Facing Fear and Death: Ascent to Ethiopia's Sky Monastery

Ethiopia's Tigray region is home to dozens of incredible monasteries carved out of the most inaccessible cliffs you could imagine. It's a scary climb, would you dare it?
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[@TheTravelingClatt]

Bro insane

[@insightfulNomad]

Yup

[@YonathanLibermann]

Our Jewish bro is fearless and the best, looove my favorite KZbinr, Alec! 💜

[@LitaConzas]

Maybe Alec should become a Christian Orthodox priest to climb that mountain everyday. 😅

[@insightfulNomad]

@@LitaConzas Yeah it's not bad

[@yonathangezahegn1076]

You dont seen ethiopian flag that is so bad

[@MikeMike-bc7jg]

I am from Ethiopia. I have been to these churches three times. I can never get enough of it. Every time it comes on tv or KZbin, I watch it. Thank you for visiting Ethiopia.

[@mohamedouarsafi3923]

Hello Insightful Nomad. My name is Mohamed and I have been watching your vlogs for almost a year now. This one is by far the most awe inspiring trips you did. So humbling to see people climb that high for their pursuit of spiritual happiness. I was very worried about your on your last phase of ascent. That was very scary. Your content is amazing. Thank you and keep up the good work/vlog. Happy Holidays!

[@insightfulNomad]

It was an amazing experience, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@inlovingmemoryofmylittlebr2887]

My beloved Tigray! Blessed Land of the Holy and the Brave. May God bless my people with strength and grace. Amen

[@yagg9782]

What a brave person you are! I’m from Ethiopia but I never even think about to climb it.

[@abadirzulu5249]

Don't let fear stop you brother 🙏 shalom From somaliland

[@_I_I_I_I_I_I_I_I_]

I'm breathless... This video is insane and incredible. I have no words.... All is magic in this video. I send love from France to Simon, the Priest and all the men who have take care of you.

[@PeterAbadi-v5l]

Wow wow wow ... Man you all know the history of Tigray 👏 Brave enough to climb that Breathtaking mountain & gorgeous iconic landscapes 😘 absolutely beautiful church. YOU'RE the best ❤ Much respect

[@gabreil1130]

You’re brave my friend and courageous. Thank you for visiting Tigrai. Tigrai is experiencing a set back from a recent brutal war.

[@kurabachewdesta6031]

Wow one day I will visit this great monastery ❤❤

[@T915ty]

You are brave my friend, I subscribed hope to see more like this videos

[@henokbrehanu9426]

The first time I saw this in much detail. Thank you for your genuine eagerness reflected by you asking in detail

[@BuffyTheVampireSlayer-s3c]

Yeah, he was very respectful and truly interested in what the priest had to say.

[@rubengroen976]

This video is amazing! A view into a world some of us will never reach, Words cant describe my appreciation.

[@nurbilquis4006]

Oh my goodness by watching That mountain was a slice of heaven on Earth, its breathtaking beauty leaving me in awe. The man-made cave was a stunning masterpiece, a testament to human ingenuity. You Reaching the summit like you touching the pinnacle of life, a truly divine experience. God bless this incredible wonder! I am very proud of that.Ethiopia people made history here, in the Motherland, where Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths merged. It's amazing to think that Ethiopia was the first haven for immigrants from these faiths. intertwined, becoming one. We've shared this land, our stories, and our faiths, creating a rich tapestry of heritage to explore the cave, embracing the adventure and freedom. Thank you for coming and visiting us in the Motherland. Your presence is a blessing, 🇪🇹🙏💚

[@JoeH2022]

We climbed it over 8 yrs ago. What an awesome experience that was!!! Tigray Adey. The Ethiopians & Eritreans tried to exterminate us but with the grace of God, and their heroism, our people survived despite losing millions of innocent lives.

[@YonathanLibermann]

I'm afraid of heights, but you my Jewish bro seem fearless. I loved the view from the valley... wow! Also, that priest looked impressed by your knowledge of the Bible. ❤.

[@Lemlem7682]

Me too. I don't like height.

[@sombraomnic]

Man, you have balls of steel! Respect! 🥂

[@mulualemkiros7820]

tigray is the land of miracle and adventure,thank you for your awareness .

[@DawitTewolde-s7d]

This is the an outstanding vlog about the high land monasteries of Tigray. My hat is off for you!

[@PJump]

the things you do for this channel, crazy!

[@grzegorzskowronski5468]

only from watching my hands got completely sweaty😰 great movie!

[@birhanezemichael2678]

Great to visit this incredible place full of ancient history of mankind.

