Toubkal: Fact Sheet

Versión en castellano

For a couple of years I have been planning to come to Morocco with my family to know the city where my father was born, and to visit an old friend of his still living in Tangier. To add some spice to the trip, I decided to start our vacations climbing Jebel Toubkal, a peak of 4,167 metres over the sea level, the highest in the country and in north Africa.


I contacted several companies offering guided packages to climb the mountain and finally decided to go with Toubkal Trekking. His owner, Mustapha, responded pretty quickly all my questions, and prepared an itinerary based in our needs. Climbing Toubkal is normally achieved in two days, but since we live at sea level, we added two additional days walking through Berbers villages surrounding Imlil, to aclimatize ourselves to the altitude. It was the right decision for us, since the 4 achieved the summit without suffering any altitude sickness symptoms (we saw several people in the refuge with mild to more severe symptoms).

Our climbing group was formed by the guide Rdoune, the cook Ibrahim and his brother Lajhsim, two mules with no names, and the 4 members of my family. 

The food was amazing all the time. The cook, the brother and the two mules walk ahead of us to be ready when we arrive either to the lunch break or for passing the night. Accommodation was humble but clean and cozy. It was not a luxury vacation but a discovery one; thruly genuine.



Rdoune, the guide, was very professional. He knew well the mountain and perfomed well his job. He was very supportive of our needs, understood our pace, adapted to our group, patiently taught me some Berber’s words, and took care of one of us after a minor accident in our way down.


Regarding the trekking, I would say the two acclimatation days were very pleasant mountain walks (5 to 6 hours each day), while the 2 Toubkal climbing days were medium to hard. The hardness mainly for the distance walked, especially the last day. If you are in good shape, you will enjoy this trip. The landscapes and views will pay the effort. For a mountaineering this is a must to go place.

I will start saving again for a next trip to Morocco, thinking in visit the desert now.



Mapa del trayecto / Map of the route


Video:


Day

Route

1 – Acclimatization

Aguersioual (1,690 m) – Tizi Oudid (2,200m) – Tizi Oussem (1,850m)

Distance: 10.5 Km

Slope: +590 / - 350m

2 – Back to the starting point

Tizi Oussem (1,850 m) – Tizi Mzik (2,487 m) – Imlil (1,740 m)

Distance: 8 km

Slope: +637 / -747 m

3 – To the refuge

Imlil (1,740 m) – Refugio Toubkal (3,207 m)

Distancia / Distance: 11.28Km

Desnivel / Slope: + 1,423 m

4 – Summit

Refugio Toubkal (3,207 m) – Toubkal (4,167m) - Imlil (1,740 m)

Distance: 18.71 km

Slope: +1,004 / -2,427 m
Video:

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