Bryn walking for women - trekking in the high atlas mountains, morocco february 2024This trip proved two important things: 1. When people work together and support each other everything goes in the same direction, the right direction. 2. Such is the nature of trekking in the mountains, it isn't always plain sailing - We have to be prepared for this. This trip went ahead because Janet Greenslade (HML) 'stepped up and stepped in' as Group Manager. Helen Menhinick was unable to take the group at the last minute due to illness. The cooperation and understanding of all the clients, Discover Ltd, the staff at The Kasbah du Toubkal and our guide Latifa was very much appreciated at this time of crisis. Thank you! this is the blog in the words of Janet geensladeOur trip started with 8 of us - Sian, Lyn, Wendy, Lisa G, Lisa H, Sarah, Elle and I enjoying a night in Marrakesh, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the Medina - Place Jemaa-el-Fna and then dinner at Zeitoun where last year we had enjoyed a wonderful meal. Sarah had already caused chaos at the Red Hotel walking around in her swimsuit and towels trying to find our room as she had been very keen to get into the hotel pool prior to going out for dinner and couldn’t remember our room number. The return to our hotel that night was also memorable as after Sarah, Elle and I had said goodnight to the others and were returning to our own hotel, both Sarah and Elle had their bags tucked under their jackets. We were preparing to cross a busy road when a local man rushed into the middle of the road stopping all the traffic, shouting at the motorists that there were pregnant women trying to cross and the traffic must stop to allow them to cross to the other side. An extremely funny start to the holiday. DAY 1 Staff from the Kasbah were on hand to whisk us away to Imlil the following morning with a visit to a Women’s co-operative making Argan Oil products en route. Lunch on the terrace at the Kasbah was followed by an introductory briefing for everyone to meet Latifa our local guide for the trip and then a walk around part of the valley, returning to meet up with Helen our last group member at the Kasbah office. Some of us enjoying Msemmem (pancakes) and mint tea in the village while we waited. Our group was now complete. Evening yoga took place in the conference room, a real treat to have under floor heating. DAY 2 The first full day took us further around the Imlil valley walking up through forestry of pine and juniper trees for a picnic lunch prepared by our wonderful cook Mohammed and then visiting the village of Arhrene where once again we were invited to take mint tea with the owner of a traditional old Berber house. It was a real treat to meet her again and chat about her life and traditions the Berbers have. She explained how the earthquake had affected the local villages, it was extremely poignant seeing the damaged buildings and tents dotted throughout the villages. Latifa introduced us to the women of the villages explaining how they live. We met 3 small boys on our way back to the Kasbah who Latifa took under her wing. The smallest boy a very determined young man who wouldn’t have help from anyone pushing his bike all the way home whilst his 2 cousins tried to assist. DAY 3 Trek over the Tizi M’zik (2469m) to the Lodge in the Azzaden Valley. Good weather, sunshine and a lot of PMA – Positive Mental Attitude - got us to the highest point of our trip where once again Mohammed weaved his magic with another wonderful picnic lunch at the top 2469m. Everyone was in good spirits despite the long trek up along mule tracks and zigzags, our reward being the stunning views of our route up from the Kasbah and Imlil village. Another couple of hours down the paths through Juniper trees with some relieved faces when informed that we would be taking a taxi after reaching Tizi Oussem village for the 3 km route to the village of Id Aissa and the trekking Lodge where our next 2 nights were. Mohammed was at the lodge to greet us and show us to our rooms. Evening yoga was held on the balcony before the temperature dropped and we all came indoors to enjoy our evening meal. DAY 4 Azzenden Valley. A really different experience from the same trip last year. Due to the damage caused by the earthquake which seemed to have caused more distruction in the Azzenden Valley the walk through the villages here was sometimes picking our way through loose scree and rocks, so upsetting to see the devastation caused to houses and the effect on the local Berber people. Our visit to one of the local schools was fabulous with the children so excited to receive our gifts of pens, pencils, books and crayons. We were treated to a rendition of the Moroccan national anthem before walking on down the valley to our lunch stop. Fatima who some of us had met last year was at our lunch stop by the river waiting to treat us to her homemade bread, walnuts and popcorn to accompany our lunch. She was delighted with gifts Helen had sent over for her. The news that there were ladies giving pens out by this time had travelled throughout the valley and every where we went children were popping up and running after us to have pens and sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” as directed by Sarah, who now may be the cause of the children not knowing their noses from their mouths!! A slight slip up as the song went on. We also called in to see the ladies making rugs who we had met last year. DAY 5 Return to Kasbah In the night very strong winds came up through the valley and snow and rain began to fall so we didn’t trek back over to the Kasbah, returning instead by taxis. Disappointing but the right decision the visibility was very poor with rain and snow falling covering the route. A leisurely lunch was enjoyed at the Kasbah before the mandatory retail therapy visiting the local shops in Imlil. On our return to the Kasbah a visit to the Hamman for some and then dinner to prepare for our journey back to the airport the following day. Little did we know what was in store for us when we woke up. Day 6 Homeward bound Everyone was up and ready on time for the trip back to the airport. We were informed when we arrived at the Kasbah office that the road was closed due to the heavy rainfall, but arrangements had been made to get vehicles to the other side of the road closure. Staff from the Kasbah and local men were absolutely amazing in getting us through the mud, rocks and general debris that had fallen onto the road, physically moving rocks out of the way of our vehicles. Then after a scramble over the rockfall which had blocked the road, and a change of vehicles all expertly managed by Kasbah staff, we were on our way again to Marrakesh arriving in perfect time for our flight home. It could only happen on a Bryn Walking event!! Highlights as noted by members of the group
The warmth, kindness and knowledge of Latifa our guide How on most days we were accompanied by local men or women chatting with Latifa and showing us safe routes through the villages to avoid damaged buildings. The sense of security and safety felt when walking around the villages. The amazing lunches provided by Mohammed in the middle of nowhere. The taxi to the lodge. The warmth and friendliness of everyone we met. Dressing up in djellabas as the Traitors, and the buffs.
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