"We inched our way to the summit peak, where upon we were blessed with endless views. The whole mountain range stretched out beneath our feet. We felt on top of the world!" - Erik Renz.

The Sandgrouse Explorers Club: Adventure in the High Atlas Mountains 

Mount Toubkal is situated in Morocco and is the highest peak in North Africa at an elevation of 13,671 feet (4,163 metres). It is one of the most scenically beautiful places to visit in the whole of North Africa. With regular cloudless days, the visitor can, more often than not, expect uninterrupted views over the whole Atlas Mountains range. A trek here provides adventure enthusiasts and amateur photographers alike the chance for a short but sweet experience. We find Toubkal especially appealing due to its convenient location. The mountain is situated close enough to Europe so that airlines can offer affordably-priced flights and the short travel time to get there makes it an ideal adventure fix for those looking to break the monotony of life back home.

Over the last decade, Toubkal has become a favourite among the trekking community with her gentle, well-trodden slopes and clear routes meandering their way to the summit. Couple those attributes with the friendly local porters and guides, and reliable weather systems, and it's little wonder Toubkal is increasing in popularity. The local Berber men in the region now make a good salary from the incoming trade and many aspiring young men commence their training to become mountain guides as soon as they are of age.  

("Rehydrating whilst at the refuge. The majesty of the high snowcapped peaks all around us took a little while to adjust to - we could have sat here for days admiring these views").

In the winter months, the mountain is covered in heavy snowfall, making for a more challenging climb to the summit (although it is still not classified as a technical climb). At this time of year the mountain does appear quite different to what one might expect to find in arid North Africa, more like something to be found in the European Alps.  

Standing on the shoulders of giants

Words and Pictures: Erik Renz - Georgia, United States.

Stepping off the plane in Morocco, feelings of Arabian nights flooded in. A cool, clear evening with desert landscapes surrounded us as we prepared to make our way to Mount Toubkal just outside of the small Berber village of Imlil. A world of unknown culture and language engulfed us rapidly as my wife and I jumped in the car late at night.

(At night the lively markets are lit and and definitely still open for business).

We were greeted by a wonderful welcome at our small hotel with Moroccan mint tea, tons of bread and an incredible tagine, swiftly followed by bed to be up for the trek the next day. 

(The mountain town of Imlil - the trekkers' hub from which to attack Mount Toubkal).

We set out around 8am to meet in the middle of Imlil and were introduced to our guide, Mohammed, and two other trekkers from Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

The first day, we completed approximately 7 miles. Differences in culture, religion and life filled the first day while we took in foreign scenery and watched people travelling the 7-mile trails to the nearest village with their donkeys in toting of equipment.

We quickly came upon a stream of melted ice, joining with the river crossing through Imlil as we met the snow-covered peaks, nearing our refuge for the night.

("The valley was incredibly beautiful - the Berber people who live within it equally friendly and accommodating").

("The lower flanks of the mountain reminded us of Scotland").

("That quickly changed to the European Alps as the scenery become more and more grand").

("Our mountain refuge hut looked like it should have been found high up in the Swiss Alps").

Standing on the summit of Mount Toubkal

A nice dinner with fellow travellers, a brief discussion of our morning plans and setting up crampons preceded our short night’s sleep. Our wake-up call was at 5am. The steep 4,000-metre climb to the summit was anything but easy. It was a test of mental grit and leg strength; taking care of where the ice axe was placed and what side of your body weight was placed while traversing the icy inclines to the pinnacle. Once at the majestic summit, we were greeted with an icy breeze and the most beautiful scenery of North Africa’s Atlas Mountains.

No longer than 15 minutes at the summit separated our ascent and descent, where we enjoyed the day’s accomplishments, before finishing by jumping down all 19.26 miles in just under two days. An amazing trip and truly one to remember.

(Summit photo, our two new friends from Cambridge in the UK and our great mountain guide).

Words and Pictures: Erik Renz - Georgia, United States. 

We would like to thank Erik Renz and his wife Jessica for their wonderful 'Real Travel Story' and these great photographs that helped to transport us to the lofty heights of the Atlas Mountains. 

Have you climbed Mount Toubkal?

Let us know in the comments section below your favourite experience from your time in Morocco - be it sampling a refreshing mint tea in an undiscovered café down a side street or kicking in your crampons to an ice sheet high up a on a mountainside. We would love to hear about it! 

("Our mountain guide takes a breather whilst on the trail - periodically we took breaks for water and food as one can easily become dehydrated in the dry mountain air").