How Much Does Laminating Cost?

• RAID ADVENTURE DEEP SOUTH MOROCCAN

http://marchercourir.over-blog.com/

From 13 to 20 February 2010

Friday, February 12
Departure from Luxembourg in the direction of Marrakech. Flight without worry. Landing under a cloudy but real sweet. The total change of scenery is already in the distance, we see the snowy peaks of the High Atlas. Imilchil transfer to hotel, and without dragging, ballad exploring this historic city: the Medina, the Walls, Djemaa and souks are a real novelty for me.
Sunset on the terrace, various negotiations (everything here is traded), tasting of typical products and return to the hotel (according to our notions of orientation, a few at random ... bof, we are here to discover, no?), tomorrow you must get up early.

Namely:
= mountain Jebel Wadi
= intermittent stream fed by rainwater
erg = extensive area of dunes in sandy deserts
reg = Range of barren rocks formed

DAY 1: Saturday, February 13, Prologue IKNIOUN in Jebel Sahro - 19.7 km
up early (0430) and meets the twenty "adventure" present. Some already awake, others with small eyes.
5h, 4X4 loading, departure to Ouarzazate, joining the rest of the group. The sky is veiled, it is not very hot, the rain threat. 5 good hours drive will be needed to complete the 204 km via the winding mountain road (luckily no snow). Break breakfast en route. Ouarzazate, the rest of the troupe. Isa has some knowledge, introduce myself, I discovered the other, everyone seems motivated. Mostly cloudy, but the weather will remain cool with lots of wind. Breakfast briefing GO (Jean-Paul, and Mohammed Ali), and transfer without delay to the departure place of the prologue. Already a scenic pass before my very eyes.

Raiders:
45 French (Ardèche (5) - Britain (26) - Lorraine (2) - Loire (3) - Normandy (4) - Paris (5) a representative of Luxembourg


1 Switzerland 1 Belgian

Jean-Paul the "Organizer Gentil" (black shirt) surrounded
our Berber guides the 2 and Mohammed Ali.

Here we are hard at work at the Jebel Sarho IKNIOUN for our first stage of 19.7 km. This time, it equips "race" and we take our first breakfast (dinner for one I am Belgian) in nature. I find the organization of such a journey as and when and try to find my bearings and get organized. Not obvious. Adventurers with the 49 present, two groups were formed: the marchers (+ / - 20) and runners (+ / - 30). Walkers will depart still about ½ hour before the riders (myself included).
Goal: reach the finish after its appearance, no clock, no ranking, just have fun and learn.

1:50 p.m.: starting from a strong wind and cool (cold for me as chilly!) At an altitude of 2035m anyway! It's simple, just follow the directions of the road book: heading 240 ° for 4 km, then 200 ° to camp along the runway (!!), or by entering GPS coordinates (well, there , I do not know anything yet, it will be for later ...). I manage not to run alone, and do knowledge of my new friends and companions for a week. Direction the mountain before us. The 4x4 are beyond us, with our baggage. Crossing the pass at 2300 m and steady descent towards the finish at approx. 1500. Also on a rocky trail well, we are going through stunning scenery and diverse, worthy of film sets. Around every corner, it seems more and more beautiful. Besides, I really feel change in the unreal.
" Pinch me to see if I'm not dreaming! .
The sun joined us, but still this strong wind. Small scattered settlements, some children, school lost in the wilderness, an arid and rocky soil in the extreme, rocks of all colors, distant plateaus, and a small oasis, a palm tree is lost, all alone. After about 2 hours of racing, we reach the first who are "normally arrived, according to the GPS . And nothing, not 4x4. " Well, it continues, it is the only track . We will still make more than 3 km to finally see out there in the background, our bivouac. The site has been delayed for practical reasons. Total day: 23.1 km in 03h. Wait
Isa, up the tent (always a strong wind), the sun sets quickly, the temperature drops and the wind ... too. This is our first dinner in Community: couscous. And that chitchat on all sides, there are so many things to say (the sensations, the decor, the bobos ,...)! And then the step has its first victims: the wounded (probably fractured shoulder) and two gastro. As for me, I feel some slight overheating in the sole of a foot, due to a lack of protection NOK, and a beautiful bulb to boot. Briefing
next day the stage will be shortened to 3.4 km as we have done more. We must therefore alter the scores km, GPS points remain valid.

