After the recent Banayad Hike with my FOX.AE family, I thought that was the end of this season's hiking adventures. Because of the rising heat in the UAE, any outdoor plans become more challenging. Luckily, I saw an event post by Tarek Zaidan โ one of the UAE's most well-known mountaineers โ about the Columbia Hike Society in the UAE and their upcoming Sunset Hike in Jebel Jais. Sponsored by none other than Columbia, who am I to hesitate? So, I signed up right away, and to my surprise, got invited!
The Spontaneous RSVP
While I signed up for the sunset hike in Jebel Jais (Ras Al Khaimah, UAE) with the Columbia Hike Society without hesitation, I still had worries with me.
- What if I don't get selected?
- Worse โ what if I did, but couldnโt go because of all the tasks piling up at my full-time job?
And yes, my sabbatical is officially over (another post coming up on that one), so I'm back in the workforce, but having a hard time juggling the 9-to-6 and this blog. Send coffee for help, please.
Then Friday morning came, and I received an email that said:
"Your Spot is Confirmed โ Columbia Hike Society: Jebel Jais Sunset Hike๐"
I swear, it was like a magic spell. Just reading it gave me additional energy to knock off some of the most urgent tasks at work. Not all of them, of course โ just the ones that had been sitting in my to-do list long enough to deserve eviction.
As for this blog? Well, the tasks were burning here too, but I told myself: Nope, I'm not working overtime this weekend. F*ck it, I'm going on this hike. Sometimes, you just gotta choose yourself โ and the trail.
Meeting the Columbia Hike Society
The day of the event finally came, and of course, there was a little chaos from my side (as always).
I was running late, felt unprepared (fitness-wise, plus an incomplete trail mix and no Pocari Sweat), and to make things worse, I was battling with motion sickness on the way to the meeting point. Bad enough that I had to buy medicine for it. Great start, right?
Upon reaching the Columbia Store in Mirdiff City Centre โ our official meeting spot โ I finally met my fellow hikers, and I could feel the excitement and energy in the air. All of us received our Columbia merchandise: a shirt, a belt bag, and a cap.
A short but solid briefing followed, covering what to expect, the itinerary, and some safety reminders. Then came another little surprise: a paper bag with snacks and drinks for the hike.
We soon boarded the arranged transport and drove quietly to the trailhead, everyone still in that getting-to-know-you phase. To make sure everyone was fully prepared, we gathered once more for a final briefing before we set off. Columbia even lent out headlamps (looked like Led Lenser โ my go-to brand for headlamps) to those who didn't have one, and also handed out cold Pocari sweat and extra water to keep everyone hydrated.
Columbia came prepared โ when I didn't!
Sunset in the Summit
The short hike started at Camp 1770 and offered a view of the Ruler's Palace (from afar, of course, since it's private property). We also came across multiple border posts between the UAE and Oman, as the trail crosses the natural land border separating the two neighboring countries.
As we walked further, we followed the trail along the fence and eventually reached a breathtaking view of a massive wall of rockโa dramatic cliff face that marking the edge of Jebel Jais mountain ridge.
My fascination with cliff facesโor beautiful rock wallsโprobably began after all my hikes at Stairway to Heaven (not the right bank!), so I couldn't help but stop and admire the striking formation in front of me.
Our destination was the top of the ridge, and as we continued hiking, the sun began to set. Just in time for golden hour, we arrived at our turning point with a magnificent view of the valley below.
The soft light cleared up the lingering humidity, and we devoured every little detail of the mountain, from its curves and ridgelines to its hidden trails and ever-shifting hues. Nature never ceases to amaze me, no matter how many mountains I've been to.
After spending a good time soaking in the views, we started our descent before the sun fully set. One by one, we switched on our headlamps and followed the trail back along the fence until we returned to Camp 1770.
BBQ Dinner Under the Stars
Nestled at around 1770 MASL, Camp 1770 (yes, that's the camp name) overlooks the city lights of Ras Al Khaimah. With only 27 degrees Celsius in May, it doesn't feel like summer at all.
While not unheard of to the hikers, it was my very first time in Camp 1770. It's a cozy camp with enough space to accommodate all of us. In the middle was a bonfire to keep us warm from the cold breeze. It screams winter vibes, for real.
As soon as the food was ready, we jumped right into it. And oh boy, the food was A-mazing! The quality of the BBQ served, the catering, plus the Kunafah? Iโm not sure how this is possible after a hike because it looks like a generous Iftar table. You can tell right away that Columbia splurged moolah on this event.
The Hiking Community in the UAE
Despite hiking for only three hours, the hike with the Columbia Hiking Society carved out a special place in my heart. No doubt, the event was thoughtfully organized โ from the free merchandise to the arranged transportation and dinner. And the best part? It was completely free.
But what made it truly memorable were the fellow hikers that I met that day. I got the chance to connect with the organizers and some of the UAE's well-known mountaineers in person after following them on Instagram for a very long time.
On top of that, I had the privilege of networking with other hikers and meeting a few complete beginners in the hiking scene. The icing on the cake was hearing them say they want to hike again, if another opportunity comes their way.
It brought me back to reminisce about my first hike back in 2012. Despite the sweat and the body pain, I also enjoyed it so much that I promised myself I would do it again. And look how far I've come! So I couldn't help but feel excited for my fellow hikers' future hiking journey!
Anyway, at the end of the day, nature does connect people. Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned hiker from another hiking group, or a professional mountaineer, out there, weโre all just hikers. One community. One trail.
While I'm not sure when the next hike will happen (summer is here!), one thing's for sure โ I'm signing up again the moment it does. Fingers crossed I get selected again!
And if this sounds like your kind of thing (and you're in the UAE), make sure to join the upcoming hikes of Columbia Hike Society by following Columbia Sportswear Middle East on Instagram to stay updated!
