Morocco’s Toubkal National Park plays host to this great two week circuit trek, culminating in an ascent of Mount Toubkal, probably the highest peak in North Africa. Along the manner in which we travel in a broad loop, traversing the far more remote and less travelled passes and valleys of the rugged landscape, remain in great picturesque villages as well as appreciate the hospitality of the regional Berber individuals along with their distinctive North African culture.
The ascent of Jebel Toubkal may be performed in less days however, this expanded itinerary provides far more time to value and genuinely examine the whole area.
Situated in the North west corner of Africa, Morocco is really a land of amazing contrasts from the white washed homes on the fertile Mediterranean coast to the arid brown mountains of the inside.
The gateway of ours to the mountains is Marrakech so called the white city, and Morocco’s 4th biggest with a population of around one and a half million. We overnight here and also have the chance to examine this old town with their unusual souks, palaces, gardens and also heaving mass of debris, colour and racket. The very often snow clad summits of the High Atlas present a fantastic back drop on the ochre coloured structures of the community.
Soaring from the haze on the south of Marrakech, the High Atlas, North Africa’s highest mountains provide us an amazing variety of scenery, a superb system of trails, and difficult peaks. Snow-capped for 50 % the season, from West to East they stretch from the Atlantic ocean just north of Agadir, until they fade in the wasteland on the Algerian border a distance of almost a 1000 miles. Centuries ago the prominent Roman geographer Pliny described the excessive Atlas as “the most incredible mountains within the whole of Africa”.
By the criteria of popular trekking and climbing areas in Europe, the atlas remains remote and scarcely touched by tourism. On the 2 days toubkal trek of ours, we try to examine the much less popular places, stroll on remote trails as well as climb to the summit of several of the less popular peaks. We would like you to see an authentic Moroccan way of living and also have an appreciation of what a brilliant wilderness area this’s.
Atlas trek and Mount Toubkal – terrain and physical fitness
You do have to be rather fit for this particular trip. Several of the climbs are extended and moderately demanding with a few long days of sustained jogging with a backpack. The consequences of altitude is also going to reduce the degree of yours of strength. You’ll also be walking on twelve consecutive days so you cannot pay for to get progressively more exhausted each day. Hence, you’ll just actually benefit from the journey in case you’re in excellent physical condition having exercised regularly and also eaten nutritiously over no less than the six weeks leading up to the journey.
As a guide, you have to become cozy walking on relatively hilly terrain for over six hours with a tiny package of around 5kg. You too have to have the ability to accomplish this for a selection of times in a row. It’s also critical that you’re fairly agile and steady on the feet of yours. There are several areas of descent on occasionally loose scree and rubble that will require agility and attention to easily navigate.
This drive has some pretty long descents (3 4hrs) that may be difficult on knees ankles and quite often hips aswell. If you’ve any previous or re-occuring injuries to all of these joints you have to be certain they’re nicely healed before the journey. Please do talk to us and/or a relevant doctor in case you’ve some concerns or doubts.
Using trekking poles may be of support that is good for balance on loose earth also to take several of the strain off the knees of yours. You do have to learn to make use of them correctly for them to be best though. We are able to help by providing you guidance on the journey though it’s a good advantage to have worn them prior to the journey.
You do too need to remain in health that is good as we are going to spend some time in locations which are numerous hours from skilled medical care. Virtually any pre existing health and dental problems must be completely appraised by a physician plus their nature fully disclosed to the insurer of yours and also to ourselves.
Sort OF TERRAIN
The ascents on this journey aren’t complex climbs and no rock climbing or maybe specialized products is required even though some very simple low level scrambling, with utilization of hands in addition to foot, will be required in areas.
The majority of the paths are well produced mule paths and in condition that is good, though a few are looser and steeper under foot than others. It’s pretty frequent that the road does involve several loose scree, that could add to the energy expenditure of yours, particularly on the descent.
On certain areas like Dsoja/Tamalaroute, the south route around Lac d’Ifni we traverse high and reasonably exposed ground although the real scrambling its person is super easy. We are going to assist you across these areas with direction, guidance and’ spotting’ where necessary.
ADVENTURE ALTERNATIVE SUPPORT
Mules are going to transport the majority of the equipment of ours and private belongings, enabling you to trek with only one day pack.
Atlas trek and Mount Toubkal kit list
The fundamental concept of the system we’ll have is keeping you warm, dry, protected against the sun, ready to move effectively on the mountains and also ready to be comfy in the evenings and night. There’s a comprehensive list via the selection below-right though the major factors to hide are:-
BAGS – Large duffle ~90L (carried by mules) Medium Daypack ~25L (carried by you)
SHELL – Top and bottoms to hold above wind/rain
INSULATION – Layered system so you can stay warm body hands & Head
BASELAYER – Thin layers to wick away sweat and also to strip down to as well as maintain the sun from when it becomes hot
FEET – Sturdy trekking Boots (not walking Shoes), flip flops or perhaps related, shoes for city
SLEEPING – Warm sleeping bag and camping mat to have best nights sleep at the camp/refuge
EATING/DRINKING – Favorite energy snacks and water bottles for during the day
WASHING & MEDICAL – In order to enable you to clean and perhaps stave off a headache or perhaps blister
When deciding what to get it’s useful to give some thought to what you’ll be engaging in on the trip as well as what the conditions will probably be like.
At the beginning of the journey we are going to be in Marrakech. Right here it’s apt to be sexy though we’ll be walking properly around town, not holding anything. For this particular you simply have more comfortable light weight clothes and general shoes. As Morocco is a primarily muslim nation it’s respectful to dress modestly, dealing with at very least the majority of the duration of your legs and arms. This’s particularly true for women. Temperatures are up as large as 35degC in the center of the day with intense sunshine. Sunglasses, sunhat and sun block are therefore virtually necessary.
On a basic day of trekking in the mountains we might be getting up quick when it might be less hot, maybe right down to 10degC in the shade. We might thus begin jogging with thin trekking trousers, a trekking shirt/baselayer and maybe thin fleece or a jumper. As we warm up while walking, and also since the sun comes up above the peaks we begin getting hotter. At this time we’ll likely be wearing a slim top, thin trousers or maybe shorts, sunglasses and sunhat. By mid day it might probably be 30degC, though on very high goes by and peaks the wind chill of any breeze is likely to make it really feel much cooler.
While we’re walking we’ll be carrying only a little rucksack or perhaps 25 35 litres. In this we are going to have our water/wind proof jacket and trousers, our hotter top part, 2 litres of h2o, camera etc and also many favorite high energy snacks. When we’ve completed the day’s walk we are going to arrive at the camp of ours and perhaps be sharp to have our socks and shoes off and stroll around in sandals or perhaps flip-flop sandals. We might next put in a heated level as the sun comes down.