Climbing Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet), is a compelling experience for many reasons and here is my Ultimate Packing Guide for Toubkal from my own experience reaching the summit.
The biggest problem for me was a packing list as the one provided on GetYourGuide by the organizer was excessive and vague at the same time. It says bring these items:
- Passport
- Warm clothing
- Camera
- Hiking shoes
- Jacket
- Rain gear
- Sleeping bag
So when I texted the provider and asked what is really needed they sent me this list:
- Moisture-wicking base layers (top and bottom)
- Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down jacket)
- Waterproof and windproof outer layer (shell jacket and pants)
- Trekking pants
- Hat (for sun protection and warmth)
- Gloves (warm and waterproof)
- Buff or scarf
- Comfortable trekking socks (preferably wool or synthetic)
- Sturdy, breathable hiking boots
- Backpack (30-50 liters)
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag (appropriate rating for altitude)
- Crampoms and axe
- Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Water bottles
Just because of the statement on the website “Muleteers and mules for Luggage” I brought my backpack and a duffel bag (just like we did in Inca Trail Trekking).
So I had to leave that black duffel bag down in the room where we arrived in the storage and pack everying into that comoflage backpack. Also luckily I had a string bag, where I put my LifeStraw water bottle and camel bag. All you can give for the mule to carry is a medium sized backpack.
Packing Guide for Toubkal
- Passport, you will need it at the check point.
- Have cash and small bills if you want to buy something on the way up or down.
- Hiking pants, ideally that can turn into shorts as it does get hot if sun is out (even hiking in December)
- A spare fast drying t-shirt
- Good, comfortable hiking boots
- Spare warm merino hiking socks for second day and you can sleep in them. Have the light ones for the first day, so you don’t get blisters.
- Warm fleece
- Waterproof warm gloves
- Warm hat (merino wool)
- Cap or sun hat. When it is sunny you will need it. I forgot mine due to the re-packing and luckily I had a bandana which I could tie on my had.
- Thermal layer(merino wool) for the peak.
- Earplugs and sleeping mask if sharing room as it was very noisy and light going on and off
- Camel bag if you drink a lot or LifeStraw as there are many springs going up on the first day. Pack one 1. 5l bottle for the donkey as in refuge they will charge insane amount for the water (depending on how you look like).
- Some small snacks are nice to have for some extra energy.
- Hiking poles, I found them personally very useful, but most people hiked without them. They offer a good support for knees and some balance up top as some places are very steep. You can rent them, but for experience bring yours if you need a people asked in our group and they never got them.
- Wind breaker or scarf for the face if very cold up there.
- Crampons. You can rent them there, but quality is very questionable. One person I saw came back as it broke half way, mine broke too and my guide was urging to go back, but I insisted to fix it and finally I managed to fix it (guide was unable to do that!). So best bring your own if you have them. Pack on the donkey.
- Ice axe was not needed in winter as a lot of snow, but I was told it is needed in summer as it is icy. Though if you are going to slide like I did, good idea to have ice axe.
- Silk sleeping bag liner as blankets are quite dusty.
- Down jacket, as it will be cold up on the top. They said hard shell one, but mine was puffy one and it was sufficient with a fleece and thermals under in -19°C (-2°F).
- Your medicines. Consult your doctor if you need altitutde sickness medicine. I did take mine from online consultation with a pharmacy.
- Toothpaste, toothbrush
- Small towel (I didn’t shower up in refuge as it was cold water).
- Toilet paper or wet wipes and have it with you, as you might need during your hike (somebody was asking in one of the stops to buy and they did not have toilet paper!).
- Your camera, chargers, adapters and cables.
- Power bank, spare batteries for camera as electricity will be tricky in the refuge.
- Hand warmers, I found them useful for keeping my hands warm, so if you have cold feet or cold arms, take one pair with you. I’ve donated a pair to the girl who had her arms freezing in the refuge.
- Sunscreen. It is high altitude, so bring some sunscreen for your exposed parts. Half way I was hiking up in T-shirt, so my arms, neck and face needed sunscreen. It was warm in December in lower altitude (especially when climbing up!).
- Last, but not the least – have Compede blister kit. I saw horrible blisters on one of the hikers and they gave some iodine and bandage, but Compede would be so much better. Also bring some wipes for desinfection.
To keep with you
- Passport
- Cash
- Toilet paper
- Your camera and spare batteries
- Power bank
- Camel bag/water bottle
- Warm fleece
- Waterproof warm gloves
- Warm hat
- Cap or sun hat
- Sunscreen and lip balm (SPF50)
- Your medicines
Do not take
- Sleeping bag, they give blankets and I asked for two. Liner kept me comfy and warm underneath one of them and other I put below me.
- Rain pants, it is subject to weather, but if it is sunny, don’t bother.
- Any alcohol is not allowed in the refuge.
- Don’t pack too many t-shirts and pants.
- I did not shower so no shower gel and etc.
- Don’t bring ski goggles, like I did as they take space. I didn’t use them and scratched them. I thought due to wind might need it, but I did not.
Useful Tips
- Don’t book three day experience as it was first Toubkal and then a small hike next day and second night I slept alone in a super cold room and even heater didn’t help as the walls were super cold. Eating breakfast outside in a cold weather of -2C in the morning (it was December). Most people book two day one and if I have managed to complete it then you can do it too. 3 day one is also more expensive and one person returned after 2nd day anyway as it was really cold and people are not prepared for that when going to Morroco.
- Bring just one backpack with your stuff to hand it to mule and a sting bag (or a very light backpack) for water, snacks, toilet paper, compede kit, medicines to carry with you. They did not take my duffel bag, though it did say luggage on the website.
- If possible bring your own kit, hiking shoes and etc. Yes you can rent most of it, but you are not used to them and they are not used to your body, I saw a person suffering from horrible blisters, because of rented shoes. Small things like jacket and gloves I guess you can rent. Crampons you can rent, but it has it’s risks as explained above.
Leave a comment if you found my Packing Guide for Toubkal useful and any constructive feedback is welcome.