Toubkal

Coordinates: 31°03′35″N 7°54′54″W / 31.05963°N 7.91513°W / 31.05963; -7.91513
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other places with the same name, see Toubkal (disambiguation).
Toubkal
List of Ultras of Africa
Coordinates31°03′35″N 7°54′54″W / 31.05963°N 7.91513°W / 31.05963; -7.91513[1]
Geography
Toubkal is located in Morocco
Toubkal
Toubkal
Parent rangeAtlas Mountains
Topo mapToubkal Massif Map and Guide[3]
Climbing
First ascent12 June 1923 by the Marquis de Segonzac, V. Berger, and H. Dolbeau
Easiest routeSouth cwm (hike in summer)

Toubkal, also Jbel Toubkal or Jebel Toubkal, is a

ultra prominent peak, the highest for over 2,000 km (1,200 mi). Toubkal is ranked 27th by topographic isolation
.

Geography

Although much of the High Atlas consists of

sedimentary rocks, the Toubkal massif is an area of volcanic rocks which have weathered into alpine crests, cut by deep, narrow valleys. To the south, the mountain drops steeply down for 1,800 metres (5,906 ft) to a small lake called Lac d'Ifni. To the west, the mountain's edge is marked by a pass, the Tizi n'Ouanoums at 3,664 metres (12,021 ft). From this pass, the mountain's W-S-W ridge rises up to Toubkal West, which forms a shoulder at 4,020 metres (13,189 ft) before continuing to the summit at 4,167 metres (13,671 ft).[4]

The north and western sides of Toubkal drain down to the Mizane Valley, which has the passes of both Tizi n'Ouanoums and Tizi n'Ouagane at its head. Two hanging valleys on the western side of the mountain - the Ikhibi Nord and Ikhibi South provide ready access for trekkers and climbers to reach Toubkal's summit. At one time the northern valley provided the normal route of ascent, but the construction of a mountain hut by the French Alpine Club below Ikhibi Sud now encourages trekkers to ascend via the southern route instead.[4]

Access

Toubkal is popular with trekkers and ski mountaineers, but less so with climbers, despite its ease of access and sunny climate.

Imlil
. Qualified guides can be hired, as well as porters, to carry equipment and food supplies higher into the mountains. It is a moderate hike and navigation is not a problem.

The normal route starts with a walk to the village of Aroumd. Beyond Aroumd, a floodplain is crossed and the route follows the left slope of the valley southwards. The valley bends to the east to the tiny settlement of Sidi Chamharouch, which has grown around a Muslim shrine. At Sidi Chamharouch, the path leads over the stream and runs steeply uphill to the right side of the Isougouane valley, which leads to two stone-built refuges (Refuge du Toubkal and Refuge Les Mouflons) that are often used as base camp at 3,207 m (10,522 ft).

Routes

See also: Tourism in Morocco
The highest peak of Toubkal

The first recorded ascent was on 12 June 1923 by the Marquis de Segonzac, Vincent Berger and Hubert Dolbeau, but the mountain may well have been climbed before that date.

Little Atlas
Mountains. It is possible to climb mountain Toubkal in two days - first day up to the refuge (around seven hours), second day to the summit (around four hours ascent, three hours descent) and back to Imlil (up to five hours).[citation needed]

In summer the mountains can be very dry, but are sometimes subject to storms. Although the temperature should remain above zero during the day, freezing conditions are possible over 3,500m. In winter the mountains are covered in snow and ice, and can be prone to avalanches. Skiing is possible as the snow can lie to considerable depth and cover many rocky slopes. Information about the state of the route can be obtained at Marrakesh tourist offices or at Imlil.

1) Ikhibi Sud (normal route). From the Toubkal refuge, a path crosses the stream, climbs a steep

hanging valley, then climbs another steep slope to reach a col
(Tizi'n'Toubkal at 3,940m). At the col the route turns left (northwards) up easy slopes to the narrow summit crest of Jebel Toubkal.

The ascent during the summer (from May) is non-technical yet moderately difficult, complicated only by steep and slippery scree slopes and

trekking poles are helpful on the scree. An ice-axe may be needed on the remaining snowfields in the early summer. The ascent during the end of the winter and spring (February/March) is more difficult; crampons are necessary to ascend through the snow and - in some cases - ice. Ascent: 960 m (3,150 ft); 2.5 –3 hours.[4]

2) Ikhibi Nord Not as frequently ascended as Ikhibi Sud, but technically easier. The route starts some distance down the valley from the Toubkal refuge, and turns right (eastwards) to follow a track up through a hanging valley to a col on the north side of Toubkal. Ascent:1,000 metres (3,281 ft); 3–4 hours. The col also gives access to adjacent peaks of Imouzzer 4,010 m (13,156 ft) and Tibherine 3,887 m (12,753 ft)[4]

3) West-North-West Ridge (ONO Arete). (First ascent by J de Lepinay and party, 1936). Infrequently climbed, but a long and pleasant traverse containing many gaps and towers. Some difficulties can be avoided by means of an abseil. Grade III/IV; 7 hours.

On 17 December 2018, two trekkers, from Denmark and Norway, were murdered close to the foot of the trail in a terror-related attack.[6]

360 degree panorama from the summit

References

  1. ^ a b "Topographic map of Toubkal". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  2. ^ "Africa Ultra-Prominences". peaklist.org. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  3. ISBN 978-0-906227-98-5
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 1845331427
    .
  5. ISBN 978-0906227312
    .
  6. ^ O'Grady, Siobhán. "Two tourists killed in Morocco — one of them beheaded — in likely terrorist attack". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 December 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toubkal.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Jebel Toubkal.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toubkal&oldid=1217059173"