Atlas Mountains Information Pack

www.coco.org.uk

Organised by

Thank you for choosing to take on Jebel Toubkal in aid of COCO. I’m sure you will all have a wonderful time in Morocco and experience some of the unique culture that North Africa has to offer – along with physically challenging yourself along the way!

This will prove to be an experience you will never forget and once you reach the summit of Toubkal, all of the hard work will have been worth it and you will have some great stories to tell. The challenge is organised and run by Outdoor Ambition, who have led this trek in the past and will make sure you have a fantastic trip.

This booklet is designed to give you all the information you will need for the challenge, but if you have any additional queries don’t hesitate to get in touch with the COCO staff who can help to answer your questions.

Best of luck.

Steve Cram CBECOCO Co-Founder

Welcome!

Contents

Welcome.............................................................1The challenge......................................................2Fundraising.........................................................3Training...............................................................4Itinerary...........................................................5-6

Altitude Sickness.................................................7Insurance, Visas and Other Considerations..........8What to Pack.....................................................15COCOs Projects..............................................9-10

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The challenge...

Along with a team of other COCO supporters you will be attempting to summit Morocco’s highest peak - Mount Jebel Toubkal. At a staggering height of 4167 metres above sea level, Jebel Toubkal is the tallest mountain in North Africa and, on a clear day, it’s summit boasts views of the Atlantic Ocean in one direction and the Sahara Desert in the other. You’ll be tackling the mountain in winter so in order to reach the summit you’ll have strap on your crampons and trek through snow and ice. It will be quite the challenge but don’t worry, our experienced partners, Outdoor Ambition, and their team of local guides will be with you every step of the way.

What fitness level do I need?

In order reach the summit you will need a level of fitness. The trekking itself isn’t particularly strenuous but the high altitude makes it more of a challenge. We’ll spend a couple of days acclimatising before we take on the summit to help ease the effects of altitude. The largest height gain in a day is 900m so you should have plenty of time to adjust. Equally, don’t worry about your technical mountaineering abilities; this is a non-technical route so you don’t need technical experience to take part. We will arrange a training day in advance to iron out any questions or concerns you might have too.

Weather

It can get cold on the mountain but the route isn’t exposed and when the sun comes out it’s very comfortable. The crisp mountain air will be a nice break from the warmer temperatures we’ll get in Marrakesh where it should be around 20 -25°C. Temperatures on the mountain can range from around 18°C, in the sun, at midday, to -10°C at night. We won’t be out trekking at night though, instead we’ll be in a mountain refuge sipping sweet Moroccon tea and chatting about our adventures around a log-burning fire.

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The funds you have pledged to raise for COCO will cover the majority of costs associated with your trek, the rest of your fundraising will support our Schools for Life programme, providing quality education to poor, marginalised communities in East Africa.

The fundraising target is £1,700 plus a £150 non-refundable deposit to secure your place, a total of £1,850.

Fundraising Deadlines:

31/08/2019 - £150 (deposit) 28/02/2020 - £425 (£1275 total) 31/10/2019 - £425 31/03/2020 - £425 (1700 total) 31/12/2019 - £425 (£850 total)

One of the best ways to fundraise is to set up an online donations page. We request that you use Wonderful (www.wonderful.org). You can also transfer money directly to the COCO bank account using the payment details below. Remember to put your name and event as the payment reference, so that we can make sure your funds are added to your fundraising total, for example JohnSmithAtlas.

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Fundraising

We also accept cheques payable to COCO.

Lloyds102 Grey StreetNewcastleNE1 6AG

Sort Code: 30-93-71Account number: 37499860Account name: COCO

• Flights (you can fly from Manchester for around £150)• Travel Insurance• Kit• Tipping for in country guides

Included: Not Included:

What is included in your fundraising?

• Transfer too and from Marrakesh airport• Return transfers to the mountains.• 7 nights accommodation • UK Mountain Leader and Local Mountain Guide • Meals as indicated in the Itinerary • Mule Support • Drinking water with meals • Crampons, Ice Axe, Harness, Helmet

Training

Greg Whyte is the man responsible for training the Comic and Sport Relief celebrities for their treks. His advice is as follows. There are two main challenges you will face on your trek: the first is the physical challenge and the second is the altitude challenge. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to reach the summit of Jebel Toubkal, but the better physical condition you’re in, the easier the climb will be.

The general advice for training is walk, walk and walk some more. Training for Jebel Toubkal isn’t like training to run a marathon, it’s about getting used to spending time on your feet. Get used to going out on long outdoor walks and try to simulate the conditions you will face in the Atlas mountains, by carrying a rucksack and breaking in the boots you will be using on the trek... It’s better to get blisters when you have time to rest rather than midway through your trek!

