• In the Atlas Mountains

October 3, 2004

Our last campsite before Fez	Driving in the Atlas Mountains

We’re 2000 meters above sea level. It’s cold in the Atlas Mountains ... but nothing like a barbeque, some hot soup and tea to warm you up. After a day sightseeing in Fez, the team is back on the road and camping out. It is the 35th day of the Trans-Sahara Expedition and the team is in their sixth and last country.

We arrived in Morocco yesterday and drove straight into Fez, a beautiful town divided into old and new sections. The team hardly had time to explore the labyrinth of the walled old city, but with the help of expert guides we managed to get a good glimpse of local life. Without guides, most would surely get lost in the small alleyways. We visited a tannery, something that many quickly regretted as soon as they got there.

After shopping for supplies and refueling, the team headed for the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. At almost every corner, the cameramen in the convoy asked for a photo stop. By 5 pm the team reached an altitude of 2000 meters and Expedition Leader, Halim Rahman, decided to set up camp. Driving in the mountains in low light is definitely not recommended.

Our campsite overlooks a valley where the town of Midelt lies. As the sun sets the team prepares a barbeque dinner and a birthday party for Murthada (Kargo). The team has another two days of camping in the mountains before we head for Marrakesh and our final destination Casablanca.