In November 2025, Fay Manners, COOKNRUN athlete, and Nicole Berthod opened a new route on the north face of Jebel Nassrani Sud: Mukatila (405 m / 365 m, 6a, A0) .
This 11-pitch line expands the climbing possibilities in one of the most iconic sectors of Wadi Rum, while bringing a modern, safe approach faithful to the spirit of the Jordanian desert.

A new line in a desert where every lane counts

Wadi Rum is a mineral world where every route tells a story. With Mukatila, Manners and Berthod offer an accessible, coherent, and durable adventure route – a rare addition to this long-neglected peak.

• 365m of climbing

• 11 lengths

• Maximum rating: 6a, A0

• Various protection options: traditional, drilled pitons, a few bolts

• North face: almost entirely shaded

The route follows the obvious features of the terrain: cracks, chimneys, sculpted ledges , offering a balanced mix of adventure terrain and modern safety.

An iconic summit… but for a long time without a moderate route

Most of the moderate routes leading to the high peaks of Wadi Rum were first used by Bedouins , often more than a century ago. Their logic: to follow the easiest paths for travel and hunting.

Jebel Nassrani Sud , however, was not part of it.
Result: no moderate access routes, only a few daring lines opened since 1986, rarely repeated.

Mukatila finally fills this void.

It brings:

• reasonable access ,

• a logical line ,

• reliable protection ,

• an undiminished spirit of adventure ,

• and an equipped descent , truly rare in the area.

A path designed to be repeated

The first few pitches required the most work: intensive cleaning , multiple trials, adjustments to find the safest and most intuitive passage.

From the third pitch onwards, the rock dictates the path: large chimneys, clear cracks, sculpted sandstone.
The chimney pitches are surprisingly pleasant: clean, aesthetic and well protected thanks to the drilled pitons.

The route ends at the summit of the eastern tower of Jebel Nassrani South .
From there, climbers can continue to the main summit via the 1989 Precht route , left untouched out of respect for its first ascensionists.

Once the 11 relays were fixed, the team also created a reliable descent line , essential to encourage future repetitions.

A striking feature: the “snowflake” roof

Among the highlights of the route, an astonishing roof catches the eye: a sandstone “snowflake” , both steep and aesthetic.
Spectacular in appearance, it turns out to be easier than it looks and perfectly safe, one of those passages that stays in your memory.

An all-female climbing team on a symbolic route

The name “ Mukatila ” means warrior in Arabic.
An obvious nod to the character of the route, but also to the surrounding major routes like Warriors of the Wasteland .

This is probably one of the first routes entirely opened by a female team in Wadi Rum , a notable fact in this historic landscape.

The presence of Fay Manners, COOKNRUN athlete , gives this opening a special resonance for our community.
Her collaboration with Nicole Berthod was smooth, complementary and decisive.
Each brought their expertise: reconnaissance, technical decisions, cleaning, drilling, installation of protections, carrying of equipment … a demanding job in a desert environment that is as vertical as it is isolated.

This project, born from a shared intuition, has transformed into a solid adventure, then into a path that they are proud to leave to future climbers.

A complete and accessible desert adventure

With its easy access, varied climbing, moderate exposure, almost permanent shade, equipped descent and the possibility of continuing to the summit… Mukatila has everything to become a classic of Wadi Rum .

A route that finally offers a moderate but authentic adventure on a summit long reserved for difficult routes.

Photo credit: Florence Goss