24th - Matate – unnamed camp

From the camp we start going to the pass Tizi Oudite before descending (again…) into the first berber village Ait Aissa. The berbers is the oldest people in Morocco and is found in Northern Africa. The word “berber” means “uncivilized” in Arabic (“barbarian”) but they use “Amazigh” (“free men”). They immigrated maybe 5000 years ago into Morocco where they primarily live from agriculture.

We continued on to Tizi Oussem which consisted of a lot of small houses built close together up along a mountain wall, giving it almost a claustrophobic feel when walking around. You often felt you were walking inside a building due to the narrow pathways and buildings been built up and over.

Departing the last village for the next couple of days we ascended 400m into a deep gully where there was a tall waterfall. From here we continued upwards, coming up into the open we had lunch under a small grouping of trees before we continued ascending almost 1000m to our camp site at app. 2900m.

The plan was that we were to camp on a large plateau/pass, but another group had already arrived and taken the spot. Instead we had to continue along the mounting side into a small corner where there was just enough room for the tents to be raised. We looked the direction of where we would be going the next morning and all we could see was a tall steep ascent to a pass which looked quite intimidating. On the other side of the pass – and therefore mountain we were camping up against – we would be able to see Toubkal close.

We also quickly realised that the wind was picking up and I can’t help think if it wasn't best that we weren't camping in the open which had been the original plan. Then again – it felt like the wind being channeled by the mountain straight into the camp so that being in the open might have been an advantage after all…

Tizi Oudite seen from the camp.

Looking down at Ait Aissa.

One of many goat herders. And goats.

A guy had set up shop selling tea and sodas. Obviously for tourists. But it was priceless sitting in the shade enjoying a cold soda while enjoying the view.

Gully and waterfall.

Ascending once again with the mules right behind us.

If you have problems seeing tomorrow's path I can inform you it goes up through the narrow light-grey wedge seen in the middle of the photo.