A map of the modern Sinai Peninsula \u00a0\u00a0(Wikimedia Commons public domain)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, I might be able to offer some helpful pointers. \u00a0First of all, though, in the spirit of full disclosure I need to say that I think that the actual historical Mount Sinai may not be the Sinai Peninsula\u2019s Jabal Musa at all \u2014 which looms above St. Catherine\u2019s Monastery, marked in the map above in the southern portion of the triangular peninsula). \u00a0Instead, I\u2019m now inclined to think that it actually stands on the opposite side of the Gulf of Aqaba (or, if you\u2019re an Israeli, on the opposite side of the Gulf of Eilat) in the territory of modern-day Saudi Arabia. \u00a0But who knows? \u00a0And the areas look just about identical, in any case.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anyway, the common practice is to stay in a guesthouse near the mountain, which is located in the precise middle of nowhere, and then to be awakened for the climb at about 1:30 AM. \u00a0The goal is to watch sunrise from atop the peak.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first time I did this, I wanted to be absolutely certain that I didn\u2019t miss the dawn, so I really cruised. \u00a0And I reached the summit with a good two hours to spare \u2014 and it was dark and frigidly, miserably cold. \u00a0When I got to the top, though, I was walking alone and there was nobody there. \u00a0And, to my horror, I saw a complex of buildings and bright lights on an adjacent peak. \u00a0Had I missed a fork in the trial and climbed the wrong mountain? \u00a0Was there really, out there in the empty desert of the Sinai, a restaurant and perhaps a hotel atop Mount Sinai? \u00a0(It looked almost like a revolving restaurant.) \u00a0Could anybody really be so crass? \u00a0(Later, I realized that it was some sort of Israeli military installation atop Jabal Katarina. \u00a0I was on the right mountain. \u00a0The territory has now reverted to Egyptian control and, obviously, the Israel radar station or whatever it was is long gone.)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next time I climbed the mountain, I resolved to go more slowly. \u00a0But I still reached the peak too early and, once again, I nearly froze in the dark.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
So my advice is, Take time to smell the (completely nonexistent) roses! \u00a0If you feel like taking a rest, take one! \u00a0And then linger longer! \u00a0There\u2019s no rush.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I did, however, notice that, by the last time I climbed Sinai, older and in much poorer shape, the mountain had grown considerably taller and significantly steeper, and that I didn\u2019t need to worry so much about summiting it too early.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also: \u00a0On one occasion, I decided to ride a camel up. \u00a0But, after about forty-five minutes, I decided that I would much rather walk. \u00a0So try the camels if you like \u2014 there are always camels available for rent, accompanied by camel drovers \u2014 but you, too, may find that you prefer your own two feet.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 \u00a0 In my younger years, I climbed to the top of the traditional Mount Sinai several times. \u00a0I\u2019ve done it only once or twice since then, and I haven\u2019t done it at all for quite a few years now. \u00a0 \u00a0 Still, I might be able to offer some helpful pointers. \u00a0First of all, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a>