High Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas Mountains were a stunning part of the journey through Morocco. The trek up to Aroumd from Imlil was about an hour and it kicked my ass.

Listen, I am not going to sit here typing about my trip and pretend like I am some great outdoorsman & full-time adventurer because the reality is, I am not much for physical activity especially hiking. I know, I know! It’s surprising, right?

I had also recently started discovering that I do not do well in high altitude so when I say we climbed up high really quickly understand that starting off the day at less than 500 meters and then driving up an additional 1,000 meters already makes me lightheaded and a bit weak. Then we hiked at a slow pace… well I was in the back with my camera and inhaler only about 500 meters more but for me. I realized later it didn’t have much to do with the hike itself as it did with the altitude.

By the time I got to the top some people were going to continue on a 4-hour hike and I politely declined with no shame at all. It was cold… actually, It was freezing. So I channeled my inner cat and found a spot in the sun and under a big cozy blanket to curl up and take a nap as I could feel the altitude sickness settling in.

I want to take a moment to address how serious altitude sickness is. It has taken me some extensive travels to really take this part of myself seriously and I encourage you to take it seriously as well. Altitude sickness isn’t a matter of being lazy, which I thought it was, or a matter of simply being weak, which I thought I was. It is a serious medical condition that should not be taken lightly. Listen to your body and heed what it tells you and take care of yourself.

As I mentioned before I didn’t feel any guilt about not going on the additional 4-hour hike, I instead took a much-needed nap and luckily for me I woke up in time to see the sunset! If for no other reason to hike, yes hike up that mountain to Aroumd, this was worth it.