Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Morocco is a special place. In terms of the distance from UK to culture shock ratio there surely isn't anywhere to beat it. Work your way to the tannery at the heart of the Souk and you'll know what I mean. I also feel I lucked out with the company - what a great bunch of people to be hiking with. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everything well planned, nice chaps too - thanks again!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared - the mountain refuge is VERY basic. We were there early January which meant constant cold. This is the boot camp portion of the holiday - you'll relish the moment when you can get outside, put your crampons on and get hiking up the slopes (at 7am).

Suggestions

The climbing is not hard or scary so don't be put off by the trip rating. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit day brought 100kph winds which made it difficult to stand let alone walk. In my view the group should have been turned around to wait for better conditions like some others, but we were encouraged to keep going. Two of us turned back at the ridge, with the rest of the group having an uneasy three minutes on the summit. The walk-in up the valley was not particularly inspiring as the valley was quite barren and the steep valley sides prevented views of any neighbouring scenery. Add to that, the really bad air quality in Marrakesh, and you get an pretty unpleasent experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Apart from the the (in my view) bad decision on summit day, the other aspects of the trip were handled very well. The food was excellent given the circumstances, possibly a lot better than the other groups were getting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most of the failings of the trip, such as weather, the lack of good views and the use of Gatwick Airport were beyond the control of Exodus. Read this and the other reports and make up your own minds. FYI the other Exodus group that did a lower altitude Atlas Trek semed to have a much better time.

Most Inspirational Moment

You'll do this trip for the mountaineering, not for the food or the experience that you'll have of Marrakech. The itinerary was perfect for a short break and for those seeking a challenge, such as climbing to a high altitude or trying out crampons.  The food wasn't poor but wasn't tasty or what you might already know as Moroccan. There were tagine's and couscous but the spices are left out because the tourists apparently don't like them. As a foodie, this was a little disappointing. It didn't get in the way of a good time though, as the mountains as such an amazing setting. The lodge is well placed as the base for three nights and the treks are intense but leave you with a good part of the day just to stare into the snowy vista, read a book, play cards with your new travel mates or sleep off the exertion. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was superb. He's worked for Exodus for 17 years and knows this trek extremely well. He's completely safety focussed and is not at all blase' after all these years working similar tours, which was refreshing. He was always available to answer questions, help with crampons and to encourage the group along their challenge. I've had various treks with other companies and guides and this was certainly the best I'd had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes more carefully than you think you already have. Most of our group hadn't realised we'd be in the same lodge for three nights, or that the trek would be entirely on snow for three out of the five days. Our fault, and there was nothing wrong with it, but it was a surprise. Also don't expect to experience Marrakech. You'll arrive late at night and start the drive out to the Atlas the next day. Whilst the hotel isn't in a bad location, the Hotels we had are not in the Medina and are on a noisy road with Macdonalds and Pizza Hut nearby. You can make it to the main square, but not very leisurely. I added on extra time and stayed in a Riad within the Medina to get to the more beautiful side of the city

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Toubkal was very rewarding, particularly after being stuck in the refuge on the previous day due to bad weather. The climb itself was easier than I expected. Although physically demanding, there is nothing technical about it and if you are fit enough you should be fine. The views are spectacular!    

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was exceptionally good. Very knowleadgeable, he provided us with fascinating talks about Moroccan culture and Islamism. His skills as a leader were also excellent and he gave us good tips about what to do in Marrakesh.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

TAKE FOOD! The breakfast is very poor and I would have been in trouble had I not taken my own supplies of ceral bars, dried fruit etc. You may also want to take a book, playing cards and other things to do in case you get stuck in the refuge. Be prepared for VERY basic conditions... 

Suggestions

Exodus should do something about improving the breakfast on this trip. This became a serious problem on the days when we had long walks ahead of us; it is difficult to walk for 6 hours uphill with nothing but stale white bread in your stomach! In the mountain refuge they also served porridge made with water, but I have to say it was pretty horrendous and required considerable effort to swallow  : (     I would also suggest coming up with an alternative programme for those days when the weather is bad. Being stuck in the refuge was no fun and made us feel rather frustrated at times. Apart from those two problems, the trip was excellent - a great opportunity to meet new people and a wonderful adventure!    

Most Inspirational Moment

Summiting Mount Toubkal in Winter. The views were stunning!.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Mohammed was superb!. Friendly and entertaining, approachable and easily became one of the group. His english is very good, he is intelligent, and always wanted to learn more. Likewise he had a wealth of local knowledge to share.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- You do not require ice axe and crampon skills before this trip. You are shown if required and it is pretty simple to pick up the basics. This trip really is, as advertised, a great introduction to winter walking.- This trip is very achievable but do not underestimate it. The walking would be relatively simple in the summer I would suggest. However, doing it in anything up to thigh deep snow is tough, whether going up or down hill.- The weather can be severe and changable as always in the mountains. The trip notes are comprehensive from Exodus but I would suggest you bring a set of ski style goggles as well as the recommended sun glasses. Sunglasses were not up to having ice and snow blasted into them by the wind. They froze up so you couldn't see, but you couldn't take them off or your eyes got blasted. You see the dilemma!. Those with goggles coped much better in some persistent harsh conditions. - Taking your IPOD and a good book is essential. Due to the weather there can be a lot of waiting around and be prepared for the itinerary to change accordingly too.

Suggestions

The Atlas Mountains in Winter. From the UK, a very accessible, and relatively unknown and unprioritised diamond!.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best part was the ascent of Mt Ouanoukrim. This is both visually and technically a far more interesting peak than Mount Toubkal

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is the second trek I have been on which has been led by Mohammed. He is an experienced and thoroughly professional guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes do not hire equipment from 'trek hire'. I hired both crampons and a ice axe. The ice axe had a very short strap on it making it difficult to put your gloved hand through and hold the head comfortabley. Each time we changed directions I had to stop in order to swap hands instead of being able to comfortabley do it on the move.The crampons were of a poor quality they kept slipping under my boots , and yes i , the guides and several other persons on the trek attempted numerous times to adjust them and secure them to my boot. Non of us managed it thus making everyday of the climb dangerous. The anti balling plates kept coming off , making my descent of Ouanoukrim potentially very dangerous as i constantly had solid balls of ice underneath both my boots. I feel Exodus should take some responsibility for this as it is your company that recommended the link to this company.

Suggestions

Apart from the hired equipment I enjoyed all other aspects of the trek.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gingerly leading the roped group down on day three - what fun, but slow progress since I was determined not to slip down the very steep mountain side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohamed and Lahcen certainly knew the mountains well and kept us safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have warm clothes.  Ski-ing gloves are  useful since they keep you much warmer and Ski goggles are to be recommended, rather than using your sunglasses.  When the wind blows the snow around (quite violently and almost continually) you can't see a thing with just glasses on.  Books, games, cards etc are useful since there is little to do in the evenings except have lots of early nights and early means by 8pm!  Bring good earplugs, you will need them!  Wet wipes are essential.  Make sure your camera is handy at all times since the views are fabulous.

Suggestions

Just make sure you are fit, because it maks the trip so much more enjoyable and be prepared for very basic living conditions and the possibility of not showering for a number of days.Marakesh was very interesting especially the Souk and there was just enough time to do all the main sights.  The hotel was only about 15 mins from the main square, so well placed for sight seeing.