Wadi Al Akhu All Sport climbing 43 routes in crag

From the Climbing and hiking federation GUidebook

In years past the desert plains near Hariq were explored and sporadically developed by the local Riyadh climbing community. This crag, Wadi Al Akhu, which translates to "the brother's wadi" comes from Joau Miquel who equipped the first route, the area's namesake, in April 2019.

The formal development work has undertaken by the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation between October 24th and November 1st 2019 during the second phase of the Saudi Bolting Project. The team consisted of the project leader and author, Read Macadam, A. Mountain Guides' Carlo Giulberti and Piergiorgio Lotito along with Federation board member Abdulrahman Alabdu. The crag now hosts 38 climbs from 3 to 7b+.

The stone is a mix of marble and limestone and the climbing is short and technical on uniquely sculpted edges and pockets. Tons of loose stone was dropped from the cliff to bring the climbing to fruition and the talus base prepared with care. However, the nature of the climbing remains dusty and wild. Wadi Al Akhu is not considered a "child-friendly" zone. Exercise caution. Weating a helmet is strongly encouraged.

Wadi Al Akhu Crag is a desert crag at 1,000m, and since it is generally north-facing, shade can be found all day, with only a few of the right-most sections taking sun briefly in the mid-afternoon.

More initiatives of the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation can be found at www.climbing.sa