Afritrex - The Mountains
Mount Toubkal, Morocco
Elevation: 4,167 metres
First ascent: 12 June 1923. Marquis de Segonzac.
Range: Atlas Mountains
Easiest route: South cwm (hike in summer)
Coordinates: 31°03′43″N, 7°54′58″W
Date of Ascent: (predicted) 18 Jan 2008
We are really looking forward to this Mountain as it signs the first major challenge of our journey, as well as perhaps the greatest single ordeal. We will be climbing a mountain only a little shy of the height of Europe’s tallest (outside Russia), Mont Blanc…in mid winter. Bad weather conditions could hold us here at the beginning of our journey as we chomp at the bit to get ready for the Marathon International de Marrakech on the 27th Jan 2008 and the trials of the less travelled and infinitely more challenging West African route. It also provides our first chance of filming the journey as we prepare for a major ascent (and perhaps the last time to pull out), to test our kit and get rid of as many gremlins as possible within a stone’s throw of the UK.
Jebel Toubkal is forty miles due south of Marrakech, and is the highest and most accessible mountain massif of the Atlas range, and the highest of all North Africa. It dominates the area with its steep rocky faces, and is surrounded by massive granite buttresses and several secondary peaks. Extensive snowfields are present late into the summer at higher elevations and on northern slopes. It is a fairly easy climb above 4000 M and is a good to begin with to feel the thin air before higher ascents later in the trip. An epic 360 degree view of Morocco and the Sahara greets you at the summit. Luxury in the form of a French Alpine club refuge at 3000m eases the legs.
Trekkers usually approach the mountain from the road-end village of Imlil. Qualified local guides can be hired, as well as mules and porters, to carry equipment and food supplies higher into the mountains. For experienced mountaineers guides are not required for the normal route, as it is an easy hike and orientation is not a problem.
The normal route starts with an easy walk to the village of Aroumd. Past Aroumd a floodplain is crossed and the route follows the left slope of the valley southwards. This valley bends to the east to the tiny settlement of Sidi Chamharouch, which has grown around a Muslim shrine. At Sidi Chamharouch the path leads over the stream and steeply uphill to the right side of the Isougouane valley which leads to two stone-built refuges (old Neltner Refuge and the new Refuge du Toubkal) that are often used as a base camp at 3,207m. It is possible to buy some basic beverages in the refuges. Tents can be pitched near the refuges for a small charge.
From that point a path crosses the stream, climbs a steep scree slope to the east and enters a valley (corrie), then climbs another steep slope to reach a col (Tizi'n'Toubkal at 3,940m). At the col the route turns left (northwards) to the summit ridge of Jbel Toubkal. The 4,167m summit is crowned with a curious pyramidal metal frame and views take in most of the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains.
The ascent during the summer (from May) is non-technical and easy, only complicated by steep and slippery scree slopes and altitude sickness. Sturdy boots and proper (windproof) clothing is required, trekking poles are helpful on the scree. An ice-axe may be needed on the remaining snowfields in the early summer.
It is possible to climb the mountain in two days - first day up to the refuge (around seven hours without mules), second day to the summit (around five hours) and back to Imlil (up to five hours).
In summer the mountains can be very dry, but are sometimes subjected to storms. Although the temperature should keep above zero during the day, freezing conditions are possible over 3,500m. In winter the mountains are covered in snow and ice, and can be prone to avalanches. Skiing is possible as the snow can lie to considerable depth and cover many rocky slopes. Information about state of the route can be obtained at Marrakech tourist offices or at Imlil.
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Toubkal | Cameroun | Pic Marguerite | Kilimanjaro | Ras Dashen | back to Mountains
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