'Routes in Arabia' [‎384] (417/852)

384
Route No. 103— condd.
At m. 1 the village of A1 Kabar i3 passed 6n a hill to the east of
the road and commanding it. At m. 2h the path runs through
Al-W'ara and at m. 4 through Suraifi (Sirafi), (one well of good
water at each village).
Thence skirting the foot of Jabal Jihaf passes Sh'ab-al-As'ud,
and Bajaha and goes down the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Haza. Here the track
bifurcates, the northern branch going through Sanah at m. 8|,
and the western to the Tiban valley. Sanah is the boundary
village before crossing into Turkish territory. There is a cus
tom-house there, and 1 well of good water. Thence, crossing the
Turkish boundary at m, 11, to the Qa'tabah (Kataba). See
Route 102.
I his stage from Ad-Dhali' is rather rough and winding. On
each side of the track are hills which command the road. There
are lateral paths coming in from villages all around.
An alternative and better way from Ad-Dhali' passes to the
oast of Al-Kabar and joins Route'l02, stage 7, at Al-Jalila. Dis
tance- about the same.
Alternative to stage 3.
From LAIIAJ to SHAQ'AH. See Route No. 103,
stage 3, to BIR AM SAIFI; then Route No.
102, stages 2 and 3, to SHAQ'AH. Distance
13 miles.
From SHAQ'AH (SHAKA) toDAR SHAIBAN across
the desert.
Distance 16 miles.
An easier route across the desert to Dar Shaiban starts from
Shaq'ah.
From Shaq'ah .the path leads north-west over the sandy
desert south of Jabal Manii. It is a well-marked caravan
route, 10 feet to 15 fset wide. It crosses one or two deep dep
ressions, rising generally, and in parts steeply to m. 5L Thence
gradually descends till the sand ceases at m. 8. Here the
ground is hard and stony with scattered acacia and the path
cuts into the Madafin road to Dar Shaiban; see stage 3. There
is no water on this stage, and the going is heavy, but it is quite
practicable for infantry in the cold season. The march should
be done by moonlight,