Mount Toubkal Climb

Hi Ruari

 Really looking forward to the trip, is this your first?

 John

Hello both,

Add another traveller to the list!

 ... another John :-)

Hello,

Yes I am going to. THis is my first trip like this, so as its getting nearer and nearer ....

Looking forward to it though, looks great from the pictures

Simon

 

Yea it is my first trip as well, the whole thing looks good.

Any one did anything like this before?

Just saw the news about a bomb going off in the main square in the middle of town.

Great !

 

 

Just wondering where you are all from?  I'm in good old Margate!!

I am just down the road in Canterbury

Hi Simon

 Are you travelling independantly? I'm flying out with easy jet and staying a couple of days afterwards in Marrakech.

Hey, i am from a bit further afield, Ayr away up in Scotland.

Hi guys, travelling over from Cardiff.

Hello Barney,

No, I am travelling the standard way. But must confess your option seems great, a couple more days in Marrakech looks ideal.

Is this your first trip of this type ? If not have you any tips for a novice ?

 

 

This is the first time I've really travelled independantly, plus got a great deal at a really good hotel for 100 euros for two nites.  Sheriff I'm in Cardiff soon for the Heineken Cup Final, Ruari have you ever climbed Ben Nevis as I'm hoping to do it later on this year?

Hey Barney... don't tell me you're a Saints Fan!?! Big Tigers supporter here, Leinster have it in the bag I think, especially the way they tore us apart at the Aviva!

Hi Rusty

 No I'm a Sarries fan!! So might have a good match with the Tigers yet,  I go to the Heineken Cup Final most years, a bit of a rugby purest!! No certain about Leinster, I think they might be waning at moment, but we will wait and see :)

Even worse... a Sarries Fan! Ha Ha Ha, was at Welford road for the nailbiter when you beat us last. Great Game :-) Hopefully we'll meet again in the play offs, just gotta hopefully trounce Saints this weekend!

Hey Barney

 Yea i have, it is a bit like the other 3 peaks if you have done any of them. The quickest path up is normally very busy no matter what day it is but it is a good acheivment to do. Went up around this time of year and still a lot of snow at the top and very low cloud, but ot felt good to get to the top.

 And Re your rugby discussion, i havn't been falling the english rugby too much this year but Leinster and Munster have pretty much walked the magners this year, so i would favour Luinster for the heinekan cup win

I will pick your brains when we are trekking about ben nevis then mate.  Are you travelling independantly?

I am that yea, not staying out with the dates though, i did consider it but thought that a week away independently would be enough of an adventure to start

I'm booked on this trip aswell.  It will be my second solo holiday...

The only thing that I didn't like about the first was sitting in the airport for 4hrs with out any company.  I'm on the group flight out of Gatwick North.  Never flown from there before, so can't suggest a meeting point.  Anyone know the airport well enough to suggest a meeting point?

Hi Guys

Have you seen your arrival time in Marrakech? according to the final joining instructions its 0035 on Monday 13th June! Thats not good, I will have to sit in the bar on my own :(

My flight gets into Marrakech at 1635, so i think instead of sitting at the airport waiting on everyone i may come and join you in the bar.

 Oh and in this months edition of TGO Magazine there is an article about trekking in the Atlas Mountains, haven't had a chance to read it yet, but looks similar to what we will be doing.

Hi Hi All , my second trip .Did the Wadi Rum Desert / Petra trip hope this will be half as good as it will be grgreat. Leaving from Heathrow with BMI . I m based in Gerrards Cross. Either of you rugby fans going to the Premeirship final next weekend ?

Good at least I wont be in the bar on my own!!  I arrive at Marrakech at 1040 leaving early via easy jet. I wont be going to the premiership final, would like to as sarries supporter, but in Cardiff this weekend for the H cup :)

Hi all.

Luinatar, I'm also going to be arriving in Marrakech at 1635, have you arranged transport with Exodus or were you just gonna take a taxi?

Woodster, would love to make it to Twickers but unfortunately I'm working. Barney... gonna be an Epic game Sir! I'll be honest, the Tigers form of recent has had me worried but the performance against the Saints has me now thinking otherwise, I really do think it could go either way. Manu should've had 10 weeks 'off' though in fairness, kudos to Mr Ashton for staying on his feet!!

Hi all

 Rusty, I cant help thinking that Leinster might just upset the apple cart!  But if Saints can neutralise the Lenster centres they should win.  As I will be in the bar early what's your orders guys? :)

hi to all

my name is ali i live on the isle of skye me and my mate pete from northamptonshire

are arriving in marrakech from heathrow at 14.35

looking forward to meeting up

ali

 

 

Hi Ali & Pete

 Looking forward to seeing you, probably in the bar!!

 John

Rusty, i Hadn't arranged anything yet, so was just going to wing it when i got there. Have you? are you flying in from Gatwick aswell?

