MOUNT TOUBKAL
Winter Trek

Yes. At Adventuress in the Wild we work with tour operators who are providing trips for anybody who identifies as a woman. We have found that women are more likely to step out of their comfort zone and try new activities when they are surrounded by other supportive women. All of the tour operators we work with believe that adventure is for every woman no matter your background, ability, body type, or orientation.

Where we endeavor to work with tour operators who provide female guides and ground crew, this isn’t always possible for all trips. Therefore your guides and staff on this particular trip will be male. All staff are highly respectful and have worked with 360 Expeditions for many years.

Consider this a trek, although there may be occasion to use hands for short sections of easy scrambling. This trip is challenging and a good solid fitness level is required. There will be prolonged walking over varied terrain and you should be training to comfortably walk for 6 to 8 hours, over undulating terrain, with a few punchy uphill climbs, carrying a pack up to 6kg in weight.

When is the final payment date?

The final payment date is 24th of November 2024.

What kind of accommodation is on the trip?

In Marrakech you’ll be staying in a mid-sized riad with another traveller unless you are travelling with friends or a partner. Single supplements are available at an additional cost.

Accommodation in the Atlas mountains takes the form of mountain refuges and are basic but clean, and generally come with stunning views! These are reasonably big buildings that feature shared living rooms and washing facilities, and large dorms for sleeping. They are usually heated by fire or stove and blankets are available if you get cold. If you are a light sleeper we recommend earplugs. 

How much is a single supplement?

If you’d like a single room, a single supplement is £120 and covers 2 nights in Marrakech and 1 night in Imlil after your summit day. This option is not available in the mountain refuges.

Do I need a visa?

At time of writing UK citizens do not need a visa to enter Morocco, but always keep yourself up to date by visiting the UK Travel Advisory website  Morocco travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Do I need special insurance for the trek?

Individual travel insurance is compulsory on this expedition. Travellers cannot gain access to the  mountain without proof of insurance. You must ensure that you have the correct level of insurance for this trip which includes medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude in the relevant conditions.

We will request insurance details 8 weeks before departure.

What currency should I bring?

Morocco’s currency is the Dirham which you can find at the airport although exchange rates tend to be poor.  

Guichets automatiques (ATMs) are common across Morocco and most take Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, and Maestro. The main tourist centres generally accept major credit cards although you should anticipate a 5% surcharge from Moroccan businesses.

Tipping and bargaining are as standard here and any action can warrant tipping and will certainly make for a more civil experience. Tipping between 5% and 10% of a restaurant bill is appropriate. Change up a supply at a bank when you have an opportunity and keep it with you for random tips requiring small change.

Tipping

Although tipping the local crew is not compulsory, it is customary and they work hard to make your trip run smoothly. We suggest around €60 – €80 per person to be shared amongst the local crew as a guideline. Tipping the Group Leader is up to you and your group but it is always a nice gesture and much appreciated.

Money

The amount of money needed depends on you and how many souvenirs or gifts you plan on buying. €150/1600MAD should be more than enough for any spending as Morocco is relatively cheap. If you give the local custom of haggling a try you can often get very good value for money. Your leader will be happy to point out where to get the best value for money and what is an acceptable price. The only cash you’ll need on the mountain is for local crew tips before leaving Imlil and for any snacks and soft drinks that you may want along the way.

What is the weather like?

In winter you can expect short but heavy rain with snowfalls in the mountains but it doesn’t usually last long. Often there will be clear and crisp days, with starry (but chilly!) nights with temperatures that can drop well below freezing.

Temperatures are normally comfortable in Marrakech, not dissimilar to spring in the UK, also with the odd risk of showers. The kit list reflects these weather fluctuations but feel free to enquire if you have any kit questions.

What will the meals on the expedition be like?

You can expect nutritious, fresh, and reasonably varied simple meals. The crew will try to meet dietary preferences and use local ingredients where possible. Breakfast is typically bread and jam, porridge, or muesli, with plenty of tea and coffee. Lunches usually have a hot dish such as soup or pasta and a salad. Evenings will usually be vegetable or meat tagine served with couscous or pasta.

Your crew will aim to provide balanced, nutritional meals packed full of energy-rich carbohydrates to keep you well-fuelled for your exploits.

Feel free to bring along any snack preferences from home but we’d recommend concentrating on high-energy items that travel well for that little boost throughout a physically demanding day.

