September 20, 2002 – Tizi Ouanoumss – Amsouzert

 

 

 

As we did well yesterday, we are not in a hurry today and the wake up is late. It is even nicer that the night was terrible with all the wind, I was frightened for the tent so I didn’t sleep well on the morning.

 

When we were trying to pack the tents, a strong gust of wind throws away the bag of Isabelle into the rocks and breaks the camera. We secure the other “flying” items and double the speed to pack everything.

 

The descent towards the lake is quick and easy with no difficulty. From the bottom we just look back to see the pass of Tizi Ouanoums that seems so far and we pity all the trekkers who will walk on this punishing ascent.

 

The pass is just at the top in the middle!!!

 

The water of the lake has an emerald color but we have still a 1 hour walk to reach the lake from the moment we see the scenery. We are the first ones of the day and we are warmly welcomed by the keeper of the place. We decide to go directly into the water to test our endurance to this high altitude water (2 312m). It will be a nice and welcomed bath after 2 days and ½ overwhelming by dust. The water is frozen but as often it is only when you enter it that you feel it. After some breaststrokes, the temperature is better but we will not stay in it for a long time. It is just a moment to take a great picture for all of us. Even Mohammed will go there to swim a little bit and he will come back with a smile saying that he found the water too hot for him!!!!

 

 

Finally we stay at the lake for 3 hours and we have our lunch there next to booths that are used as shops for tourists selling soft drinks and some chocolate bars. A group just arrives after noon, Mohammed knows everybody in the region and one of the guides offers us a watermelon as dessert. Delicious!!!

 

We resume our walk to reach Amsouzerte. The valley is so great and thanks to the lake and its water, it is so green with fields, trees… It has been a long time since we saw such vegetation. We discover also many villages on the hillsides.

 

 

At 4pm, we have set up the tents near a little river and next to a watermill. The sound of the water rocks us literally. Some kids of the village come to see us, curious as they are and it is the occasion to give them some biscuits for the afternoon snack. We take advantage of our location to do some washing before visiting the village. This one is not cut from the world because 4*4 vehicles can use a kind of road to link the village to Ouarzazate or Marrakech.

 

Tonight, Mohammed, who is maybe tired of my pasta meal, proposes us to eat a tajine cooked by one of his friends. We will be ready for 7:30.

 

 

The tajine is not as good as the one in Imlil but it is so great to eat something new (Isabelle imported meals excepted) and to eat with locals. Mohammed is happy to present us to his friends. He is the guy on whom field we are camping. During the meal, it is the occasion to revise our Berber words and to learn some new words…

 

We are back under the tents around 9pm ready to sleep. Just before joining the bivouac, we have a look to the inside of the watermill that uses the power of water to grind the wheat into flour. It works 24h a day and at night two little candles light the room.

 

The moon is full tonight and lights very well. In the middle of the night when I walk up, I was looking for a street lamp but it was simply the moon!!

 

Main expenses of the day :

Tent location : 6 DH

Tajine : 20 DH

 

 

 

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D1 : Luxembourg – Paris – Casablanca

D2 : Casablanca – Rabat

D3 : Rabat – Meknes

D4 : Meknes – Volubilis – Meknes

D5 : Meknes - Fes

D6 : Fes

D7 : Merzouga

D8 : Merzouga – Tinehrir

D9 : Tinehrir – Ouarzazate – Marrakesh

D10 : Marrakesh

D11 : Marrakesh – Imlil

D12 : Imlil – Toubkal refuge

D13 : Refuge – 4167m –Tizi Ouanoums

D14 : Tizi Ouanoums – Amsouzert

D15 : Amsouzert – Azib Likemt

D16 : Azib Likemt – Tacheddirt

D17 : Tacheddirt – Imlil – Marrakesh

D18 : Marrakesh – Essaouira

D19 : Essaouira – El Jadida – Tangier

D20 : Tangier

D21 : Tangier – Chefchaouen

D22 : Chefchaouen – Casablanca

D23 : Casablanca – Paris – Luxembourg

 

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Last update : January 2003

Contact : pindavid@hotmail.com