Winter Toubkal - 2 November

Hi, My name is Ian. I have signed up for Toubkal - Nov 2nd. It's a hill I have always fancied having a crack at. My only concern is being this early in the season there may not be any snow! But it should be a bit of fun.

Hi, Most of my walking has been in the uk. Scotland when I can get up there. I live in the south west so dartmoor at about 600m is about the the nearest thing to a hill in my local area. I was in Nepal last year and had a go at a couple trekking peaks (Mera & Island) which was an early retirment adventure! The hardest part was no beer for 17 days.. I will have to start thinking about getting fit again in the near future. What about yourself where do you get most of your fresh air? Cheers for now.

Hi Patrick, Lucky man getting clear views. We tried to kid ourselves that it was more mysterious with clouds, it didn't work.. It was a great trek though.

Toubkal. All paid up as you, I am using the Adventure Company flights I think its BA from Gatwick. I am beginning to look forward to it now.
Starting to up the training nothing to mental just enough I hope. I am off to Turkey on a family holiday in September so that will undo any good achieved. ha ha.
As always my biggest problem is trying not to buy every new bit of kit on the market which I am bound to need!! Not doing too bad just a new pair of boots & softshell so far.
The temperature at the summit is about 6C at the moment so it should be good in a couple of months.
I hope your prep is going well, let us know if you get any good tips.

Doing a two centre break on the Bozburun Peninsula, all very laid back, bit of walking, bit of fishing and whatever else takes our fancy. I am thinking about taking a pair of trainers! Thinking!!

I'm off to Snowdonia tomorrow for the week to get some hill time, the joys of being retired - if the weather forecast looks good you can chuck the tent in the back of the car and clear off.

I am the same as you with the gear, I have most of what I need from other trips. I did buy a pair of cheap walking crampons which I hope to get some use out of next year.

I think the outbound flights fits perfectly for a pint before departure. Ha!

Yea, I do holidays like that...somtimes :-) How did Snowdonia go? We have to try and get our day hikes in at the weekend. Actually gonna do a 35 km one tommorrow. Its probably a bit excessive but I like to test myself :-)

Deffo be up fo a pint before flying out. Thats where you're most likely to find us on departure day. Where will you be travelling from?

35 K thats a fair old trek.that will be as good for the head as well as the legs.

Snowdon was good I had high pressure so lots of blue sky and good views.

I am driving up from the West Country on the morning of the flight. it was not my first choice but due to flight times it is just the best option.

If you use facebook my name is Ian Martin, hometown Plymouth.

I can then message you my mobile number if you want to all meet up before the flight.

If not I will see you in sunny Morocco.

Cheers for now.

Hi Ian, Hi Patrick,

Myself and my friend Gill are both booked up last minute for the Toubkal trip after changing some other plans. We've both been in the hills before in UK and abroad mountaineering and trekking - not sure about Gill but I have certainly never been on a group trip before - having done activities with friends/ partner / independently. Both really looking forward to it tho! Live in The Isle of Skye so surrounded by mountains but not been up them anywhere near enough this year so a good last minute training goal and challenge! Gill will be on the BA group flight and I'm going out a couple of days earlier with easy jet to get some "culture " and mint tea and a dose of the desert , after swapping flights from somewhere else. Look forward to meeting you all :) Cheers and see you soon. Beth :)

Hi Beth, 'Skye' you lucky person. Going a few days early you will be like a local knowing all the good places to eat and drink by the time we arrive. Anyway looking forward to meeting you. Cheers for now Ian.