September 18, 2002
Imlil Refuge du Toubkal
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After an early wake up (the first one of a long
series!!!), we are ready at 5:30am to buy some fresh bread. On our way back
we are catched by the car of Lahcen who brings the gaz bottle, the tent and
the mattress. The departure is set at 6:15am and by the end of the
morning we will reach the Toubkal refuge (formerly known as refuge Neltner).
The beginning of the path is winding on the hillside, we pick up some walnuts
on the ground but we eat them from tme to time to avoid a turista. On the
left side we are leaving the Kasbah of the Toubkal, an impressive
construction that appeared in a well known Martin Scorsese movie Kundun. The
High Atlas stands for Tibet and many Moroccans from all the villages debuted
as Monks!! Imlil valley at dawn We quickly reach the village of Arumd where a group
is preparing for the departure. We cross the dried oued (river) to reach the
other side of the valley. A short time after we reach the first spring that
will fill my empty bottle of water. The next village will be Sidi Chamarouch
(2310m) where the tomb of the marabout stands next to a white rock. At 8:30,
the sun appears and we can pack our sweaters in our bags and simply wear
T-Shirts. For the moment, the ascent is easy and the path is
in good shape. From Sidi Chamarouch to the next spring the path is a little
more difficult but it is ok. The landscape during these first hours is
splendid, the crests of the mountains light up one after another, the sun
lights up the whole valley. Refuge straight ahead !! Finally we reach the refuge just after 10am or 4
hours after our departure from Imlil. There are a lot of tents, we will be a
lot to climb the Toubkal summit tomorrow morning. We choose our location for
the tents and the assembly can begin. A group of English Volunteers starts the cleaning of
the refuge area from all the garbage left by tourists and local people. They
are all wearing blue shirts. Seeing that a lot of travelers like me will help
them during the afternoon. It is incredible how many bags full of rubbish we
will collect in only one afternoon (cans, toilet paper, glass bottle, plastic
bottle, shoe soles
). It can be a lot better if everyone burn what can be
burnt and bring back the other items like cans to the next village. The afternoon goes by very quickly and the ascent to
the summit is in every mind. You just have to raise your eyes to see the
beginning of the path in the loose scree. Tonight, the first dinner: pastas, tuna and tomato
sauce (recipe imported from Sinaο in July). Mohammed will share this dinner. We fall asleep very quickly. My alarm clock decide
to abandon me so I dont know how to wake up us at 5am maybe the other
travelers will do it. Main expenses of the day : Nothing |
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Other travels (Syria,
Jordan, Egypt, USA...) (Hotels, Transportation
timetables
) D1 :
Luxembourg Paris Casablanca D4 :
Meknes Volubilis Meknes D9 :
Tinehrir Ouarzazate Marrakesh D13 :
Refuge 4167m Tizi Ouanoums D14 :
Tizi Ouanoums Amsouzert D16 :
Azib Likemt Tacheddirt D17 :
Tacheddirt Imlil Marrakesh D19 :
Essaouira El Jadida Tangier D22 :
Chefchaouen Casablanca D23 :
Casablanca Paris Luxembourg |
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Last update : January
2003
Contact : pindavid@hotmail.com