Unveiling the Rising Rock-Climbing Haven in an Unforeseen Middle Eastern Destination
Discover the hidden gem of Tanomah, Saudi Arabia, where climbing instructor Abdulrahman Alabdu is revolutionizing the sport by creating thrilling cliff routes in unexplored terrain Embark on an adrenaline-fueled adventure in this unexpected Middle East destination
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Abdulrahman Alabdu hangs precariously from a cliff, using his drill to make holes in the rock and inserting stainless steel bolts. In this isolated part of Saudi Arabia, the only sound that breaks the silence is the noise from his tools. It is believed that only a small number of individuals, around 30 to 50, from outside the region have ever set foot in this area.
"This place is quite remote," he interrupts his work momentarily. "Perhaps a few hikers have ventured here for exploration. However, it is predominantly inhabited by the locals and sheep herders."
Alabdu is the first officially certified rock-climbing instructor in Saudi Arabia. During his free time, he dedicates himself to creating fresh climbing routes, with the aim of generating greater interest in the sport. Over the last four years, he has successfully established 11 climbing routes in Tanomah, a city situated in the southwest region of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has been making investments in sports on a global scale as well as within its own borders. Alabdu, in particular, expresses his desire to enhance the popularity of rock-climbing.
"Our goal is to transform Saudi Arabia into a recognized climbing destination. We aim to achieve this by expanding the number of routes, ensuring their accessibility, and actively promoting the sport."
Spending big on sports
Abdulrahman Alabdu is Saudi Arabia's first certified rock-climbing instructor.
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Saudi Arabia has gained international attention for its significant investments in sports in recent years. These investments have included generous football contracts, such as the hosting of the 2034 soccer World Cup, and the establishment of the LIV golf series. These high-profile deals have come under criticism, with some accusing the country of using sports investments as a way to divert attention from its human rights record. However, officials maintain that this spending is part of a larger strategy to diversify the oil-based economy and align with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan.
In addition to its global sports ventures, Saudi Arabia is also focused on promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among its citizens. The country aims to increase the number of Saudis engaging in physical activity at least once a week by 2030. To achieve this, the government actively organizes sports events, nationwide campaigns, and competitions.
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast has the potential to become a prominent luxury tourism destination in the near future.
Finding new routes in Saudi
Alabdu has been climbing since 2014.
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Alabdu was born and raised in the cities of Abha and Jeddah in the southwest region of Saudi Arabia. In 2014, he discovered his love for climbing and has since explored various countries, including Australia and Vietnam. Initially, he believed that he could only pursue his climbing passion overseas, as he struggled to find high-quality rocks in Saudi Arabia. This realization left him disappointed, thinking that he could only climb during his travels.
In 2016, everything changed for him during his first visit to Tanomah. This region boasts moderate temperatures throughout the year and is renowned for the Sarawat Mountains that extend from southwestern Saudi Arabia to Yemen. Not only did Alabdu discover more secure rock faces for climbing, but the mountain range also provided a diverse selection of climbable routes. Additionally, these routes were easily accessible from the town.
"[Tanomah] is a bit of a distance from Riyadh and Jeddah," he explains. "However, the journey is undoubtedly worthwhile because once you arrive, it takes less than 10 minutes to go from the hotel to the crag. That, in my opinion, is a significant advantage."
Inspired by this finding, Alabdu journeyed to Nevada to receive training from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). In 2019, following the successful completion of the AMGA single-pitch instructor program, he achieved the distinction of becoming Saudi Arabia's first officially certified rock-climbing instructor.
The gleaming reflective structure that seamlessly merges with the desert landscape.
Sharing a passion
Alabdu estimates he's taught about 300 people to climb in Saudi Arabia.
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Alabdu established Granite Climbing in 2021, where he provides consultation services to the government and businesses interested in establishing climbing activities in Saudi Arabia, both indoor and outdoor. Additionally, he organizes expeditions for tourists who wish to climb the nation's mountains and offers private and group lessons.
"As a sport, many believe that it is difficult, but in reality, climbing offers a wide range of difficulty levels, from easily accessible routes to highly advanced ones," remarks Alabdu while searching through his backpack for tools. He continues, "There are individuals who initially doubt their abilities to conquer the challenge, but once they accomplish it and proceed to complete more climbs, they quickly transform into passionate rock climbers."
I love both climbing and teaching others how to climb. I estimate that I have provided climbing lessons to approximately 300 individuals in Saudi Arabia. While most of them have only taken a single introductory course, a few have become regular clients.
When Alabdu is not teaching, he frequently spends his time in Tanomah, where he diligently establishes new climbing routes. This process entails meticulously clearing loose rocks from the rock face, determining the optimal spots to install stainless steel bolts, and subsequently securing them by drilling. As for the Saudi desert, it is traversed by a high-speed train.
On this September morning, Alabdu is fastening a trail on a sheer cliff in Alsharaf Park. He mentions that the rock face he's working on stands at approximately 2,300 meters in height. Alongside the 11 routes he has mapped out in Tanomah, Alabdu states that he has also secured anchors for roughly 10 others in a small town situated south of Riyadh.
Alabdu's commitment to bolting stems from his aspiration to share his passion with others. However, he readily acknowledges his personal motivations as well. Many climbing expeditions necessitate the presence of partners - individuals who can be on the ground, providing counterbalance to the climber, a practice referred to as belaying. Given that climbing is still relatively unfamiliar in Saudi Arabia, finding belayers can prove to be challenging.
Finding climbing partners is a common challenge in Saudi Arabia, but it can be overcome by increasing the popularity of the climbing areas. The more people that visit, the easier it becomes to find partners. Alabdu hopes this strategy will attract climbers from the GCC, Saudi Arabia, and internationally. He jokingly admits that this will ensure he always has belays.
