Feedback on current state of some of Chris Scott's routes - MS2,3,4,6,7 and 8
 

Recently back from Morocco and thought I'd feed back on some of the routes we did (or tried to do). We were in a Defender 110.

We did most of MS2,3,4,6,7 and 8 albeit with a bit of chopping and changing when routes intersected. We did a lot of the routes in reverse which is obviously more challenging if you are following the directions. We were surprised to see hardly any other independent travelers.

MS2 - there is now a big new road from Zagora to Tissemoumine over the Tafalet pass. It isn't tarred but is well graded, wide and high with big culverts passing underneath. We did 70kmph on it and I expect many would go a lot faster. There are very limited places where you can get off the road. There is also a lot of new irrigation/cultivation in the area which has removed some of the old tracks.This meant finding the turning north on to MS2 was a bit of challenge and when we did the track was very rough in places.

MS3 - we did sections of this on different days but covered all but the first few km. The tar no longer ends at Taghbalt. There is a big new road, again very well constructed, which sweeps round Taghbalt. Try as we might we couldn't find our way through with the waypoints and ended up leaving town on the tar. In an attempt to get back on route we followed good tracks off the tarred road to the NE but they turned out to be quarrying tracks and we found ourselves on top of the escarpment. We spent several hours following various tracks to dead ends/sheer drops before being directed by a quarry worker to a track down. Let's just say it was not for the faint hearted...

MS4 - as mentioned above from Tissemoumine it's now a straight run on a new road. We didn't do the other end of the route as we joined it from MS3.

MS6 - we started from Merzouga. There were no real surprises here. The first section was a bit grim with the road churned up by quarry trucks, creating a lot of dust. Crossing the Rheris was OK. We went right at the building just before the crossing, following raised paths through a cultivated area and then into some small dunes. Then the tracks we were following stopped dead at a dune. We climbed up to the left hand side of it and found a way through.

MS7/8 - we started from MHamid. Deep sand started at km 25 (138) and carried on, albeit with a few opportunities to stop, for at least 12km. You need to crest some small dunes. It was fine in a Land Rover but I imagine could be hard on some bikes. We spent a couple of days camping out at Cheggaga and it was well worth it. We switched to MS8 at Lak Iriki. No sign of any damp patches but we drove on the existing tracks.

We also did MA1,2,3, 4 and 5. Another post to follow on these.

Great report!

Enviado desde mi JY-G3 mediante Tapatalk

We traveled in Feb/March 2014 in a Defender 110.

MA1 - Tiserkine Gorge was lovely. It was tricky to find the track out of Afella along the oued at km 52. Just very faint tracks in the oued and we kept losing it. Just go on direction. Some road building going on in the area around the engravings. We planned to go south on MA1 and then back north on MA2 turning at km 89. As it turned out MA1 would have been a much better place to camp due to road building on MA2 (see below).

MA2- We started at km 17 having come down MA1. We had hoped to camp around km 26 as per Chris's suggestion but there is a big new road passing through the valley. It is up high and even if you can get off the road to the argan trees you would be completely visible. The road goes past Igmir and climbs up out of the valley.

MA3- The piste off the main road at the start is now tar and this continues for the first 8-10 km. This makes the directions at the start of the route a little redundant - no more crossing in and out of oueds etc. Tagahirt seems to now be a lot bigger. We also couldn't find the turn to the engravings.

There is a lot of work going on on the R109 they are building three big new bridges.

The track through the gorge is the bed of the oued. I don't know if the stones have compacted with use but it was a good and fairly smooth driving surface. We were also expecting the track to be a lot narrower than it was. We passed a few small trucks coming the other way. The climb out is indeed steep! Once up on the plateau there is a big wide new road with the odd quarrying truck barreling by at 80kmph.

The steep loose descent into Aouklid is also no longer. Actually I think it is still there as a turn off from the road but there is a brand new wide graded road which switchbacks down the other side of the drop. It is still a stunning descent. I have a great little video if I can ever work out how to post it.

When you approach Tamegroute the road to the left is a kind of bypass around the village. Right if you want to visit the shop.

We took a wrong turn after Afella. There was a sign right to Tafroute which we took which took us back via Ait Mansour.

MA4 - a nice drive but if you are doing in reverse remember to carry on along the N12 until the waypoint Chris gives. If you take the earlier turn to Taghhjit you can't get through.

MA5 - we started from Tafraoute. At km 30 don't bother turning SE onto the piste. it is now just 100m of very rough track that joins the new tar road. The tar doesn't last long and the road down through the gorge was lovely. We camped at Amtoudi along with half the population of France, and "enjoyed"an evening of accordion playing and dog howling. There is a very nice place to stay at the other end of town which I wish we'd found. You can also eat there if you give some notice.

MH1, MH10 (and MS6)
 

Herewith a quick review on MH10 (Alnif Dades) and MH1 (Dades Imilchil), ridden in one day, April this year.

Loaded bikes(tyres) were: Africa Twin (TKC80), Multistrada (TKC80) and R1200GSA (E07).

