Walking Lebanon Expedition Logistics and Cost

On the topic of logistics and cost for those friends who care to join the Walking Lebanon Expedition, the rules are simple. Only those invited will be able to join. As the expedition is under a strict deadline and we need to stick to it, invited friends will need to show up at the respective leg of the hike at the proper place and time. For obvious reasons, the expedition cannot wait, and apologies in advance for this. 

In terms of logistics, drop-off and pick-up at encounter point of the expedition will need to be self-arranged and self-paid by each person. As for the other costs of the hike, there won't be any. The expedition has been paid for already, and anyone invited need not pay for anything except if they plan to stay overnight at one of the village houses the expedition will be staying at (Please do not expect 5 Star accomodations, the whole idea is to embed ourselves with Lebanese villagers). On average the cost for such a stay will be $50/night including dinner, lodging, and breakfast. That amount would be paid directly to the house owner and not the Walking Lebanon Expedition. We do ask that those wanting to join overnight advise the Expedition at least two to three days in advance for us to advise the homes where we will be staying to prepare rooms/beds.

For those not wanting to stay overnight, it is advised that they bring lunch, a snack, and lots of liquid to avoid dehydration. Sunscreen is also advised to avoid sunburn. They will need to arrange pick-up at the destination.

For any questions, we can be reached as of Saturday August 7th on +961 (0)3 000-100.

WY

The Cast of Characters: Samer Yafi

Samer, aka "el tio", will be the heart and music soul of this trip. When tio is around, there is always laughter. Samer may not have done too much hiking in Lebanon, but to his credit has been spending a lot of time in the gym back in DC getting in shape.

Samer works at TidWiT and is responsible for managing projects. He is a people person and is almost certain to make friends with anyone he deals with. 

On this expedition, Samer will be responsible for camcording using both a camcorder and a flip. Still trying to convince him to take the eukelele along for some Eddie Vedder tunes. Hopefully, he will ...   

Preparations Underway

Preparations are well underway. Most of the gear is ready. Bought my 50L sized hiking bag yesterday on Ebay. Samer bought a hiking shoes, which I asked him to break into. He called me yesterday to tell me that he was thinking of sleeping in it :-).

Physical preparation has also been progressing. I am fortunate to be visiting Colombia at the moment, which affords me an altitude of about 2200 meters, more or less commensurate with the altitude along the higher ridges of Lebanon's mountains. As I do not have enough time to hike here, I have instead decided on a jogging regimen of about 4 miles (6 km) a day. Not quite the same as walking 20-25 km a day, but close in terms of energy consumption. A recent study from Syracuse actually pointed to running consuming net calorie burn of fours times that of walking. Meaning 6 km *4 = 24 km. In net calorie burn, it comes close to the goal needed ... The altitude being commensurate helps in terms of the breathing. The only thing remaining is the actual change in pitch (i.e. going uphill ...). On this front, I figure there is nothing much to do about it except to be comforted by most uphills being followed by downhill, averaging the effort out ...   

On the security front, we are planning on advising the proper authorities to make sure there aren't any surprises for them or us. The region is a bit volatile these days, wouldn't you say? And yet I am confident that it will be a relatively safe expedition. And I hope by the end of it, we will be able to prove it.


Meanwhile my friends in Lebanon have been very helpful. Karim D. has offered his zoom in lens, which should make for great pics as well as cel and internet connection. He is going to join in some of the legs of the trip. Karim M. wants to join too. Abiro will be safe keeping our stuff while we are on the hike (in exchange for some brownies). We haven't really advertised this, nor do we plan to except for close friends and family. I think it is better that way.

WY

The Cast of Characters: Chamoun Mouannes

I am glad Chamoun will be joining. He has walked Lebanon before and has ample experience to lead the group. Add to this his love for nature, animals, and the environment, and we have us one heck of a team mate. His dog, Caesar, tragically got bitten by a snake in one of the creeks on a hike in Lebanon a couple of weeks ago and died as a result, highlighting the inherent risks involved with this sort of endeavor and the important need for experience such as that which Chamoun brings. Chamoun also loves to Facebook and has a page on http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=2361831622#!/profile.php?id=1050825103.

