Via Ferrata near Yanuh-Jat and Gita Stream of Mar 25, 2023

Yanuh-Jat is a Druze village in Israel's Northern District, northeast of Acre, formed by the combination of Yanuh and Jat in 1990. The 2021 population was 6,851, all Druze.

Historically, Yanuh had ancient hewn stones, lintels, oil presses, grape presses, cisterns, and graves. In Jat, remains from various periods were found near Shaykh Abu Arus' shrine. Excavations in the 1960s revealed 4th and 5th-century CE artifacts.

During the Crusader era, Jat was called Jesce, Jeth, or Gez and initially belonged to Mi'ilya before transferring to the Teutonic Knights. In 1220, the land, including Gez, was sold to the Teutonic Knights. Lanahie, a Crusader site, was previously associated with Yanuh but now considered near Umm al-Faraj.

The Ottoman Empire took control of the region, including Yanuh-Jat, in 1517. In 1596, Yanuh appeared in tax records as part of the Akka subdistrict, with a Muslim population of 16 households and 2 bachelors. Jat may be the village mentioned as Kafr Yuda, with 28 Muslim households.

French explorer Victor Guérin visited Yanuh in 1875, discovering cisterns and cut stones, suggesting an ancient city. He also believed Jat, or "Djett," was an ancient township, possibly called Gath, Gith, or Gittah.

In 1881, the PEF's Survey of Western Palestine described Yanuh as a partially ruined, stone-built village with 170 Druzes, and Jat as a hilltop village with 120 Druzes. By 1887, Yanuh had 245 inhabitants, while Jat had 105, all Druze.

The British Mandate of Palestine's censuses in 1922 and 1931 recorded Yanuh and Jat as Druze and Muslim. In 1945, Yanuh had 410 people, and Jat had 200, both classified as Druze. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the villages resisted Israeli forces. They gained local council status in 1990 and merged with neighboring villages in 2003. Yanuh houses Nabi Shamsa's maqām, and Jat houses Shaykh Abu Arus' maqām, both minor Druze visitation sites.

Towards the end of March, the blossoms of Scilla near Yanuh-Jat create a mesmerising sight. These bulb-forming perennials, belonging to the family Asparagaceae, and subfamily Scilloideae, adorn the landscape with vivid colours. Typically displaying blue flowers, Scilla also showcases white, pink, and purple hues, making them a stunning addition to the natural surroundings. Early spring is their prime blooming season, adding a touch of freshness to the area. Appreciated for their ornamental appeal, Scilla species are a delightful presence in gardens and natural landscapes alike.

Before embarking on a Via Ferrata adventure, it is crucial to have the proper equipment and preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Climbing Harness: A full-body or sit harness explicitly designed for climbing, providing support and safety while navigating the route.

Via Ferrata Lanyard: A specialised lanyard with energy-absorbing capabilities featuring two carabiners for clipping onto the steel cables along the route, allowing for continuous attachment and security.

Helmet: A climbing helmet protects your head from falling debris or accidental impacts.

Climbing Gloves: Gloves protect your hands against rough cables and rocks, improving grip and comfort during the climb.

Sturdy Footwear: Choose footwear with good grip, support, and durability, such as approach shoes or lightweight hiking boots.

Proper Clothing: Wear weather-appropriate, breathable, moisture-wicking clothing, along with layers, for temperature regulation.

Backpack: Bring a small pack to carry water, snacks, a first-aid kit, a headlamp, a map or guidebook, and any additional personal items.

Weather Forecast and Route Information: Check the weather forecast, route conditions, and potential hazards before your climb. Familiarise yourself with the route's difficulty level, length, and specific challenges.

Physical Fitness and Basic Climbing Skills: Ensure you are in the good physical condition and have basic climbing skills, such as balance, strength, and familiarity with climbing equipment.

Partner or Guide: Climbing with a partner or hiring a professional guide is recommended, particularly for inexperienced climbers or challenging routes. This ensures additional safety and support during the adventure.

By carefully preparing and gathering the necessary equipment, you can embark on a Via Ferrata journey with confidence and excitement.

The Via Ferrata trail goes above the northern cuff of the Gita Stream. It's a tributary of the Beit HaEmek Stream - a deceptive stream in Western Galilee. It is named after the settlement of Beit HaEmek, through which it passes. In Arabic, the stream is called Wadi Majnunah, named after the spring in its channel. The stream starts between Har Halutz and Kisra-Sumei, crosses the village of Mazraa, and flows into the Mediterranean Sea between Shavei Tzion and Nahariya. The stream's path is winding, passing through many Mediterranean groves.

The name originates from the ancient settlement of Beit HaEmek, which is mentioned as a landmark on the border of the tribe of Asher's inheritance.

The stream's tributaries include Nahal Hashak, Nahal Kishor, Nahal Gita, Nahal Yanuh, Nahal Ziton, and Nahal Yehiam.

The Beit HaEmek Stream Reserve is an extended area that includes about 2.5 km (1.6 miles) of the stream's course in a region where it passes between steep slopes rising 200 meters (656 feet) above the channel.

