Sunday, July 22, 2007
Day Ten; Ascent Of Jebel Toubkal!
Today was the big one! We were all stumbling about at 5am for a 6am start; Heidi gamely decided to make the ascent, much to our joy. Sandra had originally intended not to make the ascent, but she was fit and walking well, so we talked her into it!
It was another sunny day, but fairly chilly as our valley was in deep shadow. We reached our path and began to climb… the path alternated between rough scree, high boulders and pretty much everything in between. As we ascended, our group strung out and we had regular water stops for folk to catch up. There were quite a few other parties climbing Jebel Toukbal, including a British group with Exodus, who we kept leapfrogging.
We had to walk up through a large patch of snow at one point, which was quite slippy. Finally the path zig zagged up to the saddle of Tizi Toubkal, and the wind hit us- it was really chilly. We had a most amazing view though… jagged and flat topped peaks poked up through the cloud. We climbed more steeply, and could see the summit with its odd iron triangle.
View From Tizi Toubkal
The High Atlas- From Jebel Toubkal Summit
We had bread, cheese and oranges at the summit, which is a brick, small square shaped enclosure topped with a black, metal pyramid shaped structure. There were a couple of other groups there, so when they moved, we had a group photo! It was actually a lot less windy and warmer on the summit than it had been on the pass below. It was great to be stood at the highest point of North Africa, at 4167 metres.
Me At The Summit!
Of course, what goes up must come down, and the descent was as horrible as I had feared! I stumbled and picked my way down, and my Achilles started to protest. We descended by a slightly different route, and as we walked through a small patch of snow, I grabbed a handful of snowy ice and stuffed it down my left sock!
Luckily, we kept stopping, and I ended up coming down just behind Sandra- it was such a relief to get back down and tuck into lunch! After lunch, I braved the trip to the showers in the new refuge, which involved a walk across rocky ground and a river crossing, but it was worth it to be clean!
It was another sunny day, but fairly chilly as our valley was in deep shadow. We reached our path and began to climb… the path alternated between rough scree, high boulders and pretty much everything in between. As we ascended, our group strung out and we had regular water stops for folk to catch up. There were quite a few other parties climbing Jebel Toukbal, including a British group with Exodus, who we kept leapfrogging.
We had to walk up through a large patch of snow at one point, which was quite slippy. Finally the path zig zagged up to the saddle of Tizi Toubkal, and the wind hit us- it was really chilly. We had a most amazing view though… jagged and flat topped peaks poked up through the cloud. We climbed more steeply, and could see the summit with its odd iron triangle.
View From Tizi ToubkalI found myself actually overtaking people as we had the last push to the summit. Then we were there; we all made it! Including Sandra and Heidi, who were understandably thrilled. And what a view- ridge upon ridge of high, rocky mountains. We were surrounded by the High Atlas, and Ali pointed out the mountain ranges of the Anti Atlas and the Jebel Sahro in the distance. I could just about make out the direction in which the Sahara lay.
The High Atlas- From Jebel Toubkal SummitWe had bread, cheese and oranges at the summit, which is a brick, small square shaped enclosure topped with a black, metal pyramid shaped structure. There were a couple of other groups there, so when they moved, we had a group photo! It was actually a lot less windy and warmer on the summit than it had been on the pass below. It was great to be stood at the highest point of North Africa, at 4167 metres.
Me At The Summit!Of course, what goes up must come down, and the descent was as horrible as I had feared! I stumbled and picked my way down, and my Achilles started to protest. We descended by a slightly different route, and as we walked through a small patch of snow, I grabbed a handful of snowy ice and stuffed it down my left sock!
Luckily, we kept stopping, and I ended up coming down just behind Sandra- it was such a relief to get back down and tuck into lunch! After lunch, I braved the trip to the showers in the new refuge, which involved a walk across rocky ground and a river crossing, but it was worth it to be clean!
We spent the remainder of the day chilling, and watching walking groups and mules walking up and down the track to Sidi Charamouch and playing cards, with the glow of satisfaction achievement brings! We were also completely knackered, so had an early night. I slept like a log!
Labels: Jebel Toukbal, Morocco, trekking
