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DAY 6 - WED 18TH - DAY 1 OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION - TACHEDIRT TO AZIB LIKEMT

An early start - up at 5:15am to pack and then breakfast at 5:30am - ceral, hot drinks, bread. Everyone was ready to leave the Gite at 6:20am. The walk started off pretty easy but after 30 mins we ascending up a mountain for some 3 hours 30 mins taking around 4-5 rests on the way up. There was very little talking between the group on the way up as people were in single-file concentrating on their walking in the not so warm weather. After reaching the top of this mountain, we headed back down the other side. On the way down, it was hot and sunny, and we descended only taking one break on the way down. We arrived at the campsite at around 12pm and pitched our tents. After half an hour, everyone went into their tents as it started raining an then hailing. Water starting coming into the floor of our tents. After a while, some of the tents got flooded with a few cm's of water - see photos! Some of the group had to remove everything from their tent. Members of the group put on their waterproofs, got outside, and started making some 'trenches' to help direct the water away from the tents to avoid further flooding. Lunchtime it was, which we had to have standing up in the food tent rather than comfortably seated due to the wind, raining and wet floor. After a while, the rain went away and the area soon dried up. People came out of their tents, and started playing cards, ball, etc. Dinner was at 7:30pm - soup, bread, chicken, vegetables (carrots, potatoes, peas), cheese and pears. Everyone was in bed for around 9-9:30pm.

DAY 7 - THURS 19TH - DAY 2 OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION - AZIB LIKEMT TO TISSALDAI

Up at 6:45am for breakfast at 7am - hot drinks, bread, cereal. After packing away and getting ready, we left the campsite at 8:20am. The day started off with a 20 minute uphill walk and then a pretty straight forward flat walk for the next couple of hours and then a section of steep uphill climb and steep downhill descent. It started to rain and thunder a little while walking. After some 4 hours and 40mins of trekking we had a lunch stop where we had sardine balls, salad, bread, cheese, sauce and oranges. At 3:15pm we carried on walking again for around 45 minutes at which time we arrived at the nxt campsite. We pitched our tents and some of us had showers - cold and skanky, but manageable. Mint tea and bisuits were served and whilst some group members played cards others rested or had a nap. Later, dinner was served and then everyone headed off of bed.

DAY 8 - FRI 20TH - DAY 3 OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION - -TISSALDAI TO LAC D'IFNI

Same breakfast at usual at 7am on the terrace inside the village. After packing our tents and bags we set off to hike at 8:15am. It was very hot and sunny along with a uphill walk! It was probably around 25'c - 30'c with little breeze. Once we saw the lake, we assumed it'd be a very short walk getting around it but we were wrong! We had a break over looking the lake then we set off once again. After getting round the lake, we stopped for our lunch break at 11:45am. Everyone droppde their bags and sat inside the little sheltered room - what a releif to get out of the heat! For lunch we had sardines, salad, bread, cheese, rice and orange slices. After that we had some free time to go for a dip in the lake, play cards or have a little nap. At 3:30pm we set off again for what was supposed to be a further 1hr 30mins however we had to stop after 30mins because a couple of the mules had lost their 'shoes' so we simply stopped and pitched our tents on the hard and rocky mountain terrain. People in the group chilled out, read books, wrote their diaries and some of us made a fire which didn't stay alite for as long as hoped! Dinner was served at 8pm - lamb, couscous, vegetables, souple, bread and pineapple. Most the group went back to the fire for a little while and headed off to bed at 9:30-10pm.

DAY 9 - SAT 21ST - DAY 4 OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION - LAC D'IFNI TO TOUBKAL REFUGE

An early start! Up and ready for breakfast at 6am! After packing and using the mountains as our only toilet we set off at 7:15am. The day started off with a very steep walk through the valleys - very sweaty! After some 3hr 30min walk with few breaks we finally took a long rest stop for lunch - bread, tune, cheese and orange. We we at an altiute of around 3700m and being near the summit of that mountain it was a little chilly and quite windy. After resting, we rest off walking back down the other side of the mountain where we arrived at the Toubkal Refuge after a mainly pleasant 1 hour walk. We were shown to our bedroom which was basically a room filled with as many bunk beds that could fit in there - around space for 25-30 people in one room! Most of the group had a little lie down at 3pm and then at 4pm pancakes, honey, jam and mint tea were served. The group then had some free time to do things like write diaries, nap, play cards, etc. Dinner was served at 7pm - bread, soup, spaghetti, vegetable bolognaise and then peaches for dessert. We set off for an early night at 8:30-9pm.

DAY 10 - SUN 22ND - DAY 5 OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION - TOUBKAL REFUGE TO TOUBKAL SUMMIT TO AREMD

The earliest and most challenging day of the whole trip! We were up at 4:15am to have breafast - tea and pancakes. We left the Refuge at 5:30am and headed towards the summit. It was a very coldy day with people wearing layers and even some wearing gloves and woolly hats! The day started off quite easy but then got very steep! After a few little slides and a small number of breaks we reached the summit at around 9am and we had some time to enjoy the view, take photos and take in the moment that we had actually reached the summit of Mount Toubkal (4167m), the highest point in North Africa. With the sun coming over the summit, the day heated up and it was a warmer walk on the way down. On arrive to the Refuge, people headed to their beds to have a quick rest and then lunch was served - sardines, bread and vegetables. We then were given some time to rest until 1.30pm at which time we had to head off to hike to the next village - another 2hr 30min walk! On arrival to our next nights accomodation, we were greeted and seated outside on the terrace and served green tea. We then said our farewell and thank you to our muleteers and cooks for the duration of the journey to date. We were then shown to our rooms for the night. We washed some clothes, had showers, relaxed and played cards until dinner time. Dinner was served at 7pm by the chefs in the Gite - soup, bread, tagine (chicken and vegetables) and then melon for dessert. After a extermly tiring day, we headed off to bed around 8:30-9pm.

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