[@MelG-ut3hs]

Such an incredible place and well worth the effort to climb up the mountain.

[@nathanielsolomon8608]

You just got me terrified by just seeing the video man

[@insightfulNomad]

@@nathanielsolomon8608 you need to go there!

[@LinaNissan-b1b]

Wow, such a great idea to climb up this mountain and visit the monastery, haven't seen that been done before, how did you come up with this brilliant idea? 👏

[@birhanemelaku3931]

@LinaNissan-b1b make plan for 2025 to visit this amazing place i will be ur guide for free.

[@Tigray_Hagerey]

Amazing content brother, Tigray is my home & where my heart is, can't wait till I visit every corner of it

[@kanadiankorner]

Great destination. Good job with the climb!

[@DeborahStreisand]

You are a daredevil and you showed a lot of interest in the people, the monastery, priest and the Bible. Great! Today, Joe Hattab published a new video from Syria- really good, In 6 hours, he got 1 millon views. He is also a great documentary maker- one of the biggest actually, some vids have gotten over 50 million views. Maybe Alec's Arabic subscribers know of him? I'm so happy that the Syrians are free now after 60 years of hell...

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

Alec is not a content creator or KZbinr- he is a film maker- the best of the best. As for the Syrian people, I'm glad that they are free, and I do hope that there will be co-existence between all the ethnic groups and religions in Syria - and freedom for all. 🕊🕊🕊🙏

[@ambessashield9360]

There are a lot of ancient history in Ethiopia. One of the greatest kept secrets in Africa..or the world. Thanks for another interesting vlog!

[@kasayareki6656]

You are brave man…My legs are shaking watching you climbing

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

Woooow, woow, wooow, I love this. ❤I wanne climb this mountain too and visit this monastery. Please, take me with you! -so jealous! You're such an adventurer, and you've got balls. 💪 I'm so proud of you. How did you feel climbing that mountain? Mark my words, you're gonne get lots of views on this vid. You bet I'm gonne write many comments on this vid! 🤗🙌🙌👏

[@EricPollard-b2m]

Wow, Ana you've got a lot of knowledge of history and the Bible! 👌

[@insightfulNomad]

@@AnaUnknown-s4v it was amazing, beautiful place!

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

@@insightfulNomad Take me with you! 😉

[@ThomasTripp-n6g]

@@insightfulNomad @Ana Unknown is also very beautiful, just take a look at her picture! 💜 Love brunettes with slender figures and beautiful facial features (Ana is my type).

[@adamankind1onearthg]

Similar view in yemen same paint on mntn top"

[@arielshalev6800]

Really cool video!

[@tilahunassefa5953]

It is frightening when you climb up the mountain. Awe

[@ethiopiasource]

I always feel joy when I think about my fathers. They choose God when the world chooses the comfort and knowledge of this world and God also gave them a true knowledge in the true way (orthodox twahdo). They could have sided with this world and comfort their selves for short period of time, but they knew everything was temporary except God and his presence. That's why they glorify his name on the mountains and also everywhere.

[@abadirzulu5249]

Haleluyah. Shalom from somaliland

[@abyssiniantubee]

No word could ever describe this just እግዚአብሔር ይመስገን ❤❤❤

[@phoenix0000]

You're brave bro

[@AlemGhir]

wowww i love it and all you,r vidoe bro❤❤❤❤

[@birhanemelaku3931]

Thank you for visiting my homeland 😊

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

Why did you look down? 😅 Wuthering heights! Great choice of thumbnail and I'm digging your title! 👏🙌

[@EricPollard-b2m]

So are you refering to the novel Wuthering Heights by Bronte? I bet you've read lots of literary works, you seem like a smart young woman.

[@insightfulNomad]

@@AnaUnknown-s4v I looked down (:

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

@@insightfulNomad 😂

[@metalextras]

You definitely discovered a new sets of muscle when you got up there! Great Work Alec, may the Force be with you!

[@TekluG.tensay]

It's fascinating and impressive and you are bravo

[@yourlocalmikufan1753]

Beautiful ❤️

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

One fascinating fact is that the paintings in the monastery in the sky are painted with natural colors, amongst others animal blood.

[@LinaNissan-b1b]

Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for enlightening me! You seem both smart and pretty.

[@funnygal4u2]

I have to say that I was having anxiety watching everyone climb this mountain, but was absolutely amazed when that church door opened to see those murals and the history of the church. Truly amazing and beautiful.

