Due to the recent rain, we must start towards the remote Jebel Sirwa region on a paved road to avoid the difficult mud of the jeep trails. The hail returns in the midst of our lunch break and then passes on again. We do eventually leave the pavement and start climbing into the Sirwa. The intermittent rain gives us a double rainbow along the way to our campsite, which is sheltered by an open lava tube above the grazing grounds of nomad horses. The next day begins with sunshine as we continue on the plateau passing nomads herding flocks of sheep and goats, descend down and back up from a village, stop for lunch in a shepherd's shelter and get caught by a large thunderstorm at the mountain pass. I have a very wet and exciting solo ride down from the pass in the midst of the storm before Charlie catches up to lead me and the rest of our group to our homestay for the night.

Here's a little video montage (2.5 minutes, 40 MB) of this part of the trip:

(Click on any thumbnail image below to view a medium-sized enlargement.)