For the first time in my life, I went hiking. And for the first time in my life, I almost gave up.
Only halfway up the trail, my legs were hurting and my heart was pounding like a drum – I could feel it in my head so I stopped to catch my breath and calm down but guess what I saw? Some of my hiking companions (who were mostly pros) strolling past almost effortlessly. Their steps were confident and steady, and that motivated me to see that it could be done. That was my first lesson: Surround yourself with people who push forward, and somehow, you’ll find yourself doing the same.
“Surround yourself with people who push forward, and somehow, you’ll find yourself doing the same.”
The Backstory
It all started when my friend Larissa came to me and said, “Hey, want to go hiking?” I, without much thought, said, “Sure! Sounds fun.”
Larissa, I and some of our other friends (The Globetrotter Gang) had toured a couple of beautiful cities together in the past – Verona, Florence, Venice, Rome, Zagreb, and even a bit of Marrakesh at the Agafay desert (there’s a story here too. Maybe I’ll write about it one day). I trust Larissa when it comes to recommendations like this so when she sent me the booking link for the hike, I paid without a second thought. No research, no second-guessing. I didn’t even read the description!
And that’s how I found myself climbing a mountain for the first time in my life without the proper gear. Oh dear!
The Climb
The hike was a 13km ascent to 2,600m at the summit of Adrar Talamrout. For context, this is more than three times the height of the Burj Khalifa. And I had shown up completely unprepared. No trekking poles, no hiking boots. Just me, a pair of sneakers, and the decision to see it through.
We passed through ancient Berber villages with stone houses that had stood for generations – older than all of us combined, multiplied by 10! We also stopped for lunch while taking in the view but the weather kept shifting. One moment it was cool, the next, really cold and then, windy. Jackets on, jackets off. It was unpredictable, but I kept going. Thinking about it now, I didn’t have much of a choice. Giving up was not an option:
1. If I gave up mid way, I still had to hike back a couple of kilometers, so why not keep going forward.
2. None of the other hikers could carry me on their back to continue their journey. Even if they could, why should they?
3. I couldn’t stay there and do nothing.
I was really stuck and there was no room for failure or excuses. Win or nothing. Thank God I won. This was my second lesson. When you have no choice but to succeed, you will find a way to succeed.
“When you have no choice but to succeed, you will find a way to succeed.”
The Summit
Step by step, breath by breath, swallowing the pain, and begging my knees to cooperate, I pushed forward.
And finally, we made it. The exhaustion I had felt was replaced by a swelling joy and a sense of achievement. The view stretched endlessly – the Imenane Valley below, the Atlas Mountains all around. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and it made all the pain worth it.
I reached down to touch the cold rock beneath my fingers. I closed my eyes. It felt like touching the hands of God.
It hit me then – my third lesson: Growth, whether physical, mental, or professional works the same way. It’s hard. It takes effort. But step by step, you move forward. You look back, and suddenly, you see just how far you’ve come.
“Growth, whether physical, mental, or professional works the same way. It’s hard. It takes effort. But step by step, you move forward. You look back, and suddenly, you see just how far you’ve come.”
The pro hikers say there is a custom of placing a small rock at the summit of the mountain. When I attempted to do so, some rocks fell off from the existing pile. Our guide, Radouane, laughed and said, “Life is like that. Sometimes some fall so others may rise.” It stuck with me.
The Aftermath
I slept like a donkey that night. Woke up barely able to move. My legs refused to cooperate, and stairs became my worst enemy. And yet, I’d do it again. Next time, though, I’ll be prepared. Probably.
Final Stats from the Hike:
Start point: Imlil (1,740m)
Summit: Adrar Talamrout (2,600m)
Distance covered: 13km
Steps taken: About 24,000
Total elevation gain: 860m
Key sights: Panoramic views of Imlil and Imnane Valleys, Berber villages like Amskere and Ikkiss.
Hiking Crew: Larissa, Petra, Luka and some friends made along the way (aka the mountain pros who made this look easy).
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you ever find yourself in Marrakesh, here is the link (last updated March 2025)
Would I recommend doing it without proper hiking gear? Not unless you enjoy pain.
Some experiences, no matter how tough, are worth every step. Here are some of the pictures I took. Enjoy the view!
Ciao!