MH10 - Alnif-Dades, reverse order as featured on Morocco Overland
Overall an easy piste, gravel all the way until Iknioun. No sand at all, some loose gravel requiring a bit of attention when you go through Oued Tazlaft dry bed.
Nice rocky formations as landscape.
From navigation the crucial points are:
- N31 8 0.72 W5 26 25.98, km81 from Morocco Overland route, where you should turn North to avoid the MH5 part
- N31 10 41.3 W5 25 23.3, not featured in Morocco Overland. Here the direction to take is North, the GPS is pointing to W so can be misleading
Duration 3h30m including two relaxing stops. Then tagine in Dadés for lunch.
Pictures can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/148874...57675345912122

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/medium/106037724.jpg

MH1 – Dades Imilchil, reverse order and second half of MH1 as featured on Morocco Overland
Most of it is sealed.
Gravel can be divided in two parts:
- going up to Tizi n Ouano, 2900m, the progress is slow on the sequence of hairpins. But the landscape is worth it!
- after descending the piste is flatter, easier and faster until Agoudal. Oncoming traffic were big groups of 4x4.
No troubles with navigation, in some villages just roughly follow your GPS bearing and you’ll find your way.
Duration was 5h30m with several stops. Then tagine (again?!) for dinner at Malika’s, near Lac Tislite.
Pictures can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/148874...57676976823835

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/medium/106117067.jpg

MS6 we did in Nov2011, reported in the HUBB here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...9-2#post356122


Regards and all the Best,
Luís

MS6 and missing Ramila.....
 

As above....

MS5; still about 40kms either graded or stony/sandy, a few diverts off road.

What is the conditions piste MA2, for motorbike with road tires?

As it's usually bone dry and stony, I would say the weight of the machine is more relevant than the tyre tread. It's a great route and may be largely sealed by now

Merc 190 on the steep ascent out of Igmir (10 years ago)

Motorcycle is a gs 1200, I drove from Tarfrouta against Igmir.

We traveled MA2 earlier this year. There's a big new road through the Igmir valley. I can't see from my notes if it was tarred but am pretty sure it was. I recall Chris's book mentioned a couple of nice places to camp along this route. Unfortunately you can't get off the new road in a car and even if you could do it on a bike you would be visible from the road just about everywhere. MA1 had some better options for camping.

Are you sure at the road tarred, in the piuteres I see pista.

Are you talking about Chris's picture above? I think he says in his post it was taken 10 years ago. Quite a lot of the routes are now sealed in whole or in part now.

I'm looking at a picture from 2012, here Clubman's blog: Ait-Herbil to Tafraoute,route MA2

Not going anywhere tonight (Todra Gorge)
 

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/...a3&oe=5495EF2D

It had been raining since before Imilchil the previous day. Already I had been through more than 50 fords (often the same river weaving around), but this was a real biggy coming down the Todra Gorge.

I got my trusty stove out and made a cup of soup whilst watching the water level which was still rising, not falling. So a strategic retreat to Tamtatouchte. But several hours later it's still raining, so not good news.

Wow, didn't realise it raining out there at the moment. Hope it dries up Tim

same in Foum Zguid - we are presently stuck here - road to Tata N12 was flooded and understood same was the one to Zagora N12 - here is keep raining so not sure situation will be better tomorrow..will post an update if I will be able

Go easy dudes, THat picture makes me laugh. It's funny how your perceptions of a country are so far from the reality.

Where is the :Beach:!!!

Got out finally late afternoon after spending six hours covering the 20km? from Tamtatouchte to Tinerhir. The problem was, after the waters had dropped a bit the road surfaces still covered by flood water had to be cleared of underwater boulders, and mud in some places was 250mm thick. One of the fords had been partly swept away, and another ford almost completely destroyed, so had to wait for the diggers to fill the gap with stones.

Severe weather warnings and road closures
 

There has been extensive heavy rainfall across Southern Morocco over the weekend with flooding and road closures. Rainfall was from Merzouga west at least to Ouarzarzate. The road from Zagora to Ouarzarzate was closed on Sunday and at times the road between Tinerhir and Ouarzarzate was impassable. The rains appear to have eased and north of the Atlas seems ok certainly the Tiz N Titchka was fine but watch out for gravel and debris from the flood water.

Video of the Todra when too high (the exit from the ford is on the left). Checking heights when the river had receeded somewhat the next day I reckoned it was 1.5m deep at the ford.

The flooding extended (at least) from Merzouga to west of Taliouine and included the Todra, Dades, Draa, Mgoun, Rheris and Ouarzazate rivers.




24 hours later the water had dropped enough to get underway

Wow looks a mess, hope you get out ok.

How NOT to cross a side river



Those who know the Todra area will realise this video starts high up by the marabout of Sidi Mohamed T'massint (the tomb on the left across the river).

This is an object lesson in the dangers of over confidence. I had already crossed more than 50 fords that day, mostly fairly deep and fast running, so I was a bit gung-ho on this one. In retrospect I should have started more centrally and aimed diagonally to the right (and probably given it a bit more power as well).

Least you got across and didn't go over the edge :thumbup1:

Have you seen it as wet before in your travels to Morocco Tim?

I was caught in a flash flood when trekking with mules. Quick frightening, I was video filming the next valley saying on camera that I could hear a rumbling and that I thought it was a flash flood, then I heard my guide shout at me to run.

I kept the video running as the waters arrived. It was about 10-12 years ago now, so probably on Hi-8, might see if I can get it on to digital.

But generally, despite spending three years out of the last 40 in Morocco, I've always seemed to miss the excitement until now.