[@birhanemelaku3931]

I hope one day u will visit it , make plan and i will be ur guide for free 😊

[@asmelashtesfay5931]

Thank you visit Tigrai

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

It's interesting to listen to the priest and Alec speaking about the forbidden Ethiopian Bible with the additions of the non-canonical books such as the book of Enoch. The priest looked really impressed when you told him that you read the Bible in Hebrew. Alec, why do you think that Britain and Italy forbade their Bible? Love to see the murals and the old Bible- amazing place! 💜

[@insightfulNomad]

@@AnaUnknown-s4v the murals are very well preserved

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

@@insightfulNomad Impressive!

[@AlemGhir]

Men you are very strong ❤❤

[@infowarriorone]

Wow, gorgeous scenery. It was the worth the effort to climb.

[@BuffyTheVampireSlayer-s3c]

I love the God fearing Ethiopians who wear crosses around their necks and they really follow Christian teachings- so real and they seem so humble and relaxed. 💖The Ethiopian Bible, consisting both of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament is impressive. I would love to go there and read the original Bible with its non-canonical sciptures. Amazing that both Jews and Christians have this in common. Alec, have you read some of the books in the New Testament?

[@Ophkiber]

FYI, this is Tigray, where the ancient civilization of the Axum Kingdom was founded. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are deeply incorporated into the everyday lives of the Tigrean people. Although Tigray has had some connection with Ethiopia for less than 150 years, the Tigray/Axum civilization is as old as Babylon or other ancient kingdoms. Many Ethiopians are jealous of this and do what they can to undermine the rich Tigrean history, social structure, and economy. This is why they waged war on Tigray in 2020, committing untold genocide. Despite deserving international justice, it has not yet been served.

[@insightfulNomad]

They have a very rich tradition

[@henokbrehanu9426]

We Ethiopians are traditional Christians wear cross around our neck using black tread agreed, but follow the teaching of Christianity is nop, I think God would disagree too.

[@elizabethhailesellasie1946]

​​@@Ophkiber *Missinformation. Banda Traitor's Black Propoganda. Sources Unknown. *You can't lie and sabotage Ethiopia's History. You have committed Genocide against the Afars and Amaran Community! Tigrayan Banda's are Racist Bigots against the rest of Ethiopians. *You had waged bloody wars, with all the neighbouring Countries. *You killed, looted, raoed children and elder women and spread lies! Finally, you lost the evil war, you had started and waged. Ye Chenawit lijoch, buda kemalam agame wusha hula. Rehabtegna hedeh dabo feleg, ezih eyegebah kemetskeresh. Gematam agame hula. *The whole world knows, who you are, Arab's Puppets, waging War against Ethiopia! But, you are defeated and devastated now! It consumes you to the end. Evil consumes itself. Thank God! *Ethiopia is thriving now. Banda hula, eat your hearts out! No African Country supports you because of your evil history. Fact. 👈

[@elizabethhailesellasie1946]

​@@Ophkiber Misinformation.

[@jiltedjohn9294]

Brilliant one Alec, the small animal was a Rock Hyrax, supposed to be the closest living relative to the elephant. Go figure !

[@insightfulNomad]

Yeah that's wild!

[@GG-lh2yw]

That’s beautiful ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@kalMHe]

My anxiety sky rocketed just watching you climb the Cliff

[@RebeccaMor]

My beauty! 💛💚❤

[@AnaUnknown-s4v]

@RebeccaMor 💝

[@ThomasTripp-n6g]

Wow, great filming and you are so brave, my Jewish bro. 💜Did you use a drone to film this amazing site?

[@loyalbelieve6954]

Tigray ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Tigray❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Tigray❤❤

[@nassergabriel4778]

You clearly have no fear of heights at all. Brave!!

[@dcole3816]

Amazing video! I’ve seen other KZbinr also go there but they never show how they get down. Are you not allowed to film ? I really want to know how to get down

[@trustingod2549]

Thank you for visiting Tigray /Tigrai where the bravest women and men live. The ppl have endured a genocidal war for 2 years 2020-2022. The Ethiopian government with the help of other tried to ethically cleanse these courageous and honourable ppl. For 2 years Tigray was besieged, disconnected from the world. Nearly a million died due to lack of food, medicine and war causalities. Their only hope was God/Allah and their will to survive. They were brave enough to force the genocidal Ethio gov. to a peace agreemrnt in 2022. Tigray is still invaded in some parts and ethnic cleansing is happening. The agreement didn't bring real peace.

[@hikeyt2747]

LOOKS CRAZY!!!!!!! TAKE CARE BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ደረትኣልቦሓሳባት]

Scary but monumental! I don't know if I can do this even though I'm from Tigray.

[@MezigebuShibabaw]

how are you Alek We Gonderian like you so much, Alek, be free and happy for everything.