Water

To start with, water will be bottled, but as you climb we can source water from local streams. Everyone should carry water purification such as iodine, silver chloride, or chlorine. When we’re at the refuges, boiling will do the job.

Food

Please inform the office of allergies or intolerances and we will take them into account on the trek.

Is it advisable to take altitude pills with you, or do you have those if they are urgently required by our group?

By joining this expedition, you will have the advantage of a reputable guide who will lead you along a steady well-chosen route toward the summit while setting a slow pace. This will avoid failures such as those experienced by people who set themselves unrealistic time frames or pace.

Adequate rest at night is key to a successful trek (consider bringing earplugs for the refuges) as are good levels of food and hydration. Altitude-related problems are, but in the unlikely event you will have experienced guides who know how to combat this.

We do not recommend taking Diamox based on its side effects which we believe negate the benefits for this expedition. Side effects include increased frequency of urination and tingling sensations in the hands and feet.

If you still want to take Diamox, please consult your doctor for a prescription and follow their instructions. Medication should commence 14 hours before the trek.

What medication do I need to bring?

You must take out adequate travel and medical insurance before the trip.

You will need to bring any specific medication that you take for medical conditions that you have, in your daysack. Pack plenty of spare medication in case of loss.

A basic first aid kit with simple painkillers, Compeed or similar for blisters, plasters, antihistamines and perhaps insect repellent is also recommended.

Other useful medications include Ciprofloxacin antibiotics and Loperamide for diarrhea. If you can’t find these your Expedition Leader will have some spare in the trek first aid kit.

What vaccinations do I need?

Please check with your GP or travel clinic for current information regarding vaccinations and whether you are up-to-date.

How can I best train / prepare for climbing the mountain?

Being trek-fit before your expedition is key both to your chances of summiting and to your overall enjoyment. If you are struggling from the beginning chances are that you will not enjoy the rest of the trip.

Focus on cardiovascular exercise during the week by taking short runs.  Regular hill-based training walks longer than 6 hrs are advised as the date approaches while carrying a rucksack of around 8 – 12 kg.

This will prepare your body for carrying and harden your body against the big days on the mountain. Not to be underestimated is the benefit this will have on breaking in your boots and your practice with equipment. You will reap the rewards of this strategy when you reach the mountains.

What is the trekking like on the first mountain day?

Imlil is at 1,780m. You leave Imlil at about 11 am, walk for 1.5 hrs up to 2,500m, the highest point of the day, and have lunch. You then descend 2,250m to Azib refuge, planning to arrive at 4:30 pm. This is a gentle warm-up for what is to come. This is also just a guide as conditions may mean changes to the route and times.

What is the trekking like on the second mountain day?

Azib Refuge (2,250m) to Toubkal Mouflon Refuge (3,200m).

Climbing 1350m in total, this is a big day! You must get an early start (6 am) so that the guides can get to grips with the ability of the group. Strength and speed of walking for summit day for example. There are 97 chicanes following on from the stunning waterfalls, it really is a big challenge.

Lunch is normally around 11:30 am and we rest for about 1-1.5 hours to recuperate in front of the wonderful view (3.600m). The descent to Refuge du Toubkal at 3,200m will get you home at about 2 pm-3 pm. As ever, conditions can alter routes and times.

What is the trekking like on the third (last) mountain day?

On summit day (3,200m-4,167m) you’ll start at 5:30 am with head torches on with the aim of summitting between 8:30 am-9:30 am.

Once here, the expectation is for 45 minutes on top aiming to return to Refuge du Toubkal at about 2 pm for a 1.5-2 hour lunch and tipping ceremony. Then begins the long walk back to Imlil. This takes about 5 hrs, arriving back at the riad in Imlil at about 7 pm. As ever conditions can alter the route and times.

What happens if there is a problem on the mountain?

Accidents can happen and there is always risk involved but all of our crew are experienced in dealing with the kind of problems that may arise. Your leaders have wilderness first aid skills and can handle an emergency to the highest level of competency. A basic first aid kit is carried for minor injuries and satellite phones are carried if the pre-planned emergency evacuation procedures need to be instigated.

What adapter will I need?

A European adapter (normally round two-pin) which you can buy anywhere in the UK or online and also at the airport.

Can I use the satellite phone?

You can use the satellite phone if absolutely necessary. It costs £3 per minute. Mobiles will work sporadically but there is limited charging availability (the refuges normally have generators).Your guides will only use the satellite phone very sparingly, and you should bear that in mind with your mobile.

