Catherine. 

On the way down, one sees few huts or shops, they are close to the top of the Mount Sinai. They cater entirely for the tourists and mostly sell hot and cold beverages. When pilgrims started to come down from the Mount Sinai, sun was out but breeze was still cold. In the beginning, the area was little flatter and it was easy to climb down but soon flat area gives way to much steeper parts of the mountain.

When I was coming down, I saw a local boy standing on a cliff face while looking downwards. I was impressed by his bravery, even more surprising was when he started to jump downwards on this steep cliff face. There were few plastic basket like bins, hidden behind the small rocks to dispose the rubbish.

Shops, very close to the top of the Mount Sinai
Shops, very close to the top of the Mount Sinai
Pilgrims making their descent from the Mount Sinai
At this point of the descent, the area was little flatter and it was easy to climb down
At this point of the descent, the area was little flatter and it was easy to climb down
But soon flat area gives way to much steeper parts of the mountain
But soon flat area gives way to much steeper parts of the mountain
Here, I am seen with my camera bag on my back making my way down
A beautiful view of the mountain in the early morning sunshine - Mount Sinai Descent
A beautiful view of the mountain in the early morning sunshine
This part of the mountain has red granite rocks
Pilgrims making their way downwards slowly - Mount Sinai (Egypt) Descent
A local boy stands on a cliff face
A local boy stands on a cliff face
Even more surprising he started to jump downwards on this steep cliff face
Even more surprising he started to jump downwards on this steep cliff face

I saw a camel with his rope was tied to a bin. Previous night, many people used camels to bring them to the mountain. And there was a white dog, which had passed me last night or early morning when I was climbing the mountain. My guide informed that this dogs goes at the top of the summit every night with the visitors.

Elijah's Basin at Mount Sinai in Egypt

Elijah’s Basin is located 750 steps below the Jabal Musa (Mount Sinai), this is a small plateau linked to Prophet Elijah (Ilyas). It is the place where Prophet Elijah had spent some time while visiting Mount Horeb (Sinai).It has a large thousand year old cypress tree with bare branches, together with six younger cypresses and an olive tree surround an ancient well which is fed by snow melt and occasional rainfall. 

A well is located at the Elijah’s Basin, where locals still use rope and bucket to fetch the water. This is a sandy flat surface which lies between the northern extension of the mountain, Mount Safsafa, and the summit. Close to the basin, a Byzantine dam was constructed primarily to prevent flood damage to the monastery.

I had seen this white dog passing me last night (early morning)
This camel is tied with a plastic bin - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
A woman is photographing the camel
A woman is photographing the camel
In the middle of the photo, Elijah's Basin can be seen
Elijah's Basin - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
Elijah's Basin - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
Elijah's Basin is located 750 steps below the Jabal Musa (Mount Sinai)
Elijah's Basin is located 750 steps below the Jabal Musa (Mount Sinai)
A basin carved out of the stone
A basin carved out of the stone
A well is located at the Elijah's Basin, where locals still use rope and bucket to fetch the water
A well is located at the Elijah's Basin, where locals still use rope and bucket to fetch the water
Elijah's Basin is a sandy flat area
Elijah's Basin is a sandy flat area
A sign points towars the stairs leading to the monastery which is 3000 steps away
A sign points towars the stairs leading to the monastery which is 3000 steps away
A Byzantine dam - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
Path leading downwards from the Mount Sinai
Path leading downwards from the Mount Sinai
People making their way to the bottom of the mountain but it was still a long way to go
People making their way to the bottom of the mountain but it was still a long way to go
Strangely carved stone beside the 750 steps trail
Strangely carved stone beside the 750 steps trail
The path zigzags between small and narrow steps with the rocks lying on it
The path zigzags between small and narrow steps with the rocks lying on it

Stairway of Repentance

An arch is referred as the Elijah’s Gate, stairs lead from here to the base of the mountain. This stairway was completed by an anonymous monk under the patronage of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. The Stairway of Repentance or as Bedouin would call this route as “the Path of our Lord Moses” (Sikkat Sayyidna Musa). 
One part of the stairway the stones look rather dramatic due to the constant battering of the wind. Mountain rises here like a high wall and it creates a small pass in between where wind howls most of the time. 

Shrive Gate (The Gate of Forgiveness) is a place where, in past time pilgrims confessed their sins to a priest at this gate and before ascending to the summit. At the bottom of the mountain, there were few stalls like shops run by the locals who cater for the visitors to this area.

This arch is referred as the Elijah's Gate - stairs lead from here to the base of the mountain
This arch is referred as the Elijah's Gate - stairs lead from here to the base of the mountain
A lone tree stands at the the Stairway of Repentance - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
A lone tree stands at the the Stairway of Repentance - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
The stairway was completed in the 6th century
The stairway was completed in the 6th century
In this part of the stairway the stones look rather dramatic
In this part of the stairway the stones look rather dramatic
Here, mountain rises here like a high wall - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
Here, mountain rises here like a high wall - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
Houses on the opposite side of the stairways
Houses on the opposite side of the stairways
A closer view of the buildings with few green trees
A closer view of the buildings with few green trees
A small plant is growing among the rocks of the Mount Sinai
A small plant is growing among the rocks of the Mount Sinai
This is called the Shrive Gate (The Gate of Forgiveness)
This is called the Shrive Gate (The Gate of Forgiveness)
In past time pilgrims confessed their sins to a priest at this gate and before ascending to the summit
In past time pilgrims confessed their sins to a priest at this gate and before ascending to the summit
The Monastery of St. Catherine can be seen in the middle of this photo
The Monastery of St. Catherine can be seen in the middle of this photo
Monastery of St. Catherine - Mount Sinai Descent Egypt
I was glad to reach the bottom of the mountain because my knees were in real pain
I was glad to reach the bottom of the mountain because my knees were in real pain