DAY 2: Sunday, February 14: Jebel Sarho, track squirrels to Nekob - 31.7 km
Our first night in camp was quiet. In the early morning, beautiful sunrise, weather, slightly overcast, it is mild and no wind. Hearty breakfast at the French.
Starts at 09h, a step down to 28.3 km. I have not yet had time to make me explain how GPS works, it will be tonight. We follow a very passable track, crossing village, an inn (yes, really!), figs and palms, are tackling the rise of a beautiful hill, passing CP1 (a 4X4 with a few "goodies" and water), a wadi in the valley, and a beautiful oasis with palm trees and houses. Passage near a mine on the hillside (mineral extraction).
Lunch break on the top (1340m). It is full sun with a slight wind and a few high clouds. Time to collect everyone's inescapable and comforting hot tea, take lunch, nap and foot care, we leave 2 hours later. Regular
Descent Kob on, by the track and then I find myself alone when approaching the village. I have some hesitation, the road book is not very clear, I am traces to finally see some t-shirts to color in the distance before me. It remains for me to follow in order to catch this small group. Through the village, we follow a beautiful palm grove and the remains of ancient buildings. We follow the tarmac road to join the 4X4 which will transfer us to the camp. is 14:50. It has taken almost 4 hours to finish the stage, besides the break + 1 hour road and track in comfort to the approximate Tarhbalt dunes. Mounting
tents in the sand, under a light wind. I take a little time off to train me to use the GPS. It is Christian, the Ardèche and specialist who gets stuck.
Toilet rough, especially the feet (bulbs looking for a lot of us ...), entered GPS coordinates for the morrow lively meal (there's always one or the other who has a good word to place), distribution of souvenir t-shirts of the organization and badges (so that everyone knows which is which), briefing the next day and sleep.

DAY 3: Monday, February 15: the dune to TARHBALT RICH MERZOUG by Wadi TARHBALT - 38 km
The night was restless: the wind rose and we had a nice shower. At daybreak, the sun is present but the wind too. It will calm down somewhat to our departure. The advantage is that the rain has set the sand on the ground.
Grandma Mary, as she likes to call himself, the oldest group (64 years!) Is bothering to use his GPS, between two rows of knitting or a good word correctly placed (as it is humorous , Marie-Francoise!). The specialist group reassures her again providing some explanation. The sky is blue el t ° rises gradually. The desert plateau where we will move are at an altitude of 700 min.
Departure at 9am, in the dunes of fine sand, right in front of the GPS (this time, I have to manage) sand dunes and rock after another, with here and there a small bush with what appear to be small watermelons (bèèèèèrk is inedible ...) that we are improvising a game of petanque. Ali, a Moroccan our guides, advises us to take our right to the top of the valley. Nay, we follow our coordinates and we brought down in the small canyon to reach the bed of the river through a beautiful wooded corner and culture. So we follow the bed of the river zigzagging between light areas (hard sand) and dark (soft sand), more humid, rocky passages, about 18km ...! Some nice winds are felt (back, thankfully).
Lunch break (I "shit" a little with my GPS, but it's starting to come ...), the wind is increasing, few drops are felt. 2h break, it seems long, but can share his experience and knowledge make us better. And then .... We are on vacation, right? We leave in a small rain and strong wind always that accursed. Later, I decided to test the GPS, one almost (but keeping eye contact at a distance, you never know ...) and a few km in good shape, just to unwind a little, still pushed by the sandstorm which requires us to protect us more.
Arrive at camp at the foot of Rich Merzoug (but not the right way ... thank you for the guides!).
5:30 to complete the 38 terminals.
Very quickly, the temp drops and the wind does not facilitate the establishment of the tent!

The meal is always eagerly awaited, salt, spices (Morocco, specialty spices that are still missing at the table! " Salt LOUD please, PLEASE pepper, cumin, you know? " ... I will mention no name ...), time of solace, birthdays (sweets, local specialties of Brittany or other Swiss chocolates ...). Then, the Berber tent turns into a field hospital, the surgeon Mohammed, assistant épongeurs and lighting, very caring bruised feet trimmed bulbs more magnificent than the other (easy laugh when you're not "met"!).

