Having completed my solo exploration of both ends of Wadi Taysaa, the time had come to orchestrate a comprehensive crossing of the canyon. In February of 2023, my French companions, a group of seasoned canyoners, travelled specifically for this ambitious project.
Prior to their arrival, I had enlisted the assistance of my friend Sultan from Jamma to help organise our expedition. The French team landed on the February 4 and headed directly from the airport to the campsite near Jamma. I joined them the next day, marking the commencement of our five-day exploration journey.
The primary objective was to traverse the entire basin of Wadi Taysaa. Arriving at the canyoners' campsite at 7am, we packed up their tents and proceeded to Jamma, where Sultan awaited us with his younger brother and two donkeys.
Our team, numbering nine people, including Sultan and his brother, lugged approximately 250kg of equipment, encompassing personal gear, provisions, and climbing essentials such as ropes, drills, and anchors. Our plan was to pause at the halfway point leading to the "green spot," also known as Zhayrat, upstream at the canyon's terminus.
Embarking on our journey through the canyon bed, we ascended a steep donkey trail on the left bank after about 45 minutes, taking us several hundred meters above the canyon. The panorama from this vantage point was breathtaking, surrounded by massive mountains and deep canyons. We made good progress, reaching our camping spot just before sunset after a seven-hour hike.
Sultan had constructed a room at this location, which he used during his goat-grazing expeditions in the mountains. After setting up our tents, we enjoyed dinner and retired early, anticipating the exploration of one of Wadi Taysaa's tributary canyons the following day.
Rising before sunrise, we packed our tents, had breakfast, and commenced our first day of exploration. By 12:30 pm, we reached the start of the tributary wadi, intending to cross it to reach Wadi Taysaa and proceed upstream to Zhayrat, where Sultan would meet us with our camping gear.
The crossing of the tributary canyon consumed four hours, involving the installation of numerous anchors to facilitate abseiling down several drops. We finally reached Sultan at "the green spot" around 6 pm, where he welcomed us with Qahwa, dates, and Omani bread cooked over a campfire. The evening chill prompted us to gather around the fire while relishing our dinner.
The subsequent day was dedicated to further upstream exploration, culminating in reaching the base of the colossal cliff near Aaqabat al Mashbak. We traversed a precarious trail, fashioned by our friends using tree branches and flat rocks along the cliff. Returning to our camp in the afternoon, we prepared for the longest day ahead, planning to explore a second tributary and part of Wadi Taysaa before returning to our initial campsite.
An early start was imperative, and we estimated the entire day would be required to reach our destination. Sultan and his brother led the way with loaded donkeys, reaching the entrance of the second tributary in an hour. Equipped with canyoning gear, we bid farewell to Sultan, who wished us luck on our venture into the unknown.
The new canyon proved to be narrow with numerous drops, some leading into freezing water, making the journey challenging even with our 3mm wetsuits. By 2 pm, we reached Wadi Taysaa, briefly pausing for a snack before progressing upstream.
Fortunately, our path didn't encounter any pools, and we rendezvoused with Sultan around 6:30 pm. Expressing concern for our tardiness, Sultan learned of the obstacles we faced, with numerous drops slowing our progression in the canyon.
At this juncture, I bid farewell to my friends and commenced the journey back to Jamma with Sultan. Ahmed remained with the French team and the donkeys, as they aimed to explore the final tributary of Wadi Taysa the next day.
By 10 pm, I reached my car in Jamma, expressing profound gratitude to Sultan for his invaluable assistance before embarking on the road back to Muscat. Nearly midnight upon reaching home, exhaustion was outweighed by the joy and satisfaction of a successful expedition.
The subsequent day saw my friends conquer the last tributary, and we reunited in Muscat for a memorable dinner before their departure.
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