Arrival in Marrakech
Touching down in Marrakech with sights set on the Atlas Mountains, the relentless sun greeted us. At the airport, I inadvertently surprised Jake, a fellow hiker, by recognizing him from his WhatsApp profile picture. (Social skills still in progress!) We made our way to a traditional Riad in the medina. After dropping our bags, I dived straight into the souk, soaking in the vibrant chaos of colors and scents. Marrakech offered a sensory overload with its olive oils and spices. Moreover, a bold local invited me to dinner and offered a motorcycle ride. I declined politely but celebrated with a happy dance—because this gal’s still got it! Naturally, I rounded out the day with a pilgrimage to Starbucks; caffeine is a must, no matter where we are.
A Moroccan Feast and the Road to the Atlas
The next day began with a Moroccan feast, including pancakes (baghrir), various breads, and tea—enough to fuel an army. Surrounded by seven UK lads, I realized I was the “vintage” member of the group. Nevertheless, I embraced this role with my new friend Ali, who, though younger, was numerically mature. We piled into a van headed for the Atlas Mountains, passing Richard Branson’s hotel, fields of apples and apricots, and children selling fruits.
Exploring Toubkal Valley
Upon arriving, in Imlil, we met our Berber guides, Ahmad and Lassan. Their calm confidence made climbing mountains seem like a great idea. Hiking through Toubkal Valley was a dream. We saw picnicking villagers, soccer-playing kids, and an army of pack mules—one of which became my snack companion thanks to the sugar cubes in my pockets. After a colorful creekside lunch, we reached the mountain refuge where we bunked with 20 other adventurers, endured late-night snoring, and one unexpected scream.
Evenings involved spirited games of Cards Against Humanity, proving that humor truly transcends borders.
Summiting Toubkal’s Sister Peaks
On day two, we tackled Toubkal’s sister peaks, Timzguida and Ras, each topping 4,000 meters. Scrambling over rocks made me question all my life choices. However, the summit’s tuna sandwich lunch and epic views were worth every step. Back at the refuge, we celebrated victory with a heated game of Uno, where winning proved as elusive as good Wi-Fi and a decent hot shower.
Conquering Mount Toubkal
The grand finale was Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 meters. We started our ascent at 3 AM, climbing in the dark until sunrise bathed the Atlas Mountains in golden light. Meanwhile, standing at the summit felt like conquering the world. The descent was a blur of adrenaline, rocks, and high-fives from fellow hikers.
Back in Marrakech, I squeezed in a final souk spree before Netflix and a well-deserved sleep.
Stats:
🏔️ Elevation Gain: 4,670 meters
👟 Distance Hiked: 44 kilometers
🥾 Blisters: 4
🌟 Memories Made: Countless
Much love to my crew and the wild, fantastic Moroccan Peaks! Until the next adventure! 🌍 #MuchBetterAdventures #MoroccanMagic
Book this amazing tour with my favorite company, Much Better Adventures: The 3 Peaks Challenge in Morocco
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