African sunset…

Back on expedition in Morocco. A long day of travel and a delayed flight, meant we didn’t arrive in the village of Imlil, on the edge of the Atlas Mountains until well after dark at around 23:00. A change of plan the next morning had us trekking off to start a four day tour of the Atlas Mountains and an attempt on the highest peak, Jebel Toubkal (4167m) – rather than the planned acclimatisation day. Here a few photos of the first day…

From the Tamasoult Refuge (2250m), we completed a monster day that involved a whopping 1700m of ascent over a high pass during the 10km hike. We also bagged a little peak at just over 3500m near the high pass. This trek dropped us into the top of the Imlil Valley at the Nelter Refuge. We were due to be staying in the refuge, but with it being the Solstice weekend, it was rammed and we camped nearby.

From the peak, we got our first views of Toubkal.

I first camped here in 2003, and have since stayed in both the mountain huts on various occasions. The valley is now in a desperate state of squalor. Used toilet paper is literally blowing in the wind and almost ever rock has excrement under or around it, complete with tatters of paper. Broken glass, cans, left over food, burnt plastic bottles and general detritus litter across the hillside and into the river. It looks like how friends have described the slums of India!

We are camped in the midst of it all, some distance below the Refuge, where all we can do is be as meticulous as we can with our hygiene and get some rest ready for our 02:15am start to attempt to climb Jebel Toubkal