Try to find time to do some back-to-back long walks during your training. Getting used to waking up in the morning and walking off any aches and pains from the previous day will help you on the trek. That said, if it’s pouring with rain or you’re really fed up of walking, give yourself a break... You don’t want to be fed up of walking before you’ve even started!

COCO will organise a training day in the build up to your challenge. This will also act as an opportunity to meet your fellow trekkers. It is a great chance to exchange ideas on kit and also to meet up with training partners - it’s easier to train together on those long walks! Many members of the COCO team have gone on overseas treks, so we are able to give you hints and tips to help you out. Just drop us a line!

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Tuesday 3rd MarchArrive at Marrakesh Airport. Transfer to the hotel for the first night. Meet the team and have an evening exploring the magical city of Marrakesh.

Day 2 - Wednesday 4th March Travel to Aremd Village by minibus and relax at Gite Atlas. Do an acclimatisation trek local to gite.

Day 3 - Thursday 5th MarchTrek to the mountain refuge via Sidi Charoicah to Refuge Les Mouflons. First long day of walking, around 6- 8 hours and then evening meal at the amazing Neltner Refuge.

Day 4 - Friday 6th MarchAcclimatisation day in the area including learning how to use ice axes and crampons.

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Day 5 - Saturday 7th MarchClimb Jebel Toubkal!

Day 6 - Sunday 8th MarchSpare mountain day to account for any bad weather. All being well, another great day trekking in the Atlas.

Day 7 - Monday 9th MarchDescend down to Aremd Village for lunch and then transfer back to Marrakesh. Celebration meal before another night exploring the city.

Day 8 - Tuesday 10th March Transfers to Marrakesh airport or extend your stay and enjoy more of Morocco!

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Altitude SicknessAltitude sickness is the name given to a syndrome that encompasses a number of negative responses (conditions) to high altitude. These conditions can be relatively simple, i.e. headache, nausea and poor sleep, through to more serious problems. The less problematic symptoms (headache etc.) occur in about 30% of trekkers at altitude. Importantly, serious problems occur in very few trekkers. Therefore, you are unlikely to be seriously affected. However, symptoms of headache etc. can make it miserable.

The best way to combat altitude sickness is to:

• Acclimatise by spending time in country before the trek• Climb at a slow pace - don’t work too hard• Rest as much as possible• Keep well hydrated and keep eating a lot, particularly carbohydrates

Medical Help for Altitude Sickness

You can carry mild painkillers for light head ache i.e. paracetemol and ibuprofen - but ALWAYS inform your guides if you intend to take them. The medication recommended by the NHS for combatting altitude sickness is DIAMOX (Acetazolamide).

DIAMOX (Acetazolamide) is a prescription drug which helps to maintain oxygen levels in the blood during sleep and prevents oxygen levels dropping very low thus reducing the symptoms of altitude sickness.However, there are some common side effects associated with its use as well as specific reasons why some people must not take it.

If you are considering using DIAMOX you must seek advice from a medical professional with knowledge of expedition medicine.

Insurance, Visa and Other ConsiderationsInsuranceTravel insurance is a really important part of organising your journey and is definitely worth shopping around for. Whilst it is very unlikely that anything will go wrong during your trip, it is important to have the right insurance policy as it can be very expensive if problems occur. As well as the trek, please consider any other activities or additional travel you may be taking part in.

Make sure your policy covers trekking at altitude!

VisaAs a UK citizen, there is NO visa requirement to enter Morocco.

CurrencyThe currency in Morroco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Other accepted currencies are US Dollars, Pound Sterling and the Euro. All can be exchanged in country at banks or money changing offices, as well as in hotels. ATMS are also available in major cities.

TippingCOCO will provide an up to date recommendation for how much to tip the local guides after the trek. We ensure that we use tour operators who pay fair salaries, but it is customary to leave a tip if the guides have been great.

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What to Pack:EssentialsIt doesn’t matter how much training you’ve done if you forget your passport!

• Passport, travel tickets• Money, credit card, travel insurance• Copies of important documents (passport, visa, insurance)• Waterproof folder for all important documents and money

Medical Hopefully you won’t need many of these, but worth having just in case.

• First Aid Kit (Painkillers, antiseptics, plasters, prescription medication, antihistamines, travel sickness tablets, throat sweets, cold/flu medications, medication for any ailments you’re prone to…)• Laxatives/Anti-diarrhoeals/Rehydration Sachets• Compeed• Emergency contact details (plus any notification of allergies – e.g. penicillin)• Altitude sickness tablets (if desired)• Insect repellent• High factor/block sun cream, after sun

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Equipment Guidance: The list of equipment that is highlighted below is what we recommend you need to bring.

