Morocco and Atlantic Route - too hot in August?

[peter.rutter]

A few friends and I (first timers in the Sahara, but experienced travellers/navigators) are thinking of travelling from Tangiers to Dakar in late August. Plan is to do some pistes in Morocco and the Atlas Mountains before travelling the Atlantic route to Dakar (in 3 weeks total).

Obviously its a really hot time of year to go (but due to jobs the only mutual holidays), but is it too hot that close to the coast?
If that isn't too hot, is it too hot to then head to Atar via Choum before heading down to Dakar.

(Planning to take 1 or 2 Toyota pick ups.)

I would appreciate any feedback.

Many thanks.

Peter and others.


------------------

[joaopdelgado]

It is hot. Save 10 liters of water per person per day. Not just for drinking, but to fight against usual 50º Celsius. Lot´s of water in our head. Icy water gets hot like tea in a few minutes. Be careful, don´t make any physical strong efforts, because our heart usually suffers a bit with more than 40º C.

But it is no hell. It is doable. I´ve travelled a lot in the Atlantic Route, and always in July/August.

[gvdaa]

It's not really hot as long as you stay close the coast. However, if you travel inland for about 50 kilometers temperatures will sharply rise.

[Runner]

It depends on how you personally are in dry heat (rather than high humidity etc). Morocco inland in the summer can be extremely hot, as has already been said. Last time I went I had three friends in the car - two of us were fine and didnt mind the high temps, and two found it uncomfortable.

As has been said, DRINK water copiously (alcohol, coffee and fruit juice speed up dehydration) - and, well, this has been the subject of debate on here before, but my advice is not to use vehicle airconditioning when offroad for protracted periods as it saps engine power and dehydrates cabin air. Not all agree, but then I guess not everyone's had to tow folk out of the desert in advanced stages of dehydration due to their aircon....

[Chris Scott]

"in advanced stages of dehydration due to their aircon.... "

Using air-con when its hot outside is a killer to be sure - thanks for the warning! An old Tuareg told me that not drinking enough water also has harmful side effects, but me, I'd still blame that deadly a/c ;-)

[Richard Washington]

That's the secret reason I've only ever taken a Series LandRover to the desert......there's no aircon button to wring your own neck with.

[Andy Hunt]

I can't agree more Richard, Series Land Rovers rule the world!
Be sure to know the signs of dehydration and how to deal with them.
Don't forget the rehydrating solution,lots of them. Worth their weight in gold!

Sounds daft but heat can also affect other parts of the body and be a real nuissance. I had huge problems with athlete's foot when wearing boots in the cab of my series 3, the intense heat outside coupled with the heat coming through the bulk head from a hard working 2.25 petrol engine day in day made a mess of my feet. Of course the only medical cream I did not bring was Boot's good old Athlete's foot cream!

Just makes that cold (if you can get it) taste nearly spiritual!

Cheers,

Andy

[Runner]

Originally posted by Chris Scott:
"in advanced stages of dehydration due to their aircon.... "

Using air-con when its hot outside is a killer to be sure - thanks for the warning! An old Tuareg told me that not drinking enough water also has harmful side effects, but me, I'd still blame that deadly a/c ;-)

Chris - the Tuareg meant water *in whisky* has harmful side effects.

[oaojlx]

I and some friends will go in the first of august from lisbon till dakar in an 20 years old mercedes van (2wd).

We can't do many pistes, and won't spend to much time in Morroco. In Mari eventually we'll put the van in the Ore Train in nouadhibou, get out in Choum and then by piste till Âtar and route till nouakchott.

Maybe we can make some parts together?

Joao