Rappelling in Makhtesh Ramon

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This instructor and those religious girls were about to go over the cliff of Makhtesh Ramon.

 Enlarge this photo with two separate clicks and you can see where they are headed.
It is just a ledge a few dozen meters down.
NOT the whole 500 meters down to the makhtesh floor.

There they go!

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority sign has all the instructions for this rappelling site
Even the number to call at the Visitors Center if you come across damaged clamps in the stone (!).

The ropes, the pack.
Oi, I'm glad it's not my kids down there.
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(Linking to SkyWatch Friday.)
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Makhtesh Ramon in the desert

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Welcome to the Mitzpe Ramon Visitor Center.
Inside you can learn about this unique area in Israel's Mount Negev region.
The new Ilan Ramon Museum is also inside, commemorating our astronaut who perished when the space shuttle Colombia burned up in 2003. 

The Visitor Center perches on the cliff  500 meters above the floor of Makhtesh Ramon.
Click on the photo twice to see the little people.

The Negev desert has three enormous craterlike makhteshim, which are unique to the region: Makhtesh Ramon, Makhtesh Gadol, and Makhtesh Katan.

The Wikipedia article on makhtesh says,

Although commonly referred to as "craters," these formations are "erosion cirques" (steephead valleys or box canyons).
Craters are formed by the impact of a meteor or volcanic eruption, whereas makhteshim are created by erosion.
The word makhtesh is the Hebrew word for a mortar grinder (מַכְתֵּשׁ‎). The geological landform was given this name because of its similarity to a grinding bowl.

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(Linking to Our World Tuesday.)
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