The Jebal Shams Challenge - April 19-21, 2018

The Jebal Shams Challenge:  Whether you're a beginner and would like to experience the beauty of nature at your own pace, or a competitive spirit who aims for summits and tough hikes, this is a fun experience for all.  This is a chance for people of all ages and fitness levels to walk up Jebal Shams at their own speed with the presence of qualified Husaak guides.

Jebal Shams is the highest peak in the Arabian Gulf and is well maintained, marked and considered one of the safest treks in the area. Join us and have fun with other adventure seekers and hiking enthusiasts.  The challenge is to reach the summit and hike back down safely. $10,000 US Dollars in prize money will be awarded to the winners from different categories. The hike will be roughly 10 KM uphill and 10 KM downhill.

We’re also introducing a family and kids challenge this year with 5 KM up and 5 KM down making the Challenge accessible to everyone!

For Jebal Shams Challenge registration, please click the botton below:

Challenge Summary

CATEGORY 1 (Jebal Shams Summiteers)

• Start point at Sama Resort
• 10 KM up and 10 KM hike down
• End point extended to Qarn Al Ghamaydah (Different from last year)
• Prizes available for first male and female.

CATEGORY 2 (Family & Kids)

• Start point at Sama Resort
• 5 KM hike up and 5 KM hike down.
• Prize available for kids category under 16, first male and first female adult.
• 5 Guide’s stations with doctors and medical support along the way.

GENERAL:

• Inspirational speakers after the challenge.
• LIVE MUSIC & GOOD FOOD!
• Different ticket classes – from luxury to budget (See packages).

For questions you can contact us on info@husaak.com

For live support you can contact us on WhatsApp +96599635414

Registration & Fees: 

We are pleased to announce 4 packages this year with our Partner Sama Heights Resort  Jebal Shams

Premium 280 OMR per person

• Only 10 rooms available.
• Double Occupancy
• Grand Chalet or Mountain View room with balcony.
• Heater in the room.
• Private Bathroom.
• Access to all food and beverage.
• Access to all talks
• Access to resort facilities.
• Welcome package (Bag, T-shirt, Medal).
• Qualified for cash prize
• Transportation from Muscat to Jebal Shams and back is provided
• Access to Husaak Center in Muscat before the event.

Deluxe 230 OMR per person

• Only 25 rooms available
• Double occupancy.
• Bungalow, Arabic tent or small chalet.
• Private bathroom
• Access to all food and beverage.
• Access to talks
• Access to resort facilities.
• Welcome package (Bag, T-shirt, Medal).
• Qualified for cash prize
• Transportation from Muscat to Jebal Shams and back is provided
• Access to Husaak Center in Muscat before the event.

Basic 180 OMR per person

• 180 tents available
• Single tent – Comfortable to sleep 1 person + gear.
• Shared Bathroom (You will have to wait in line).
• Access to all food and beverage.
• Access to all talks
• Access to resort facilities.
• Welcome package (Bag, T-shirt, Medal).
• Qualified for cash prize
• Transportation from Muscat to Jebal Shams and back is provided
• Access to Husaak Center in Muscat before the event.

Budget 60 OMR per person*

• Welcome package (Bag, T-shirt, Medal).
• Qualified for cash prize
• Self transportation.
• Self camping (outside the resort).
• No food or beverage is provided during the stay. 
• Only water will be provided for the challenge
• Access to talks

* PLEASE NOTE THAT BUDGET PARTICIPANTS NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE RESORT FACILITIES OR DINNER BUFFET.

Click here to book your package

What’s new in the 2018 event?

1. ub-cool.com TALKS: Adding a full program of world-class Inspirational Speakers throughout the event weekend in partnership with ub-cool.com
2. Aiming to increase the size of the event to 500 participants from around the world.
3. Family and Kids category: Allowing kids as young as 6 years old to participate and be recognized for their effort!!
4. Increasing the challenge by taking it further out to Qarn Al Ghumaydah
5. Foot massage services at Sama Resort (charged separately)
6. Budget Option: Self camping area outside the resort to encourage more local & Oman residence to participate.
7. Booths for partners and sponsors to interact with all the participants.

Food & Beverage

• Full buffet dinner on Thursday & grills will be served Friday nights.
• Light breakfast will be served Friday & full breakfast on Saturday morning.
• Lunch/Snack bag will be provided for all challenge participants on Friday
• No alcohol is served or allowed during the event

* BUDGET TICKET HOLDERS ARE NOT COVERED IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE ABOVE.

Meeting Point:

Husaak Center - A Husaak team representative will be available at the center to welcome you, conduct your initial check-in and lead you to your bus.

What is available at the Husaak Center?

