We are pleased to report that our entire group was successful in its ascent of Toubkal. We all feel tired, but have a sense of quiet satisfaction at this achievement; whilst the target of reaching the top was always achievable, it was by no means a foregone conclusion, requiring hard training, and particularly in respect of the weaker climbers, considerable fortitude. We were ably led by Brahim Ait Ouaarab, an experienced Mountain Guide who led us patiently, quietly  and most importantly, showing a great sense of humour throughout our walk, and without whom the ascent might have failed, and Neil Wright who cajoled and encouraged any stragglers at the rear. Although we all suffered differing degrees of Altitude Sickness which made life rather uncomfortable, fortunately, none of us were forced to abandon the ascent.

 

We travelled on Saturday, leaving Tarifa at 8.00am, driving through Marrakesh and on to Asni, where we stopped at the Education for All Morocco boarding house, and were shown around by Latifa, who is the person who runs the House. We also dropped off sundry chocolate, sweets, calculators and pens and pencils for the girls. Unfortunately, we were not able to see the girls as they were with their parents for the weekend. We stayed the night at the Dar Imlil guest house, whose hospitality we enjoyed greatly.

The first day involved a fourteen kilometre walk, ascending some 1,500 metres from Imlil to the Refuge de Toubkal “Les Mouflons” at some 3,200 metres in height, and took about 7 and a half hours. The second day involved a brutal ascent of 900 metres, which took 5 and a half hours to complete, but we were rewarded with beautiful views of large parts of Morocco, including the Ante Atlas, the start of the Sahara desert and the plain of Marrakech. The weather was very kind to us, and apart from a brief period of about two hours, we climbed in the sun. The descent back to the refuge was completed in part by sliding down the snowfields on our bottoms, which was either fun for some, or the quickest way of getting back to the refuge for those suffering from  altitude sickness. This method of descent was also easier on the knees! On the third day we returned to Imlil on foot, and stayed at the Kasbah du Toubkal, who were again fantastic in their hospitality and generously charged our stay only at cost price.

 

So far, we have managed to raise almost £30,000. I would like to thank again all those who have contributed so generously to our causes, and now ask those who promised donations conditional on our successful ascent to now put their hands in their pockets and donate, either by

1. donating 75% of your intended donation on this page, and then visiting the Edycation for All Morocco website http://www.justgiving.com/TheHighAtlasCollection, and donating the remaining 25%

 

 

 

2. Sending me a cheque payable to the Toubkal Appeal, and I shall pay it into the bank account I have set up with Barclays bank Plc for the purpose of raising funds;

 

3.Make a payment directly to the Bank (please ensure you place your name on the reference so that I can thank you personally) into the following account:

                Barclays Bank Plc

84/90 Main Street

Gibraltar

Sort Code 20-45-21

a/c name Toubkal Appeal.

A/c Number 43930351.

 

 

If you have not made a donation but wish to do so, please do so now.

Finally, I will be posting a selection of photographs on Face Book (look out for Pelu Triay), or if you are not on Facebook and wish to see the photos, let me know and I shall send you details of a more accessible site I am also setting up.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

Whilst casting around as to how to better enjoy their mid-life crises, Neil Wright and Pelu Triay sparked on the germ of an idea of an ascent of Jebel Toubkal in Morocco for a worthwhile charity. The idea proved to be surprisingly popular, and we now have a team of 20 people who have signed up for the challenge.The attempt will be made between  23-25th   May this year.

Toubkal is a serious hill at 4,165m altitude and is ranked 36^th highest mountain in the world but it is not technical. Attempting it in May will mean that most of the snow and ice will have cleared by then and it has not yet got too hot. It also gives those brave souls who sign up some time to get fit and raise the maximum amount of money for the cause. The walk is not to be taken lightly, requiring a climb of about 2,400 metres from the start at Imlil, South West of Marrakech in air that will thin rapidly, increasing the difficulty. It is possible that some of the team will experience altitude sickness, and to be successful, it is important to try and keep to a gentle but rhythmic pace. The return trip from and to Imlil will take three days.

We have chosen to ask for donations  to support The Neuroblastoma Society, Registered Charity No.326385, and this charity will benefit from 75 percent of the amount we raise. Neuroblastoma is a cancer found primarily in children which attacks developing nerve cells, and our walk is dedicated to the memory of Dougal Stewart –Wilson who died from this disease. Dougie's mother Tammy is part of our team. Details of the work of this charity are contained on http://www.nsoc.co.uk/. We hope you will contribute  75% of your intended donation to this Charity.

We will also be giving 25% of the total raised to Education for All, which is devoted to providing college education to girls in the High Atlas. The Charity's philosophy is very simple;. they believe that if you educate girls, you will educate the next generation as well. Furthermore, Education For All is working towards Goal 3 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG), namely to Promote gender equality and empower women. The MDG Goal 3 has as its target: To eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015.They have registered themseves in England and Wales with the Charity Commissioners under Registered Charity No.1124500, and for further information their website is also on the following link;

http://www.educationforallmorocco.org/index.html

Please therefore donate 75 per cent of your intended donation to the Neuroblastoma Society on this page ,and then visit our sister website at

 

to donate the remaining 25%.

The team will be paying for their own travel and accommodation costs, so everything you give (except for just giving's fee) goes direct to the charities. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.