High peaks, dramatic weather and the warmest Moroccan welcome - our Kendal Mountain Festival winner Helen experienced it all on her One Week Mount Toubkal Trek. Read on to discover her inspiring journey through the High Atlas with her husband Alex...

The whole experience was absolutely incredible; the organisation and logistics of the trip was superb throughout, our Guide, Said, was fantastic - such an interesting man but more than that, he was supportive, encouraging, reassuring and thorough. He had put together a brilliant team who were so hard working, smiley, friendly and just lovely, and Mohammed the cook - what a guy! He knocked up the most delicious and beautifully presented food every meal in basic conditions, whether it was half way up a mountainside or in a field or a tent. Not only that, he followed the same trails as us, usually overtaking us a couple of hours after we left camp and running (yes, literally) to the next spot to reappear with a smile and more gorgeous food.

It wasn't easy, but it wasn't meant to be, Said taught me a lot - when I felt overwhelmed by the task ahead, he showed me just one step at a time and both Alex (my husband) and I were lucky enough to summit Toubkal on the Thursday morning, something that we didn't think would happen when the alarm went off at 4am to the sound of thunder and torrential rain. There was a weather window at 5.30am and four of us set off with our head torches, getting to the summit in about 3.45hrs - and boy was it worth it, once the tears had cleared the views were fabulous and so was the sense of achievement.

To be in that genuine wilderness was a special experience that will stay with us both for a very long time.

Marrakech was a different story - a crazy, overwhelming experience of sounds, smells, colour and noise where nothing around you is familiar. I kind of loved it and hated it in equal measure!

What a fantastic country, the most lovely people and the best food I've ever eaten. I am so grateful and glad we did it, so thank you again.