After a night spent buffeted by gale force winds tunnelling down the valley we today made the ascent up Mount Toubkal, at 4167m the highest mountain in North Africa. Started at 6.30 and it was a long three hour trudge over the scree to the top. Even after all the trekking still a pain in the calf muscles. The effort was worth it though with wonderful views from Marrakech right across the Atlas range. The top was only marred by the arrival of 102 Spanish bankers on a corporate bonding exercise which slightly spoilt the tranquillity of the peak.