- Selection Wk-end 3rd-5th December
- 26th - 27th Feburary 2011 Peak District
16th - 17th April 2011 Venue TBC
27th - 29th May 2011 North wales
6th - 9th July 2011 South Wales - Expedition Dates: 30th July – 15th September
30.07.11 Meet camp site
Fareham hotels Downend Road
Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8TS
Get directions
01329822248
31.07.11 Sort out kit, administration, sail training, pick-up boats, prep bikes.
1.08.11 depart. Sail across the channel to Cherbourg or channel islands
2.08.11 Sail to saint Malo
3.08.11 Unload bikes, restock supplies.
4.8.11 Start cycling from Saint Malo to Argentre du Plessis (104km aprox.)
5.8.11 Argentre du Plessis to Challones sur Loire (90km approx.)
6.8.11 Challons sur Loire to Fontnay le Comte (114km approx.)
7.8.11 Fontnay le Comte to Foret Domaniale de la coubre la tremblade (110km approx.)
8.8.11 Foret Domaniale de la coubre la tremblade to Royan for ferry across Bay Biscay, then cycle to Lege Cap Ferret (127KM approx. incl. Ferry journey)
9.8.11 REST DAY, cycle from Lege Cap Ferret to Le Teste de Buch (40km approx.)
10.8.11 Le Teste de Buch to Tartas (107km approx.)
11.8.11 Tartas to Luzaide (End of France section) (91km approx.)
Total KM= 804 ( 500 Miles) for France section
12/08/2011 | cycle day8 | |
13/08/2011 | cycle day9 | |
14/08/2011 | cycle day10 | |
15/08/2011 | rest day | |
16/08/2011 | cycle day11 | |
17/08/2011 | cycle day12 | |
18/08/2011 | cycle day13 | |
19/08/2011 | cycle day14 | |
20/08/2011 | cycle day15 | |
21/08/2011 | rest day | |
22/08/2011 | cycle day16 | |
23/08/2011 | cycle day17 | |
24/08/2011 | cycle day18 | |
25/08/2011 | cycle day19 | |
26/08/2011 | rest day | |
27/08/2011 | Contingency day | |
28/08/2011 | Ferry from Algeciras to Ceuta | |
29/08/2011 | rest day | |
30/08/2011 | cycle day20 | |
31/08/2011 | cycle day21 | 800km Ceuta to imili to marakesh |
01/09/2011 | cycle day22 | |
02/09/2011 | cycle day23 | |
03/09/2011 | cycle day24 | |
04/09/2011 | restday | |
05/09/2011 | cycle day25 | |
06/09/2011 | cycle day26 | |
07/09/2011 | cycle day27 | |
08/09/2011 | cycle day28 | |
09/09/2011 | Arrive imilli, night in hostle. | |
10/09/2011 | walk to refuge de mouflon | |
11/09/2011 | contingency day | |
12/09/2011 | summit day | |
13/09/2011 | travel toubkal to marakesh | |
14/09/2011 | marakesh / Ait Ourir SOS childrens villages visit | |
15/09/2011 | Flight home | |
France route
Morroco route
About Toubkal
Highest and most climbed peak in North Africa
Situated in the High Atlas Mountains
First British man to summit was B. Beetham in 1926
Summer ascents: steep scree slopes with occasional scrambles
Winter ascents: snow and ice requiring ice axes and crampons
Imlil (1,740m)
Imlil is a small village situated in the High Atlas Mountains
We will be camping at Hotel Soleil for 40DHS/ person/ night with a shower (£3)
They have agreed to store our bikes during the trek in a secure and locked room for 150DHS/ night for all bikes (£11.70)
IMPORTANT INFO: There are no cash machines so we must be prepared with cash
Imlil to Toubkal
START: Imlil (1,741m) 'Kasbah du Toubkal'
Follow the zigzag mule track along the Mizane Valley towards Aremd
Sidi Chamarouch: pilgramage place for local inhabitants since the source of water is reputed to have healing powers. (2hrs from Imlil)
Final 550m climb to the refuge is
approx 2hrs
FINISH: Toubkal Refuge (3,206m)
TOTAL TIME: 5 hours
Refuges
REFUGE DES MOUFLONS
Independently owned, opened in 2007
Capacity of 180
NELTNER TOUBKAL REFUGE
Owned by Club Alpin Francais (CAF), opened in 1989
Capacity of 80
Camping available:
Small tent for 1 night/ person is 20DHS (£1.50)
Large tent for 1 night/person is 30DHS (£2.30)
Shower, toilet & running water is available
Routes on Toubkal
North Cwm North Col
South Cwm South Col
North East Ridge
South West Ridge
South East Ridge
Toubkal West North East Ridge
North Col
TIME: 6-7hrs (by returning via the south cwm)
START: Toubkal Refuges
From the refuges, cross the river and head N down the valley, with the river on the left (W) side.
