Mt Toubkal, Morocco - Winter Ascent with Adventure Alternative
Background information Morocco Although geographically very close to Europe, Morocco is vastly different in human and physical geography. It is a country that regularly evokes the description exotic from its visitors. It has been said that the 15 mile crossing of the straits of Gibraltar provides one of the most dramatic contrasts a traveller can enjoy. Morocco is an Islamic nation with over 99% of its population made up of the Arab- Berber people. Close to 99% of the population also observe Islam as their religion and Arabic is the primary language although French and Berber are also official national languages. The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (DM), one Pound sterling will buy you approximately 14 dirhams, or one Euro around 11 dirhams. The Atlas Mountains The Atlas Mountains are the highest and most extensive range in North Africa, stretching around 2,500 km through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia on the North West tip of Africa. The range follows the line of the tectonic plate boundary that describes the south coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Moroccan sub-range of the Atlas hosts the High Atlas region. This region is generally comprised of fairly gentle limestone formations but, in contrast, the Jebel Toubkal area is distinctive in its stark volcanic peaks. Rising out of the haze to the south of Marrakech, the High Atlas offers us an incredible variety of scenery, a superb network of trails, and challenging peaks. Snow capped for half the year, from West to East they stretch from the Atlantic Ocean just north of Agadir, until they fade into the desert on the Algerian border a distance of nearly a thousand miles. Centuries ago the famous Roman geographer Pliny described the high Atlas as the most fabulous mountains in the whole of Africa. Mount Toubkal At 4167m Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas and in North Africa. The mountain is only around 40 miles to the south of Marrakech and on a clear day it can be clearly seen from the city and vice versa. The region around the peak of Toubkal its-self is populated by a series of 4,000m peaks in a great bowl at the head of the Mizane Valley. Running up to this bowl s edge are four more principal valleys that each point to a high pass, over into the Mizane. It is in this main valley that we find the Toubkal (or Neltner) Refuge, the prime base for mountaineering exploits in the area. The Climb As we will be ascending from warm conditions at around 450m altitude, up to potentially cold conditions at 4,000m altitude we will ascend at a rate that will allow our bodies to adjust. The itinerary has been put together to be robust and achievable with several outings from our highest sleeping-point to allow us to acclimatise. These day treks aim for fantastic objectives in themselves and can be adjusted, along with the itinerary in general, to account for short term variations in acclimatisation rates and weather conditions. Parts of the upper climb will be moderately strenuous with some steep terrain made more taxing by the effects of altitude. We will have no need to rush, however, we will follow the standard mountaineering practice of steady and careful movement.
Fitness & Experience You do not need to be super-fit for this trip, however the climbs are moderately demanding with some long days of sustained walking with a backpack. The effects of altitude may also further tax your body. You will enjoy the trip all the more if you are in good physical shape having exercised regularly and eaten nutritiously over at least the 6 months leading up to the trip. You do need to be in good health as we will spend some time in locations that are many hours from professional medical care. Any pre-existing medical or dental conditions should be fully appraised by a doctor and their nature fully disclosed to your insurer and to Adventure Alternative. The winter climb is different in nature to the summer climb in that it will be over snow and ice and will require mountaineering clothing and snow and ice travel techniques. There is time to get accustomed with using crampons and this climb is an excellent introduction to trekking and living in snow conditions. We will provide training and tips during the trip. The ascents on this trip are not technical climbs but they will require the careful use of crampons and walking axe to make increase safety and enjoyment. Equipment There is a page on our website that gives an outline of the equipment and clothing to bring. If you are unfamiliar with any of the items or have any questions regarding your existing kit please do feel free to speak to us before buying anything new. We also have agreements with www.theoutdoorshop.com and Cotswold Outdoor for discounted rates. On our links page you find the websites of a whole load of good outdoor kit suppliers and also some companies who rent gear with the option to buy it at second-hand rates if you decide you want it by the end of the trip. Accommodation In Marrakech we stay in a comfortable hotel in the city. Depending on what time your flight arrives you may get to have a look around that day. If you would like to arrive a day or two early then we can help to sort out extra nights at the hotel. In the village of Imlil we stay in a comfortable local lodge. We know the owners and they will make us very welcome and lay on some fantastic local food for us at lunchtime and in the evening after our afternoon of acclimatisation walks. In the upper Mizane valley we will stay in the basic but comfortable Neltner/Toubkal mountain refuge. There are dormitories with bunk beds but we will need to bring our own sleeping bags. There are also showers and washing facilities here. The refuge staff prepare our meals and we have the opportunity to relax and meet other intrepid adventurers. There is a huge amount of further information on our website at www.adventurealternative.com or you can contact us by phone on +44 (0) 28708 31258 [or ROI: 04870 831258] or by email at office@adventurealternative.com
