NidalM Photography / Blog / Travelography / The Mountains of Makkah

The Mountains of Makkah

Posted by NidalM on Aug 4th, 2009 | 25 comments

The landscape of Western Saudi Arabia is vastly different from what you might expect from a desert country. Yes it is still a desert, but a very rocky one, unlike the endless rolling dunes of the rest of the country. It is also home to some of the most important mountains in the history of Islam. The ancient city of Ta’if is on a mountain. Jabal Rahmah and Jabal Al-Noor, where Islam began are both in the mountainous area of Makkah.

Traveling with friend and guide Turki and Baraa, we would be heading to a more out of the way mountain for our camping trip. Nestled between the valleys of Wadi-No’man and Wadi-Mehrim is a tall peak, which would otherwise be rather unremarkable as one flies past on the highway. This mountain, however, is very popular among expats and well known to provide an amazing view of the Makkan plains.

1/250s @ 24mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/5.6 ISO100

The road to the mountain passes through Wadi Mehrim, and can be reached through a short drive from Hada. You’ll need a 4×4 to get there though, and expect a VERY bumpy ride.

1/500s @ 24mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/5.6 ISO100

The peak itself. Doesn’t seem that high from here but we’ve already driven up a large distance by car.

1/400s @ 24mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/5.6 ISO100

That’s how I look in mule mode. We had supplies, tents, firewood and photo equipment all loaded onto us. What’s the protocol on reporting yourself for human rights violations?

1/250s @ 24mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/5.6 ISO100

The view at the top was all worth it in the end. Mountains as far as the eye can see. And an AMAZING place to commit suicide!

1/160s @ 24mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/5.6 ISO100

Now to set up those tents… hmm. That rocky ground was awfully hard. It felt weird trying to sleep with something poking you in the back… wait.. that sounded all wrong..!

1/200s @ 10mm (Sigma 10-20mm), f/8 ISO100

AND WE HAVE FACEBOOK! *cue divine music*. There’s a cell tower somewhere in that valley fueling my crack addiction. And yes I have blacked out that cellphone screen. You don’t need to know who I was stalking. ;P

1/100s @ 10mm (Sigma 10-20mm), f/8 ISO100

Dubbed “Seat of Kings”, this natural rock throne is an amazing place to sit as the sun goes down. All these romantic places…!

1/320s @ 10mm (Sigma 10-20mm), f/8 ISO100

Sunset over the mountains of Makkah. Moment of silence. It was beautiful…. now wheres the food?

8s @ 26mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/8 ISO100

Another ‘oh wow’ moment. The crescent moon of Shaban (8th month in the lunar calendar) appeared over the plains of Arafah. Ramadan 1430AH is now exactly a month away.

1/30s @ 24mm (Sigma 24-70mm), f/3.2 ISO800

Nights can get cold in the mountains. Being ‘all manly’ and all, I elected to wear shorts up there. So did Turki and Baraa. We spent the night telling Jinn stories. It was cool.

1/80s @ 10mm (Sigma 10-20mm), f/5.6 ISO100

Mornings on the mountain offer some amazing sights. But they are a tad cold. Also, sleeping up there makes you sluggish.

1/50s @ 50mm (Canon 50mm), f/5 ISO100

Living in the city, you forget how quiet things can get… There’s a reason Muhammad (PBUH) would come into these mountains to meditate.

1/60s @ 14mm (Sigma 10-20mm), f/9 ISO100

It is still advisable to get the hell off the mountain before noon sets in however. This is still Saudi and unless you plan to cook your lunch on the burning rocks, breaking camp is always a good idea..!

Ever been to any of the mountains around Makkah?
Know of any of any other great places to see in the area?
Share your experience! I’d love to hear about it.

Tags: camping, makkah, mountain, photohike1_saudi, saudi arabia, sunset, ta'if

No related posts found

Liked this post? Subscribe to my RSS Feed or add me on Twitter for updates.
Or share it with your friends!

http://precognitive.wordpress.com Qusay

Lovely pics, are you all photographers? I saw… or think I saw a lot of equipment.
NidalM

Baraa (guy in the third picture) is also a photographer. Though he didn’t have his camera on him for this leg of the journey.
http://precognitive.wordpress.com Qusay

Cool, I’m sure you had fun. Just a little request, please tweet this on twitter so we can re-tweet new post… these gems should not be hidden
Filza

That pic of you sitting looking towards the camera which is on your left – that pic needs to be your display pic! – it’s pretty scary, but tight at the same time ;P