The stream's vegetation consists of olive groves, fruit trees, natural forests with common oak and Israeli terebinth, Mediterranean buckthorn, Syrian maple, carob, Mediterranean rosemary, Nazareth iris, and river vegetation such as sedge, reed, and tamarisk. Wildlife in the area includes rock hyraxes, common foxes, common buzzards, Egyptian vultures, typical nightjars, wild boars, jackals, and monitor lizards.

Karst is a type of topography characterised by soluble bedrock, such as limestone, that has been eroded by water over time to form unique landscape features, including sinkholes, underground rivers, and caves. The Via Ferrata trail in Gita Stream features a climbing hole carved out of the karst formation, providing a thrilling climbing experience for adventurers. The hole offers a challenging climb with stunning views of the surrounding karst cliffs and the flowing stream below. Climbers must navigate the rocky surface while using specialised climbing gear to ascend and descend the hole safely.

The zip-line on the Via Ferrata in Gita Stream's northern shore is a thrilling adventure activity that allows individuals to glide through the air on a cable suspended between two points. The zip-line uses a pulley system mounted on a slope, usually made of stainless steel, which enables a person to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding onto or being attached to the freely moving pulley. The zip-line engages gravity to assist in its movement speed, making it an exciting way to travel quickly across the landscape. The zip line is not limited to adventure sports, recreation, or tourism, as it can also be used for cargo transportation in some settings. With stunning views of the surrounding landscape, the zip-line on Gita Stream's Via Ferrata offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking a unique and thrilling adventure.

The name "Salvia" comes from the Latin word "salvage," which means "to heal," reflecting the plant's traditional medicinal uses. Salvia has been used for centuries in herbal medicine to treat various ailments, including inflammation, fever, and anxiety.

Salvia is a common plant in the karst fields of the Gita stream's northern shore because it is well-adapted to the dry and rocky conditions of the area. It is also a hardy and low-maintenance plant, which makes it a popular choice for landscaping in arid regions.

The beauty of Salvia has been celebrated in literature and poetry throughout history. In his poem "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," American poet Walt Whitman describes the plant's blossoms as "large, delicious, and full," while British poet John Keats wrote in his poem "Endymion" that the Salvia's "purple spikes of bloom" were a symbol of beauty and love. Other writers have praised the plant's fragrance, which is sweet and aromatic.

To complete the Via Ferrata, climbers should possess physical fitness and climbing experience, be comfortable with heights, and fear falling. These terms are needed to make the climb on the Via Ferrata comfortable. Then the view is a masterpiece, painted with nature's brushstrokes. The world seemed like a vast canvas before us, with vibrant patches of green and blue. As we climbed, the landscape unfurled like a tapestry, revealing each intricate detail of the hills and valleys. From the vantage point of the Via Ferrata, we had a view of another world that was both breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The views from the Via Ferrata were a symphony of colours, with each note complimenting the next to create an unforgettable experience.

Abseiling, also known as rappelling, is a technique used in climbing where a climber descends a rock face or vertical surface using a rope. In the Gita Stream northern shore of Via Ferrata, abseiling is used to descend sheer cliffs and steep sections of the trail.

To abseil, climbers must secure themselves to a fixed anchor point with a rope and harness. They then attach their abseil device to the rope and begin to descend. The abseiling device, usually a friction device or a belay device, allows climbers to control their speed and stop at any point during the descent.

Proper technique and communication between climbers are essential for a safe and successful abseil. Climbers should keep their body weight centred over their feet, lean back slightly, and use their dominant hand to control the rope. The non-dominant hand is used to guide the cord and keep it from tangling.

During an abseil, climbers should look for obstacles or potential hazards, such as loose rocks or sharp edges, and avoid kicking or dislodging anything that could fall on other climbers below. Additionally, climbers should communicate clearly with their partner or group, using specific commands and hand signals to ensure a smooth descent.

Скалолазание - популярное занятие с долгой историей, восходящей как минимум к 200 г. до н.э. На средневековых рисунках из Китая можно видеть мужчин, карабкающихся по скалам. В 12 веке представители племени анасази, жившие на скалах, были известны как искусные альпинисты. Скалолазание постепенно превратилось из необходимости в спортивную деятельность. Основатель альпийского клуба Джон Болл был исследователем и сделал Доломиты известными направлением для скалолазов в середине 19 веке. За ним последовали многие другие альпинисты, такие как Пол Громанн, Эдвард Р. Уитвелл, Майкл Иннеркофлер, Анджело Дибона и Тита Пиаз, совершившие множество первых восхождений. Сегодня свободное лазание с использованием зацепов является наиболее популярным видом спорта. Также были созданы системы оценок для сравнения относительной сложности скалолазания. Восхождение вдоль северного склона ручья Гита требует хорошей техники, силы и выносливости. Вид с вершины скал захватывает дух и обеспечивает уникальную перспективу на окружающий ландшафт.