#2: [27-Jul-11] (incomplete)

26-Dec-2000 -- Moti Maman, Chance and I set out to conquer two confluences in the Israeli Negev Desert (N31E35 & N30E35). We took advantage of an occupational necessity to drive from Jerusalem to Eilat and back. We set out at 06:00, drove a total of 782Km, hiked about 6Km, and returned to Jerusalem at 22:00.

Our route took us from the Holy City of Jerusalem, sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, to Beer-Sheva where Abraham dug a well in ancient times, along the mutual Israeli-Egyptian border to Eilat, the southern most tip of Israel, on the shore of the Red Sea where Israel meets Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, through the Arava along the mutual Israeli-Jordanian border to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at 394 meters below sea level, to Jericho, the world's oldest known settlement, dating perhaps from 8000 BC which Joshua conquered from the Canaanites and finally, back to Jerusalem.

The first confluence, N31 E35, was fairly easy (for the 2nd confluence see N30 E35). Located between the towns of Dimona and Yerucham, about 4.2Km from the nearest road, we turned our Fiat Marea into a jeep, drove on fairly level ground on trails made by Beduin nomads, and were able to reach a point just 600 meters from the confluence. From there it was a short walk to the exact spot. The view was wonderful and we were lucky to do it on a sunny and clear day. The photos don’t do justice with the beauty of the area.

On to the 2nd confluence (see N30 E35).

Nir Alon
N31-46.761 E035-11.538