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[Travel] Toubkal, the Atlas Mountains.



The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
25,546
West is BEST
Morocco.


Anyone else done this climb?

I’m going in May with a guided group.

Any tips?
 






















Cheshire Cat

The most curious thing..
Take an Atlas.....Oh...
1723572582975.png
 




The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
25,546
West is BEST
However……

That’s a great site. Thank you.

The travel company I’m going with are very helpful but that’s a good one.

Going late May into June so weather should be okay.
 




Green Cross Code Man

Wunt be druv
Mar 30, 2006
20,531
Eastbourne
With a guided group.
Good. I once went with a group to the Atlas mountains and started the walk with assurances that the weather would be good so no need for cold weather clothing. We were hiking up and staying a couple of nights up there. At the summit, looking towards Marrakesh I was alarmed to see a huge bank of black clouds, sure enough a few minutes later a heavy snowstorm and temperatures which had been in the 70's turned to minus numbers. To make matters worse, the 'guide' then informed us that he didn't know where we were. We had to make a makeshift camp with the couple of tents we had and in my opinion, it was a miracle that were didn't end up with any fatalities as the journey back was horrendous the next day. I am sure your trip will be better! 😂
 




DudsFarm

Member
Oct 2, 2020
46
Cheltenham
Went to the top with a group tour about 10 years ago in June time. Hard work going up , 3 days I seem to remember of nothing but ascent. Got mild altitude sickness at the top. We came down via a scree run, basically over the side of the mountain and don't try to stop. Don't drink the street orange juice if you're in Marrakech, it's watered down with local tap water 🤮.
 






Red Squirrel

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2022
546
The Highlands
I went about 15 years ago in autumn. It was fantastic.

We hiked to a base camp, pitched tents and then started the ascent in the dark at 2am, the idea was to reach the top to see the sunrise. Half the group got altitude sickness so didn't make it. I had stocked up on gingko biloba for a couple of weeks before hand so was ok. The views were fantastic. We were back down at base camp by noon, rested and then hiked back.

I have MS so am a bit wobbly on my feet but had a walking pole to keep me steady. The path goes up the side of a cliff but it's fine. There's plenty of scree and it's very exposed. The guide warned us about rabid dogs in the area but we never saw any. It's the clearest night sky I have ever seen. We could see Marrakesh glowing green in the distance.

I would take a walking pole, sunblock, sun hat, gingko biloba, a head-lamp,a good sleeping bag and good walking boots of course.

The menu was mainly tagine, pigeon pie or pizza. Don't go near the snake charmers in Marrakesh.

Enjoy, you'll have a great time.
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
25,546
West is BEST
Went to the top with a group tour about 10 years ago in June time. Hard work going up , 3 days I seem to remember of nothing but ascent. Got mild altitude sickness at the top. We came down via a scree run, basically over the side of the mountain and don't try to stop. Don't drink the street orange juice if you're in Marrakech, it's watered down with local tap water 🤮.
Will be in Marrakech for two nights.
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
25,546
West is BEST
I went about 15 years ago in autumn. It was fantastic.

We hiked to a base camp, pitched tents and then started the ascent in the dark at 2am, the idea was to reach the top to see the sunrise. Half the group got altitude sickness so didn't make it. I had stocked up on gingko biloba for a couple of weeks before hand so was ok. The views were fantastic. We were back down at base camp by noon, rested and then hiked back.

I have MS so am a bit wobbly on my feet but had a walking pole to keep me steady. The path goes up the side of a cliff but it's fine. There's plenty of scree and it's very exposed. The guide warned us about rabid dogs in the area but we never saw any. It's the clearest night sky I have ever seen. We could see Marrakesh glowing green in the distance.

I would take a walking pole, sunblock, sun hat, gingko biloba, a head-lamp, and good walking boots of course.

The menu was mainly tagine, pigeon pie or pizza. Don't go near the snake charmers in Marrakesh.

Enjoy, you'll have a great time.
Great stuff! Thank you.
 




BrightonCottager

Well-known member
Sep 30, 2013
2,542
Brighton
A good friend of mine did it a few weeks ago on a charity trek rearranged from when they had the earthquake.

He said the heat was brutal, the terrain very steep and loose shale underfoot. Everyone fell at least once on the way down and there were cracked ribs and bruises aplenty.

He had effects from altitude sickness.

Even after this, he said he'd do it again.
 


Peacehaven Wild Kids

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2022
3,016
The Avenue then Maloncho
Cant help with the climb but Marrakesh is my favourite city in the world at the moment (I’m quite well traveled) I can spend hours of not days walking the streets and the 24 hour square of Jemaa el Fnaa. I can’t wait to go back this winter but I want to take the boy this time and also do a Crosby Stills and Nash (one for the seniors on here!)
 


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