Mt Toubkal Winter Climb

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the summit of Mt Toubkal!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Organized. Great sense of humor.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get in shape. Climb will test you.

Suggestions

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being there, with the target of 4167m

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lahcen was great. Very focussed and hardworking to make the trip work. Kept an eye on everyone on an individual level. He loves his work and shares his feelings on many topics to educate everyone. He paced the walking so everyone achieved. His deputy guide in the mountains, also called Lahcen, did a grand job making sure we all stayed together and were safe

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bare with me but I hope this may give some insight: Exodus supplied food (with own cook) was really abundant and really nice Moroccan style whether breakfast, lunch or dinner. Hotel and Gite were grand. Mountain refuge (Mouflon) at 3200m was enjoyed by all on my trip but it had basically minimal to nil hot water in showers plus no hot sink taps. Minimal low wattage lighting so need head torches everywhere. No heating apart from the single eating / lounge room. No drying room. Dormitory bedroom is one big deck rather than separate beds. Extra thick blankets are freely available. Recommend sleep in warm clothes and a 3-4 season sleeping bag. Our Group took large bottles of water from Marrakesh on all the trip so we were self sufficient and purification not required Our group was 3 girls and 7 boys ranging in age from 23 to 69. I consider myself quite leg fit and had trained with weighted rucksack on steep ascents and descents. Overall most physically active folks can easily do this trek without too much effort?. Guides do pace it well. There was not as much snow as I would have expected. Possibly 60% rock, 40% icy snow from 3200m upwards. Crampons worn nearly all of the two summit days. Ski resort in far far distance was closed... Weather was bright, calmish, clear on the 4 days, including trekking up and down to from Lmlil. Pretty breezy on one summit with -20C windchill (that’s cold), next day calmish and forecast said -6C (very pleasant) Summit days, for me was medium weight walking trousers and goretex salopettes. On chest was 2 Helly Hansen type stocking tops under a Buffalo fibre pile/pertex top. Summit strong wind did need a goretex top to stay warm. Beany under helmet kept me warm. Fibre Pile lined gloves with thin liner gloves did work but at times I did get cold fingers. Others seemed fine. I think mitts would be better. Descending a summit you really do warm up, unlike the slow steady going up when you feel comfortable or cool. Ascents largely in the shady side of mountains but descents tend to be in sunshine. Trekking poles on valley paths did not seem necessary for myself, as generally level ground?. Once crampons on, its ice axe in hand, so poles not required Altitude sickness – personally I did not notice anything. However I didn’t sleep well at Lmlil (2000m) and first night at refuge (3200m) but after Mt Toubkal summit I slept like a log, as I did after that. I had trained beforehand walking up and down UK hills but above 3800m my legs did feel quite weary going up and down, which was a surprise, to myself. My fellow colleague’s in the main fared ok with just a few headaches and poorish sleep. A couple, said they did notice more effort to breath but not enough to be concerned. Marakkesh – a lovely diversion at the end. Overall felt safe once embarked out and about, with my colleagues. Locals are nice and easy. Accept that souk sellers and central square entertainers/food merchants are eager for your business but do back down with a decline or laugh it off. How much money is needed- well I spent £280 UK airport to UK airport - trip 4 meals out, trip group tips, trip group water, a tourist taxi tour, couple of local taxis and a bit of souvenir shopping. Two course meals about 200Dh each, taxi from hotel 50Dh, group tips and water 550Dh each, coffee/soft drinks 20Dh each

Suggestions

This is MY observation and has no responsibility upon Exodus. I am Type 1 Insulin Diabetic. Everyone knew my condition and I was prepared to minimize problems to myself and the group. I was a hint surprised that on the 4 days of trekking (at altitude) I found that my blood glucose tended to stay far higher than I would have expected, to mountain trekking in the UK. Libre flash sensor worked well with the Reader device (not Mobile app) kept in a waterproof pouch around my neck and kept warm inside my clothes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wow this is tough, Obviously reaching the summit is definitely one of them and doing it with a group of people I had only met a few days before but quickly became firm friends with and we had a shared passion for the mountains. Being able to visit our guides home in Aroumd, being shown around the village and experiencing a traditional Hamas. The Berber people were so welcoming and there way of life and outlook are inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What to say about Lachen..... Such a wonderful person, it was an absolute pleasure to get to know him during the trip, I don't have a frame of reference as this was my first group trip like this. But at the airport he was so friendly and welcoming, he gave us some great pointers for venturing into the main square on the day I arrived. During the travel up to the mountains he was full of information and when we started walking he set a pace for the group that was comfortable. He talked to everyone in the group whilst we were walking and his knowledge of the area was amazing. On our trip to the summit of Toubkal he was aware of peoples abilities and along with his brother made the day at altitude one that I will remember for life. When I come back to the Atlas Mountains he needs to be my guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think, just do!