I rode up the gorge today to Tamtatouchte and its ok; some evidence of recent damage but open to all traffic

Tried to do MA8 today but the piste is closed past KM58 through to KM88 with damage, a group of guys were working on it but confirmed no way through. This will also apply to MA3 KM70 upto the mine piste on the plateau

MA2 has been graded certainly all the way from Tafroute to the junction with MA1 and probably on further, bit weird driving piste with road signs and a speed limit guess the tar in coming soon.

MA1 is ok the route gets a bit vague in places but I got through fine. Met a French couple heading south (I was heading north) who advised against going any further no piste they said and lots of gullies. Must have missed these I had no trouble except taking a wrong turn at KM61.5 and taking the mine piste down the next canyon (maybe that's why I didn't see the bad section the French had told me about) ended up rejoining at KM48.

There seems to be a lot of improvements to the pistes around Tafroute in general.

Aouli mine piste
 

The piste to the old mine in Aouli has been severely damaged by the recent floods. Still passable by moto and 4x4 but another period of heavy rain may finish it off. As it's not a major route it's unlikely to be a priority for a proper repair.

Coming through TangerMed was much easier last week - didn't even have t
O get out of the car with passports and D16 processed at the same booth. Done and dusted in 15 mins from getting off the boat. Unfortunately folks on their first visit to Morocco had to wait for 90 minutes while the police in the passport composting booth had their lunch. Plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose...

Now in Zagora. 38C and sunny but could be cloudy, rainy, windy tomorrow.
Happy trails,

Peter

weather in general (mountains)
 

Hi, I was wondering what the weather is like in general in October in the mountains. We are going to be there from Oct 17 to Oct 26, doing a round trip from Marrakech, roughly MA6, MA7, MS8, MS6, MS12, MH14 and MH12.

I am not sure what clothes to take. The options are offroad mesh trousers + body armour and cross shirt (plus rain jacket) or Klim Traverse suit (light offorad goretex suit) with body armour. Is the mesh/shirt/rain jacket combo going to be too cold for the mountains (we will go up to around 2000 m I think) or the suit too hot for the desert?

Weather is never particularly predictable. For the next few days Marrakech is forecast to be around 30ºC shade maximum coupled with hot direct sun. If you climb 1500m to 2000m you would normally expect the maximum shade temperature to drop to 22.5ºC.

But often with mountains comes cloud and lower temperatures. The answer is layers you can combine.

Some More Updates

MA6 Tried to pick up MA6 on Saturday from the south then up over onto the Issil Plain. There is now tarmac up to KM79 so from there into Tata, some of the old piste remains how much I cant be sure in was getting late, there was a thunder storm, a dust storm on the horizon and I needed a beer

More important is I got to within 9km of the summit to find I could get no further, if heading north it was the last river crossing before the ascent and the first if you're heading south. On my own I could find a way into the river but not out and the way in was not possible to get out of again. With more time/people scouting there may be a way though or it may be passable on a bike. With the rain we had overnight and during the day I didn't fancy get stuck in a river bed or trying to do the ascent in the wet. Approx position KM66.

MA8 again the rain seem to be causing so lasting trouble. I got to KM109 when two very jovial soldiers came tearing upto me in a landcruiser and advised the piste to Foum Zguid was not passable to water/damage in the river. Not entirely sure as we didn't have enough language in common.

And an update on the enticing looking piste from Tagounite that ties in with MS6 at KM50. Well another very nice soldier tried his best to get me permission from his CO to do the route but the request was declined. Theres another post at the other end so I guess the answer will be the same

PeerG

I've tried MA6 and M8 in the last few days and could not get through in a 4x4, more detail here

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...7-8#post482955

Ha well they are back to normal at tangier med , basically you now all wait around until someone comes to you , still gets you in the swing of things

Took me 30minutes from docking to driving out on the 5th

Lac Iriki was dry yesterday, still a bit of water in Lac Maider this morning. Best to take the perimeter route to the south rather than straight across.
OilLibya rally last week, some smaller rallies this week and next between Chegaga and Chebbi ergs.
Wind and rain have now abated.

Happy trails,

Peter

Thanks for the updates. Looks like you're having a good old nose around.

Do you mean MA9 to FZ which was almost a road but often gets washed out? MA8 seems miles away. Or maybe you didn't mean FZ?

Ch

Can someone let me know what the roads around zagora are like , will be coming across from ouzarette sometime next week

er well spotted Chris I actually meant MS8, I covered MA8 earlier. I'm not sure how bad it is but the soldiers wouldn't let me go any further. Lots of sign language which either showed big bumps/rough or illegal acts with camels. Either way I had to back track

4th trip now and I've done most of your routes now and found some crackers of my own like the connection between Igherm Taliouine and MA6 and some others.

You must be a day or so behind me Pete, crossed Iriki Sunday in a sandstorm and maider the day after. That night I was drinking wine with the Rally De Roses team at Dinosaur Kem Kem. Might see you on the road

Thanks. After what you said about Tagounite, sounds like they are keeping tourists away from the Algie border.
WLT do the full MS8 from Tata then stay below the Chebbi dunes one time, but maybe not at the moment.

Ch

There´s no great stone on Jaffar´s piste. It´s now opened!

The pic

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...908/FKfd3K.jpg

MA6 now hard going
 

I can testify that the long-abandoned section of MA6 (Jebel Timouka) between KM64 and 51 is now exceedingly heavy going.
As mentioned here northbound, many of the oueds before the climb were unrecognisable and the whole route is really suited only for mules and fit riders on light bikes. I can't imagine the Pajero we had with us last year would have got through this time without some road-building and bridging ladders.
We left one bike up there and got to Tazenacht way after dark.