 Fingers crossed from Leinster on Saturday, i am going for Magners League solidarity for once :D

Hey Ali & Pete, by the sounds of it if you are joining John in the bar we are gonna be pretty drunk by the time the rest of the group get in

Ali looks like we are on the same flight. Using my airmiles so should be sat upfront , you've a long trip down to Heathrow !

Rusty have no rugby alegiance so I go along as a natural hoping for a closely contested game. 

woodster will drive to inverness on the saturday 2.5 hrs

 get flight to luton and stay the night with pete in northamptonshire

 will probably see you in the bar at heathrow

Hey Ruari

Yep, flying from Gatwick with British Airways... meet you in the bar there!! :-)

John

Hi All

12 days and counting. Looking forward to meeting you all. Barney - Consider the 'Carn Mor Dearg Arete' route up Ben Nevis as an option. Woodster -- bar at Heathrow before flight ?

Regards

Pete

Pete yes see you at the bar should be there around 9.30

Woodster

Will see you in the hotel bar guys! Should be a good one :)

Hiya you guys. I am leaving this Sunday 5th June and thought you might be interested to know that I have had a n email from exodus today letting me know that there is still snow on the route and they consider crampons and an ice axe necessary... Be prepared!

Thanks Nicki for the info. Spoke to Exodos this morning. There has been late snow on the mountain.We will get an update from Exodos on Monday to let us know if our trip will requiure above. If you do not have the equipment they will give us details of hire companies. Getting more interesting by the day .Woodster my mobile is 07889068333 -- see you in the bar.

 

Regards

Pete

Thanks Nicki for the info. Spoke to Exodos this morning. There has been late snow on the mountain.We will get an update from Exodos on Monday to let us know if our trip will requiure above. If you do not have the equipment they will give us details of hire companies. Getting more interesting by the day .Woodster my mobile is 07889068333 -- see you in the bar.

 

Regards

Pete

Evening all

Been on the phone to Exodus and Trek Hire today regarding the crampon and ice axe issues and thought it best to pass on all the info.

Regarding crampons, check you're boots can take em, i.e. boots rated at B1 for C1 Crampons and so on. Also, Trek Hire informed me that they don't have crampons to fit boots that are above a size 11... Damn My Size 12's!

I've spoken to Exodus regarding this asking if we can get crampons when we arrive out there that will be the correct size. They're gonna get back to me Monday afternoon at the latest on that one. Haven't check as to whether anyone else provides crampons for hire as yet.

I might have to get another pair of boots, cant work out if they are B1, I've got C1 crampons and and Ice axe (ebay!).  Field and Trek so a good Boot Grading and Crampon compatability sheet at www.fieldandtrek.com/customerservices/tg_boot_grading.aspx if its of any help to any of you.

John, that is superbbb, solves one of my problems, thank you!!

Has any one spoken to exodous/their airline about taking an ice axe on the plane yet?

Hi All

Have asked Exodos the question ' How much of the route will require crampons '-- the summit climb or what ?. Coming back Monday with answers.This may help boot / crampon compatability decisions.

 

Regards

Peter

Sounds a good plan pete, I've tried mine on with my normal walking boots and seem OK :)

 John

I haven't spoken to Exodus yet (will tomorrow), but have had a chat with a mate who returned from Toubcal on 29/05/11.He said there was snow above about 3500m.  Looking at the profile on the 'trip notes' it would seem the snow will only affect the final summit climb.I’ve hired crampons and an axe from the company in the Exodus e-mail, they were very helpful and informative.On a side note… I’ll be catching a National Express coach to Gatwick.  Should be there by 17:00.  Anybody going to be around to meet up before the fight?

Stephen

hi stephen

did your mate give you any other hints or tips that might help on the trip

ali

Hello Everyone,

Update from Exodus

I've got some more information from our local partners. There are 5 patches measuring 40 - 50 m each and only the route from the Mt Toubkal Base  Camp to the summit is affected. So you will most likely use the equipment only one day.I hope that has helped. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.Kind regardsDanuta

Hope this helps

See you all soon

Simon 

 

 

Hi all

 Do you think we will need these?  As trying to cut down on weight?

John

The info I have to date suggests we might but the weather on Toubkal seems to be getting warmer so in truth who knows what it will be like in ten days or so.

If we do need them it will be just for the final hike to the summit. I am also trying to cut back in what goes in my bag but dont wnat to gamble on not having these.

Simon

Yes know what you mean, I'm taking my gaiters as well, just to be safe!  Still trying to work out how many pairs of trousers and t shirts I need!!

John

You and me both...

I started off by working out what I wanted to take and worked backwards from that !! Could have doen with the additional gear tho !

Hi All

 

I recieved the same E Mail as Simon from Danuta. Asked her a couple more question . What is the distance between patches and are they a traverse or climb? As Simon says the weather is getting warmer and I guess the problem is thawing & freezing -- see link below .

 

Regards

Peter

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Toubkal/forecasts/4167