ADVENTURE

 Some advice for those who are new to Toubkal

                     IMAGE SOURCE- ADVENTURE

Mixed feelings came over me when I was given the chance to join our one-week hiking trip up Mount Toubkal. I was thrilled about the prospect of experiencing something new—a new country, a challenging task, and a genuine adventure that I knew I could never undertake alone—but I was also overcome with anxiety about my physical fitness for the challenge, how I would handle the heat, the altitude, camping, being with a group of strangers, and an endless list of other factors.

I spoke with as many KE office employees as I could locate in order to gain any useful information, went for as many walks up and down Lakes fells as I could, and purchased or borrowed the kit. before starting out, I was anxiously anticipating.

At our hotel in Marrakech, I finally ran across my welcoming group and our trip leader, and I instantly felt better.  We discussed our expectations for the trip before leaving the following morning for the brief drive into the Atlas Mountains, where our hike would start in the ski resort town of Oukaimeden.

We walked a short distance to our first lunch location, where a table was set up under a shady tree and the most incredible salad was served to us.  I made the decision right there and then that I would enjoy this experience.  After there, the journey really got underway with a lengthier climb up a pass and then down into the valley. When we arrived to our camp in Foussarou, the incredible team of muleteers had the tents all set up for us.  Every night, we were invited into the larger dining tent for the crucial custom of drinking green tea before dinner and finishing with camomile tea. 

Beautifully arranged salads, vegetables, rice, meat, tagines, spaghetti, lentils, and couscous were served for lunch and dinner.  After arduous days of walking, the sight of blue canvas indicating our camp was always a welcome sight, and we were only too happy to roll into a tent and fall asleep (along with various noises like frogs calling to one another by the lake, the clatter of mules' hooves on the rocks, and yes, the occasional snore emanating from fellow adventurers' tents!) 

The areas where we camped were stunning and secluded; we went days without seeing another person.  My favorite location was by the lake, which was usually peaceful and lovely but a long way from home. The lake was a wonderful, glittering turquoise blue when we arrived, changing color as the day went on and the sun set.

We traveled past Berber settlements, barren rock terrain, and meadows of wildflowers. The environment and vistas were breathtaking and varied. When we reached the top of the pass on the second morning of our hike and peered down over a cloud inversion, the Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains, and our first glimpse of Toubkal, there were audible gasps from the entire party.   The pace was ideal, and although I think it's fair to say that the days were exhausting, the scenery made up for any aching muscles. We also felt in excellent hands with our guide, Lahcen, who was upbeat, collected, and very informed.

We traveled to the high Ouanoums Pass the day before our Toubkal trek; the scenery was stunning.  When we looked back at the small area of blue known as Lake Ifni, where we had started our journey that morning, we couldn't believe how far we had come.  We then made our way down the valley to the Toubkal Base Camp shelter. 

This area was busier, with people arriving like us as well as groups who had just descended the mountain lounging outside in the sunshine.  We were relieved to be camping nearby rather than staying at the refuge since we wanted our own space before the Big Day.  We ate dinner and went to bed early in anticipation of a 2.45 am wake-up call, a quick breakfast, and a 3.30 am departure.

With headlamps and little sense of direction, we departed in the total darkness.  As we focused on following the pair of feet in front of us, it was a quiet ascent, but we made good progress despite stopping frequently. All of us radiated a sense of quiet resolve and expectancy.  At one point, we traversed a wide area of snow and greeted a few other Toubkal residents.  We stopped to take in the beautiful light and pink hue around the mountains as the sun rose after 6 a.m. Around 8am, we finally made it to the summit and the recognizable black metal building.  We'd succeeded! 

Despite the fact that we still had roughly eight hours of trekking to go, it felt incredible. It didn't matter because this was the goal of the journey and the summit.  Although the expression "feeling on top of the world" has become somewhat overused, we were actually at the highest point for miles at 4,167 meters.  It is impossible to describe how it felt to slowly scan the expansive 360-degree panorama of mountains; it was also, to be honest, a little emotional.  We all took a time to relax and reflect because it's not a sight to take for granted.

Toubkal trekking does require a good overall level of fitness; if your knees or hips bother you, it probably isn't the trek for you. This is because the walking involves uneven terrain, slick scree, and loose boulders, and the time spent walking is lengthy—typically eight to nine hours and longer on the Toubkal day. 

 LINK SOURCE- https://www.keadventure.com/adventure-travel-blog/item/982-first-time-toubkal

There are numerous rest stops, but the pace is sluggish and steady. Never undervalue the value of encouraging and patient traveling companions. My beautiful One Week Toubkaler partners said, "We're a team.  Although the trip path is intended to help you acclimate as much as possible (ascend high and sleep low), nobody in my party experienced any problems. Altitude sickness can be a little random in who it affects.

From there, we had a short valley walk downwards to our gite, where we would spend the night.  The following day was a trip back to Marrakech by minibus after exploring the lovely village of Imlil.  Here, as the sun was setting, we had dinner on a rooftop restaurant with views of the Koutoubia Mosque to cap off our week.  It was the ideal way to cap off the most amazing week.  I highly recommend going on our one-week trip to Toubkal!