Rock Climbing Morocco - Todra Gorge
Some footages of several mountaint climbers in Todra Gorge - Tinghir - Morocco
Todra Gorge is known internationally for being one of the premier climbing destinations in Morocco. Located in the south east of the country at the edge of the high Atlas mountains. It will take you about 7 hours drive east of Marrakech to get there, you will cross the Tizi n Tishka pass which is the highest pass in North Africa. Then you will pass through Ouarzazate (Nicknamed Hollywood of Africa for its Movie studios). Then finally you will reach the city called Tinghir (or Tinerhir as some call it) 15 kilometers from there is where the Todgha gorge is.
This fascinating climbing spot offers variety of routes of extreme sport and multi-pitch climbing routes on solid, reddish limestone. the area is not only great for mountain and rock climbing, it is also an amazing cultural adventure, that's what makes it unique from other climbing regions in the Mediterranean area.
So if you want the best combination between rock climbing, cultural exploration and adventure, then todra gorge is the answer, it hosts hundreds of amateur of all kind of climbing throughout the year. There are several hotels, guest houses, and even riads there, from low budget to midrange. the road is pretty much well maintained in most parts, there are even shops nearby where you can rent ropes and all kind of gears you will need to climb the mountains.
The wall of Todra gorge are between 200 and 300 hundred meters (more than 600 ft).
With
approximately 400 rock climbs that varies from single-pitch sport routes to
long multi-pitch adventures, The routes of Todra gorge are protected by
expansion bolts. Some of the recently climbed lines do have glue-in rings on.
But the longer routes have a variety of gear depending on how often climbers
use them... some of them are fully bolted, others on the other hand will require
a supplementary rack of trad gear. It also has other pure trad routes but those
ones are not frequently used.
For the Gear:
For sport
cragging you'll need a long rope about 60 meters, a rack of 14, couple slings, few spare karabiners, and maillons.
For the longer routes you
will need double ropes, though this is only necessary on some routes. A rack of
trad gear. A full set of nuts, a selection of camming devices. Would be better
if you bring some extra slings.Also a helmet is strongly recommended on the multipitch routes.
Todra gorge
is suitable for both beginner and experienced climbers, there are even
companies both in Marrakech and locally in Tinghir that offer the guided
climbing services. (We at the company do not offer such services but we can recommend
one if you are interested).
We usually
reach the todra gorge on the second day of our three days tour to the Sahara
desert. But the visit lasts only between 20 minutes to one hour, because the
highlight of the tour is actually the desert erg called Chebbi. So obviously
not enough time to do mountain climbing. That is why you have to let us know in
advance so we could arrange everything if possible.
