# on Topo:
The Mask
3
First ascensionists' grade:
5.8
Max estimated grade:
5b
Length:
600-700
Pitches:
First Ascent:
13
Tony Zamir, Edna Goury
Year of FA:
1977
# of bolts en route:
trad
Approach
The route starts on the right side of the slab of a large plaque " Mask " leaning against the main wall of the 2nd top of Safsafa from the left . The route is well visible from the village and the approaches do not cause problems . From Sheikh Musa Camp 30-40 minutes .[Misha]
Route description
A long and moderately difficult line to the main wall of the district. Estimated difficulty 4B.
P1. 150m. II. On the inclined slabs of the right part of the blotch straight up (zigzags along the relief) towards the visible system of cracks in the upper right part of the "Mask". Station on rich terrain before the start of a steeper section.
P2. 60m. IV, III. Up, through large caverns to the beginning of the crack. The first 15 - 20 meters IV, then III. The station is on one of the small ledges along the crack.
P3. 45m. III. Up to the end of the crack. Then turn left up, through the wall to the [slab]. Further to the left up is a simple fireplace. After exiting the fireplace, traverse to the right around the corner. The station is on a large ledge just around the corner at its points.
P4. 25m. III+, IV+. From the station to the right up 5m. internal corner with III+ crack up to flange. On the [slab] to the left around the corner is a wide fireplace with a large wedged stone at the exit. By the fireplace 5m. IV+, wedged stone peel off on the right. Station on a large [slab] at its points.
P5. 50m. I. On the [slab] to the right on foot to the main wall. In the middle of the [slab], climb from the [slab] to the top [slab] 1.5 - 2 meters. The station is in the couloir separating the "Mask" plaque from the main wall.
P6. 45m. III, V, A1. Up the wall to the beginning of the system of cracks and fireplaces, the first 15 meters III, then the key 5 meters A1. With the top belay, Uncle Lyosha got out cleanly, but I was scared to climb and lay down and I took out the ladders. Further along the fireplaces and cracks V to a small ledge. One person can sit on the [slab]. Station on small friends.
P7. 25m. V. Up the chimneys and cracks to a large handy [slab]. Station on a ledge.
R8. 50m. V, II-III. From the station, go up the chimney 5 meters V, then follow the continuation of the chimney II-III to the ledge under the sheer bastion. On the [slab] to the right up as long as the rope is enough.
P9. 50m. III. Go around the bastion on the right to a sloping inner corner with slicked walls. Up the corner, and further up, taking to the left to the saddle. Station on a ledge.
P10. 80m. II. Up the vegetable gardens to the top.
The height of the peak according to GPS is 2046m, the height difference on the route is 370m.
[Misha]
Descent
From the top go down to the right to the saddle.
From the saddle move to the right and slightly up, going around the top bastions on the left, and focusing on the tours. Climb a little to the right up to the platform between the rocky towers. From here, to the left, you have a view of Mount Moses. Go down the couloir towards Mount Moses to a small monastery. Turn around the monastery on the left and go out onto a paved path leading from the gates of the monastery to the foot of Mount Moses. From here, go down the Monk's stairs to the left to the monastery of St. Catherine - a standard tourist route. In addition, it is possible to go to Wadi Arbain, turning off the paved path onto an inconspicuous path to the right, or go down to the road between the village and the monastery of St. Catherine, turning left from the first monastery into a rather steep gorge.[Misha]
Helpful Images
These images have been submitted by climbers, to help others on their adventure.
These are the numbers corresponding to the Topo #
The Mask, Papa Giovanni, Partizan routes. source: Misha
At the very top right in this picture you can see the notch of the correct descent col with grassy ground and fairly simple descent. The saddle is roughly at (28.5491091, 33.9646042)
N19:Scala del Cielo; N8:Geissenpeter; N18:Elio’s Route; N5:Black Dyke; N2:The Skull; N7:Com kal; N6:The Mask; N4:Klostersporn; N14:Via del Papa Giovanni Paolo 1; N20:Saturday Night Fever; N11:Warsaw - Tel Aviv Direct; N16:Via del Papa Oct'87 variation; N12:Non-Stop (Warsaw’s variation); N15:Grand Hand Traverse (Papa's Variation); N3:Arba VaKhetzi; N13:Bonch; N1:NE Ridge of Safsafa; N17:Darkness at Noon; N10:Why not?; N9:Geissenpeter (variation)
