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Photo taken by Sarita whilst Trekking with Gourker encounters  Gurkha Encounters

Yesterday Adele and Fiona arrived in Kathmandu as the advanced party for the Climbers Club Kyajo Ri Expedition 2011. Kyajo Ri is a technical peak of 6153m and will hopefully be climbed by a couple of routes by seven team members. Today Fiona and Adele spent the day shopping for a variety of items such as snow bars, stove boards, fixed rope, epigas and oxygen. Not a normal shopping list for the two sophisticated ladies but certainly a productive shop, helped by Pema Tharki Sherpa.

Its a hard Life!
 

The following morning they were met by Mohammed 1 ( Their guide) and Mohammed 2 (their cook) and drove off to the small village Tassa Ouirgane  where they were greeted by Hussain and another Mule driver and two Mules. At 32 degrees it was a little warm and Adele and Rosemary set off on trek wondering whether Morocco was the right choice of venue. However they soon got into their stride ( plod) and chatted away. Mohammed interspersing the continued conversation with value added facts about the plant life and Berber culture. After an amazing lunch the first days trekking was over and they were made welcome in Haj’s gite where Adele was likened to a Land rover and Rosemary to an ordinary 4 x 4 they took the compliment and enjoyed Haj’s (84) company.

Lunch

Day 2 started early in order to reach the Tizi n’tizikerte pass 3000m befor the sun got too hot.  No crowds , fantastic trekking and beautiful views of the Atlas mountains was the reward for the 4hr trek to the top of the pass. After another amazing lunch a long descent dropped them down into Amed for a hot shower and some social interaction.

Top of  Pass 3000m

Day 3. Expecting the tourist trail to the Mt Toubkal to be full the team set off early to avoid the crowds. After a few hours the only people they met were from Sheffield and a friend of Adele’s. The scenery was lovely and Rosemary and Adele very happy to chatter their way up the hill whilst Mohammed 1 &2 engaged in conversation for the next 6 hours.

 

The refuge was quite busy but with their own cook and guide Adele and Rosemary seemed to get special treatment. This was Rosemary’s first real experience of a refuge and she took it in her stride following Adele who had a little more experience of the etiquette.

 

Excitedly they packed and for Rosemary those summit day nerves began to rumble. Rosemary’s last experience at altitude was not a pleasant one and this was a bit of a test of how she would perform. The gauntlet was down and hopefully with the good acclimatisation profile they had completed Rosemary would shine through and make the summit in good time.

 

4000m peaks unravelling in the Atlas Mountains

At  4.30am the Blackberry Alarms went off( well at least that part was working) and breakfast was eaten with that usual enforcement rather than enjoyment. It was windy out and the usual dawn coolness was a shock as they set off. No chatting today and very few stops saw Rosemary and Adele reach the ridge by 8.30 am. Clear views of an array of 4000m peaks unfolded and the excitement of the topping out came closer as the summit pyramid loomed. In exactly 3hrs Rosemary, Adele and Mohammed stood on the top of North Africa. It may not be the highest or the hardest peak in the world but the emotions of summiting were clearly visible and Rosemary could put behind her last experience. After pictures, nuts and figs they descended back to the hut for another royal lunch and a long walk back to Armed.  A hot shower and more giggles without off course Beer and more plans were made for Rosemary and AP Mountaineering.

Close to the top of Toubkal

A fantastic trip and despite Toubkal's bad reputation it is a great mountain. Thanks to Mohammad, his team and Rosemary for making it happen.

A P Mountaineering will hopefully be running a winter Toubkal trip this December costs to be announced. If you're interested please contact Adele.