PS: You’re a good photographer
NidalM

Qusay, thanks for the tweets, and the kind words

Filza, You know you are too. My current FB pic was taken by u ;P
Filza

Yea, but you’re a 100x better photographer than me mashAllah.
Chiara

Very impressive–you certainly give a new impression of Saudi Arabia and its people to the rest of us. So, normal! LOL
http://al-kanz.org Al-Kanz

“The crescent moon of Shaban” Mâ ch-a’a-Lâh !
NidalM

Sure, if you'd consider climbing up mountains and hiking for miles 'normal' ;P
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Sure, if you'd consider climbing up mountains and hiking for miles 'normal' ;P
Chiara

Let's just say you guys are a lot tougher and more self-motivated than the group of male adolescents from another GCC country, which shall remain nameless, that I was the camp counsellor-translator for in the Alps. Ah, but then you are Saudi, and far more mature, older men, not boys. LOL
Chiara

Let's just say you guys are a lot tougher and more self-motivated than the group of male adolescents from another GCC country, which shall remain nameless, that I was the camp counsellor-translator for in the Alps. Ah, but then you are Saudi, and far more mature, older men, not boys. LOL
http://www.facebook.com/nidalm Abdullah Nidal Mohiuddin

I'd love to hear THAT story lol. Though you're right. Most Saudi guys will tend to sit around a campfire and play cards
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

I'd love to hear THAT story lol. Though you're right. Most Saudi guys will tend to sit around a campfire and play cards
Chiara

Which part: how I got the job by insisting in French that I really would have no trouble handling the English; being ignorant of the country involved at the time and assuming I was being hired to interpret for a UK boy scout troup; the scandal (and praying) resulting from accidental pork consumption; spending a night searching an Alp with a flashlight looking for a little French Jean Gabin type's guinea pig (not found may he RIP); the impact on 10 adolescents used to servants of living in… hmmm… sparse conditions; the stunning impact of all 10 in traditional white thobes and headcovering suddenly appearing on the crest of an Alp? Let me know! LOL
Chiara

Which part: how I got the job by insisting in French that I really would have no trouble handling the English; being ignorant of the country involved at the time and assuming I was being hired to interpret for a UK boy scout troup; the scandal (and praying) resulting from accidental pork consumption; spending a night searching an Alp with a flashlight looking for a little French Jean Gabin type's guinea pig (not found may he RIP); the impact on 10 adolescents used to servants of living in… hmmm… sparse conditions; the stunning impact of all 10 in traditional white thobes and headcovering suddenly appearing on the crest of an Alp? Let me know! LOL
http://fnaim.blogspot.com/ Filza

I think the “Seat of Kings” picture, needs to be your FB profile picture like SOON

Have a safe trip, inshAllah speak to you in a week-ish!? Don't you DARE take longer than that ;P

Have fun mista!
http://fnaim.blogspot.com/ Filza

I think the “Seat of Kings” picture, needs to be your FB profile picture like SOON

Have a safe trip, inshAllah speak to you in a week-ish!? Don't you DARE take longer than that ;P

Have fun mista!
susieofarabia

Hi Nidal – These photos are awesome! I love the layers upon layers of mountains that get mistier looking the farther away they are. There are parts of Arizona, which is where I grew up, that look similar to this mountainous terrain.
Wish I had a great camera like yours!
http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/ Susie of Arabia

Hi Nidal – These photos are awesome! I love the layers upon layers of mountains that get mistier looking the farther away they are. There are parts of Arizona, which is where I grew up, that look similar to this mountainous terrain.
Wish I had a great camera like yours!
http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/ Susie of Arabia

Hi Nidal – These photos are awesome! I love the layers upon layers of mountains that get mistier looking the farther away they are. There are parts of Arizona, which is where I grew up, that look similar to this mountainous terrain.
Wish I had a great camera like yours!
http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/ Susie of Arabia

Hi Nidal – These photos are awesome! I love the layers upon layers of mountains that get mistier looking the farther away they are. There are parts of Arizona, which is where I grew up, that look similar to this mountainous terrain.
Wish I had a great camera like yours!
sy

really love your photographs
sy

http://www.sysprints.blogspot.com/
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ Anonymous

Thanks Sy And thank you for stopping by.

Seems like you’re quite the snapper as well!
http://ramadanwallpaper.com/blog/ramadan-ramadan-75/ Ramadan Ramadan| Ramadan Wallpaper Blog

[...] 1430AH Image by NidalM This was taken while camping in the mountains of Makkah, not too far from Jabal Al-Nour (where the Qur’an was revealed and Islam [...]