Tuesday 10th March, Bourganne to Erg Chagaga Camp

After we left this campsite our route followed a valley across stony ground and across a saltpan of a dried up lake on the edges of the dunes. In this type of terrian it is very difficult to judge distances and items that appeared close took much longer to reach than we had expected.

Problems with blisters on feet became a problem for many folks due to the effects of heat, soft sandy surfaces and getting sand in the boots. The temperature again today reached 35 C and lots of fluids were required to avoid being dehydrated. Lunch today was at the only tree for miles around and it provided some good shelter from the heat of midday and for a few tired legs.

After lunch Cindy and Sarah opted for a ride on the camels over towards camp which is on a large flood plain. Richard and I also took a short ride on the camels into the camp but decided we would walk in future. The camp was on the site of an old nomadic camp and in an area very green with Rocket plants. Here we found large herds of camels and their young being watched by Nomadic herdsmen. In the distance we got our first views of Chagaga the large sand dune we would be walking up tomorrow morning.

The local crew have been great always smiling, making some fantastic meals and having a hot brew and cakes available when we arrive tired in camp in the evenings

Monday 9th March, L’oued L’autruche to Bourganne

We left early again this morning as the group began to get into the routine of life on a trek. Our trek today was 19km and took us over a mixture of terrain and low dunes and stone desert. The trail meandered through the low dunes and at times only heads could be seen above the dunes. Part of the route took us through fossil beds where we quickly found good examples of bellomites and ammonites some over 250 Million years old.

After the usual long lunch to avoid the heat of the day, 35 C, we set off for the walk to the camp at Bourganne which was on the edge of a stony area next to some large impressive sand dunes. Shortly after arriving in camp I set off with Carly and Max to explore these large dunes. We were rewarded with some wonderful views from the tops and walked along some sharp wind swept ridges before returning to camp for mint tea.

Sunday 8th March, Erg Louida to L’oued L’autruche

We left camp early next morning for an 18km walk across the desert. The terrain was different and more varied than what I had expected. We encountered open desert before moving onto “hamada”, (an area of wind swept bare rock) and “reg” (a flat plain with fine sand blown away leaving stones and gravel) before entering an area of dunes and Tamarisk trees.

To avoid being out in the hottest part of the day we stopped for lunch in a dry valley where we could shelter from the sun under the trees. After lunch we continued through similar mixed terrain before finishing at the base of small dunes near an old well. The sand began to take its toll on the client’s feet today with Dr Cookie busy dealing with numerous blisters while we enjoyed mint tea and cakes.

We were entertained by the local crew after dinner around the campfire. As it was a nice evening most of the group decided to sleep out under evening sky and watch the stars. Around 0300hrs the wind picked up and it started to rain and we had to make a run for the tents to keep our kit dry.

Saturday 7th March, Ouarzazate to M’Hamid

We left the hotel early for a long bus ride to the start of our trek near M’Hamid, a small village in the Zagara region. On route we stopped for refreshments and the group had the opportunity to buy some local sash's to protect us from the sun and sand before we entered the desert. We followed the Draa Valley before crossing the Jebel Bani mountain range to the edge of the Sahara desert. Where the local crew were waiting for us along with the camels that would carry our kit across the desert.
























After loading the kit onto the camels we set off for a short walk to our first camp. The first few km’s were across flat open desert before we began trekking into the sand dunes. During the afternoon the temperature reached a pleasant 35 C. We arrived at a small area of sand dunes in the middle of the Erg Louida plain which would be our first camp site where the group had the opportunity to relax and watch the sunset over the desert.

Friday 6th March, London Heathrow

I am working for Discover Adventure this week with Lucinda and Cookie (trip doctor) on a 100km trek through the Sahara desert in Morroco. We are meeting our group of 18 clients at the airport for our flight to Casablanca and onwards to Ouarzazate. After arrival in Ouarzazte we transferred to our hotel where we would spent our first night in country.

1st March, Winter Skills, Cairngorms

We were out on Day 2 of our winter skills course on Cairngorm. The weather had improved slightly overnight and a light covering of fresh snow had fallen. Our route onto the plateau today was across the Fiaciall Ridge. A fine scrambly ridge with great views into the coires on either side and a great opportunity for the group to develop their winter skills.

There were some very good snow conditions on the ridge and we soon reached the plateau without any problems. There were many teams out climbing in both corries today. After we arrived on the plateau we decided to walk over to Ben Macdui to practice our navigating.

As we approached the summit the weather closed in and visibility became poor. This was great as the group learned how weather conditions can change very quickly in this area and the need to be able to navigate efficiently and effectively.

After a short break for summit pictures Jo was given the task of navigating us back off the mountain and into Coire an Lochain. In the coire we look at a number of techniques for descending and moving about on the steep snow slopes of the headwall. Before returning to the car park.

Matt was staying on an extra night in Aviemore and he was going to try his first night in a bothy at Ryvoan, a short walk from Glen More lodge

28th Feb, Winter Skills Course, Aviemore

Today I am working in the Cairngorm's on a winter skills course with Jo, Matt and Tony. The weather was better than forecast with the occasional appearance of sun. The temperatures were unseasonally warm and it was very hot on the walk in. There was still enough snow on the headwall of Coire Cas to enable us to practice the basic winter skills although it would have been better if the snow had been slightly harder for cramponing.

After practicing all of the basic movement skills we headed up to the spot height of 1141m before making our way over Cairngorm to Ciste Mhearad. We found very little snow on the summit of Cairngorm but lots of good ice to use our crampons on. We dug an emergency shelter and had lunch in a large snow hole we found in the Coire. Before navigating our way back down to the car park.