Ch

It certainly defeated me in October and I didn't get that far

More rain
 

More heavy rainfall and storms in the Foum Zguid/Anti Atlas area.
The road 30km north of Foum was cut till mid afternoon.
We got there just after people started crossing: shallow but flowing hard.
Fine in a heavy 4x4 but iffy on a light 250.
I would not fancy my chances out on Lac Iriki for the next day or two.

Ch

Next day: Can't even get 3km out of Tazenacht now to the north, south or NE (and prob west to Taliouine).
They say clearing in a day or two.

Hi guys,my first post! I'll do a little write up of my trip when I'm back but thought I'd do a weather update seeing as I'm sat with a coffee waiting for the waters to go down...

The rain has flooded several points between Ouarzazate and Skoura (apologies for spelling). In skoura we couldn't cross to the north western side of the river/palmeries to our booked kasbah yesterday, water is higher today. we were meant to be heading back North to Telouet but currently we're stuck just east of Ouarzazate.

For ref, we're in a pajero, the locals haven't been crossing either. We've been told the Tizi back to Marrakesh has been closed.

Meant to be flying home.tomorrow...c'est la vie!
Dave

Typing on my phone, so apologies for crapness. A frenxh guy has just turned up, and confirmed that road to Ouarzazate now open again to 'most' vehicles, but passes back to north still closed.

The ford just by the Shell in Tazenacht is definitely doable now - we even just watched a brave dog trot across. But we're told that river has a very small catchment so drops quickly. As we don't know what other fords lie beyond we'll leave it till tomorrow by which time maybe the much wider crossing currently south of town might take us to Agdz direct.

And all this was after only 2 nights rain.

Ch

Big floods everywhere, this is the Todra: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...299374&fref=nf

Day three in Tazenacht but better to be lounging in a hotel (now full) than stuck on the road between two rivers. Good business for the town.
They say the way south and east to Agdz holds the most hope. The road in from Taliouine is also open but we came from there, and pistes either side will be rivers, I imagine.

Ch

Hey guys, so an update from Ouarzazte!...the two passes north to Mar are closed. A bridge 5 mins of north of AIT Ben Haddou has gone down, and apparently broken bridges on the main pass as well (if we've understood correctly).

The road west to Agadir is also closed, I watched two dumpers ineffectually shuffle stones around with no effect, and realised it'll be some time before that clears.

Flight now missed and won't be making it to work tomorrow so have returned to Ouazazate (again). Never mind eh. WiFi, coffee, soup on the way.

So happy we got to explore some pistes for the first time earlier in the week!

Chris, We were contemplating heading down to Agdz then heading west, the long way round via Agadir, but sounds like its not a sensible idea!?

Dave

Forgot I had taken a snap....

Hi Dave, the guys went out for a recce and the road north to Ozt is cut 60km out near Gas Haven. This is the same as your 'road west to Agadir.'

The other back road to Ozt holds some hope - a marginal ford right now. Could be more further along the way. But if it was open you would know about it as that would lead to Agadir.

Then the big ford south towards the jct leading east past the mine to Agdz is the last option. And from Taz they say the road is open west, but how far?

Never seen a hotel this full in Mk.

If what you say is true then my groups' flights on Friday from Marra will need thinking about. But I am sure they will repair the key Tichka road asap.

The weather does seem to be clearing - until Thursday at least. It means people could shuffle about and get nearer or where they want to be.

It's a wash out to be sure, but like you say, better indoors with wifi and coffee than by the roadside.

Ch

Nice snap
 

Oh dear, never mind,
OR
the great deeds of mice and men are as nothing to the power of nature.
:palm:

Enjoy the ride(s).

Just seen advertised on Amazon

"100 Things to Do in Tazenakht In the Rain" by Chris Scott, Preorder, release date TBC :D

Looks pretty bad hope you all get on your way............somewhere soon

We tried to drive from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou today, but the police turned us back by Ait-Ourir. They indicated that it could take 2-3 days before the road is opened back up again. Since I don't speak French, I'm not sure quite how long he meant, but he seemed to say that tomorrow was definitely off the table, but who knows?
The forecast for tomorrow is promising a lot of rain in the Marrakech area and I don't know what that means for the roads going south or west.

Latest from Taz now puts our hope in the road north via Gas Haven - tomorrow inch allah. Makes sense to work on this one as it's a key road to the west. An expectant queue of vehicles at what now has revealed itself to be a bridge, not a ford. Tho I learned that Taliouine bridge was out or inundated so in fact Taz has been cut off in all directions.

Forecast shows three days of sunshine coming up for Zagora. The weather north of the Atlas is another matter, afaik

Next on the wish list is opening the Tichka road by Friday morning. That should be doable from what FV says.

Got some nice mini carpets from the ever chummy bloke at Tapis Berbere, as mentioned in the book.

http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-c...402&w=599&zc=1

Road west from Tazenakht is closed at Taliouine due to a bridge failure. It gives me no confidence that I rode over this a few weeks back after the last lot of flooding.



And a nice rescue near Tinerhir.

.

