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| Morocco Climbing, Trekking & Canyoning |  |
Difficulty Schedule Maximum
Ratio |
So many travelers have told us over and over again that we must go to Morocco. The cultural interest as well as the natural beauty are certainly well known. What is less well known is the climbing and trekking potential hidden away in the Atlas Mountains. In the summer of 1998, good friend and colleague Colin Zacharias worked with the Discovery Channel as a safety consultant for the Eco-Challenge event which was held there. Colin, a Canadian UIAGM guide, was very impressed with the mountains and unlimited opportunities for fun. He spoke to us about the area last fall and convinced us to try to put together a trip to explore the area in the fall of 1999. We went, and had a wonderful time. For this program our group will be very small. This is necessary because of the need for low ratios while climbing as well as the transportation which requires the use of four wheel drive Land Rovers to tackle the rough roads in the Moroccan back country. Also, small groups are more in keeping with our philosophy and enjoyment. The trip is ideal for both climbers and non-climbers who want to see some of the most spectacular areas of the High Atlas. While the climbers are busy on the limestone walls, trekkers can enjoy spectacular hiking. The Taghia is largely undiscovered and pristine, while the Todra Gorges are a popular destination with climbers and sightseers alike. The itinerary below can be adjusted as needed. It is offered here to give you an idea of the structure and diversity of the activities. We plan to spend most of our Marrakech sightseeing time at the end of the trip where perfect health is less important. |
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| The Village of Taghia, Atlas Mountains. | |
14-Day Program - Morocco |
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Day 1 |
Arrive in Marrakech, discuss objectives logistics etc. |
Day 2 |
Leave 6 am. 6.5 hours Land Rover trip to Zawyatt Ahancel village. Load mules and begin a 3 hour trek (6 kilometers) to base camp at Taghia Gorge. |
Days 3, 4 & 5 |
Taghia Gorge Base Camp. This location is unbelievable. A nearby village is a scenic stop in itself. The base camp is at the junction of two 2000' deep gorges. There are several nearby rock routes. Spectacular hiking on the amazing and exposed!! goat herder trails and fantastic scenery. In this area there are classic canyoning trips with multiple rappels, one with about a dozen rappels. |
Days 6, 7 & 8 |
Leave Taghia Gorge Base Camp and walk up and over the plateau via couloirs, canyons and finally a high pass at an ancient Berber nomad camp with a spring (the only water). Over the next two days we descend into a wild gorge. One section requires 4-6 hours to descend a narrow section with no escape. Flat bottom but steep narrow side walls, trekking most of the day through the shallow river bottom. On the afternoon of the 8th day we would be met by a Land Rover vehicle where we transfer our gear from mules to truck and are driven to our hotel at Todra Gorge. |
Days 9, 10, 11, 12 |
In the Todra Gorge. There are a variety of activities in this spectacular area. For the climber the 1000 foot high limestone walls offer an incredible range of routes, from short and difficult sport climbs to multi-pitch climbs that ascend to the canyon rim. For those less ambitious are visits to the date palm filled valley which make Tinerhir special, and hiking in the impressive gorges. |
Day 13 |
On our last day we drive back to Marrakech, sight seeing on route. The road goes past some incredible scenery as it traverses through this section of the Atlas Mountains. |
Day 14 |
Sight see and shop in the souks of Marrakech. |
Day 15 |
Depart Marrakech. |
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| Climbing in the Taghia Gorge, Atlas Mountains. | |
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Kathy Cosley & Mark Houston AMGA Certified • SNGM members All images, layout and text ©2004 Cosley & Houston Alpine Guides, All Rights Reserved |
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