Conquering Mount Toubkal to help Parkinson's Patients in Africa

On June 7, 2023, Tania Park, our CEO, took on the gruelling challenge of hiking the highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal, at 4,167m, to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Africa. It was the 12th of the 23 physical challenges Tania had committed to self-funding and completing as part of her fundraising effort.

Tania did not take this mammoth challenge lightly, given her substantial hip and knee injuries, yet this did not stop her. After 3 days of trekking, steep ascents, incredible scenery, and 2 nights of camping at high altitude, Mount Toubkal was soon defeated! Well done, Tania! What an achievement!

Read more below about what it took to achieve this incredible achievement.

7th June: UK to Marrakesh to Imlil

Tania flew in and met the rest of the hiking group organised by Adventures in the Wild and led by Adventurous Ewe in the Berber Mountain village of Imlil at 1700 m, making final preparations to undertake the first day of the Mount Toubkal trek.

8th June 2023: Imlil to Azib Tamsoult (2400m)

After a good rest and breakfast, the team departed the charming Berber mountain village of Imlil for the Azib Tamsoult. As they steadily ascended the Mizane Valley, making their way deeper into the majestic High Atlas Mountains as the trail gradually led to Azib Tamsoult (2400 m) over the Tizi Mzik Pass (2489 m). The team placed their tents high on the mountain terraces, a fantastic location for enjoying stunning views down the valley.

9th June 2023: Acclimatisation Day: Azib Tamsoult to Netler Refuge (3206m)

An early night and an early rise prepared the eager team to embark on their longest and most difficult trekking day yet, with nearly 8 hours of hiking and handling high altitude helping them acclimatise in preparation of their Toubkal summit attempt the next day. As the sun rose, the team broke camp and continued their trek into the High Atlas Mountains, reaching the peak of Aglzim (3500 m) and gaining breath-taking panoramas of the Grand Atlas. After a short break from conquering over 80 steep switchbacks, they travelled through the Mizane Valley before returning to Netler Refuge in the afternoon for another home-cooked lunch and an overnight stay at the camp site.

10th June 2023, Day 3: Summit Mt. Toubkal (4167m)

With a 4 a.m. start, the team started their trek to the summit of North Africa's tallest peak. Their ascent began as soon as they left the refuge, with a winding and zigzagging route up before traversing the south ridge to the summit. The team was rewarded with breath-taking views of the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, and the habitats that have surrounded them for ages. The summit of Mount Toubkal was achieved, and the team was welcomed by incredible scenery and perfect weather.

After taking some photos, the team returned to the refuge for a well-deserved rest and some lunch before continuing to Imlil and back to the lodge for a celebratory meal in the evening.

Thank you

This incredible experience would not have been possible without the patience, support, expertise, and local knowledge of the guides Ibrahim and Gerwyn and the rest of the support team, who ensured the team's safety, well-being, and organisation. They worked relentlessly to help the trekkers, making the trip one to remember for the rest of their lives. Thank you.

Tania is incredibly grateful for all the very generous donations and support from so many wonderful supporters and individuals. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please click on the link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tp23

Thank you so much for your support.