Sunny morning in Taz but the road is still closed north the Ozt. Surely today.
Last night we met some guys to came from Marrakech that day via the Test pass in a Renault. So Tali bridge must be open or somehow navigable? But they said they only just made it.

Ch

Oh joy. Just had some breaky were intending to head out of Ozt again to see if they had cleared the N10. As it happens it hasn't been raining here since yesterday afternoon.

Guy in our hotel has a mate that made it to Taz from Agadir (no further). Girlfriend speaks fluent French so we're as confident on the translation as we can be here ;)

This morning: WiFi and orange juice. Fun times. I had better call my boss and tell him I'm not going to be back in the office for a few days!

http://www.atlasinfo.fr/photo/art/gr...g?v=1416776561

Régions du Sud: Des inondations désastreuses
Fortes pluies: des morts, des disparus et des dégâts matériels

Dozens of people dead, 6 national roads blocked, over 100 other blocked roads, hundreds of pisé houses destroyed—quick translations below:

16 people died and 10 others are missing following floods of the Oued Tamsourt, 6 km from the town of Bouizegrane [think this might be Bouizekarne].

Douar Ouled the Bouzid and Kartaoua where the flood destroyed 25 houses along the river.

Drowning of 15 members of a family returning from a wedding and two other people in Tinghir.

In the region of Agadir, another person is brought disappeared

Death of 19 people around Guelmime and disappearance of 11 others because of the floods.

In the province of Taroudant, douars [villages] are completely isolated.

Two bridges were destroyed despite the fact that they are of recent construction. The first level Taliouine cutting off the connection between Agadir and Ouarzazate. The second collapsed in the province of Tinghir.

At the Oued Taalmaardart, three taxis were engulfed by the waves causing the deaths of 13 people whose bodies have not been recovered.

http://s2.lemde.fr/image/2014/11/24/...c290f890a7.jpg

I was stranded in Ouarzazate a few years back when there was a national transport strike and no tankers making fuel deliveries. By the eighth day we really were running out of things to do...

I feel for you guys stuck in Tazenakht, but it could be worse, at least there's hotels, cafes and wifi. Any bëër beer?

Lord, that post with pics is chilling. You feel a bit isolated with crumby wifi and think it's only around you.
And it only rained hard, on and off, Thursday then Friday night.

Latest from the gendarme at the Shell bridge is the Gas Haven road to Ozt (N10) may be open in 2 hours, opening access to the west from Ozt.
But Tichka road still closed (as explained earlier). Hopefully will be open by Thursday when we try and make a dash for it before next rains.
And the road south and east from Taz - part unsealed - to Agdz (where we want to go) is open. Couple of guys out right now checking if that is true before we load up.

Oh, and the hotel ran out of hot chocolate last night. Some had to make do with warm milk.

Ch

Wow yes, travel safe people.

As a biker myself I felt for a tour group of Polish GS riders with jeans and bags strapped round their boots yesterday...as we go back in our warm Pajero.

Gendarme has said the same to us (2-3hrs) at the top of the N10 each time we've visited over the last few days.

Booking.com keeps telling me off for missing hotel bookings, c'est la vie.

Er... I don't think the Tichka road will be open any day soon...




To get back to Marrakech I suspect the piste from Tichka west into the Zate valley (jokingly referred to as the P2016) will be too dangerous and in any case I think where it rejoins the N9 is still south of the flood damage.

One option might be to go over the Tichka then turn east at Touama taking the piste to Sidi Rahal. Use the following waypoints...
N31 32.013 W7 29.137
N31 34.666 W7 28.654
N31 38.753 W7 29.214

You could also turn east at Touama on the P2117 which according to Google Maps now has a link to Sidi Rahal. I haven't been that way for years but it certainly used to be partially piste, maybe it's tarmac now. And of course there might be flood damage everywhere. Waypoints
N31 32.006 W7 29.230
N31 33.895 W7 27.350
N31 35.513 W7 23.086 turn left (north) about here
N31 38.674 W7 27.506

The R210 near Sidi Rahal is currently flooded but no mention of permanent damage.

.

Bad news, good news
 

The rainfall in Maroc has been covered by Al Jazeera today.
It is the rainy season of course, but Morocco has had about 4 times the monthly rainfall for November according to the Al Jaz english channel, which has shown the water courses in full spate.

The relevant weather system is now moving toward Algeria and Tunisia.

But more is on its way for 28-29 November, check out the animation of the JetStream

So...we decided to head south to Agdz and then west.

Successful so far. The road from Ozt to Agdz is clear, a few bridges down but dry fords to cross. A section across to Taz has roadworks/gravel and they are clearing some large boulders, but all easily passable on 2 wheels or 4. Now chowing down on Tagine at Taz.

Must have only just missed passing Chris. :)

This probably a stupid question...but any news of the TiziTest?

If your looking to head north the best bet is probably the Agadir to Marrakech motorway rather than the Test pass imho

Ok....epic day of driving and knackered now, but we have just arrived at Marrakech! From Taz we took the route out to Agadir and back up the motorway.

We did stop into a town near the end of the Test. The first policeman reckoned it was clear but to go easy, another said it was closed. I suspect its open but messy, we didn't chance it either way.

Wow, that was some drive. Presumably the bridge at Taliouine has been temporarily mended?

