Winter has truly come to the Atlas Mountains now. Above 3000m it is full-on snow and ice. With almost two weeks of continuous bad weather and snowfall at the beginning of November, a significant amount of snow has been deposited. Now that the weather has calmed the conditions are simply stunning. Clear blue skies and
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Toubkal Winter conditions update 15 Nov 2016
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Toubkal Winter Conditions Update 26 Oct 2016
Here’s a quick Toubkal weather update. This past two days have seen a lot of precipitation in the High Atlas and Toubkal area. The snow line has come down to approximately 3000m, and all the high mountains now have a good thick covering of snow. Above 3000m the high Atlas Mountains are in full winter
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The art of NOT running faster
Running gives plenty of time for reflection on life, it creates a space where your body is fully engaged with the physical effort you are going through, leaving the mind free to wander. This creates room for inspiration, especially when surrounded by stunning mountains and far from civilisation. This is one of the main attractions
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Hydration on Atlas Mountain Trails
Trail Running Hydration Hydration is a key consideration when running or hiking in Morocco. The Atlas Mountains are fairly arid, and the Moroccan sun is notoriously hot. The High Atlas and Toubkal trails, are especially dry. Even in winter the sun can be strong and the effects of heat exhaustion are never far off. Keeping
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Toubkal winter conditions October 2016
Heres a quick report on the winter conditions on Toubkal for the 7th October 2016 This week has seen three days of rain over the Atlas Mountains. On the high mountains the freezing level has dropped and there is now a light covering of snow on the highest peaks in the Toubkal Massif. The Tazaghart
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Trekking in the Alps
White Mountain, black skies. This summer I have spent a fair amount of time leading treks in the Alps. The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is the most popular multi-day trek in Europe, and deservedly so. Taking ten days to do the complete tour, you get to see the iconic Mont Blanc range from every
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Running Toubkal
Running Toubkal? Are you crazy? asked my dad when I told him about my idea. At 4167m Toubkal is the highest summit in North Africa, and a trekking challenge which many undertake each year. Whilst not the most spectacular mountain in the region, its status as highest is well deserved. This is a big mountain,
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Trekking in Ramadan
If you are trekking or climbing the Atlas Mountains this June, then your trip falls during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Here are some helpful pointers to enable you to understand the local culture and religion a little more whilst still enjoying your trekking or mountaineering experience. What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the Muslim
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Running at altitude
Living at the foot of the Atlas Mountains here in Morocco, I have begun a new adventure of combining my professional work with my addiction to hill running. Professionally, I am trained and experienced at leading treks at altitude and the difficulties this might entail. A few years ago I realised the joy and adrenaline
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Toubkal Snow Conditions – May 2016
The weather on Toubkal this month has been very unpredictable. Several trekking groups have been disappointed to find that Morocco is not always the land of blue skies, and some have failed to summit. The snow had almost melted off at the end of April, but there were more storms and a significant dump of
