Tuesday 26 June - Trek Day 1 - Aremd to Amsekrou village
Today was the first trekking day, starting the long circular route that would culminate with an ascent of Jebel Toubkal ......... Inshallah!
We left the Gite at about 8:00am and descended through Amred north toward Imlil to pick up the wide track leading to Tizi ‘n’ Tamatert to the east. Once clear of the village, we stopped and changed into shorts. (Trousers had been worn through the villages to conform with Muslim faith of not showing bare legs.) (photo:  View back to the valley we had just left)
The track slowly wound up the mountain side providing a relatively easy start to the day. Plenty of stops ensured we could take in the necessary water required in such high temperatures. At approx. 11:00am we reached Tiki ‘n’ Tamatert, and spectacular views of where we had come from, and our route ahead. At a small brick shop, Berbers were selling cold drinks and chocolate. Another ‘rival’ trekking group, Explorer, were at the Tizi. A bit of friendly ‘banter’ provided an interesting ‘interlude’ to the trek. (photo:  View from my 'rock perch' to the Tiki ‘n’ Tamatert)
I decided to climb up some rocks overlooking the col for a quiet rest ..... and a better view of the surrounding mountains. (photo:  Near the bottom of the descent from Tiki ‘n’ Tamatert)
At 12:00am we started the steep descent to the valley floor for lunch by a small river. The path, loose scree and rocks, zigzagged down the hill side where we finally reached our lunch spot. Our muleteers, who had passed earlier, had set up an area in the shade and prepared lunch. I needed the shade as I had the feeling of slight dehydration. I thought I had consumed enough water, but obviously not. Anyway, after a couple of hours rest, coupled with a consuming two litres of water, I soon recovered. (photo:  Above the dry river bed where we had lunch)
Lunch over, we changed into long trousers, then headed north west along the path above the north side of the river bed. The going wasn’t too taxing, eventually arriving at the Gité in the village of Amsekrou for our first stopover. (photo:  Looking back through the valley to where we had lunch)
It wasn’t long before most of us had established our ‘sleeping patch’ outside for the evening. Lee, with a couple of others (Helen, Matt, Mike I think), decided to continue with more climbing and visited the top of the hill behind the village. Dinner was taken, followed by the next day’s trek brief, then bed (photo:  The hills darken as the sun sets)

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