Two years ago, and while exploring ancient settlements along what we believe was the Jaredite trail, we discovered a second settlement atop a small hill (jebel) with concave cliff faces. The shape of the jebel’s walls make it almost impossible to climb without mountaineering equipment. The shape of the jebel and its concave walls give it the appearance of a ship in the middle of the desert. The first ship-rock village (or fortress) was featured in our film, Driving the Jaredite Trail. Both of these ancient settlements were built on top of the jebel and were designed to be reached only through a cave at the base of the hill. The cave led to a man-made well shaft. The first Ship Rock already had a 30-foot ladder set up in its shaft when we discovered it, so climbing it was possible. However, Ship Rock II had no ladder. Our goal for the last two years was to climb the jebel and set up a ladder so others could reach the ruins of the settlement. In April 2011, we returned with a rope ladder designed by Faisal.

Cave that leads to well shaft. Notice light in back of cave.

Jim finds a section of the concave walls that have collapsed and decides to reach the top by climbing a 25- foot-high vertical section of the wall.

Last section of climb required a rope with a grappling hook.

On reaching top, Jim discovers that the hook is barely attached to a small rock. Thank God.

Jim secures rope ladder and lowers it into shaft.

We left equipment on top of jebel with rope.

One of many ruined dwellings on top of jebel.

Pottery shards were found spread over the entire top of jebel. Flint spearhead and ancient coin found at base of jebel.

Jim with metal detector on top of jebel. View northward.

George and Jim on top of jebel – view southward