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The Israel National Trail (Hebrew: שביל ישראל, Shvil Yisra'el) is a hiking path that was inaugurated in 1995. The trail crosses the entire country of Israel. Its northern end is at Dan, near the Lebanese border in the far north of the country, and it extends to Eilat at the southernmost tip of Israel on the Red Sea, a length of 1,015 km (631 mi). I first learned of its existence from the legendary Billy Goat at the beginning of my Pacific Crest Trail hike. He had been told of it by two Israeli hikers, and, intrigued by their stories, he flew to Israel, hiked the trail, and even met up with the same two hikers, who hosted him for awhile. He loved the hike, and encouraged me to do it, which I did, four years later, from south to north, in about 2 months. For its scenery, its culture, its variety, and especially its people, it was the most interesting hike I had ever done.
3-11-15. Eilat. Met Kolby & 4 others at The Shelter, run by Messianic Jews. Shopped and packed our backpacks. Mine came in at 20 kg: 6 liters water, 8 kg food (for 8 days), 6 kg everything else (tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, clothes, misc.) I was the lightest: others ranged from 25 to 35 kg. Last dinner in Eilat: really good hamburgers (kosher is the way to go).
3-12-15. Eilat to Yehoram Night Camp. 6 am taxi to trailhead, then one of the toughest hiking days I've ever had - MUCH harder than the hardest day on the PCT - and only 8 miles. Lots of rock scrambling going up wadis, sometimes with ladders. Amazing scenery. Upon arrival found a note from the other three: they decided to move on ahead of us slowpokes. I suspect the presence of the German (?) girl and coincidental arrival of a Finnish (?) gal may have changed the two boys' hiking plans.
3-13-15. Yehoram Night Camp to desert camp site. Slightly easier, and feeling stronger. More amazing scenery. Met Daniel going south with about 50 Israelis, some in their 70's. He wrote the book, and was on his 11th hike of the INT. Camped around 6 pm, but found no water at campsite, so ordered water from a taxi and hiked another 6 km to meet him on the hiway. He asked if we liked music, and when we said yes, he pulled out a microphone and started singing beautifully to accompaniment.
3-14-15. Desert camp site to Be'er Ora. Much easier. Came to settlement gate at 4:30. "For water: 052-5664107". Walked around perimeter to front entrance: 3 fences and a moat. Slept at moadon (common area) on grass. sprinklers at 2 am - whoops! Kolby really hurting, fears she won't be able to walk equivalent distances (we did about 15 miles).
Somewhere around now learned that Eran (sp?) quit because of foot problems. Kolby thinks he overdid it trying to impress the girls.
3-15-15. Be'er Ora to Elifaz. Everybody feeling much refreshed. Gave bunch of excess food to settlement, and reduced water from 5 to 4 liters each. Few hours easy walk to Timna Park and its lake. Roy joined us on the way. Then on to some of the park highlights: Solomon's Pillars, earliest mining anywhere (copper, 1600 BC), "mushroom rock" (sitting in its shade right now). Great dramatic scenery as usual. Everybody feeling great. Then on to Kibbutz Elifaz. On the way, Giora showed us an enormous blister he had been ignoring for two days. Not clear what that means to our hiking plans.
3-16-15. Elifaz to part way to Shaharut. Great night in Elifaz tents, hot water shower and giant breakfast, washed clothes. Friendly dogs too. Hiked back to Timna Park entrance for some free coffee, then across wide plain and up about 600 meters past cathedral-like cliffs, fossil shells, even a pile of large ammonites. Camped in a dry creekbed, under the stars. Everybody feeling great, no foot problems. Kolby learned she was accepted to rabbinical school - much jumping up and down.
3-17-15. Rest of way to camel Camp. Awoke in middle of the night with everything wet - but why? The ground around us remained dry. Mystery. Grey/brown hills and flats until Shaharut. Election day! We will take the bus to polling station. Now snacking on Nesquik/baby milk drink, crushed Pringles, dried apricots. Carrying 5 liters water for yesterday and today (typical). Giora's feet hurt a bit, Kolby in great shape, no problems with Yours Truly.
Only Kolby was able to get a ride and hence vote: Giora and I loaded up on water and hoofed it to the "camel camp" a short distance further on. No camels, but a big Bedouin tent with sleeping mats, all to ourselves. Reading "Alan Turing: The Enigma" on my Kindle.
Flash! Message from Kolby: she's continuing alone. I suspect she wasn't excited about hiking with Giora. A little disappointed she didn't discuss her departure with us instead of just splitting (and taking our maps with her).
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