DAY 4: Tuesday, February 16: RICH MERZOUG Dunes MAID - 30 km
Fortunately there is the road book to tell me what day it is because I am completely offset ( and it's been a very foolish!) real life.
The night was calm, almost windless. Daybreak under a perfect blue sky, it's not warm, the wind rises with the sun ( m'enfin, him again! ). We're on the wrong side of the mountain, he will wait until the sun rises again to feel its burning rays. Our
Didier friend, who had fallen heavily on his shoulder the first day, that day will be repatriated to a hospital in Ouarzazate, the pain is becoming stronger. Check
usual at 9 am (for runners, walkers ahead of us, as every day). It seems that the group "Riders" is reduced somewhat, some preferring to begin in "walkers" and take the pace en route, according to their abilities and desires. We are heading towards Jebel Tibert that we will pass through the top (not very high, 850m). We take this magnificent views on the vast expanses of sand and scree around us to achieve the "international photography": Luxembourg-France-Switzerland-Belgium. The scenery is always beautiful and varied that it is impossible not to stop occasionally to marvel at the beauty that nature offers us! And voluntarily reduced our pace to make the most of these "postcards" greatness naut.
meal break, where everyone tries to keep the wind behind some bushes lean. Then suddenly, the weather is cloudy, the wind strengthens to rise by a small sand storm. We must protect (cover a max of skin ...) and calves are in on their behalf (shortbread!). First back for several miles, we will face this blower ¾ before the rest of the course, to the bivouac. 4:30 for 30 km. This time it's good, I control my GPS! And
face again with the new tent (behind a dune where we thought we were protected, but it was the opposite, the wind swirling around and comes across!). The clear sky gives us a splendid sunset (with a nice little wool on the back!), And a superb map of the stars that we seem to touch.

DAY 5: Wednesday February 17: the Maid of the dunes to the pass of El MAHARCH - 41 km
Finally, the night was calm, the wind having slept well. A beautiful sunrise over the dunes encourages us again. Today it is the longest stage. Check
right before us in this vast plateau which can be seen virtually no end (in fact, a huge dry lake with some mud plates remind us that it must still be some water in the basement ). Tracking of crossing cultures and palms, including irrigation brings out the lush green vegetation. And the look of skinny intrigued locals who must take us for savages. When crossing a village, I feel a sharp pain in the foot: it is a thorn acacia which, in its 4-5 cm long, went through the sole of my shoe to my foot planted in a good half-inch. I need shoes and fix this "slow puncture" by removing that object parasite. This will be my only real "injury", my first day of the bulb had gone out the next day.
The lunch takes place on an open plateau, full sun, average wind. My camera starts to seize up with sand and experiences it hard to escape the lens. By forcing it eats batteries I have time to say. I still just enough time to make some shots finally find me without batteries. Too bad, I will take pictures of other ...
then headed north, the t ° up again, it will be hot this afternoon. Through vast expanses of pebbles (they have nothing else to do but have fun putting pebbles everywhere, to prevent us from putting your feet flat?), We reach the very large Crossing the Wadi El Maider (about 3 km wide) dry. Splendid and magical! In the distance, a herd of camels. ... We are moving to El Mahrach throat, just as confusing place in which several trucks traveling on a track so tortuous that we exceed them running (they must proceed at the ... 5 km / h but they take their troubles patiently). The camp is out of the gorge next to a hostel ...! 6:45
for this long but beautiful stage (except lunch).
time to recover a little, pick a good location, and wind, which had calmed down, starts to blow, so as not to make life easier to install our dorm!

