As it’s been quite some time since I posted our last trip reports:

Dubai to the Arctic

Kilimanjaro in Style

Mount Everest Summit

I thought it was time to share another adventure. This report follows a very popular trip which we have run 5 times in the past couple of years. It is a wonderful, compact adventure with a worthwhile but achievable objective: Mt Toubkal.

So, here goes..

Introduction

We work with some awesome clients, and although many of them have the fitness and skill to take on small Himalayan peaks, time is a commodity which very few have at their disposal. So quite often we look to run shorter trips, without compromising the experience. I would consider this trip to be about as much as a reasonably fit walker could achieve in just a weekend; climbing Mount Toubkal, the jewel of the Atlas Mountains.



The conditions have varied hugely over the various times we’ve climbed Toubkal, the first time was at Easter with Laura (Mrs Jones), and most of the other trips have been in late April through to Mid May. I’ve spliced various photos together to give an idea of what it looks like in each of the various conditions, as those who might like to have a go need to be mindful of the extra kit needed for an ascent on snow or ice.


A snowy traverse above the refuge.

Our itinerary

After ducking out from work early on a Friday, we convene at Gatwick for the BA flight to Marrakech. On arrival in RAK, we usually opt for the VIP arrivals service which saves time in what can be a packed immigration hall. I’d recommend this to anyone with BAEC status who can select an exit row in ET. Then we hit the road, and head in to town to our Riad.

I have a love/ hate relationship with Marrakech. At times I find the chaos infuriating, at others I embrace it. It’s always worth switching to local time and expect for things to take slightly longer than they might elsewhere!



We usually hire a private riad for our clients, it just makes the trip feel more special having the whole place to yourselves. There is no shortage of beautiful properties. This is Riad Capaldi.



But the real action starts on Day 2, with the 1.5 hour drive to the Atlas Mountains.

On a clear day, from the rooftops of Marrakech the peaks can be seen dominating the skyline. As the vehicles get closer, so the mountains seem to loom ever higher. As our objective is the highest of them all, it can make for a pretty intimidating sight!


Photo Courtesy Riad Capaldi

After a final series of steep mountain switchbacks, we arrive in the small settlement of Imlil at the trail head. From here, kit gets loaded on to mules, and we make the rest of the journey on foot.



Throughout the day, we wind our way through the valley, with our goal being the Mouflon Refuge, at around 3,200m. It’s a fairly long hike, taking between 4 and 7 hours depending on how hot it is, fitness, etc. That said, there is some splendid variety on the way, so it is quite engaging.

The lowest section winds through the trees alongside a babbling stream, before opening to a vast, broad river bed.



Then the path narrows once more and as you begin to gain height.

As more progress is made, smaller settlements line the trail and gradually become further and further apart.



There are plenty of small shops to pick up a cold drink, and an idyllic little lunch spot for a picnic too.





After lunch, the refuge isn’t quite as close as it could be, so another couple of hours of uphill finally put it within view.



There are two large refuges, an upper and a lower. The lower refuge is the nicer of the two, with smaller private rooms. The upper refuge has large dorms; not great for sleeping!



We usually take a family room too, which means we have a private dining room for the group, before a very short night’s sleep and an early start.

When the alarm goes off on Sunday morning, it feels like the worst idea in the world to set off in to the dark for several hours of climbing.



The initial section above the refuge is a traverse on a moderately steep slope, which can be anything from wind scoured ice to dry scree.

After the traverse, you gain height to a small col, usually by now the sun is up, which is good for the soul and recharging morale!



Yet more ascent climbs on to a ridge, with spectacular views to it’s right, and a modest drop to it’s left.



And finally, after between 2.5-3.5hrs, the top!



I’ve yet to be at the top in any temperature above freezing, so be prepared! After a quick bite to eat, it’s time to head down again.

Then at the refuge, we switch back in to trainers, have some lunch, and begin the long hike all the way back to Imlil



It’s a long day, typically around 12hrs, and seeing the vehicles and touching tarmac is a beautiful moment! We thank our local guides, cook crew, and mule drivers, before driving back to our riad for well deserved hot showers and cold beers.



On Monday, its largely a day to relax, perhaps catch a few rays on the rooftop garden or have a massage. For those looking to ease their achey legs, a short city tour is good to get things moving.



After a lazy late lunch, we pack our bags and head back to the airport for the flight home. It's certainly not somewhere worth arriving early to enjoy the lounge!


So there you have it, our formula for climbing a 4,000m peak in a weekend. Despite it being a big climb, we have a very high success rate, mostly because we get down again so quickly, making the exposure to the highest altitudes very brief indeed.

I'd say the trip suits reasonably fit walkers, but it's by no means limited to hardened mountaineers. The area is beautiful in it's own rugged way, with plenty to do without climbing the highest peaks.

The programme we used is a punchy little trip which takes in everything from city to summit, we love it, and looking forward to the next one!

If anyone would like help planning an adventure, please do drop me a PM or via our website https://www.monixadventures.com