"I was, to all intents and purposes still am, a veritable novice when it comes to the world of trekking holidays. I joined KE Adventure in November, having spent a lot of time messing around in my local hills but never having taken this interest in mountains to the, literal and metaphorical, next level of going to altitude.

I have stood on top of Scafell Pike, a mighty 978 metres, Ben Nevis, a titanic 1345 metres and even Castle Crag, 300 metres. So when I was told I was going to get the opportunity to climb Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa at what seemed a scarcely believable 4167 metres, you can imagine the mix of emotions I was feeling.

After leaping at the chance to go on our “Mount Toubkal in Winter” holiday I suddenly realised that I was vaguely terrified!!! 4000 metre peaks were the realm of grizzled mountain men and women who scoffed at the idea of altitude sickness and would think nothing of walking up Scafell Pike twice, just to confirm that it was as straight forward as they thought it was the first time! What would I, a complete naïf to the world of winter mountaineering, be doing attempting to scale those inaccessible heights?!

Little did I know that I could have been resting a lot easier at home. Our group of intrepid adventurers assembled in Marrakech on day one of this holiday all displaying various amounts of nerves. After visiting the almost visibly buzzing souks and squares of Marrakech we wove our way up to our refuge in the high mountains at 3207 metres over the next three days. At this altitude the air is undeniably thinner and putting one foot in front of the other begins to feel like an effort. However, the guides on this trip do an incredible job of setting the correct pace and teaching you the skills required to arrive at summit day in the best possible shape.

The day arrives, as most of the days in the Atlas Mountains do, crisp and clear and early. As left the Neltner Refuge at 0630, we joined a snaking trail on the side of Mount Toubkal. Doubts continued to play at the corner of my pulsing brain for the next couple of hours. Surely it was only a matter of time before the mountain won and I was turning back before the summit?! Then you risk a glance up; there it is. Staring you in the face is the metallic pyramid and jaw dropping views that signify you have reached the highest point in North Africa!

After the long climb you veritably skip down the same slopes that weighed so heavily on your mind, and legs, only a few hours ago. You suddenly realise that maybe; just maybe, your trekking horizons have just been broadened. Just like that, you feel yourself becoming a little more energised!

Mount Toubkal in Winter: Consider it done! "

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