Dramatic pictures here:- Morocco floods death toll rises to 32 as torrents of water wash away buildings | Daily Mail Online

Be careful folks,

Peter

Newsflash issued Tuesday 25 November

Heavy thundery showers could hit Thursday and Friday different parts of Morocco, particularly the central, north and east regions as well as the northern part of the southern provinces, the national weather service (DMN) announced Tuesday as floods killed over the weekend at least 36 people and left 6 others missing.

The severe weather and heavy showers which may reach 120 millimetres in 24 hours, is forecast in the regions of Abda, Doukala, Chiadma, Souss, Al Haouz, Tansift and the High Atlas, said DMN, noting that the heavy rains may continue throughout the weekend until next Monday.

Strong wind as rapid as 60 km/h to is also expected from the southwest on the Atlantic plains and south-east of Morocco.

Torrential rains that poured in some Moroccan southern regions have caused the death of at least 36 persons, including 24 in the province of Guelmim, who were washed away by floods, while 6 are still reported missing, according to the last toll.

___________________________

The regions "Abda, Doukala, Chiadma, Souss, Al Haouz, Tansift and the High Atlas" are basically one massive circle around Marrakech encompassing Casablanca, El Jadida, Safi, Essouira, Agadir, Tiznit, then east to Zagora, Ouarzazate and Tinerhir, then north to include Beni Mellal and Marrakech.

The 120mm forecast would be a major innundation and would create additional massive flooding. Looking at the Jetstream forecasts, the rain could last until Sunday.

It was a fairly epic day, but at least the weather was good so we could enjoy the views! Yep the bridge there was fine in Taliouine. The route back was fairly clear other than a few fords and loads of roadworks.

Made it to Mar for 10pmish, found a hotel, booked a flight home and collapsed. Of course yesterday couldn't go to plan could it...Ryanair sent the plane to Adagir due to bad weather so we were 3-4 hours delayed and yesterday was a long one as well.

Props to Medloc on the Pajero rental. I actually found them via a recommendation on here. No probs with the Vehicle and no charge for the late return, actually I think they were fairly surprised we made it back as soon as we we did.

Sadly I'm back at work in London now. Safe travels and thanks for the updates guys, really appreciated. It really did help us decide which way to go :)

Just when you think things couldn't get much worse, the mountain weather forecast for Imlil area predicts Friday low temperatures of -3ºC at 2500m (chill factor of -8ºC) with 450mm (18 inches) of snow. At 1500m the precipitation is likely to be 75mm (3 inches) of rain.

Imlil is at 1750m so possibly a mix of rain and snow. Major passes such as the Test, the Tichka and the R307 between Demnate and Skoura all reach well over 2000m so I would advise against these routes until any snow is known to be cleared.

The Middle Atlas around Azrou and Ifrane (80km south of Fez) is often a problem with snow but the forecasts are clear with lows around 5ºC.

merged with previous thread and re-titled

Tichka open - for the moment
 

Good idea renaming the thread Tim.

Tichka opened this morning for all but artics. Lots of damage to the sides but no missing bits. Took no more time than normal - biggest problem was the outwash and mud on the road. See pic below.
We blazed past a queue of cars waiting to pass over repairs somewhere on the north side - the only blockage bar a still flowing ford north of Aguim - but I don't recognise that video as being that repairs place nor anywhere on the route. I don't think they could have rebuilt that so quickly. (Actually, maybe that was the place - see 3rd pic added. Fast work!).

We decided to come back 2 days early due to weather warnings passed on. Thanks for that.
It may all start again tomorrow if the forecast is correct.

Good to know in future: The bridge at the Nekob turn off south of Agdz on the N9 seems to be a foot lower than the second ford upriver. Ie: you can cross at the ford (with a bike or 4x4 to get onto the ford bed) even when Nekob bridge is underwater and closed by gendarmes. See red water pic below - Oued Draa near Nekob bridge.

Ch

I have always been impressed with the Moroccan road builders who have to compete with the worst that nature can throw at them, but getting the N9 open so quickly is an incredible achievement. Could the UK have reacted so quickly?

This was the before shot just a couple of days ago...

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/tim/N9_cut.png

They've bulldozed into the side slope to both create space for the new section and also to bring down enough material to create the roadbed. Really impressive. Let's hope it holds up to tomorrow's storms and they can then finish with concrete and tarmac.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-p1010663.jpg

In the meantime... weather warning from both the Moroccan government and British Embassy

Government: Expectation of up to 200 mm (8 inches) of rain tomorrow in the region of Agadir, Tarroudant, Imouzzer des ida Outanane, Essaouira and Chichaoua, and up to 90 mm for the region of Chefchaouen, Tetouan, Ouazzen, Tangier and Larache. Strong wind 90 Kmh. Snow over 1000 m altitude in the High Atlas and Middle Atlas mountains.

British Embassy, Rabat: As you may be aware the recent weather in some parts of Morocco has caused flooding with fatalities and the closure of roads in several areas. Further heavy rain is now forecast for much of Morocco from Thursday 27 November to Saturday 29 November. The worst affected area is forecast to be a triangular region of Safi, Taroudant and Guelmim, but a wider area may be affected. The Moroccan authorities are advising against activities near coastal areas or rivers around Safi, Essaouira, Agadir, Taroudant, Marrakech and the west High Atlas region. In coastal areas high winds of up to 90km/hour are expected, with strong storms and large waves anticipated. It is possible that rivers may flood and bridges and roads may be closed in mountainous areas.

