Heading down about 17th March with a mate. I wanted a focus rather than just riding around the whole time so thought getting to the top of Mt Toubkal would be the go. I think with no snow it's probably not too bad but if there is still snow which is likely we are best going with a guide or a group. We won't have all the gear ie crampons etc so I wondered if anyone had done this and knew if we could hire this sort of thing if we just turned up. We are not great at planning and was hoping to sort things out as and when.
Anyone Been Up Jebel Toubkal
- Thread starter Waiohine Man
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Toubab
There WILL be snow.
Not been up to the top, but I'd expect snow down at the road level, let alone at the top.
Get the Gandolfini walking maps
Not been up to the top, but I'd expect snow down at the road level, let alone at the top.
Get the Gandolfini walking maps
pablo666
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Nah! she wouldn't let me
Yes, Feb 2002. We did it in a three day trip from the ski resort at Oukaimeden (not certain of the spelling). I think we walked to Imlil and stayed overnight. From there we walked up to the French Alpine Club's Hut and stayed there. Early start the next morning, up to the top of Toubkal and back down to Imlil. From Imlil we walked out.
Easy walk for the most part, but I think a couple of hundred metres of easy going in crampons.
Fantastic views from the summit all along the Atlas, then south to the Sahara and north onto the plain of Morocco. There's a large metal tripod affair on the summit - and yes, I climbed that as well!
Only got the pic below. It was pre-digital and this is the only one I've got scanned. And no, it's not the top, it's near Oukaimeden
Easy walk for the most part, but I think a couple of hundred metres of easy going in crampons.
Fantastic views from the summit all along the Atlas, then south to the Sahara and north onto the plain of Morocco. There's a large metal tripod affair on the summit - and yes, I climbed that as well!
Only got the pic below. It was pre-digital and this is the only one I've got scanned. And no, it's not the top, it's near Oukaimeden
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ooowwwww you can see my house from 'ere.
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There's no snow at the moment other than in deep crevices, but 8cm is expected Monday night with rain at lower altitudes. High daytime temperature of -16ºC at the summit this week. The snow is likely to clear in a few days. Muleteers won't allow their mules above the snow line for fear of injury, so if there is snow you are into carry-it-all-yourself mode. If there's snow you can hire crampons and ice axes though prior experience might be useful.
Best itinerary is first night in Imlil at 1700m to acclimatise, second night at the refuges at 3200m, then start final ascent up the south col early morning, summit, and back down to Imlil or even back to Marrakech for the third night. It's classed as a non-technical but strenuous route. The scree field is a pain, even with trekking poles.
More info at www.imlil.org
Best itinerary is first night in Imlil at 1700m to acclimatise, second night at the refuges at 3200m, then start final ascent up the south col early morning, summit, and back down to Imlil or even back to Marrakech for the third night. It's classed as a non-technical but strenuous route. The scree field is a pain, even with trekking poles.
More info at www.imlil.org
Thanks for the info everyone. That site you posted looks just what's needed thanks Tim. Are you out there now? I guess we ride to Imlil and work it all out there depending on the snow etc.
Anyway I've always wanted to get up there and will do what it takes.
Anyway I've always wanted to get up there and will do what it takes.
We saw lots of organised trips being bus'd in to Imlil from Marrakech last June and also guides+mules being offered in Imlil itself. We didn't have the time to do the 2 day trip but plan on doing it maybe next year. Lots of places to stay in Imlil itself and it's got a different feel to the rest of Morroco, we loved it.
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Yes, I'm in Morocco at the moment, I've just had eleven nights relaxing in the sunshine by the sea at Sidi Ifni, now headed for some harder stuff.
After the "little walk", you could head north east out of Imlil (turn left at top by big boulder), still on tarmac over the Tizi n'Tamatert, then you'll see a piste going west in the valley below. This leads to Asni.
After the "little walk", you could head north east out of Imlil (turn left at top by big boulder), still on tarmac over the Tizi n'Tamatert, then you'll see a piste going west in the valley below. This leads to Asni.
That sounds good Tim. May well end up doing that. i have a feeling we are in the area over Easter. Not that that means anything to the locals but Im now worried Morocco is going to be over run by winter weary sun seakers. I reckon you chose the best time to go.
Yes, I'm in Morocco at the moment, I've just had eleven nights relaxing in the sunshine by the sea at Sidi Ifni, now headed for some harder stuff.
After the "little walk", you could head north east out of Imlil (turn left at top by big boulder), still on tarmac over the Tizi n'Tamatert, then you'll see a piste going west in the valley below. This leads to Asni.
I'll be bimbling around in April Tim, can you recommend a hotel in Sidi Ifni?
Is there much there apart from sand and sea to keep you interested? or did you use it as a base for ride outs?
cheers
Millard
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"Sweaty Locker" aka Hotel Suerte Loca (Crazy Luck) is where I stayed. Basic rooms but the beach pub is down the stairs from the hotel. There's also Belle Vue where I've stayed before and Hotel Safa.
As it's on the coast there's no ride outs to the west! Fort Bou Jerif and Plage Blanche are to the south.
As it's on the coast there's no ride outs to the west! Fort Bou Jerif and Plage Blanche are to the south.
I did it a couple of years ago in October and although it was a lovely day it was quite windy and pretty cold with ice around on the top. Technically easy but I can imagine that if the visibility is poor then route finding might become tricky. My picture shows the route up the valley from the Refuge du Toubkal before it turns left to go up to the summit.
