HiExplorers,I am travelling to Morocco between 25 Nov 2014-10 December 2014 mostly for pleasure and travel. This will be my first trip to a country in Northern Africa but I have travelled elsewhere before; Places such as South East Asia, Europe, Madagascar.I am a qualified Summer Mountain Leader and work asa freelance outdoor instructor. During this trip I plan to visit the High Atlas Mountains to reach the summit of Mt Toubkal in winter conditions. I have previous Scottish and Welsh winter mountaineering experience.I have begun research into completing the summit of Toubkal, discovering the variations in routes up to the summit, from the simpler standard route via the South Col, to the for the more experienced routes such as via the North Col or WSW ridge. I intend to ascend the summit along the standard route via the South col from the Neltner Hut.Guides and Kit can be hired in the town of Imlil but I plan to stay mostly independent, taking the majority of my own kit, and only hiringanythingelse that Irequire. From Imlil the walk to Nelnter hut is around 7-10km allowing for some acclimatisation (accommodation can be found in Imlil also, allowing for prior acclimatisation. From the Neltner hut then, via the standard route, is 5-8hours round trip dependant on fitness/weather conditions. With an early start summit could have been made and back down by Midday allowing for a walk out either that afternoon or the next morning.http://www.imlil.org/toubkal_south_col.htmWinter mountaineering experience or Alpine mountaineering experience would be ideal to have for this trip, but looking at companies which run treks to the summit, minimum experience of uses of axe/crampons is all that is required. Please drop me a message if you're interested in joining me Many thanks,Alex Kay
Alexander_R_Kay@yahoo.co.uk