Individuals living or planning to travel through the affected regions should remain in close contact with local officials, their tour operations, and monitor the local media to keep informed of weather developments and travel disruption. Individuals may want to consider the need to travel in the affected regions during this time. To check the condition of roads before travelling call the Moroccan government service on +212 (0) 537 71 17 17 (Note: There may only be Arabic and French speakers available).

Detailed forecasts: for tonight through to Saturday lunchtime predict around 100 mm of rain in Marrakech, Essaouira and Taroudannt, but a massive 190 mm dunking predicted for Agadir. If these predictions come true it's hard to envisage how the drainage systems will cope with 8 inches of rain.

.

The heaviest rainfall today was towards the south. This is a video from today taken by the bridge near Hotel Salaam in the centre of Tafraoute (Anti Atlas)



And some more videos from a few days ago... A car almost goes over in the ford across the Olnnif River near Er Rachidia



This one I think is near Tinerhir

cats & dogs
 

Been pouring down in Marra all night and lashing it down now.
Just heard Tichka closed today - no great surprise.
But also heard that the reservoir in Ozt - dry all summer - has overflowed and the Draa has reached the sea at Tan Tan for the first time in 32 years.
(usual pinch of salt required for that one).

Ch

Added:
The guy here (local from Guelmim) says hespress is a good Moroccan website for up to the minute news.
http://www.hespress.com
Look now and you'll see half a dozen flood videos from towns right across Morocco today.
It looks like last week all over again.

Here with Al Jesse on his 'return to Africa' after 30 years (we met in Dakar then) renting a Loc GS1200LC.
Looks like he may have to make it 31.

Unbelievable footage from Tiznit. Can't believe what I am seeing.

Several routes currently blocked after today's rains
- Ouarzazate to El Kelaa M'Gouna
- Ouarzazate to Marrakech
- Ouarzazate to Agadir
- Agadir to Essaouira

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/tim/sidi_ifni.png
The lower part of Sidi Ifni under water. The three areas to the left with the blue arch is the camping van park. To the left of the headland you can see the Atlantic Ocean which is probably a muddy brown at the moment. (I'm just hoping the beach bar off photo to the left is OK)


Tafraoute (Hotel Salaam off to the right of the bridge)

That is just incredible

Oh dear, we had plan (A) head to Sidi IFni; plan (B) Agadir to Essaouria, I'd better prepare a plan (C) !
Can you reassure me that it can't carry on like that for the next 3 weeks?

Quick to rise, quick to fall. So long as the rain stops the floods will be out of the way in 48 hours max., though there may be a pile of mud left behind.

I have to admit I was surprised at how quickly they got the N9 Marrakech to Ouarzazate road open again (even if it's closed again already).

Can't reassure you at all, weather is always unpredictable, you can keep at eye on the Jetstream forecast at http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?a...etstream;sess=

The N9 Ouarzazate to Marrakech was blocked by snowfalls on Friday. Oukaimdene ski resort to the west of the pass received 350mm of snow. However... snow ploughs are pre-located on the mountain passes and I would expect the pass to be open tomorrow if not already.

The forecast for the Toubkal area (a bit to the west of the Tichka but close enough so the weather patterns are similar) is for no snow tonight, 30mm of snow Sunday night, then no more snow for several days. So once the pass is open it will be relatively easy to keep it that way.

The freezing level tonight is 2000m (the Tichka pass is about 2400m) and then Sunday onwards the freezing level is higher than the pass, so the snow should start to disappear by sublimation, i.e. it will evaporate rather than turn to water.

Road from Essaouira to Tan tan? is it open and safe?
 

Dec 3rd 2014 a few days after the 2 terrible floodings!
Here we are in Essaouira...
We? pedestrians, bikers, some just cycling other in trucks or vans, campers etc..
Essaouira is a worderful place but we all want to head south to the desert or even further south..................
Anyone knows if it is possible to go south, through Agadir and the most affected Goulmim area?
Bon voyage to everyone! Trek Salama!

From Agadir to Goulmim
I just got this
Guelmim: 11 routes ouvertes, la RN Guelmim-Sidi Ifni encore fermée
meaning that at this very moment all roads south are open....except the road north-north west from Goulmim to Sidi Ifni:rain:

The N9 Marrakech to Ouarzazate road over the Tizi n'Tichka will be closed for repairs from 3 to 7 December.

Sidi Ifni
 

We are currently stranded in Sidi Ifni. We are with our camper van, but we are bikers at heart, and have our trusty Yamasaki on the back of the van. Camp sites were evacuated last Thursday 27th. The flood arrived on Friday 28th and there has been no way in or out since! The road back towards Guelmim is closed. The road has been washed away just SE of Sidi Ifni, and we have been told bridges are out further along. The road to Tiznit also disappeared. The locals have dammed the river and since this morning (Wednesday 3rd) pedestrian access has been established. Currently the only vehicles making the crossing are dozers and diggers. The sun is shining again and the locals are being brilliant :smiliex:

Thanks for the update. On the positive side, there's worse places to be stranded! Fortunately the authorities were better prepared for the second storm otherwise who knows what might have happened if you weren't warned!

How's the beach bar at the bottom of the steps from Suerte Loca? Did it get drowned?

The cafe itself stood it's ground, but totally surrounded by mud and flotsam. The area of beach beyond the bar terrace has been totally destoyed....you can not reach the surf shop now. Rumour has it that Sidi Ifni Camping, Solymar and Gran Canaria sites will not reopen. El Barco site has vans parked up, going no where, as the acess road is still thick with mud.