Who is the guide for this trip?

The operator of this tour is 360 Expeditions

What clothing should I wear on this trek?

We’re big fans of the beg, borrow, or steal approach for first-timers. Equipment costs can be prohibitive for people coming on trips in the first place. If you think you’ll re-use your gear, then it’s worth starting to invest in good gear. 

Consider the time of year and the altitude. Although it might be comfortable at the bottom of the mountains in the warm, it can get surprisingly cold out of the sun at altitude. The refuges in the evenings, particularly on the summit, drop well below freezing.

We recommend long-sleeved tops and trekking trousers rather than shorts as a deterrent to insects, and scratches and also to act as sun protection. Sunburn can definitely catch you out even though it’s winter. The layering system never fails. If you’re cold, put a layer on, if you’re hot, take one off.

Are down jackets necessary?

These are highly recommended and are perfect on the winter ascents. Your guides wear them every evening around the refuges and they may be appreciated on summit day. 

Several layers of base layers, fleeces, and jackets are fine for the climb but you can’t beat the efficiency of a down jacket for warmth (especially with a waterproof layer).

What waterproofs should I bring?

You should bring a hardshell waterproof jacket and overtrousers and you should keep them easily accessible in case of an afternoon rainstorm or snow. If you get wet and your core temperature drops even slightly, it becomes hard to warm up and dry out.

Breathable Gore Tex material is recommended and can double up as a windshield when a strong wind blows.

What is the best type of footwear to use for this trek?

Boots should be sturdy, waterproof, insulated against the cold, and provide adequate ankle support. We highly recommend that your boots are well worn in, to avoid blisters.

There are so many different walking boot options available to you. In terms of what to buy, our best advice is to try them on and walk up any ramps in the shop to check their grip. – if you think they’re comfortable and will be for several hours a day, buy them. 

As we’ve said before, practice your training walks in your boots well in advance. This way you can ensure your boots are well broken in and are not causing problems.

Crampons will be likely on a winter ascent but your boots do not need to be highly technical, just stiff enough to take a C1 crampon (B1/four-season boots are perfect). If you’re planning on doing glacier expeditions, B2 boots might be better.

Will I need to wear crampons?

On the winter ascents, you’re walking on condensed snowpack but you will wear crampons and carry a trekking long-handled ice axe. This will prevent slipping and sliding around. Your guide will teach you how to use them and ensure you have enough practice at using them before wesetting off if these are new to you.

How warm does my sleeping bag need to be?

A Comfort Rating of 0 to -5 centigrade is recommended although this can depend on whether you are a warm or cold sleeper. Bring a warmer sleeping bag if you feel the cold. Ensure you have a sleeping bag that has this Comfort Rating rather than the Extreme Rating. You can enhance your sleeping with an inner fleece or silk liner and there are blankets provided at the refuges for extra warmth. Being as comfortable and as warm as possible while you sleep will encourage a good night’s rest for the challenge ahead.

What do the porters carry? What is the correct porter weight?

Mules will be doing the carrying on this trip, but don’t over-burden them! 15kg is the limit and should be more than enough for this short trip. Extra weight that you don’t need can be left at the hotel before you head for the trek. 

Duffel bags are ideal for this sort of trip but whatever bag you choose, make sure it is robust with large capacity. As you go higher in altitude it becomes harder to pack the bag and bulky sleeping bags and other pieces of kit can make closing bags difficult. It is better to have a large capacity bag with too much space than to have a bag too small and struggle to contain all your kit. Even a 100-litre plus duffel bag is not too large, just keep an eye on the weight.

A 30-litre daysack for personal gear is required too for waterproofs, 2 litres of water, snacks, sunscreen, a head torch, and a first aid kit amongst other items. Weight is very noticeable at altitude so you’ll need to go as light as possible.

Is it possible to rent equipment before I go?

It is possible to rent equipment through Outdoor Hire (www.outdoorhire.co.uk) rent equipment. 360 Expeditions has a kit list already set up through them and you can pick and choose hire items from it. Do buy your own boots though which are worn in before the trek.

Let us know if you would like to pay for your trip in instalments. The first instalment will always be the required deposit amount. Instalments are only available if making payments before the trip’s final payment date. The entire balance must be paid on the final payment date. 

Contact us at info@adventuressinthewild.com for more information.

This booking will be subject to The Operators Booking Conditions, and Adventuress in the Wild Booking Conditions.