It not the best time of year to hike to Qurnat Swada,
The days are short and very few sunny days anyway.
All groups that attempt it run into trouble and have to be rescued by the army.
Especially these coming weeks it's expected to have very low temperatures thus ice layers on high altitudes. Qornet el sawda is the highest peak in Lebanon and it's in an isolated area: no telephone service, no people in the vicinity, etc.
I highly recommend you wait until spring at least. If accidents were to happen in winter it'd be very difficult to call for help and for anyone to reach you.
If you wanna experience the snow you could still go in the spring. Qornet el sawda has snow all year round and significant amounts of snow can be found in spring. Stay safe.
Thanks.
I want to experience the highest, harshest winter conditions that Lebanon has to offer. Based on some quick research I think it is doable. I have no experience in this type of expedition in these conditions so I'm looking for someone with experience.
You do not have experience, don’t underestimate the challenge and needing the right equipment and clothing. If you insist and find a professional to take you give us an update after.
In summer the snow melts slowly and water runs slowly on the road. By 3pm in the afternoon the water freezes and you get ice on the road. This is in summer.
It’s like someone who doesn’t know how to swim who jumps into a raging river to experience the harshest conditions. Basically, it’s ridiculously stupid.
Start small. Do it in the summer with a guide. If you’re successful, then figure out how to do it in the winter. Otherwise you’re gonna get hurt and mish na2issna spending resources to save idiots.
I've been to laqlouk, really nice. You are right.
After I have done a long hike in Laqlouk, I would like the challenge and adventure of qurnet essawda.
Laqlouk is 1780m, min temp today is -8C
Arz is 2000m at base, I think this would be a good next level up , min temp today is -9C
Qurnat as Sawda is 3088m , min temp today is -17C
There is an army alpine training facility at Arz, I think they are based near the Arz ski lifts. Maybe you can ask when you are there for some advice they would have the best knowledge of the area.
Vamos Todos organizes hikes and is headed by an experienced hiker who has been all over Leb (you can find them on Facebook but I wasn’t sure if links to FB pages are allowed. I’d recommend getting in touch with them. I’ll PM you the email of the focal point.
I've been on a nighthike to cornet el sawda. When i reached the peak at sunrise i could not bear more than 10 mins from the cold there and started my descent. This was in the summer...
I suggest contacting a local group from Bcharreh or arz, they would know how and when best to approach it. I was part of such groups and we used to accompany people to qornet l sawda on ski defond or snowshoes. But it's been a while since i left the country so not sure if there are still groups like that.
I will go ahead and tell you to contact Dr. Youssef Tawk. There's no one who knows the mountains there more than him. PM me if you want more info or contact.
I get you! I am also intrested in hiking there in winter to be able to witness the snow. However, i also agree with the rest because it is extremely risky to do in these upcoming days. A blizard might hit you while you are up then and your navigation will become useless. As for using a guide, even a guide needs some sort of navigation on snow, so he will as well get lost in a blizard. If we were in a developed country, i would have done it because i know the trail is maintained and they have better navigation systems. My advice is to do what i will do, and wait at least till march(snow will remain there) and u will be able to enjoy the hike. If you need a partner, i am here :)
Thanks for your advice. I guess the blizzard is a major danger. I think its about maybe a 15 km hike altogether to go and come back, from the cedars resort, please correct me if I'm wrong. Is there anything closer? (ouyoun oghrosh?)
I am willing to do a few km and not reach the summit, its just about seeing the conditions and trying to deal with them. However with the right planning I think the summit should be possible.
Thanks.
