It was actually a bit nippy last night up in the roof, but well worth it for the star gazing. Four satellites, two shooting stars and a very bright Milky Way. Woke up to clear skies and a cloud inversion down in the valley.

We were hiking by just after 08:00 and ascended up above the village, through some well eroded terrain. It might be dry now, but there must have been some terrific floods at some point.

In among the barren lands, flowers were doing their best to stay alive.

A slow and steady pace got us up to the Tizi n’Oudite, where a welcome stone seat in the shade awaited.

As we descended to the next village, I recognised some of the peaks on the distant skyline, as ones that I’d climbed on a previous expedition.

It was a steep scree hike down to the village where we are now. Tizi Oussem. The village is currently being rebuilt after the 2023 earthquake. Some of the houses are still half hanging from the hillsides. It was quite an eye opener to see the destruction.

The accommodation tonight is ‘basic’ but comfy enough. Kitchen hygiene questionable, but food delicious. Especially the popcorn snacks we made.

After dumping our bags we had a walk through the village. An amazing experience and a lot to take it. Houses half destroyed. Temporary shelters still being lived in. Hand washing clothes in the river. All sorts…

All in all an incredible and interesting experience. More Tagine with cous cous for dinners, some games, water filtering and map checking then bed. Pretty tired now!