hey guys just wanted to see which is more enjoyable trek up mount toubkal in the summer or winter season? i was planning on trekking up mt. toubkal in september and spend between 8-10 days but, would there be snow all the way up the summit and is it scree from bottom to the top of the mountain during summer months? also had a couple of other questions:
1. what is the most reputable and reasonable priced trekking company with guides that are very knowledgable about the trail, weather conditions, can arrange the refugio stays/provide meals, and most of all familar with the mountain and altitude sickness? also, i'll most likely be traveling alone and don't mind joining up with a group trek. and think it would be fun to summit with others but, don't have time to look for trekking partners when i get there so if anybody knows any specific trekking companies/guides in marrekesh or in imil...how much do they charge on average?
2. gear--during winter accents is winter mountaineering experience required and what other equipment is recommended beside helmet/crampons/ice axe? also, during summer accents what gear is recommended besides trekking poles? is a water filter or iodine tabs needed and are there available water sources to purify along the trail up the mountain??
3. accomadations: reasonable priced/clean hotels in marrekesh and imil but, not hostels that you would recommend? also what is the quickest mode of transportation from marrekesh to imil and back...how much should i expect to pay?
any help or information would be greatly appreciated...
thank you.
Here's what I have on Imlil (not too much) though I go often, and love it - and anytime of the year is splendid. Summer's advantage is that it isn't miserable cold at night and since there wasn't that much snow even in winter, in September it should be completely manageable without heavy gear.
You can see the snow in these pictures ... this is late summer - but the snow was really just gracing the refuge rather than covering it.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/85cb9/#TL<BR><BR>here is the whole page
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/c5757/203c8d/<BR><BR>and there are some packing ideas here if you scroll down
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/c5757/edc/<BR><BR>You really don't need a tour guide but if you'd rather - I think TT poster Edith has a good handle on those matters...
Toubkal should be free of snow in September. It isn't a technical climb just a long slog up the scree. But it's not scree all the way. Alot of people go up in winter. It all depends how much snow they've had. Most important thing is to have a sleeping bag and crampons.
It's easy to do without a guide or party. There are always people leaving Imlil. Hotel Soleil is a good place to get to know other hikers.
I've only been as far as Sidi Chamarouch but in September the refuge, which most people stay at before going to the summit, could be busy.
I don't know this person, but she's a blogger who has climbed Toubkal twice and written about it: Musings from Morocco
She's Peace Corps - they might be good people to climb with if you can find one.
Interesting pictures on the Musings site.
But is it normal for women to hike in Morocco in shorts?
Or is everything allowed if you have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ"?
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>"a personal relationship with Jesus Christ"? <hr></blockquote>
Perhaps she's a nun - bride of Christ and all that
I have never understood what the Peace corps does.
Do they actually bring peace?
Or do these longlegged blond American girls just go half naked to Morocco to promote the American way of life?
And what does JC have to do with it?
jamal: thanks for posting up your pics and virtualtourist site for info...do you have any recommendations for accomadations/hotels for marrakesh or imil and how much do they usually charge per night? did you carry your own gear or use the horses/donkeys to transport up the mountain?? also, you mentioned to expect cold nights during a summer climb up mount toubkal so did you bring your own sleeping bag and your own water supply? also, did you pre-arrange the refugio or huts stay in imil before the start of the trek up the mountain?
nusnus: so during september there isn't any snow on the mountain...when does the snowfall begin for a snowy accent/descent of mount toubkal? what month did you do the climb and whats the typical time it takes to complete from start to finish? should i expect the scree to be mostly near the summit? i plan on bringing a pair of gaitors and trekking poles...do you think i need a water purifier or iodine tablets to treat for drinking water along the trail? also, how did you book your stay at the Sidi Chamarouch refuge and is there any food for sale up there?
alifbaa: great...thanks for the link to that blog...very helpful info. and lots of pics of the climb up mt. toubkal.
if anyone else has climbed mount toubkal or know of a reputable trekking company/guide either during the summer or winter months please post up here of your experiences and thoughts. any information would be greatly appreciated...
thank you.
I like Le Meridien N'Fis on Ave France - but check out http://www.moroccosavvy.com/ for an extensive list of places in Marrakesh at various prices.
carrying my own gear: it depends. if i stay for a week up in the mountains, i bring my own food (live), changes of clothes, etc. and i've used the donkeys for that. if it's just a day or three - i can make it on what is offered up there. sidi shamharush has the usual small store stuff (coke, laughing cow cheese, processed meat, eggs, bread, coffee) so you don't have to bring anything up. you can arrange for sleeping there, donkey transport, through your hotel in Imlil. If you forget to take care of the sleeping, you can ask the shop owners while in Sidi Shamharush. No bathrooms in any room, you will use a public bathroom. (buy toilet paper) The rooms are absolutely spare, blankets will be found for you if necessary - I always bring my own bedding.
there will be bottled water in sidi shamharush and a makeshift checkpoint between Imlil and Si Shamharush. But I do bring my own.
I've not been up Toubkal but I've talked to enough people who have. Generally, Toubkal is under snow November to May. I was there January. There had been no snow for two weeks but the path above Sidi Chamarouch was icy and I turned back - only a day hike. You needed crampons I think. It all depends on the conditions - they change. South facing slopes can be free of snow, north facing not.
Sidi Chamarouch is just a shrine where pilgrims can stay. Most people go up from Imlil to the main refuge in a day then climb Toubkal from the refuge the next morning and do the descent after that to Imlil. It isn't a difficult climb but the scree, which is after the refuge, is just hard work. Depends what you are used to. I met people who climbed to the refuge from Imlil and back in a day but they were fit. They did it to the refuge in about 5 hours. It would take others longer. Anyway, it's a day hike.
If you stayed at Hotel Soleil you could just keep your room, leave most of your gear there and only take what you need. Alternatively, they will store stuff. But it's very inexpensive.
You can get a very good map for the climb in Imlil.
So far as water goes, carry bottled water (3/4 litres?)You can't be certain with water purifiers if there are goats upstream, for instance. You can buy Coke and tea at Sidi Chamarouch and the guy who looks after the accommodation will cook something. The thing is you just have a good breakfast (I recommend the Soleil for that alone) and take something for lunch. You need to carry food for the refuge as far as I know. There's a bakery and plenty of small shops in Imlil.
No one had problems getting in this January but some people take tents...
Like I said, you meet people at the Soleil in the evening over dinner and get talking. Everybody's doing the same stuff and are really friendly. You can always go up with people if they are interested. Lots of people on the trail anyway. I walked up part the way with the little old man who runs a cafe at Sidi Chamarouch. You get in with people all the time. Hiking in Morocco is like that.
Do a day hike, get the feel of things and go up the next. Everybody's always in too much of a hurry. Otherside hire a guide at the bureau opposite the Soleil. But, really, it's no big deal on your own.
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