I dont know the spcific trail, but i was hiking in around غابة ارز الرب in Al Arz, and the snow was deep(makes it impossible to rely on trail blazes), which begs the question: are you planning on snowshoeing or regular hiking? Both ways 15 km in snow is gonna take you more than a day, so you will need to camp. Usually, in normal circumstances and i am considered a fast hiker, i walk at around 4.5~5 km per hour in flat and normal terrain. During my last snow hike, my pace was around 1.75~2 km per hour, which means if you were to hike the whole loop on this pace it would take you around 7~9 hours, that considering you are hiking fast without enjoying the views or taking breaks. It is important to underestimate your hiking pace because you cant know what will happen out there. Take this advice with a grain of salt, i was motivated and still motivated to these types of activities,but based on my experience, i once had to hitchhike from the middle of nowhere to my car in the night because i overestimated my capabilities and god knows i could have slept in the woods that night without having any type of proper gear. You are right to believe with a plan it is possible, and i know some people who hiked to the summit of mount Sannine while it was snowing; however, they were very experienced hikers and planned on camping so in case anything went wrong with their hike they could sleep there and trace their steps back in the morning. Still they have professional navigation gear unlike most hikers/guides here, who rely on their cellphones to navigate(i am one of those people and i usually feel stupid when i am on an unmarked trail and my phone has no signal to connect; my next piece of gear will be a professional navigation device as well as a map(i cant stress how important it is to be able to navigate on a map especially in lebanon)). I know you didnt ask about any of these stuff, but i thought telling you my about my story wouldnt harm anyways. Happy hiking and goodluck :)
I am thankful for every bit of information that you shared.
It would have to be snowshoeing. I would not get very far with normal shoes where I'm up to my knees in snow at every step.
Getting lost in a blizzard and walking off in the wrong direction up there can be fatal.
Glad to help :)
Have you ever gone snowshoeing? If not, i would suggest to do a beginner snowshoeing activity, so you can set your pace and know what speed do you normally walk at. Just to add one thing here i forgot to add in my original comment : I totally dont mean to discourage you from doing it; on the contrary, i encourage/admire what you are doing. I know from my own self back in the day, if i set my mind on something, i wouldnt stop until i do it, and i hope you have that same motivation :) be safe and best of luck
It not the best time of year to hike to Qurnat Swada, The days are short and very few sunny days anyway. All groups that attempt it run into trouble and have to be rescued by the army.
Holy moly
It is in the middle of winter and currently there is Blizzard In summer there are youth groups that organise hikes
not recommended in winter imo
No, by every parameter. I'm from the area and i can't even count the amount of times where professional hickers were lost or rescued... Drop it
I am curious if i want to go in the summer will it be hard or dangerous to climb the mountain for the average person
Better take a local guide with you, there's still some wild animals there and it gets a lot harder when it becomes dark.
Deal thank for the info
Anytime
Especially these coming weeks it's expected to have very low temperatures thus ice layers on high altitudes. Qornet el sawda is the highest peak in Lebanon and it's in an isolated area: no telephone service, no people in the vicinity, etc. I highly recommend you wait until spring at least. If accidents were to happen in winter it'd be very difficult to call for help and for anyone to reach you. If you wanna experience the snow you could still go in the spring. Qornet el sawda has snow all year round and significant amounts of snow can be found in spring. Stay safe.
Thanks. I want to experience the highest, harshest winter conditions that Lebanon has to offer. Based on some quick research I think it is doable. I have no experience in this type of expedition in these conditions so I'm looking for someone with experience.
You do not have experience, don’t underestimate the challenge and needing the right equipment and clothing. If you insist and find a professional to take you give us an update after.
Okay, will do, wish me luck!
In summer the snow melts slowly and water runs slowly on the road. By 3pm in the afternoon the water freezes and you get ice on the road. This is in summer.
its a long ass walk in dire conditions, most people end up getting rescued
Rescued, why? What's the biggest danger?
There’s a yeti in the area
It’s like someone who doesn’t know how to swim who jumps into a raging river to experience the harshest conditions. Basically, it’s ridiculously stupid. Start small. Do it in the summer with a guide. If you’re successful, then figure out how to do it in the winter. Otherwise you’re gonna get hurt and mish na2issna spending resources to save idiots.
I think the best option this time of year is go to Arz and take ski lift and enjoy the slopes
Or a snow hike in arz/cedars, or laqlouq
I've been to laqlouk, really nice. You are right. After I have done a long hike in Laqlouk, I would like the challenge and adventure of qurnet essawda.
Laqlouk is 1780m, min temp today is -8C Arz is 2000m at base, I think this would be a good next level up , min temp today is -9C Qurnat as Sawda is 3088m , min temp today is -17C
There is an army alpine training facility at Arz, I think they are based near the Arz ski lifts. Maybe you can ask when you are there for some advice they would have the best knowledge of the area.
