For the past thirty years, Oman has been my home, and what a remarkable journey it has been! As a retired oral and maxillo-facial surgeon, I have cherished every moment spent exploring the hidden jewels of this enchanting Sultanate. My love for adventure ignited in 2000 when I met Patrick and Nathalie Cabiro, my ‘masters in climbing’. They passed on to me their passion for exploration, and ever since, I’ve been traversing the majestic mountains and winding wadis of this extraordinary country.
Throughout my adventures, I have had the privilege of mingling with renowned international explorers like Steve Backshall, Albert Lin, and Reza Pakravan, who have all worked with prestigious television networks such as the BBC, Nat Geo, and the Discovery Channel. Luckily, my family—my wife Marta, my daughter Mona, and my son Kevin—along with friends from near and far, have always supported my expeditions.
Nearly every weekend, I’ve ventured out from Muscat, seeking uncharted paths and undiscovered trails. Each journey has rewarded me with stunning landscapes and, most importantly, heartwarming encounters with the Omani people. Without fail, they have been there, extending their support and enveloping us in their warmth and hospitality. I could hardly believe the number of fellow adventurers I’d meet along the way, hailing from so many different countries. One trip stands out vividly in my memory, where our group included twelve explorers from eight nations!
Just last weekend, I reached out to three friends for an exciting trip to Wadi Dayqah, where I had previously spotted a breathtaking high drop. I first surveyed the terrain back in January during a picnic with my friend Marian and his wife Emma. Standing at an impressive height of around 120 metres and adorned with three natural bridges, it was a sight I couldn’t resist returning to.
Last week, I invited my friends Mohamed, Rabih, and Rigel to join me in setting up anchors and abseiling down this magnificent descent. Mohamed is an old friend whom I met in Lebanon many years ago. He is a passionate caver and a member of the ‘Spéleo Club du Liban’, the oldest caving club in the Middle East, established back in the early 1950s. Rabih, a talented professional photographer, and Rigel, a travel agent I met many years ago while she was living in Oman, were eager to partake in this adventure.
We departed Muscat early on Friday morning, picking my friends up in Al Amerat in my beloved ‘old beauty’, a 35-year-old Nissan Patrol. The morning skies were cloudy but thankfully free of rain. After about an hour and a half, we arrived at our destination, parking near a stunning pond nestled at the foot of a towering cliff, its vibrant limestone layers undulating dramatically upward. This spot has long been a favourite getaway for my family from the city.
While Rabih stayed in the wadi bed to capture the day’s excitement through his camera lens, the three of us began our ascent to the top of the drop. We had plenty of equipment to carry—harnesses, descenders, anchors, a drill, and a lengthy 200-metre rope. Our backpacks were heavy, so we shared the load among ourselves as we made our way along a trail I had discovered during my first explorations. Progress was slow, but after twenty arduous minutes, we reached the summit where we planned to set up our rope.
The ground at the top was loose, peppered with unstable rocks. We secured our rope around a sturdy boulder and descended about twenty metres, where I found a suitable place to fix my anchors. After drilling three solid anchors into the rock, I called for Mohamed to join me, while Rigel remained above to capture the moment on her phone.
With my descender attached to the rope, I began my descent across the scree until I reached the ledge of the drop. Taking a moment to pause, I glanced down to see Rabih’s silhouette nestled among the canyon floor below. Slowly, I continued my glide downwards until I landed on the second natural bridge. Soon after, Mohamed joined me, and together we readied ourselves for the final leg of our descent. Another forty meters of rope took us down before we scrambled the last stretch, reuniting with Rabih.
After packing up the equipment, we climbed back to where Rigel awaited, ready to retrieve the rope. With our gear stowed away, we enjoyed a delightful snack by the pool, the perfect conclusion to an exhilarating day before we made our way back to Muscat.
Oman, with all its wonders, continues to be an inexhaustible source of adventures, and I can’t wait for what the next expedition will bring!
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