"I scaled Mt. S ..." a Muhafazat Janub Sina' Travel Page by stamporama

Wanna go up the mountain where Moses got the 10 commandments? Piece of cake. But first you must have the heart (and the strength it needs), lungs and knees to do it. You start off between midnight and 1 a.m. in the hope that you get to the peak in time for sunrise. Bring lots of water and some light snack, a sweater or jacket, rubber shoes (not necessarily with spikes), a flashlight or headlight, camera, headgear and sunglasses (the latter 2 you'll need on the way down).

It'll be ideal to time your trek when there's a full moon so your trail and visibility will be best. Otherwise, a good headlight (an LED-type so it won't be so heavy on the head) or flashlight will do. You don't have to be a skilled mountaineer to climb it as the trail is well-marked. The path and cool night air is spiced up with camel dung since every 5-10 mins. you come across a bedouin offering a camel ride for US$ 10 up to the top-most station where camels can't go farther. Should you tire or thirst, there are 15 "coffeeshops" to pass before the peak where you could rest and buy water, coffee and even imported chocolate bars like Mars.

Once you get to the peak and see the sunrise and the terrific mountain range below you, man you're gonna say, "It was tiring but well worth it!".

As you descent and reach the base, you get to see St. Catherine Monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site, the oldest monastery in the world where the burning bush is purportedly located.