Morocco day 4.High Atlas Mountains crossing, from Azib Tamsoult refuge to Toubkal refuge

Submitted by maria on Tue, 10/09/2024 - 10:56

We leave the Azib Tamsoult hut at 7 am.

Sunrise

Another day of acclimatisation awaits us with destination Toubkal refuge at 3,200 metres above sea level.

The breakfast is very rich and complete, hard-boiled egg, bread, crepe, tea or coffee, orange, homemade jam, butter, cheese and yoghurt.

We start the day ascending through a gorge where we enjoy the spectacular waterfall of Gelees d'ighoulidne.

Gelees d'ighoulidne waterfall

We continue climbing towards the Lepiney refuge until we reach a crossroads where we take the path to the left until we reach the first pass. From here we have impressive views of the valley and the second pass at an altitude of 3,600 metres, which we will reach after overcoming the famous 97 previous zetas.

Path

We take a short break to get our strength back and start the ascent. The mules have passed before us, and we start to climb slowly.

We meet a Scottish guy who was in the refuge and we walk together. At the pass two people have set up an improvised stall with drinks and snacks.

Viewpoint

At the pass, at an altitude of 3,600 metres, we enjoy a spectacular view of Jebel Toubkal, our objective for tomorrow.

Viewpoint

We continue our way, now descending, to the Toubkal refuge where we will stay for two nights (3,200 metres above sea level).

The refuge is large and cosy, with capacity for almost two hundred people.

It has a lounge with sofas, two dining areas and a bathroom with free hot showers, a luxury that you don't always find in the high mountains. There are no plugs in the rooms but you can ask the reception to charge them (it's free).

Refuge

We eat salad and tajine of eggs with tomato and vegetables, orange for dessert, delicious.

Next to the Toubkal refuge, in the same valley, is the refuge Les Mouflons with a capacity for 180 people.

Refuge

We spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the views.

In the afternoon mint tea with pastries, Kadi, our guide is always very attentive.

We meet several Spanish couples who are doing the same trek and we enjoy sharing experiences.

Sunset

We help you to prepare your backpack for trekking here

Tips to avoid altitude sickness

There are two dinner shifts, one for those who get up at 3.30 am to see the sunrise on the summit and another at 7.30 am for the rest. We have the second one, tomorrow we don't go to the summit at dawn.

We have pasta for dinner, harira soup, chicken tajine with vegetables and melon for dessert. Delicious.