Jebel Toubkal Challenge – Day 3

The Route: Jebel Toubkal | Distance: 16.5km | Time: 12 Hours
Height gain: 967m | Max Altitude: 4167m | Start: Neltner Refuge | Finish: Imlil Village
Map: Orientazion – Toubkal Hiking Map ISBN: 9788493560003 | Date: 08/06/2014

There was no mistaking it there was definitely movement on a mass scale as people stumbled around in the dark gathering gear and buckling up! It was 4.00 a.m already and the last time I’d looked at my watch it read only 3.00 a.m. That hour or so earlier and in total darkness I’d crept up the stone stairwell in the refuge finally crawling into my sleeping bag having spent the previous precious hours cold and shivering downstairs on a hard bench. Continue reading “Jebel Toubkal Challenge – Day 3”

The Jebel Toubkal Adventure

Due south of the 1000-year-old pink walled city of Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains rise to a commanding 4000 metres and include the famous Mount Toubkal (4167m), the highest peak in North Africa and my target for this little expedition.

The planned trek & summit route

The planned trek & summit route

Reached after a two hour drive across the Moroccan plains on the back of an overnight in Marrakech my adventure really begins with a strenuous five hour hike up to the Neltner Refuge (Base Camp) which at just over 3200m is strategically placed for a good summit bid the following day. Continue reading “The Jebel Toubkal Adventure”

Snowshoeing The Runch Hut Round

Snow Shoeing Dolomites style

I’d never put on a pair of snowshoes before, but there’s always a first time for everything!

Continue reading “Snowshoeing The Runch Hut Round”

Cinque Torri & Lagazuoi’s Hidden Valley

The Lagazuoi cable car is as breathtaking as it look

The names conjure up emotions of high adventure and daring-do, so when the opportunity came to ski the Cinque Torre or (Five Towers) followed by the fabled Hidden Valley it was just too irresistible a chance to ignore!

Continue reading “Cinque Torri & Lagazuoi’s Hidden Valley”