Toubkal Tubkal / ⵜⵓⴱⴽⴰⵍ توبقال / توبكال |
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Tizi-n-Tubkal from the summit ridge
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 4,167 m (13,671 ft) |
Prominence | 3,755 m (12,320 ft) Ranked 36th |
Isolation | 2,078 kilometres (1,291 mi) |
Listing |
Country high point List of Ultras of Africa |
Coordinates | 31°03′33″N 7°54′57″W / 31.05917°N 7.91583°WCoordinates: 31°03′33″N 7°54′57″W / 31.05917°N 7.91583°W |
Geography | |
Parent range | Atlas Mountains |
Topo map | Toubkal Massif Map and Guide |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 12 June 1923 by the Marquis de Segonzac, V. Berger, and H. Dolbeau |
Easiest route | South cwm (hike in summer) |
Toubkal or Tubkal (Berber: ⵜⵓⴱⴽⴰⵍ, Tubkal, or ⵜⵓⴱⵇⴰⵍ, Tubqal; Arabic: توبقال) is a mountain peak in southwestern Morocco, located in the Toubkal National Park. At 4,167 metres (13,671 ft), it is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and in North Africa. It is an ultra prominent peak located 63 km south of the city of Marrakesh, and is a popular destination for climbers.
The first ascent by Europeans was on 12 June 1923 by the Marquis de Segonzac, Vincent Berger and Hubert Dolbeau, but the mountain may have been climbed before that date.
Trekkers usually approach the mountain from the road-end village of Imlil. Qualified guides can be hired, as well as porters, to carry equipment and food supplies higher into the mountains. For experienced mountaineers, guides are not required for the normal route, as it is a moderate hike and orientation is not a problem.
The normal route starts with an easy walk to the village of Aroumd. Past Aroumd a floodplain is crossed and the route follows the left slope of the valley southwards. The valley bends to the east to the tiny settlement of Sidi Chamharouch, which has grown around a Muslim shrine. At Sidi Chamharouch, the path leads over the stream and runs steeply uphill to the right side of the Isougouane valley, which leads to two stone-built refuges (old Neltner Refuge and new Refuge du Toubkal) that are often used as base camp at 3,207 m (10,522 ft). It is possible to buy good meals in the Refuge du Toubkal. Tents can be pitched near the refuges for a small charge.
From that point a path crosses the stream, climbs a steep scree slope to the east and enters a valley (corrie), then climbs another steep slope to reach a col (Tizi'n'Toubkal at 3,940m). At the col the route turns left (northwards) to the summit ridge of Jbel Toubkal. The 4,167m summit is crowned with a curious pyramidal metal frame and views take in most of the Atlas and Little Atlas Mountains.