Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:16 pm
I can confirm that as of today, it is still possible to get through the ‘shell petrol station’ checkpoint (N24 49.560 E5556.160), which gives access to the wonderful mountains and wadis described by Rahulmuralee. It’s a magnificent area bounded by the mountains, and there is plenty of water in the wadis despite the temperatures!
For research purposes I also visited Hatta Pools which as always is covered in rubbish and graffiti, but is nevertheless impressive.
I then thought I’d try and exit out of the nearby checkpoint (N24 45.991 E56 9.963) straight down into Hatta the way we used to. I was told by a very pleasant guard that only GCC Nationals can cross in either direction through that checkpoint. So I had to retrace my route (some 50km) back through the mountains to exit via the 'Shell petrol station' checkpoint.
For research purposes I also visited Hatta Pools which as always is covered in rubbish and graffiti, but is nevertheless impressive.
I then thought I’d try and exit out of the nearby checkpoint (N24 45.991 E56 9.963) straight down into Hatta the way we used to. I was told by a very pleasant guard that only GCC Nationals can cross in either direction through that checkpoint. So I had to retrace my route (some 50km) back through the mountains to exit via the 'Shell petrol station' checkpoint.