• Shower facilities (Male & Female)
• A place to rest before/after the trip
• Quiet room/Meeting room/socializing area
• Place where you can leave your extra luggage
• 10 minutes from the airport, 5 minutes from Muscat Grand mall

Location of the Husaak Center?

Intersection of 18th of November and Al Izdehar St, By the Bangladish School

Or you can look through Google Map (Husaak Center)

CHALLENGE RULES (GENERAL)

• All participants should stay on course and check-in at EVERY GUIDE STATION for safety – Guide stations will at least have 1 guide at all times.
• Participant’s number will be recorded every time they pass by a guide station.
• First male/female to arrive to the summit will be qualified for the cash prize each (Prizes may be expanded to top 3 depending on sponsorship).
• For the winners to qualify for the cash prizes, they must have their number checked-in at every guide station up to make sure they stayed on the approved hike path.
• Station #5 is the end point for Family & Kids category located 5 KM from the start point and will have extra water – Snacks where people can rest.
• No participants below 16 years old can pass Station 5 point.
• At the cut off time, you will be asked to turn around regardless of where you are.
• As the guide closes his station and go to the next station down, they will sweep all participants on the trail back to the lower station.
• Evacuation will only be available for people with serious medical conditions and not for “I’m too tired” participants.
• Each participant will be provided with trash bag as part of your welcome package – PLEASE COLLECT YOUR TRASH WITH YOU.
• LOUD Music not allowed on the trail – If you want to listen to loud music bring your headphones.

What do you need to bring?

Essentials:

• ANKLE SUPPORT HIKING BOOT (Mandatory)
• SLEEPING BAG (ONLY FOR BASIC TICKET HOLDERS)
• MATTRESS (Optional FOR BASIC TICKET HOLDERS)
• HEADLIGHTS with extra batteries
• HIKING POLES (X1)
• HAT
• THERMAL UNDERWEAR (ITS COLD AT NIGHT)
• Heavy Jacket (For winter season)
• THICK SOCKS

Nice to have:

• Sunglasses
• Sun screen
• Camera
• Bandana
• Cameras/phone charger
• Towel
• Pair of sandals or walking shoes for the camp
• External chargers
• Light rain jacket
• Thermals (it gets cold at night)
• Jacket/Sweaters/Fleece

What will you carry during the challenge?

We will provide: 

• Husaak Backpack
• Challenge T-shirt
• Sandwich bag for the challenge
• 2 Large bottle of waters (Mandatory to carry).
• 2 snacks and fruits.
• Map of the challenge and emergency contacts.
• Challenge Medal (Upon completion)

What you need to put inside the bag (Not provided)?

• A light jacket
• Headlights with extra batteries
• Any other personal items

Schedule

Thursday:

• 12:00 PM: 1st Bus leaving Husaak Center– ETA Jebal Shams at 4 PM
• 01:30 PM: 2nd Bus leaving Husaak Center - ETA Jebal Shams at 5:30 PM
• 03:00 PM: 3rd Bus leaving Husaak Center - ETA Jebal Shams at 7 PM
• 04:30 PM: 4th bus leaving Husaak Center – ETA Jebal Shams at 8:30 PM
• 06:00 PM: 5th Bus leaving Husaak Center - ETA Jebal Shams at 10 PM
• 08:00 PM: 6th Bus leaving Husaak Center - ETA Jebal Shams at 12 AM*

 (Participants on the last bus will not be served dinner in the resort and will have to get their own dinner from airport/Muscat)

NOTE 1: Welcome/Registration/orientation for participants by Husaak & resort team upon arrival at the resort.

NOTE 2: 07:00 PM Dinner will be served in the resort.

NOTE 3: There is no arranged transportation out of Muscat after the 8 PM bus. Participants can arrange for their own transportation as long as they are at the meeting point in Jebal Shams before Friday the 28th at 6:30 AM sharp start. 

Friday:

• 05:00 AM: Wake participants up – Quick breakfast
• 06:00 AM: At the start line – Warm up & Welcome speech by Ali
• 06:30 AM: Start of the race
• 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM reaching back to the camp.
• 4 PM Speech by Keynote speaker (TBA)
• 4:30 to 7 PM live inspirational speakers sessions around the camp fire
• 07:00 PM Grilled meals will be served starting at 6 PM
• Fire, music, hot chocolate, tea, will be served by the fire.

Saturday:

• 07:00 AM- 09:00 AM breakfast
• 9 AM Check out/Pack
• At 9:00 AM Vehicles will leave in batches of 100 people at a time with 1 hour & 30 minutes between each batch so enjoy Jebal Shams resort and bring a book to read or a camera to take photos 
• Expected arrival time depend on which batch you are on, between 2 PM to 5 PM on Saturday 

* Schedule subject to change ahead of the event

Have questions? Contact us here or whatsapp +96599635414