Organiser: Mike Wynn  MGS Leaders: Eric Cittanova, Nigel Burin, Roger Hand, Tim Pattison, Elizabeth Renshaw, John Willson, Allan Witton. The illustrated log below contains a full party list.

The Trekking Route The first 5-day mule-supported section of the trekking route began with a 2-day walk west from Agouti via Abachkou to Tarbat-n-Tirsal, mainly along valleys and through fascinating Berber villages. From Tirsal the route turned south then east, round the flanks of Jbel Rat, to a camp at 3000 m just south of its summit. The 4th day took us over two 3300 m ridges, with the stronger half of the party making an ascent of the summit of Tignousti (3819 m), before descending to cross the amazing Tignousti Shelf and go down to the spectacular village of Ichbbakene in the Tessaout valley. On the 5th day we followed the Tessaout river to its sources on the Tarkeddid plateau at 2900 m, and from there, on the 6th day, made an ascent of Mgoun, at 4068 m the 3rd highest peak in Morocco.

With the mules departed (apart from two which accompanied us in case of emergency evacuation), the second 5-day section of the route was entirely back-packing, and cooking for ourselves on wood fires. The 7th day began with a descent into the Arous valley and a steep climb to the Oumsoud col. There then followed 4 days walking almost entirely downhill, following first the high, barren Oulilimt valley, and then the Mgoun river through a succession of Berber villages, dramatic canyons and the spectacular Achabou Gorge to emerge at Igherm Aqdim, on the south side of the range. The 11th and final day’s route was over arid, rocky, sub-saharan terrain to Ait Youl.

Zagora The trip concluded with a visit to Zagora, on the edge of the Sahara, and a camel ride and bivouack in the desert.

Route Outline:  Day 1.  Agouti > Abachkou  2. Tarbat-n-Tirsal  3. Jbel Aguensou-n-Issis  4. Jbel Tignousti > Amezri  5. Tessaout sources  6. Mgoun  7. Aflafal  8. Imi Nirkt  9. Tiranimine  10. Igherm Aqdim  11. Ait Youl.

Below is a slide show of a selection of images from Morocco.

All the images in the slide show are taken from the illustrated log below, where their locations are given. Click on the file name to view it.