Sidi Ifni
 

Just an update on Sidi Ifni..... The new bridge across the river is now open to traffic, this takes you north to Tiznit. Spoke to the driver who brought in an excavator on a low loader and road to Tiznit is ok. Still no route south east out towards Guelmim, likely to be a while yet for that one. There is still no public water supply but bowsers have been dotted around the town. If you're coming by bike, take a shower while you still can, and if coming by campervan, bring plenty of your own water!! Supplies of food and bottled water seem adequate now. Bottled gas still a rareity. A big communal clean up is planned for weekend, all hands to the shovels! El Barco and municipal campsites are open. Solymar, Sidi Ifni, Gran Canaria are closed. Hotel at bottom of cliff, Ait Baamrane is also closed.

Thanks for the update from Sidi ifni.

A picture of the Tichka col this morning (lifted from Loc's FB page).
Open except for artics says the comment, and quite different to my earlier image from just one week ago.
Usual contradictory info…

Below the snow: Martin and Chris help out with repairs near Tazenakht (pic CW).

Sorry Chris but I need to correct you in case anyone is relying on information to make travel plans.

The N9 opened Sunday 30 November to light traffic, the photo from above is from Monday 1 December (see my Facebook page) when the road was opened to all traffic.

Once the stranded travellers/transport were allowed to cross, the pass was closed again from Wednesday 3 December to allow repairs and is expected to reopen on Monday 8 December.

Further south the Sidi Ifni to Tiznit road reopened Wednesday but the Sidi Ifni to Guelmim road was washed away and is still closed.

Surface Conditions On Lac Iriki
 

I was planning to cross L Iriki in January.However,in view of the recent heavy rain I would welcome any advice/knowledge about the surface conditions.

Certainly in my previous experience in other places I would not cross a claypan even a month after rain as the truck would almost certainly keep getting bogged(at best) in soft shite making a long crossing fool-hardy/impossible!?c?

Hi Tony

You're a month away yet, keep an eye on the Zagora weather forecasts, if there's no rain in the meantime it will be bone dry. Peter will be back in Morocco by then, so you might see us together.

UPDATE ON GUELMIM AREA

The N12 to Sidi Ifni is apparently still closed. The main N1 from Tan Tan Plage (El Ouatia) to Guelmim and on to Tiznit is open. Many minor roads still closed.

Hi Tony,

Lac Iriki drains pretty quickly and i've seen it passable 48hrs after fooding.

Worst case scenario take the piste along the Jebel Bani foothills.

Happy trails,

Peter

Sidi Ifni update
 

We are in Tiznit but a friend we left in Sidi Ifni, tells us this morning that the water supply has still not been restablished. They have been promising a connection for the last 3 days........inch Allah. He says bikes have been along the Sidi to Guelmim road but not four wheels.

Sidi Ifni update II
 

Well we are on Plan B, and back in Sidi Ifni! Town getting back to normal, water supplies etc all seem ok. New bridge to Tiznit road being reinforced gradually and the river, as it is now, being diverted off to the north a little. Road to Guelmim is STILL CLOSED, despite my previous post, sorry! Only foot traffic is able to scramble over the rocks, even an off road bike would not be able to get across the gap.
Road up to Tiznit fine, evidence of several places where the river broke through, but normal traffic running now. Road junction towards Aglou Plage on the R104 is open. We have not travelled the road ourselves but traffic was heading north along it. The N1 is open to traffic, as normal.
Tim, I thought you meant the beach bar by El Barco, at the start of the promenade.........maybe you mean the one by Sidi Ifni campsite? Ait Baamrane hotel has it's flags and tables out on terrace, so presume they are open again. As before El Barco and municipal campsites are open, the other three are closed and not seen any signs of any work being started on them.

Route Conditions - send in your updates
 

Just returned from 3wks in Anti Atlas and South.

Generally,lots of roadworks going on on the main roads in Anti A that will slow your progress.Don't be to ambitious with kms for route planning.

A lot of the new sealed sections in the routes mentioned below are already blown away and the local people are re using rough pistes.

MA1
Closed at Tizerkine Gorge.Very large boulder oued so no chance to try along oued bottom.

Closed again at km52 Afella as oued Assif has been washed out. I did not check if going into this oued via the other end of the old haul road would yield a passable track but,the amount of washout in the oued would lead me to doubt it.

MA2

All OK

MA10

Closed at junction with MA2 so recommend going down MA2 through Igmir which is great.

MW3

Claypans at km 59 are now a stunning large lake with lots of flowers all around. Great care needed to skirt lake to avoid soft spots. I travelled the edge but if you are in doubt a new track has been graded to the North that hugs the base of a ridge. It starts at around km 59 and you will notice it going off to the left.

Oued is unpassable after km 203 but is very beautiful.We turned into the hills and just followed tracks,camped and hit the N1 the next morning.

Estuary Of Oued Draa.

Found ford that links North and South sides but overtopped by full and beautiful waterflows. Could not get further towards estuary than this. Again be very careful of soft ground.

N1

We camped inland of Tan Tan and Guelmim and it rained during the night. Next morning the run up to Guelmim was a white knuckle ride due to mud caused by regrading teams working on shoulder repairs and kami kazi drivers. Be careful and enjoy!

Happy travels.