[@THESURAFELB]

I am just wondering man. I mean I will be honest you don't strike me as the mountain climber type, so how was the trip going downhill?😎for that matter, there is also another monastery they climb using leather ropes. I like to see you do that one too.🔔

[@stpual1]

You are good climber.

[@mesfintaye5578]

Amazing

[@Ginfio]

this was so cool.

[@DWEthiopia]

This might be a dumb question. Do you think they are not interested to add railings or protection to make the climb more safe or do you think they its a funding issue or is it to preserve the area as much as possible?

[@abrahamhaile3911]

Fascinating

[@Korean_girl_2025]

Shalom I’m watching from kurdistan You love kurdistan 🦋?

[@deirdrenugent1887]

13:25 ...wow.. that looks like Celtic symbol that was often used by Irish monks..if you look at the book of kells you will see it

[@Non-e8j]

Don’t drink coffee right before you climb. It’ll make you nervous. Drink water 💦 Do not look down it’ll create anxiety and fear. Be safe 🙏🏼❤️🇮🇱 You did it 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Just watching makes me dizzy 😅

[@TemuRoyal-fo6wo]

Tigray Region is rich in history just wow

[@loyalbelieve6954]

💯

[@EskindirYimer]

Brave 🦅 Most holy places like this monastery & others in Amhara region r far & hard to reach !! You ll be tempted . The reason is to keep them from desecrating. At the same time going to these holy place ll consider as getting forgiveness from God 🙌🏽

[@Fasildes]

you are daredevil adventurous explorer seeking for truth , may God succeed your mission .

[@LitaConzas]

In your latest livestream, I heard that you might travel to Kenya and lots of the women there aren't modest, chaste and as religious as the nice Ethiopian and Eritrean women. According to USAID, almost 2 million people in Kenya, as high as 7%, live with HIV and AIDS. I had a friend from the Phillipines who went there and, although she didn't go "all the way" with this man, but he went down on her, so she contracted the veneral disease Herpes. In other words, NOT even protection can prevent you from contracting veneral diseases, so DON'T hook-up there!

[@tomtom-qj4fv]

You are strong, you claimed like local.

[@wandering_nomad1]

You are very brave! I can’t do this😂

[@insightfulNomad]

You can

[@DonaldJPutin5]

I'm sure It was very scary 👏

[@Hakuna232]

לגביי הקפה זה סוג של טקס בהתחלה עם העשן שבו מברכים. שותים שלוש כוסות קפה (בונה) לכל אחד מהסבבים יש שם שחכתי אתה השמות ( האחרון ברקה) אגב ההורים שלנו בארץ עוד שותים בונה מידי יום בדיוק ככה

[@insightfulNomad]

יש מסעדה בארץ שמגישים ככה?

[@Hakuna232]

@@insightfulNomad באמת שאין לי מושג. אגב חייב לציין מאוד נהנה מהוולוגים שלך חושב שכבר עברתי על הכל 😅

[@elizabethhailesellasie1946]

​​​@@insightfulNomad 🪀 Yes, there are so many Ethiopian Restaurants in Israel, like in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Here are the names of them. Just do your research find their addresses and go .... In Jerusalem .... *Queen of Sheba, Ethiopian Restaurant *Habash Restaurant *Shagar Restaurant All the above Ethiopian Restaurants are in Jerusalem In Tel Aviv ...... * Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant *Balinjera .... *Shegar ..... *Tenat ....... *Mesrakawi ..... *Habash ........ *Shashe ....... *Ethiopian ..... *HaMis'ada Shell Ima ..... All the above Ethiopian Restaurants are in Tel Aviv. Including Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Enjoy!👍😅

[@eyoelkassa3353]

Hey can you go to lalibela

[@BuffyTheVampireSlayer-s3c]

Yes, do that! I love Lalibela. 💛💚❤

[@KaleabTemesgn]

Next Mekelle

[@insightfulNomad]

Shows up briefly in one of my videos (:

[@frankasafscimone3920]

There is a skeleton of one the people who fell off climbing up or down.

[@frankasafscimone3920]

No falls have ever been recorded?! Then they should hide the skeleton.

[@afro90s78]

never fall in this area ever

[@fitwieritrawi2297]

No, it’s supposed to be the remains of a saint 😀

[@Red-Sea.]

Absolutly no. No record has been reported such thing

[@loyalbelieve6954]

None!

[@atakelthailu187]

❤❤❤👍👍👍👍

[@lailamehari3800]

You are right, Tigrinya and Arabic are close languages.Because they are both Semitic.

