The walk up to the hut was very relaxed. We knew we didn’t have far to go, so could take our time and enjoy the views and spectacular waterfalls that we passed.
After leaving the vegetable growing terraces above the Refuge, we entered a deep and narrow gorge. It was steep going inside, but wonderfully cool.
Up above the gorge were meadows where sheep were being taken to graze. We arrived at the hut at about midday. It’s much smaller, with a sleeping platform for about 20 people. Mint tea was soon served and shortly after another hot meal and salad! Much better than our usual packed lunch! And we didn’t even have to carry it.
There’s a big waterfall by the hut, so we spent most of the afternoon taking a bracing shower underneath it. I even washed my hair!
A lot of map and guidebook consulting followed as John and I tried to work out the best plans for tomorrow. I think we’ve convinced our local guide of a good plan. We’ll see how it pans out. We still have 1000m of height gain if we are going to summit one of the peaks around us. It’s amazingly remote in this valley. There are six other French mountaineers here, otherwise it’s just us. On the other side of the mountain, where Jebel Toubkal (the highest peak) is, I’m guessing that there are loads of trekkers. Because of this we are going to stay at this hut tomorrow night as well.
After a lengthy game of Grandma Martin's "shops", we went out and did some rope work practice on a small ridge nearby, before being fed again.
We’re all sleeping on a platform in the top of the hut tonight. Still no phone reception up here.
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