Day 21: Meandering in the Middle Atlas

Soutpiel Safari
John & Jenny
Thu 25 Nov 2010 19:43
Day 21: Thursday 25 November 2010. Near Ain Leuth N35 15.097 W005 19.139  Distance driven 144 km.
 
We are camped tonight somewhere in the Moyen Atlas, about 4 km from Ain Leuth which is about 40 km SW of Azrou. We travelled about 40 km from the main Azrou to Er Rachidia road, on a "Circuit of the Cedars", driving on a very minor road with a poor surface, through wonderful cedar forests in the mountains. We didn't see a single vehicle until after we camped, just the occasional shepherd and a few Berber tents.  We just pulled off the road, up a very steep embankment and onto a grassy spot and camped right there in the setting sun. Being at an altitude of about 1900 metres (6300 ft) , it is perishing cold, but very beautiful.  We soon set up a roaring fire and used that for cooking as well as to keep us warm.  We are now sitting round this huge fire and rapidly going through our wood pile - and it is only 7.30!  Neither of us is looking forward to leaving the fire to go to bed!
 
We had a slow start from Fes, stocked up at the local Marjane supermarket chain, called at a Cyber Cafe and headed south by 1230. We shall not be calling at a major town for over a week, so we are unlikely to have internet, maybe until we reach Marrakesh in 10 days time.
 
Tomorrow we will wander further into the Atlas, cross the High Atlas and head for the desert and maybe warmer nights!