[@asheone111]

Brother are you searching ark of the covenent 😅😅

[@Fasildes]

By the way, i thought u read Graham Hancock's book THE SIGN AND THE SEAL, i think this book might shorten your voyages to the true resting place of the arc of the covenant.

[@shewitfsahaye6492]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hudahabeshistan9403]

Why did u come to my country?

[@ah6121]

To take your billions🙄

[@THESURAFELB]

Menn aynet tiyake newe?

[@SankaAndruwAndrewsanka]

Where is the original ark of covenant

[@frankasafscimone3920]

Why climb up that path and risk your life?! אני לא הייתי עושה את זה!

[@mamokilo]

same reason people climb mount Everest

[@frankasafscimone3920]

@mamokilo More than 340 have died climbing Mount Everest. I guess I would rather take my chances at the monastery.

[@mamokilo]

@@frankasafscimone3920 you aren't getting it. There is also a chance to get hit by a bus and drop dead. So avoid getting out?

omg what

[@hadugebrey1921]

I'm Tigran, and I wanted to see the Ethiopian flag in Tigray. Ethiopia will become one united nation again, as it once was. political agendas aimed at separating and manipulating people through race, hate, and war.

[@Kingentertement]

You are not a Tigray no one needs Ethiopian flags in Tigray

[@servant_symm]

ብትክክል ሓወይ ኩሉ ክሓልፍ እዩ

[@rom5503]

Dot forget how many inocent Tigrians were massacred in their farm lands by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers even the Ethiopian religious leaders and ethiooian milliineries especially tjose who are affilated with Amhara extrimistes decleared genocide on Tigray oeople and as a result hundredth of thouthans mostly farmers were killed all over Tigray

[@asgedomtesfay2290]

ይህ ቦታ ኢትዮጵያ አይደለም !! ይህ የትግራይ ታሪካዊ መሬት ነው !! ጥንቃቄ ያስፈልጋል ይህ ኢትዮጵያ እያሉ መጥራት !! ኢትዮጵያ ትውደም ።

[@tigiste5465]

አጋሜ የደደቢት ደደቦች የሰዶም ዝሙት መፈንጫ ያጋሜ እብሪት ይቀጥላል ፡የሰላሳ አመት የጠጣችሁት ደም ገና ከኢትዬጲያ ዘርህ ይጠፋል መሬት ታሪኩን ለባለቤቱ ታስረክባለህ እንደልማድሕ የጣልያን ባርያ መሆን ነዉ

[@aminaamdaga8066]

kk.. shabyia, echi tega tega eka lemansat!!!!!

[@PJump]

they need to add some safety equipment to the route, like in 2025 why tf not.

[@Ophkiber]

FYI, this is Tigray, where the ancient civilization of the Axum Kingdom was founded. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are deeply incorporated into the everyday lives of the Tigrean people. Although Tigray has had some connection with Ethiopia for less than 150 years, the Tigray/Axum civilization is as old as Babylon or other ancient kingdoms. Many Ethiopians are jealous of this and do what they can to undermine the rich Tigrean history, social structure, and economy. This is why they waged war on Tigray in 2020, committing untold genocide. Despite deserving international justice, it has not yet been served.

[@elizabethhailesellasie1946]

Misinformation.

[@loyalbelieve6954]

It didn’t start then it’s been happening since minilik

[@Ophkiber]

@@elizabethhailesellasie1946 the perpetrators of this horrific crime called it "misinformation". obviously hiding their evil doing!

[@tigiste5465]

Tigray criminals who kill thousands of innocent civilians for the last three decades. the truth is that tplf Tigray people massacred innocent Amhara people in Maycadra including the Ethiopian military that fought for them in Ethio- Eritrea war Justice served Tigray looters and murderers, who stole billions are to blame!

[@tigiste5465]

@@Ophkiber The only people who have a dark past are Tigrayans. Truth is, Tplf(Tigray) started the genocide 30 years ago, a killer party that Africans never faced.

[@davidocktora04]

That so dangerous mountain i ever seen,Glad i never follow you to travel this place 😂

[@elaela671]

Amennnn

[@gebeyaneshbeshah726]

The people they came to Ethiopia was not spreading the gospel already the gospel was there They scaped from their home seeking refuge

[@RealHiddenLight]

THE TRUE HOLY LAND

[@SankaAndruwAndrewsanka]

Where is the Ark of covenant

[@TomPaskudnyak]

Well done! No way I would climb up there. I got wobbly knees just watching.

[@AcliluTelahun-j3e]

Tigray is not a good place to travel there is only specific tourist attractions and a lot of scams are doing there so do travel the region