A makhtesh is a geological landform regarded to be unique to the Negev desert of Israel and the Sinai Peninsula. Although commonly regarded to be "craters", these structures are more accurately described as erosion cirques. A makhtesh has steep walls of resistant rock surrounding a deep closed valley which is usually drained by a single wadi. The valleys have limited vegetation and soil, containing a variety of different colored rocks and a diverse fauna and flora which has been protected and preserved over millions of years.
Today we hit Makhtesh HaKatan or "The Small Makhtesh," possibly the most beautiful natural site I have ever seen. From the middle where we slept you have a perfect 360 degree view of the entire crater. The soil has amazing brilliant colors of yellow, orange and purple. These two days we walked with Yonatan, a fellow Shvilist from Meitar walking the entire country before he enters the Air Force.
These have been our most challenging days so far, with massive steep ascents and descents occuring frequently. The last, and most dangerous, is called Maale HaPalmach. This route up and out of the riverbed (Wadi) went straight up the side of a cliff up several ladders which were installed by the Palmach in 1944 as a route to Eilat.
The Palmach was the regular fighting force of the Haganah, the unofficial army of the Yishuv (Jewish community) during the British Mandate of Palestine. It was established on May 15, 1941 and by the war of 1948 had grown to three fighting brigades and auxiliary aerial, naval and intelligence units. Being a Palmachnik (Palmach member) was considered not only as performing military duties, but also as a way of life. Significant leaders of the Palmach include Yitzhak Sadeh, Yigal Allon and future prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Defense Minister and member of the Knesset Moshe Dayan.
The Palmach was established by the British military and Haganah on May 15, 1941 to help the British protect Palestine from the Nazi German threat. They were also to assist Allied forces with the planned invasion of Syria and Lebanon, then held by Vichy French forces. British experts trained the Palmach special soldiers and equipped them with small arms and explosives. However, after the Allied victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein in 1943, the British ordered the dismantling of Palmach. Instead the whole organization went underground.
The Palmach contributed significantly to Israeli culture and ethos, well beyond its undoubtable military contribution. Its members formed the backbone of the Israel Defense Forces high command for many years, and were prominent in Israeli politics, literature and culture.
We slept in Ein Yorkeam last night, a beautiful desert spring with fresh water to swim in and wash our clothes. Tomorrow morning we're headed to Sderot to show our solidarity with the people living under constant rocket attack. We will be delivering gifts to the kids, over 80% of whom have some form of Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome. After that we'll hit the trail again Sunday morning.
Happy Trails,
Jeremy
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