Exploring the Unknown: An Epic Canyoning Adventure in Oman

Observer

10-05-2025

After navigating the rugged Wadi Nakhr, our journey took us to the charming village of Qiyut, perched high above Tanuf. We spent the night there, eagerly preparing for an uncharted adventure — a canyon I'd uncovered through nothing but satellite images on Google Earth. With no prior scouting, this was uncharted territory, and the thrill of discovery was palpable.
Our team was complete with familiar faces and a few new adventurers. Alongside Justin, we welcomed Hamid, a spirited young Omani, and an energetic English woman eager to join the expedition and help with filming. As dawn broke, we rose early to beat the midday heat — temperatures still in the high thirties — knowing water would be our greatest challenge.
Estimating we'd need to spend a night within the canyon before reaching the perennial waters of Wadi Hijri, I was confident we'd find a few ponds along the way, as satellite images suggested. Armed with filters, we hoped to make the water safe to drink. But as 11 am approached, the mercury climbed close to 40°C, and our water supplies diminished alarmingly. Then, luck was on our side — we spotted our first pond. Its murky green water didn't look promising, but thanks to our filters, we managed to refill our bottles and breathe a sigh of relief.
The journey was slow and arduous. The terrain was rugged, strewn with huge boulders, and progress was hampered by the need to set up anchors for two daunting abseils — one of 10 metres, the other a formidable 30. Nearly ten hours of strenuous hiking later, we faced our first major challenge: an astonishing 80-metre descent. We decided to camp nearby, in the relatively flat ground, with Aldo taking charge of rigging the anchors for the next day's descending.
Bright and early, we woke before sunrise. Steve was the first to dangle over the edge of the spectacular 80-metre drop, landing in a deep, shimmering pool below — a moment we now refer to as 'Steve's Drop' in honour of his daring feat. One by one, the team followed suit, before taking a short break at the pool's edge.
That's when I heard the unmistakable slither and hiss of carpet vipers from a nearby cave. Enthusiastically, I shouted, 'Steve, carpet viper!' — a species I've encountered before in similar expeditions. To Steve's delight, and ours, there were two of them. Known for his fascination with dangerous creatures, Steve has even hosted a TV series, The 60 Deadliest, where he swam with hippos, wrestled with white sharks, and interacted with venomous snakes.
With the snakes spotted, Steve called our cameraman, Graham, to come down and capture some of his close encounters. The thrill of working with such elusive animals added an extra edge to an already exhilarating trip.
We pressed on through the canyon, facing one more challenging 15-metre abseil before finally arriving at our destination: Wadi Hijri. At its base, we discovered a stunning spot — a lush, green waterfall cascading down 120 metres — perfect for pitching camp for our second night. The following day involved another five hours of trekking before we reached the waiting vehicles, brought up the mountain by our trusty drivers.
Reflecting on the adventure, Aldo sums it up perfectly in his book, Lessons from the Edge: 'Oman is one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful countries I've ever visited.'
This expedition wasn't just about thrill-seeking; it was a journey into breathtaking landscapes, remarkable teamwork, and the pure joy of exploring the unknown. Oman's majestic canyons and diverse wildlife left an indelible impression on all of us — a true adventure to remember.
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