Mountain Toubkal is the highest point in North Africa which lies in the Toubkal National Park in Morocco. It is an ultra-prominent peak that scales at 4,167 m (13,671 ft). After the first successful attempt at the peak in 1923 by French Climbers, it unfastened the gate to other mountaineers, and Toubkal has become a hotspot for adventure lovers.
Mountaineer often compares Toubkai to other prominent peaks such as Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m (19,341 ft)), Mount Fuli 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft 3 in), and Pokalde 5,806 m (19,049 ft) in term of its easy climb.
Though the ascent of Toubkal is not technical and challenging as the Himalayas, however, the high elevation, low temperature, with occasional wind storms can make the situation dangerous. As they say, every mountain has its own story. Hence, any mountain is hard despite its heights and circumstances.
Mount Toubkal Difficulty
The major difficulty while attempting Mount Toubkal is altitude sickness. Let’s know what exactly is altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is the condition when the body does not get enough chance to adjust to changes in air pressure in a less oxygen environment.
And just because you have never had altitude sickness before, that doesn’t mean you never will. The problem of Acute Mountain Sickness starts when you quickly go from sea level to high altitudes in a day.
Besides, the mountain region is known for unpredictable weather patterns. Elevation, slope, and exposure influence changes in weather patterns rapidly. Temperatures are often moderate at elevations below’ 2,865 m, but once you reach the base camp of Toubkal, which is at 3207m, you may feel a wide variation of day and nighttime temperatures. And, at higher points, it may snow at any time of year.
Further, winter in Mount Toubkal has harsh cold weather and snowfall which makes the trails slippery and high risk of avalanches.
Family-Friendly Mountain
Every mountain has its own circumstances, but Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas range, can be successfully ascent by almost anyone. With a professional guide by your side, you can achieve new feet without prior experience in climbing and trekking.
Going through Toubkal history a number of families has successfully reached the summit together, as it does not demand the use of high-level mountaineering gears and technical climbing.
Why Hire A Guide?
If you are new to trekking at high altitudes or prefer a logistic trip, then hiring a guide is a good choice. Generally, the guide organized the whole trek systematically, which includes two-way transport to Marrakech, accommodation, food, and mules to carry bags and equipment.
A guide gives you a sense of safety so you can fully enjoy the beautiful landscapes and less time staring at a map. They are professional, so they will likely have explored Toubkal hundreds of times and know every high and low.
What’s more? Guides ensure you get plenty of water and the right choice of food which is very important to trek in high altitudes.
Hiring a guide is highly recommended in winter because the trails are slippery and you are on the verge of getting lost in freezing temperatures. Having a guide is best for safety and convenience.
Can Solo Attempt Mount Toubkal?
No doubt, professional trekkers could easily climb Mount Toubkal alone. In case you get lost, you can find numerous villages and settlements where you can ask for help. And, in the spring, you will find yourself in a crowd of trekkers who could guide you.
There are two refugees at the base camp, where accommodation and food are easily accessible.
If you are not hiring a guide, just ensure you are using the correct path to get up Mount Toubkal. Otherwise, there is a chance you could not get to the summit.
Updates On Mount Toubkal Climbing Scenario
Every group attempting Toubkai should hire a local guide. Further, the authorities have announced one guide is for a group of six people.
Since the weather is unpredictable in the high elevation, the authorities work according to meteorologist data from November to March, which means if the weather is unfavorable, they stop people from climbing.
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Conclusion
Mount Toubkal is considered moderately challenging and does not demand high mountaineering skills. The peak is achievable in three days. On the first day, ascent to a refugee camp. The next day, you can reach to summit within four hours of ascent, and it takes three hours to descend. On day three, back to Imlil. Voilà!! You achieved new feet.