The N cwm is guarded by a ridge line coming down on the S side. A 30 min steady pace will bring you to the lip of the cwm, where the angle eases off considerably.
Keep to the floor of the cwm, rising gently until the ground starts to steepen again.
Tend left and under the headwall before veering right towards the remains of the aircraft.
Aim NE from the aircraft and EITHER head straight for the N col OR go to Tibherine (3,887m) which gives some great views N.
From here follow the crest of the ridge around to the N COL.
South Col
TIME: 5-6 hrs
START: Toubkal Refuges
Behind the refuges, cross the river immediately and ascend the early slopes before gaining the main trail traversing up left to the top of the first cliff band.
Head more E and directly into the cwm past some big boulders and a flattening before a short rise.
A further bowl (3750m) is gained directly below a headwall.
EITHER climb this headwall by coming in from the bottom left or keeping right OR leave the bowl by going N through steeper ground to eventually gain the WNW ridge near where it exits onto the summit plateau (enjoyable scrambling).
Aim NE towards the summit (30-25mins away).
After passing a deep notch, EITHER maintain the crest of the ridge line for some safe scrambling OR traverse left below the crest (careful of steep drop off's to the left).
After completing the traverse, climb right to gain the start of the summit plateau and head towards 'The Pyramid'.
 | |
| What we will be looking at this summer (hopefully) |
It can be climbed either as part of a Toubkal ascent or, more unusually, as a summit in its own right.
START: Toubkal summit
Ascending from the summit, climb direct from the bowl at 3,750m below the final headwall to Tizi Toubkal (3,950m) by following a shallow gully to the sumit direct.
Descend via the Tizi Toubkal and continue down the South cwm.
FINISH: Toubkal Refuges
Proposed Route
If conditions will allow, we will
ascend by the North Cwm and
descend by the South Cwm to add
variety to the climb.
There will be an opportunity to climb Toubkal West on the way down if we have the energy! This involved a two hour detour and a short section of easy but exposed scrambling near the top.
Contingency Plan
If we are unable to ascend via the North cmw route (due to poor conditions or for any other reason that the group decides) then we will ascend and descend via the South cwm route.
This is the easiest and most popular route among backpackers with limited or no trekking experience. Therefore, definitely manageable for our group!
Advice for the trek
Toubkal is over 4,000m- you will be feel the altitude if you climb too quickly, therefore pacing is important.
Breathing will probably start to become more difficult as you near the summit- it is more difficult to breath in the thin air at this altitude.
Spending a night at the refuge allows the body to acclimatise
Although acclimatisation is the key to climbing high mountains, the fitter you are the easier you will find the climb.
It is really important to maintain hydrated throughout the ascent and descent to reduce the effects of altitude sickness.
Adequate rest is required before and after the trek.
Equipment
Rucksack (to be hired)
Walking boots (to be posted)
Walking socks
Windproof
Waterproof jacket & trousers
Lightweight, quick drying gear
Hat & gloves
Map of route
First aid kit
Sun protection
Water purification tablets
Itinerary for the Trek
09/09/11: Arrive in Imlil
10/09/11: Trek to refuges (leave early morning to give time for acclimatisation & rest)
11/09/11: Acclimatisation day if required
12/09/11: Summit day (leave at first light in order to get clearest possible panorama from the summit)
13/09/11: Descend to Imlil