Outline Itinerary (Please note that as with all adventure travel and mountaineering, the itinerary may be subject to slight amendment depending on actual conditions of the group and the local conditions at the time) We will generally be making early starts to maximise the available daylight, we walk with only our small daypacks with our large bags being carried by mule. Most days will involve 4-7 hours of walking followed by relaxation, photographing and chatting about the next day in the late afternoon and evening. Day Date Altitude Activity 1 02/02 450m Arrive on international flight into Marrakech. Explore the city and meet for a team dinner and introductions in the evening. Spend the night in a comfortable city hotel. 2 03/02 1850m After breakfast we have around a 2 hour transfer by road over the rugged mountain terrain, up to the village of Imlil close to the foot of the Toubkal massif. Here we can move all of our gear into the comfortable lodge run by a local Berber family. After a good lunch we will take an afternoon walk up through the local villages to gain some altitude, some exercise and to soak up the local culture. We return to the lodge in Imlil for dinner and spend the night here. 3 04/02 3207m After breakfast we will shoulder our day packs and trek further up the valley to a small village of Chamharouch in a distictive valley bowl. From here we wind further up the Isougouane valley to the Neltner Refuge at the foot of the main west face of Toubkal. 4 05/02 4088m Today we will attempt our ascent of Ouanoukrim. The mountain is Toubkal's neighbour and the second highest peak in the Atlas Mountains. We ascend to its twin peaks; Ras and Timesguida. After the ascent we return to the Neltner refuge for dinner and to spend the night. 5 06/02 4010m We today make an attempt to climb up to the summit of Akioud. This is a fine rocky peak again within reach of the Neltner Rufuge to which we return for a well deserved dinner and a further night's sleep. 6 07/02 4167m After the previous days on nearby peaks, today we are up early to begin our ascent of Toubkal its self. We ascend the steep gulley in the West face, up to a col at 3940m called Tizi'n'Toubkal. From here we turn to the North along the South ridge and up to the summit. After enjoying the views at the summit we will decide whether to return on the ascent route or to drop back down to the Rufuge by one of a few alternative routes. After lunch at the Refuge we trek back down to the village of Armound where we will rest and have a well deserved team dinner. 7 08/02 450m From Armound it is a short trek to Imlil where we will transfer to Marrakech by road. We should be in Marrakech in time for lunch leaving the rest of the day free to explore or for an evening flight. Guidebooks, Maps & Further Reading (These are all generally available from Amazon, Cordee, Stanfords or by ordering from a local bookshop) Trekking in the Atlas Mountains, K. Smith, Cicerone, ISBN 978-1-85284-421-9 Mountaineering in the Moroccan High Atlas, D. Clark, Cicerone, ISBN 978-1852846114 Moroccan Atlas - The Trekking Guide, A. Palmer, Trailblazer, ISBN 978-1873756775 The High Atlas: Treks & Climbs., H. Brown, Cicerone, ISBN 978-1852846718 Toubkal & Marrakech, 1:50,000, Collomb & Wielochowski, West Col, ISBN 978-0906227985 High Atlas Morocco, 1:100,000/1:1,500,000/1:20,000, TerraQuest, ISBN 9788361155263 Toubkal, 1:4,000, Editorial Piolet, ISBN 13: 9788495945426 Morocco: From Empire to Independence, C. Pennell, Oneworld, ISBN 978-1851686346 A Traveller's History of North Africa, B. Rogerson, Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd, ISBN 978-0715637388 Travel at High Altitude, Medex, ISBN 0-901100-76-5 (free to download at http://www.medex.org.uk/v26%20booklet.pdf)
ADVENTURE ALTERNATIVE - TRIP SUMMARY INFORMATION Trip Name Locations Activities (approx duration) Mt Toubkal (4167m) Winter Ascent Country Morocco Marrakech, Jebel Toubkal Massif Arrival & Preparation- Briefings, Kit checks & possible Marrakech Sightseeing (2 days) Climb- Imlil-Neltner, Ouanoukrim, Akioud, Toubkal and return (5 days) Duration 7 days Dates November - February Challenge Expedition- Moderate physical challenge, Some will experience mild effects of altitude, Moderately cold conditions possible (-10degC), Fully supported and monitored. Climate Weather patterns have reported to become more unpredictable in recent years. We will need to be prepared for potentially cold (well below freezing) temperatures with the possibility of precipitation falling either as rain, sleet or snow. As with all mountainous and exposed places, strong winds may be observed. Objectives Winter ascent of three peaks in the Toubkal area from a base at the Neltner Refuge in the Mizane Valley immediately adjacent to Jebel Toubkal. This is preceded by controlled and monitored ascent from Marrakech, initially by vehicle to Imlil then on foot from there forward. Supported by local guide and mules to carry main kit bags from Imlil to Neltner and return. Accommodation City Hotel; Comfortable hotel Village Lodges; Comfortable rustic lodges Camping; 2 or 3-man mountain tents Mountain Refuges; Basic but comfortable mountain huts. Food 3 cooked meals a day, prepared and served at camp location. A range of traditional Moroccan dishes are available and some North European options. Food allergies can be catered for Transport Internal transfers by private chartered upon prior notification. Leader : Client Ratio vehicle 1 : 8 General Maximum Teacher : Student Ratio Basic Cost 535* per person *see website to confirm current prices Cost Includes AA UK Logistics & Backup UK Leader & Local Guide In-Country Logistics & Staffing All internal transfers Medical Back-up All meals and accommodation All Mountain access fees Mules to transport main bags All activities in the itinerary Cost Excludes (estimated cost) Other Requirements Suggested 1 : 10 (applicable to youth groups only) Return flight to Marakech (~ 100) Travel Insurance (~ 35) Travel vaccinations (~ 20) consider Hep A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, TB, Typhoid speak to your GP or Travel Clinic Visa (not required for UK or Irish citizens) Passport must be valid for min 6 months beyond entry date Ensure passport is stamped on entry to ensure easy exit Possible Itinerary Changes: Please note that the above information is given in good faith but the nature of adventure travel is such that amendments to the programme may be required at short notice due to factors beyond the control of Adventure Alternative. In this situation we will seek to undertake equivalent activities in an alternative location and ensure that the overall objectives and nature of the trip are maintained. Please see our standard terms and conditions for information relating to cancellation.