The following Mountaineering Equipment is provided:

→ Mountaineering ice-axe → 12 point crampons → Helmet → Ropes

You must bring the following items:

Personal equipment: → Mountain Boots (4 season mountaineering boots capable of taking crampons)* → Hold bag - 80-100ltrs* → Gaiters* → Socks (i.e Bridgedale socks) → Wicking underwear → Trekking trousers/pants → Waterproof and breathable jacket with full hood* and over trousers → Long johns (thermal underwear) → Base layer shirts or T-shirts → Fleece jacket/jumper → Warm jacket (down)* → Light weight Sunhat or cap → Warm Fleece hat & Buff/neck gaiter → Eyewear – Sunglasses with high UVA/UVB rating (Wrap around type glasses around are superb) → Sun protection (including total bloc for lips) Factor 20+ → Warm Inner ‘thermal’ gloves or mittens → Waterproof/Windproof over-mittens → Earplugs (especially if you are not the one doing the snoring) → Small Washbag and toiletries (Small travel towel & Antibacterial handwash) → Small padlock (to lock hold bag) and a selection of zip ties → Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry) → Daypack 40-50 litres in with ice axe loop* → Head torch with spare batteries → Trekking poles x 2(optional) → Water bottles 1 Litre / 2 pint (x2) → Lightweight 2-3 season sleeping bag*

The following items are optional: → 3m of para chord, spare laces, thermos flask, sleeping bag liner, pocket-knife (remember to pack

sharp objects in hold baggage), Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape), camera, spare batteries, Travel clothes

Notes: Equipment Items marked* can be hired / rented through Outdoor Ambition. Please make all requests at least 6 weeks prior to the trip departure date as there is a limited supply.

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COCO’s Projects

COCO’s vision is a world where every child has access to quality education. We believe that quality education provides children with the best possible opportunity of breaking the cycle of poverty. We work towards this by partnering with communities in East Africa to develop Schools for Life.

Schools for Life

Graduates from Hoja Secondary School in Southern Tanzania have achieved the best results in their region since 2013 and the school is now able to cover its own running costs. COCO is now working to replicate this success across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, from nursery through to college level.

COCO’s Schools for Life programme incorporates six key elements, which ensure that students graduate with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to lift themselves out of poverty.

ShelterQuality classrooms and safe accommodation for

students.

PowerSolar energy to power lights

and computer labs.Water and Sanitation

Clean water and toilet facilities.

EntrepreneurshipConfidence and leadership

in the job market.

FoodSustainable agriculture for healthy food and

income generation.

Sport and RecreationActivities for healthy living, friendship and

motivation.

COCO works with the whole community to ensure that every child has access to education and to empower parents and caregivers to be able to provide for their families. Small loans and business support give aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to set up a small business. Sustainable agriculture training uses affordable, environmentally friendly methods of farming to increase crop yields and in turn, increase household income and improve food security.

Sustainable Futures

Meet Shirleen

Shirleen is 7 years old and is in class 2 at Mercy Primary School. She lives with her mum, who is a teacher, and has 2 younger sisters who live with her father. Her parents’ jobs mean that they have to live apart.

Shirleen’s favourite thing to do is read and she is enjoying the new books at her school. Her favourite subject is English and she dreams of becoming a pilot when she’s older. Shirleen would like new classrooms in the school.

Mercy Primary School is located on the shores of Lake Victoria in a village called Luanda, not far from Mbita town. The school was set up by the community to provide quality education for their children, as the local primary school was over crowded, under resourced and unsafe. Since COCO partnered with Mercy Primary School, children like Shirleen are able to learn and play in a safe environment. The school now boasts a food forest, playground and composting toilets which benefits 196 children. COCO is currently fundraising to provide six new classrooms to replace the dilapidated temporary shelters currently housing half of the children.

By climbing Jebel Toukbal to fundraise for COCO, you will be helping to provide a brighter future for Shirleen and thousands of other children living in remote parts of East Africa.

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Atlas Mountains Information Pack

This pack should contain most of the information you need ahead of your trek.

If you require any additional information, please contact the COCO office.

COCO, 3rd Floor, 14 Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4HZ 0191 261 742 matt@coco.org.uk www.coco.org.uk

Comrades of Children Overseas (COCO) is a registered UK Charity, number SC030428.Registered office address 21 Ravelrig Park, Balerno, Midlothian, EH14 7DL