La Guerre Sainte

"The Holy War" aka "Jihad" is a spectacular 1300-foot climb, established ground up, and the first of its style in Wadi Rum. The line climbs 10 incredible pitches of hueco face before reaching the headstone wall, where the huecos melt improbably into face crimps and barely there sandstone smears for three of the hardest pitches on the route.

Most climbers will take a Bedouin taxi to the base of Nassarani. You can be dropped near a bivy boulder close to the start of route. The line follows the leftmost bolt line. Never Never Land starts directly to the right of this route and shares the first crux pitch.

Crux sections of the climb are well bolted but expect run outs and aging slings in some locations.

Rappel the route with double ropes. Alternatively, you can supposedly rappel Never Never Land with a single 70m rope (according to the FA team).

Here's Arnaud Petit's description from the AAJ:

"This is an outstanding climb thanks to the special rock (the sandstone is sometimes more sand than rock) and the beautiful desert scenery. It’s like climbing on the moon! Particularly when you gain altitude, you have the feeling you are in another world: the valley with its yellow sand contrasts with the small red massifs. The colored, very sculpted rock requires a perfect concentration and technique. You are obliged to learn to use your whole body so as not to break a hold. It’s more than climbing on your feet. When it’s 5.12c, that’s not easy."

Draws