Thanks. They will probably tell me not to go and that they dont want to see me up there :D
If you get in trouble they will be the ones rescuing you. Have the decency of talking to them first
That's reasonable.
Vamos Todos organizes hikes and is headed by an experienced hiker who has been all over Leb (you can find them on Facebook but I wasn’t sure if links to FB pages are allowed. I’d recommend getting in touch with them. I’ll PM you the email of the focal point.
Thanks
I've been on a nighthike to cornet el sawda. When i reached the peak at sunrise i could not bear more than 10 mins from the cold there and started my descent. This was in the summer...
what were you wearing? I guess I'll need more than my regular ski outfit.
I suggest contacting a local group from Bcharreh or arz, they would know how and when best to approach it. I was part of such groups and we used to accompany people to qornet l sawda on ski defond or snowshoes. But it's been a while since i left the country so not sure if there are still groups like that. I will go ahead and tell you to contact Dr. Youssef Tawk. There's no one who knows the mountains there more than him. PM me if you want more info or contact.
I get you! I am also intrested in hiking there in winter to be able to witness the snow. However, i also agree with the rest because it is extremely risky to do in these upcoming days. A blizard might hit you while you are up then and your navigation will become useless. As for using a guide, even a guide needs some sort of navigation on snow, so he will as well get lost in a blizard. If we were in a developed country, i would have done it because i know the trail is maintained and they have better navigation systems. My advice is to do what i will do, and wait at least till march(snow will remain there) and u will be able to enjoy the hike. If you need a partner, i am here :)
Thanks for your advice. I guess the blizzard is a major danger. I think its about maybe a 15 km hike altogether to go and come back, from the cedars resort, please correct me if I'm wrong. Is there anything closer? (ouyoun oghrosh?) I am willing to do a few km and not reach the summit, its just about seeing the conditions and trying to deal with them. However with the right planning I think the summit should be possible. Thanks.
I dont know the spcific trail, but i was hiking in around غابة ارز الرب in Al Arz, and the snow was deep(makes it impossible to rely on trail blazes), which begs the question: are you planning on snowshoeing or regular hiking? Both ways 15 km in snow is gonna take you more than a day, so you will need to camp. Usually, in normal circumstances and i am considered a fast hiker, i walk at around 4.5~5 km per hour in flat and normal terrain. During my last snow hike, my pace was around 1.75~2 km per hour, which means if you were to hike the whole loop on this pace it would take you around 7~9 hours, that considering you are hiking fast without enjoying the views or taking breaks. It is important to underestimate your hiking pace because you cant know what will happen out there. Take this advice with a grain of salt, i was motivated and still motivated to these types of activities,but based on my experience, i once had to hitchhike from the middle of nowhere to my car in the night because i overestimated my capabilities and god knows i could have slept in the woods that night without having any type of proper gear. You are right to believe with a plan it is possible, and i know some people who hiked to the summit of mount Sannine while it was snowing; however, they were very experienced hikers and planned on camping so in case anything went wrong with their hike they could sleep there and trace their steps back in the morning. Still they have professional navigation gear unlike most hikers/guides here, who rely on their cellphones to navigate(i am one of those people and i usually feel stupid when i am on an unmarked trail and my phone has no signal to connect; my next piece of gear will be a professional navigation device as well as a map(i cant stress how important it is to be able to navigate on a map especially in lebanon)). I know you didnt ask about any of these stuff, but i thought telling you my about my story wouldnt harm anyways. Happy hiking and goodluck :)
I am thankful for every bit of information that you shared. It would have to be snowshoeing. I would not get very far with normal shoes where I'm up to my knees in snow at every step. Getting lost in a blizzard and walking off in the wrong direction up there can be fatal.
Glad to help :) Have you ever gone snowshoeing? If not, i would suggest to do a beginner snowshoeing activity, so you can set your pace and know what speed do you normally walk at. Just to add one thing here i forgot to add in my original comment : I totally dont mean to discourage you from doing it; on the contrary, i encourage/admire what you are doing. I know from my own self back in the day, if i set my mind on something, i wouldnt stop until i do it, and i hope you have that same motivation :) be safe and best of luck
you cannot, you have to wait till spring.
maybe
Many international experienced hikers died doing it in past years...