This month we organised a summer ascent of Jbel Toubkal for a large group of teenagers. The idea was to help them to overcome their limits and have an incredible adventure. Of course, the other aim was to enable them to safely ascend the highest mountain in North Africa! It was a great time, and was the largest group we have ever facilitated on Toubkal. Below is a short account of the experience. It’s also worth reading if you are considering ascending Mount Toubkal with teenagers or kids in the future.
Day 1
The young people arrived in Imlil in the afternoon. The group composed of over twenty youth, as well as several adult helpers, some of whom were parents. We spent the afternoon sorting out kit and briefing the adults about the possible dangers on the mountain. Mohammed and his family laid on a wonderful spread of local food for the evening, and the cherries were just ripening on the trees which made for a wonderful dessert! Then we had a quick talk with the kids about what to expect over the coming days, and how to maximise their chances of summiting Toubkal by the normal route.
Day 2
Today’s itinerary is to walk up to the Moufflons refuge, located at 3200m. As Imlil is at 1700m, this requires an ascent of 1500m, not to be underestimated!
After a traditional moroccan breakfast we packed our overnight bags onto the mules then headed to the hills. Passing the famous waterfalls of Imlil, above the Kasbah du Toubkal, we arrived in Aroumd after an hour of walking. Aroumd (often misspelled “Around”) is the last village before the high mountains, and is a beautiful collection of houses built upon a spur of land which was an ancient landslide from the mountains behind.
After another couple of hours walking, with plenty of breaks for snacks and water, we came to the halfway point and a well earned lunch. Sidi Chamharouch is an ancient shrine, recognisable by the white painted boulder. It is said that a powerful djinn or genie (water spirit) lives in the turbulent waterfall here, and has gifts of healing for spiritual pilgrims who come here.
Climbing with young people requires careful monitoring of their water intake in order to prevent dehydration. As several of them had not brought the suggested amount of water with them. Fortunately there are plenty of shops at Sidi Chamharouch and mineral water is easy to buy, as well as snacks.
Moroccan tea followed a filling lunch and then we hit the trail again, up the steep zigzags past the last two drinks sellers, and then on to the refuge. As is normally the case, as we approached 3000m, the rarified air and the fatigue of the day began to set in, and the kids needed some encouragement to keep on plodding up to the refuge.
Then we relaxed at the comfortable Mouflons Refuge, welcomed as always by the friendly staff who work there.
That evening we monitored everyone in the group with a Pulse Oxometer. Several of the young people were exhausted, and a couple of them showed symptoms of altitude sickness. We hoped that with a good night’s sleep everyone would be feeling better for summit day.
Day 3
I’m not a fan of the 3am start for Toubkal summit day. Unless planning to be on the summit for sunrise there seems little point in going so early. So we woke up an hour before sunrise, had some breakfast, and then headed out at first light.
The first hour of ascent over the exposed screes went well, and we slowly made our way up the notoriously steep boulder field. There were a few places which required some easy scrambling, and our local guides were great at spotting the kids over these bits to keep them safe.
We slowly made our way up to the coll of Tizi n Toubkal. Altitude was really kicking in now above 3900m, and we coached some of the slower group members along.
Several snack and drink breaks further on and we were near the summit ridge. The traverse path at 4000m wasn’t too difficult for the kids although we did brief them on the dangers of the huge dropoff on the left.
Finally, after a bit more plodding, we were on the summit plateau and the metal pyramid which marks the summit was in sight. Several of the boys ran towards it to se who would be first, but were soon brought to a halt. Running at 4150m with the lack of oxygen is not easy!
Everyone who left the refuge that morning arrived on the summit, they all did so well. What an achievement!
The descent was tricky on the steep slippery scree and we had to spot the most dangerous parts. But everyone made it down again. In all we were out on the Toubkal trail for about twelve hours, a longer day than adult groups, but such a sense of accomplishment at having done this huge mountain!
The delicious evening meal of tajine and fruit rounded off a wonderful day.
Day 4
After breakfast, we headed back to Imlil. The way down seems straightforward compared to summit day, but the fatigue was in evidence for sure. We took a couple of rest stops on the descent, including some morale-raising singing at one of the breaks! There’s nothing like singing in the mountains to make you feel really alive!
Finally, mid-afternoon we arrived back in Imlil for a hot lunch. Everyone did so well, and as parents arrived to collect their teenagers, there was a huge sense of accomplishment!
The youngest in this group was only eleven years old. Although he did struggle a bit at keeping up with the older, longer-legged kids, he still managed it. So, it is perfectly possible for young people to summit Jbel Toubkal. What it takes is a great sense of determination especially when fatigue and altitude kick in. And of course, the right gear and a good team of guides are essential.
Well done everyone who summited this trip, it was a pleasure organising this adventure for you!
Many thanks to our local staff and friends from Imlil, without whom this trip would not have been possible: Mohammed, Hamid, Brahim, Ismayel, and all of the cooks and muleteers.