DAY 6: Thursday, February 18: From the dunes of MAHARCH OUZINA by TIZI N'GUIDOU and dunes Remlia HI - 35.6 km
night, we experience a downpour, and the clock is in the rain! Less funny to collapse the tent ... just after a sudden storm! The day starts well. The weather is not optimistic it seems ....
Upon departure, it is dry, with a strong wind ... (for a change!). And here we go ... in the rocks! And the storms have gone before us, because the ground is wet everywhere. The advantage is that the sand does not fly, but the ground is muddy and greasy or slippery in many places.
But the more we advance, the sky clouds over again. Passage of large dunes, we enjoy.
The sky cleared for a meal break, it's cool, windy ... then still heavy clouds accumulate, so we decide to leave, because it does not really warm. Just enough time to make some strides, the increasing wind, sand scours the skin, then this is the storm. Large drops hit us accelerated by the wind, you'd hail! Some are not reassured ... run .... run ... Then the storm is beyond us, it calms down, it was a half-hour of fear. The stage will end in a soggy field, tacky. It's quite surprising to live in the desert.
5:20 for 35 km.
remains to enjoy the evening to dry up, the wind helping much.

DAY 7: Friday, February 19: OUZINA of the wadi to TAOUZ ZIZ, towards Merzouga - 39km
The first night was very windy and calm. Always a beautiful sunrise, blue skies and light winds. Finally, he had to go through this storm to "restore" the time, all the better!
The number of riders diminishes every day: the photo count a small score. The t ° up and it's relatively warm quickly. So much the better, that's why I'm here!
The terrain is fairly rolling, you get used too. But so far it seems that it is completely flat, it is far from being the case, we are going through a succession of multiple bumps and big puddles of water that is not always easy to circumvent (some benefit even to get carried away ...!). The sun is increasingly present. The second part of the stage, we cross a small twice incised river, which he must climb the bank to extricate itself from this mess (for anything, because apparently it was easy to get around it ...) and finish the last miles on a spongy field (one would run on a mattress! ).
Long but quick step: 4.30 for the 39 terminals.
follows is a 4x4 transfer of about twenty km to the MFIS bivouac at the foot of the big dunes. Oh
miracle pitching tents NO WIND! " We would not expect the wind gets up to pitch the tent, it's more fun! "
We take this opportunity to have dinner under the stars (except for the more cautious), followed by a small party "jokes and riddles!
This time I tried the night under the stars: not too hot, but a starry sky beautifully!

DAY 8: Saturday, February 20: Crossing the dunes of Merzouga - 12km
Here is the icing on the cake is not a bit of wind and beautiful (one more ...) sunrise on dunes! Last
course in the pristine sand of southern Morocco. It goes in all directions, each in its own way, each in its gait, the compass, GPS, over the crests of the dunes. I stay chatting at the end of the pack and decide to enjoy this last part walking, feasting and ski descents of dunes. Magnificent views, a beautiful sky, the sun heats up, we try a few peaks of large dunes yeaaaahhhhh! Our journey ends after 2:30 am pleased by the passage of palm trees sheltering crops. Rally General and last meal on the ground.

Bus transfer to Ouarzazate and 4X4, 350 miles, not without difficulty: Geraldine malaise that compels us to stop "emergency" out of gas and 300m a service station and 2km from the hotel. Phew, finally, after .... 6-hour drive, we can find the hotel and enjoy a good bath benefactor!

And now, the 243 km will be very curly, in 7 days.

A wonderful evening Berber has been concocted, everyone present good and fit. Followed by a night on the town for the most valiant until the wee hours, just to "stretch their legs" (!!??) and test the "small taxis' premises.

Sunday, February 21 Is the starting group, the " goodbye and the next , those returning soon and resume their family life and job on Monday ... ... And those who, like me and my faithful" gazelle " , extend a short week of relaxation-tourism to the coast ...! We will s'gêner, hold!

My photo album here (299)

links to albums of other participants:

Olivier (128) Jacques (97) Gerard (163) Dominica (91) Damien (?) Christian (134) Francis (125)

Eric Dreff (34) Marie.c (206) Yann S (150) Jakez (129) Jean Luc (176) Tom Gallic (128)

Conclusion: a great, great and wonderful adventure which I do not regret any moment. I discovered and learned more in 15 days the last 20 years! Thank you and hat all for your good mood, your desire, dedication, help, candy, jokes, anecdotes, ... And a big thank you especially for giving me Isabel embarked on this adventure!
I want to do is find yourself a new journey! See you soon ....