Lac Assal

I recently had the opportunity to drive down to Lac (lake) Assal. Lac Assal is located 492 feet below sea level. It's the fourth lowest place in the world. It's also consistently one of the hottest places on Earth. The area is surrounded by dormant volcanoes and black lava fields. And the salt-crusted earth surrounding the lake looks like a hail storm passed through. The water is crystal clear and very salty.

The drive out was mostly uneventful. We did have to avoid the typical obstacles of goats and camels walking in the middle of the road. It was an uphill drive as we approached the lake. Towards the top of our ascent we pulled out onto a scenic overlook of Ghoubbel El Kharab which is another body of water connected to the Gulf of Tadjoura (see Mucho Moucha).

At the overlook there was a blind man that came out of nowhere to meet us and sell his wares carved out of pummice. We then continued on down to the lake. It was like driving down into a mining quarry. We passed by a broken tractor on the side of the road that may have once been used to cut the path through the rough terrain. We came around a curve and could finally see what we came for.

We continued down to the end of the road where some vendors had built up two lanes of tables to sell their merchandise.

After a lunch of MREs (meals-ready-to eat), we ventured out among the vendors and down to the lake. The comodities consisted mostly of geodes, crystals, and bags of sea salt mined from the lake. The vendors were more than eager to negotiate and would even trade for water or food. We mostly dealt in money, but when we gave them water or food, they would retrieve a random item from the table and give it to us "free." I managed to come away with a couple of geodes and a gazelle skull crusted in a thick layer of salt. I don't know if I'll be able to bring that home.

(Aaron went down to the lake and stepped into the shallow water. He didn't get far before realizing the bottom was covered in sharp crystal formations. Fortunately, he wore his sandles in and made it out safely)

(Before we headed back, we stopped at a lava flow that we saw from the road)


(We passed by some small pyramids in the middle of nowhere and stopped to get a closer look. Still not sure what the monument was about)

On the trip back, everyone was pretty worn out. The lack of radio reception gave way to a long bout of karaoke. Everyone sang except Omar. Party Pooper! His excuse was that he had to concentrate on driving.

I came, Assal, I went back to camp,

Marty