Jebel Toubkal

The alarm sounded at 4:30 a.m. We were ready to begin by 5:00. Unfortunately, the sun had different ambitions. So we waited. And first light struck around 6:00. So off we set, unsure if we would be able to make the summit in a days time.


The destination

After reading our guide book we felt certain we could do the entire climb in a day. After talking to other trekkers and guides, we were not as convinced. The summit reaches approximately 13,000 ft, and we were beginning the trip at around 5,000 ft. Total round trip distance; 23 km. The most common itinerary includes hiking up to the refuge on day one (3207m , 6.9 km), staying the night, and then summiting and returning to Imlil on day two. Our desire to complete the hike in one day was founded on the fact that guides do it all the time, and the difficulty was in the elevation gain versus distance. Our concerns were resting on the simple fact that no one but guides seemed to do the trek in a day.


The final saddle

By the time we had reached the refuge, we were feeling great and ready for more, so up we continued. At this point, the going got a little tougher. The elevation gain was noticeable, particularly on the seemingly endless scree filled slopes. But the views were beautiful and the determination to summit was tangible. The winter snow was still melting; grasses and wildflowers lined the path of the run-off. It’s difficult to explain how three hours can pass without much to tell. You keep looking up, hoping you are close, then looking down and watching your feet. All in all the last 500 feet were difficult, but the summit was stunning. We were the last group to reach the top, as most folks head for the summit around the same time we left Imlil. It was just us, the choughs (non-birder translation: mountain crows with red bills and feets), and hundreds of miles of Moroccan countryside stretching into the distance. We celebrated with chocolate, and the joy in knowing we didn’t have anywhere to go but down.

Success!

Down, however, is always more difficult than you imagine. But, it must be done. We were relieved to make it to the refuge, refuel with water, and feel confident that we would make it back to Imlil before nightfall. Our last bit from the refuge was accompanied by tired feet and many herds of goats that scattered the valley slopes, all nibbling away at dinner. The return to Imlil seemed interminable, but we eventually stumbled (literally) into town just a few minutes late for supper.

Home sweet home...so far...

Note to readers: Do not try this at home. We’re still uncertain if we would do it again.