Jebel Toubkal, Morocco

The village of Imlil () sitting in Imlil Valley, central Morocco. May 9th, 2014

The village of Aroumd as seen from the Mizane Valley, central Morocco. Aroumd, sitting at the beginning of the broad, stony Mizane Valley leading to Jebel Toubkal, is the first & largest of the villages that hikers pass through after leaving the trek trailhead in Imlil. Although wild & harsh, this area of the High Atlas mountains, only accessible by road since the early 20th century, has been long inhabited by Berbers, the original inhabitants of Morocco & their descendants. Berbers call the High Atlas Idraren Draren (Mountains of Mountains) & their flat-roofed, earthen villages seem to grow out of the mountainsides which they share with terraced gardens of cherry & walnut trees – this view of Aroumd shows how the village was built on a huge moraine spur above the valley at 1,840 metres, a pretty amazing sight early into the trek. I interacted with a few jovial & inquisitive Berber men in a small village halfway into day 1 of the Jebel Toubkal hike. Taking a break with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice (10 dirhams, €0.90), they were quick to point out that their orange juice is the real deal – nothing but oranges – whereas the stuff peddled elsewhere by Moroccans of Arab or European descent, the majority of the 30 million Moroccan population, would be an inferior, watered-down product. May 10th 2014

This picture was taken a little over three hours into the day 1 hike and only some 30 minutes short of the overnight refuge, located further up the barren, rocky valley seen here. Mules are a common sight on the trail, carrying supplies between villages and to/from the refuge itself. They don’t stop for anyone and you best get out of their way or you could be bumped off the trail. On the Jebel Toubkal trek in the High Atlas Mountains in central Morocco. May 10th, 2014

The Toubkal Refuge, seen here from a position looking down the valley I had walked up earlier in the day, sits below the western flank of Jebel Toubkal (the summit is not visible from the refuge). At 3,207 metres, the refuge often marks the spring snowline – seemingly the total absence of snow, save for sporadic spots, in mid-May, both here & on the summit, is unusual. Open all year, the refuge offers 90 dirham (€8) beds, meals, hot showers, sitting rooms and self-catering kitchens. I was in bed at 9 p.m. with my alarm set for 5 a.m. The Toubkal Refuge sitting in the valley leading to the summit of Jebel Toubkal, High Atlas, central Morocco. May 10th, 2014

A mule in front of the Toubkal Refuge, as far as mules go on the Toubkal trek route as the paths beyond are too steep for them. Not so for humans. In the distance is the almost-vertical scree slope trekkers need to tackle first thing on day 2 of the hike. The accent on day two is one long, long slog from the refuge to the summit through many loose rock & boulder fields & steep scree slopes. The unforgiving scree slope by the refuge the toughest of the lot, made all the more difficult by the fact that most hikers, me included, tackle it in darkness in a bid to get to the summit early. High Atlas, central Morocco. May 10th, 2014

A sloping plateau of graffiti-decorated stones marked by a rather crude, half-finished-looking metal pyramid greets the trekker at the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in northern Africa. This picture, captured through my sunglasses, was taken at 9 a.m. by which time I had been joined on the summit by many more appreciative trekkers – I was surprised to find I was one of the first to reach the top on this particular day & the serenity up here before the summit got more crowded was awesome. Trekkers at the 4,176-metre summit of Jebel Toubkal (), High Atlas, central Morocco. May 12th, 2014

I didn’t mean to capture this bird which no doubt had an easier time of it getting up here than I did; it flew past as I was composing the shot. I’ve stood on a higher point on the earth’s surface (Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, the highest point in the Pacific, is at 4,205 metres) but I’ve never before dragged myself to a higher point on earth. Jebel Toubkal, High Atlas, central Morocco. May 12th, 2014

I like this. Some trekkers like to avail of the services of a guide. Personally I don’t think it’s necessary, except maybe in winter when snow makes the summit a real alpine challenge, but each to their own. While mere mortals will huff & puff their way up & down the mountain, guides are capable of running the route (I saw one doing exactly that) & can clock 300 summits in a year. So needless to say guides have seen the view from the summit more than a few times. This guide was taking a few minutes rest while his trekking party were getting the obligatory photo, savouring the views & recuperating ahead of the descent. This is one occupation where you’d not expect to see someone sleeping on the job. Napping on the 4,176-metre summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in Northern Africa. Jebel Toubkal, High Atlas, central Morocco. May 12th, 2014

Moroccan besties. I tackled & conquered Jebel Toubkal with Zach, a pretty cool American that I got to share some Moroccan experiences with. On the 4,176-metre summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in Northern Africa. Jebel Toubkal, High Atlas, central Morocco. May 12th, 2014

Overlooking the Mizane Valley in the High Atlas, central Morocco. May 12th, 2014