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Morocco - is Jebel Toubkal passable?? Morocco - is Jebel Toubkal passable??
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 3 Feb 2009
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Morocco - is Jebel Toubkal passable??
Still plotting and re-plotting the route, and following some nice tips from some of the regulars on here have shifted my focus a little -

Ok, so after Marrakech I'm heading for Taliouine and the M9 route .
Thinking now of using the R203 south out of Marrakech towards Asni and noticed on the map what looks like a stunning route through Oukaimeden, over jebel Toubkal, past Imlil and down to Assarag.

A small section of this seems to be a foot/donkey track though according to the Michelin map, past Lac d'ifni - has anyone done this stretch, and is it doable in 4x4's??
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Old 3 Feb 2009
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toubkal 4x4
From Aremd (just after the northern of the two Imlils where the tarmac ends) the dirt road becomes a rough track, not suitable for vehicles, as far as the Neltner refuge/s. The next bit of the route, to the summit, required crampons when I was there in March.It's a great walk but not one for driving anything other than mules and then,I would guess, only without snow. You'll find plenty of great alternatives. Have fun.
John
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  #3  
Old 3 Feb 2009
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Thanks John - just found some photos on the web and there's no way I'm getting over that!

looks nice though!
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Old 4 Feb 2009
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Nice try, but no, it's feet and mules only.

You can, however, do a loop firstly tarmac from Asni to Imlil, then piste to Tizi n-Tamatert, Tachedirt, then back to Asni.

Another option is to tackle Lac d'Ifni from the south from Aoulouz which is intially tarmac then piste. The final section to the lake is up what was the terminal moraine of a glacier and might need to be done on foot.

Auberge Souktana at Taliouine is pleasant and there's one of the Glaoui kasbahs across the road to explore.

Tim
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  #5  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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So do you reckon this:


could be tackled in this:

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Old 4 Feb 2009
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On the Michelin map it has that track marked as a unsurfaced all weather road for all vehicles.

Whats the worst that could happen.
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Old 5 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eightpot View Post
Whats the worst that could happen.
Does that really need answering

I will probably give it a go - I am gambling on doing Foum to Zagora in it - should I be certified??
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Old 5 Feb 2009
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I bet it's totally achievable, seems a shame though, looks like it's been kept in good nick.
The only bit I'd be worried about is it's a bit low, but why not give it a go - worst case is you end up leaving it there and getting a lift back to the airport.
If you're there in may I'll keep an eye out for you and put the kettle on.
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Old 5 Feb 2009
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Foum Zguid to Zagora
This route is all graded now with a fair stretch of new tarmac at the Zagora end. (April 08)

Or are you going the long way round via the Chegagga dunes?

Jojo
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Old 5 Feb 2009
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I will be going the easy way round

We are looking to get off the beaten track - but really don't want to get stuck! I will make sure we have a pump so that we can lower the tyre pressure if we need extra traction to get us moving.

I can't be doing with 4000KM across Europe in a Land Cruiser - hence the relatively comfy 525 option!!
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Old 5 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ngummow View Post

On the map above,
- Asni to Imlil is tarmac,
- Imlil to Tizi n'Tamatert is piste,
- Tizi n'Tamatert to Oukaimdene is pure imagination (unless you are a mule train going over the Tizi n'Eddi).


This is the view from Tizi n'Tamatert. The track is heading east then does a dog leg and you can see it on the other side of the valley heading west back to Ansi. To get to Oukaimdene you'd need to scale the mountain on the left which is just under 10,000 ft.

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Old 5 Feb 2009
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I can't be doing with 4000KM across Europe in a Land Cruiser
Yep, I know that feeling! But as long as it's dry, traction is rarely the problem in stony Mk, ground clearance is.
Me, I'd go back in a jacked-up Micra, C-15D or a Twingo - but an old BM is probably cheaper to buy and more fun to drive.

Tizi n'Tamatert to Oukaimdene is pure imagination...
Looks nice up there but not surprised to hear that. Google Maps may be easy but in my experience is the least reliable source for Morocco. Even Google Earth is better (tick the Tracks4Africa layer under 'More' for some ideas).

Fyi there is a long-overdue new Rough Guide Morocco map out this month which ought to be based on the 2007 RKH (hard to find in the UK) which, with the Mich, will now be the best two on paper for Mk.
There's a new LP (book) out too this month for Mk.

Ch
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Old 6 Feb 2009
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Thanks Chris - I will dive into (can't remember it's name) map shop in London when I am over in March - the week before we leave - and will have a look to see what else they have.

My guy instinct was that if things started getting tricky - lowered tyre pressure - and strapping the wife to the boot would probably get us moving
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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Thumbs up
as always, Chris and Tim, 1st class info.
cheers to u, mates.
Tim, I still owe u a . Any chance u'll be in Fez in May ?
/thierry
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