Suggestions

If this trip is indicative of all Exodus trips, then I will certainly book again

Most Inspirational Moment

Both main mountain days

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well organised and concerned for our safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get some ice axe and crampon training and practice before the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Both main mountain days

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well organised and concerned for our safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get some ice axe and crampon training and practice before the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Both main mountain days

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well organised and concerned for our safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get some ice axe and crampon training and practice before the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the mountains

Thoughts on Group Leader

Room for improvement form a health and safety perspective. He did address many issues eg being careful taking time conserving energy but seem to pay little attention once on the mountain leading from the front does require keeping an eye on what is happening. The guide was friendly and provided good briefings and keep us to task. The practice in using an ice axe was at a very low level. More time should have been devoted to this key area of safety on the mountain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Summiting Mt Toubkal - it was physically demanding because of the wind but the 360 views from the top were amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very serious and disciplined - always felt safe and secure as there were some tougher sections.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not under-estimate the potential physical side which will obviously be heavily dependent on the weather conditions.....

Suggestions

Bring some ear plugs for the dorm.......:-)

Most Inspirational Moment

It's tempting to say getting to the top, and that was a wonderful moment after the effort we had put in. But equally, bonding as a team so that we all got to the top together meant a great deal to me. Getting through the tough descent back to Imlil was, on reflection, an achievement that I was proud of, too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Youssef was knowledgeable and informative from the start. By the time we'd reached the mountains and completed the winter training, we trusted him so that when he said that we couldn't summit because the weather was likely to get worse, we knew he was right (and he was subsequently proved right). We learnt a lot about the country, the culture and beliefs, and the way the trekking business worked from him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have the right kit. For the winter climb, your boots must be able to take proper crampons and be worn in. Mine were, but I still developed blister as the crampon straps tightened the boots slightly differently. Take plenty of plasters! I wish I'd done a little more aerobic/gym training instead of concentrating on hill walking. I've done Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro but this is different again - the ascent comes in short, intense bursts so that extra fitness is worth having so that you can enjoy the trek. In cold conditions, the drinking tube of a bladder system can freeze, as can the bite valve. Blow the water back out of the tube after you've drunk and tuck the bite valve under your armpit or into your jacket. Or take a smaller water bottle and keep it inside your coat. Horde your small change. In the mountain villages and refuge, there is next to no chance of breaking a 100dh note for single bottles of water or snacks. Similarly in Marrakech, I found the shop owners (even the supermarket next to the hotel) extremely reluctant to take larger denomination notes for small purchases. Jemaa el Fna is a fantastic place but is best visited after dark, when the square fills up and the food stalls are out. It's busy, noisy, chaotic and fun and not as intimidating as you may first think. Local families got here. But be sensible with your valuables and watch out for kids who crowd around you trying to sell you little glow sticks - it's a distraction while they go for your pockets. It happened to me and I felt two hands unzipping my jacket pockets. I just managed to stop them taking my camera and phone. Don't let this put you off. Just keep everything in inside pockets and be a little wary.

Suggestions

I found the food in Morocco wonderful. I have a problem with spicy food, which tends to upset my stomach, but this food was fantastic and I didn't suffer any problems at all. The food in the mountains, cooked by our own trek chef, was excellent and always fresh, surprising given the location. I didn't want to rely on bottled water because of the lack of recycling in the mountains, but it was the only practical way of getting enough water. I brought the bottles back to Marrakech with me. Take ear plugs for the refuges in the mountains, and prepare to share dormitories with the whole group. Crocs or waterproof sandals for the showers will make life easier. Go with an open mind, prepared to change plans at short notice, and you will be rewared with an excellent experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the steep snow/ice slope with crampons and ice axes for a superb view and awesome feeling of accomplishment!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was THE BEST. He guided us easily, we trusted him fully, he provided us with excellent information and was always available - nothing was a problem! He was also so much fun and easy to get along with - I miss him and everyone on the trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be do some winter walking if possible, if not walking and I'd also highly recommend a taster ice climbing session just to get used to crampons and ice axes. I did this and felt it was very helpful.

Suggestions

I had the BEST time!