lebanonthruhike2017 - Tumblr blog

[lebanonthruhike2017]

The Hyrax Team, final day in Marjaayoun. Huge thanks to our guides Robin and Joseph, the LMTA team, all the incredibly humble and generous people we met on the way who fed and sheltered us...and of course my fellow hikers. Love you all!!!!!

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Me and Lily earlier in the day, just outside of Marjaayoun. One of my fellow thru hikers, an incredible lady and constant source of inspiration (and humour!) Love ya Lily!!!!!

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Me...after nearly 500kms! Hot, a little sweaty, about 5kg lighter, and sporting 4 weeks of beard :) Jean Francois in the background, awaiting refreshments :)

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It’s emotional! Hugs all round :) A special feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie...but tinged with a sadness that this phenomenal experience is coming to an end 

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We’ve arrived! Joseph welcomed by the municipality in Marjaayoun

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5 kms from the end, we pass by one of the several Indian UN garrisons outside of Marjaayoun...hence the Mahatma Gandhi reference.

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Leaving Hasbaya. No mountains here, just green hills and lush vegetation. 32 degrees before noon!

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Section 26: Hasbaya to Marjaayoun

The final section! After 4 weeks of hiking, 430kms covered, and we have the final push into Marjaayoun. A short section, just 15kms....and then it’s done. Unbelievable!!!

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Citadel in Hasbaya. A very tranquil space

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Sunset, coming into Hasbaya. 27km walked today, 10 hours in the heat, but an amazing sensation! Now just one short 15km section from completing the whole LMT. Emotional 

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Leaving Rashaya. Quiet little town, but one of the bigger places we stayed at on the trail

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This was from yesterday afternoon, Mt Hermon miles away in the distance. Gives you some idea of the distance we had travelled in just one day. This is one of the things I love about this trail. You look back over your shoulder and you see where you have come from...a reminder that your are actually walking across an entire country

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Mt Hermon, getting closer. Note the ground in the forefront. Very rocky, making for slow (and steady!) progress

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Hot going, uphill....and stuck in heavy goat traffic :)

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Say hello to the one, the only, Joseph Lteif. If ever there was a man who represented the mountains of Lebanon then it is “ZuZu”. This guy knows the LMT like the back of his hand, and has no doubt hiked every nook and cranny of Lebanon. Indeed, if you need to be guided anywhere on this magnificent trail then look no further. To top it off, he’s an awesome bloke, wicked sense of humour...and cooks some of the best masheweh I’ve ever had. LEGEND!

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Mt Hermon in the distance, Syria beyond. This is another hot day, over 30 degrees and not much in the way of shade. The terrain is more like rocky hills rather than anything mountainous, but still challenging underfoot.

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Section 25: Rachaya to Hasbaya

The biggie. Longest section of the LMTA, over 27kms. And the penultimate day. At this point I have covered over 400kms on foot :0