Wadi Rum is everything you’d expect of a quintessential desert: it is extreme in summer heat and winter cold, it is violent and moody as the sun slices through chiselled siqs (canyons) at dawn or melts the division between rock and sand at dusk; it is exacting on the Bedouin who live in it and vengeful on those who ignore its dangers. For most visitors, on half- or full-day trips from Aqaba or Petra, Wadi Rum offers one of the easiest and safest glimpses of the desert in the region. For the lucky few who can afford a day or two in their itinerary to sleep over at one of the desert camps, it can be an unforgettable way of stripping the soul back to basics.
A natural arch, natural bridge, or (less commonly) rock arch is a natural rock formation where an arch has formed with an opening underneath. Natural arches commonly form where inland cliffs, coastal cliffs, fins or stacks are subject to erosion from the sea, rivers or weathering (subaerial processes).
Most natural arches are formed from narrow fins and sea stacks composed of sandstone or limestone with steep, often vertical, cliff faces. The formations become narrower due to erosion over geologic time scales. The softer rock stratum erodes away creating rock shelters, or alcoves, on opposite sides of the formation beneath the relatively harder stratum, or caprock, above it. The alcoves erode further into the formation eventually meeting underneath the harder caprock layer, thus creating an arch. The erosional processes exploit weaknesses in the softer rock layers making cracks larger and removing material more quickly than the caprock; however, the caprock itself continues to erode after an arch has formed, which will ultimately lead to collapse.
The choice between bridge and arch is somewhat arbitrary. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society identifies a bridge as a subtype of arch that is primarily water-formed. By contrast, the Dictionary of Geological Terms defines a natural bridge as a "natural arch that spans a valley of erosion."
3 most popular rock bridges of Wadi Rum desert:
Wadi Rum desert is dotted with towering high cliffs and stunningly shaped mountain. One of the spectacular natural phenomenon’s we have here is rock bridges. As we have one of the highest rock bridges right here in Wadi Rum desert, it is time to describe the three most fantastic rock bridges.
#1 Little bridge
This lovely bridge in Khor al Ajram is named after its sizes. With its approximately 4 meter span, it is one of the smaller rock bridges. Standing on its base, you can easily touch the bridge. Great place to take some pictures. Reaching the top of this rock bridge is a piece of cake. And the reward is fantastic. Gorgeous views over the red sand valley. Among others, you can see well-known mountains like Jabal Rum, Jabal Um Ishrin and Jabal Khazali.
#2 Um Fruth rock bridge
The Um Fruth rock bridge is one of the most photographed places in Wadi Rum desert. The bridge is about 15 meters up from the desert floor. With directions and maybe some assistance of your tour guide the steep climb is easy. Still, for people with some degree of vertigo or minor limitations, the climb can be quite a challenge. The narrow bridge can be challenging too. But the beautiful views over the yellow mountains of Um Fruth make up this big time. And if you decide not to climb the bridge, it is still well worth to visit it.
#3 Burdah rock bridge
Jabal Burdah and its rock bridge are located in the southeast of the protected area. On the north, ridge stands the 35-meter high rock bridge. It is considered to be one of the highest rock bridges in the world. It is one of the most spectacular places in our desert. If you have (a sense of) vertigo, the best option is to marvel at this rock bridge from the valley floor. If you are reasonably fit this hike is for you. It is one of the most rewarding hikes in our desert. A spectacular Bedouin road takes you to the rock bridge in about 1,5 hours. On the way, you pass by a couple of great viewpoints. Jabal Burdah is home to several species of plants that are used for medicinal purposes. From the rock bridge itself, you can enjoy fabulous views on Wadi Rum desert.
Conditions required for logging:
To log this cache you need to visit specific place in Wadi Rum desert - Little bridge, answers the following questions and reply me to an email in my profile.:
- Write me how Little bridge in Wadi Rum was created?
- Estimate the width and height of the window under the bridge?
- Write me the size of the narrowest point on the bridge from the top.
- What is the hardness of sandstone? Try it by touching your nail. Is it possible to engrave in sandstone?
- On the top of sandstone near to bridge, there is a glaze on sandstone (approximately 7x8m). Try by nail if its harder or softer as sandstone on bridge?
- Add to the log a photo of you on the bridge.
Feel free to log this cache. You do not need to wait for permission to log. If your answers are not correct, incomplete, I will contact you by e-mail. But if your e-mail is not coming to me within 3 days from your log, I will delete your log without notice.
الشروط المطلوبة للتسجيل:
لتسجيل الدخول إلى ذاكرة التخزين المؤقت هذه ، يتعين عليك زيارة مكان محدد في صحراء وادي رم - الجسر الصغير ، الإجابة على الأسئلة التالية والرد على رسالة بريد إلكتروني في ملفي الشخصي:
- اكتب لي كيف تم إنشاء هذا الجسر الصغير في وادي رم؟
- تقدير عرض وارتفاع النافذة تحت الجسر؟
- اكتب لي حجم أضيق نقطة على الجسر من الأعلى.
- ما هي صلابة الحجر الرملي؟ جربه بلمس ظفرتك. هل من الممكن نقش الحجر الرملي؟
- على الجزء العلوي من الحجر الرملي بالقرب من الجسر ، هناك تزجيج على الحجر الرملي (حوالي 7 × 8 م). جرب بالأظافر إذا كان الحجر أصعب أو أكثر نعومة على الجسر؟
- أضف إلى السجل صورة لك على الجسر.
لا تتردد في تسجيل ذاكرة التخزين المؤقت هذه. لا تحتاج إلى الانتظار للحصول على إذن لتسجيل الدخول. إذا كانت إجاباتك غير صحيحة ، غير مكتملة ، سأتصل بك عن طريق البريد الإلكتروني. ولكن إذا لم يكن البريد الإلكتروني الخاص بك يأتي إلي في غضون 3 أيام من السجل الخاص بك ، فسوف أحذف السجل الخاص بك دون إشعار.