A couple of recommendations from Chamoun to those friends who would like to join:

• Carrying weight should not exceed 15 KG.
• Daily walk is confirmed at 20-25 km at an expected brisk pace.
• For high points in the mountanous legs of the trail bring long light pants and a wind-breaker as it could get a bit nippy.

Walking Lebanon Trail

Tentative Itinerary with Dates and Hike Bearings (Subject to Change)

We will determine exact departure and arrival points over next few days. Below are tentative/approximate dates and bearings.

·         Arrival : Saturday, August 6, 2011 to Beirut International. Evening get together at Ferdinand’s in Hamra.

·         Hike: Average of 20 – 25 kilometers per day

o   Day 1 Monday, August 8^th: Starting Point: Qobayyat to Tacheh

o   Day 2 Tuesday, August 9^th: Tacheh  to Wady jhannam

o   Day 3 Wednesday, August 10^th: Wady jhannam to kfarbnine

o   Day 4 Thursday, August 11^th: Bekaa Soufrine to Ehden

o   Day 5 Friday, August 12^th: Ehden to Wady Kannoubine

o   Day 6 Saturday, August 13^th: Wady Kannoubine to Becharry

o   Day 7 Sunday, August 14^th: Becharry to Cedars

o   Day 8 Monday, August 15^th: Cedars to Hasroun to Tannourine

o   Day 9 Tuesday, August 16^th: Tannourine to Akoura to Mneitra

o   Day 10 Wednesday, August 17^th: Mneitra to Hrajel to Mazraet Kfadibian

o   Day 11 Thursday, August 18^th: Mazraet Kfadibian to Wady Al Karem

o   Day 12 Friday, August 19^th: Wady Al Karem to Baskinta

o   Day 13 Saturday, August 20^th: Baskinta to Al Mtein

o   Day 14 Sunday, August 21^st: Al Mtein to Falougha

o   Day 15 Monday, August 22^nd: Falougha to Ain Zhalta to Barouk

o   Day 16 Tuesday, August 23^rd: Barouk to Maasser Al Chouf to Niha

o   Day 17 Wednesday, August 24^th: Niha to Jezzine

o   Day 18 Thursday, August 25^th: Jezzine to Rachaya

o   Day 19 Friday, August 26^th: Rachaya to Hasbaya

o   Day 20 Saturday August 27^th: Hasbaya to Marjehyoun: End of Hike and celebration at night somewhere in Beirut.

o   Day 21 Sunday August 28^th: Rest

· Departure: Monday August 29^th: Trip back to US.

Gear Checklist

Thinking through all the necessary gear that the team will have to carry on the hike, some of which may be shared among the team members- most of it not. Need to try and keep it at less than a net weight of 10 kg (about 22 lbs). More weight could become burdensome.   

1.     Hiking Bag

2.     Hiking Shoes

3.     Comfortable shoes or slipper

4.     Hiking Sticks (1 pp)

5.     Compass

6.     Map of Lebanon

7.     Cel phone

8.     2 sets of underwear

9.     2 pair of hiking socks

10.   2 shirts

11.   1 hiking pants

12.   1 windbreaker

13.   1 pj

14.   Video Camera with two batteries, small tripod, still camera with charger

15.   Notebook with Internet connection (mobi)

16.   Power adapter

17.   Swiss Army Knife

18.   Journal and pen

19.   First Aid kit

20.   Hygiene- tooth brush, deodorant, shaving kit, comb, wet wipes

21.   Water Drinking container clip

22.   Crackers
23.   Sunscreen

Decision Taken: Walking Lebanon August 8 to 28

Yesterday I had a conversation with Chamoun and Samer, and we are go! We are going to attempt walking the length of Lebanon, some 450 kilometers considering the zigzagging that inherently takes place in a hike such as this, in 21 days. What better way to get to know where one comes from.

Excited by the project, but also daunted by the challenge. In Chamoun, we could not have picked a better partner. And there is no better company to enjoy it than with my brother Samer. This is so exhilirating!

WY