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Climbing Mount Toubkal: Sarah’s Adventure in Morocco

Our manager Sarah recently embarked on an incredible journey to Morocco to tackle Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak at 4,167m (also known as Jebel Toubkal). Nestled in the stunning High Atlas Mountain range, Toubkal offers an unforgettable adventure for those seeking a challenge.

Since many of you have expressed interest in taking on this epic climb, we thought it would be great for Sarah to share her experience with you. She traveled to Morocco in November, flying from Dublin Airport, and has plenty of insights to offer about the journey.

If you're thinking of taking on Mount Toubkal yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah with any questions—she’d be happy to help.


DAY 1 

We travelled for about an hour by transfer from Marrakech Airport to the small village of Imlil 1800m to where we stayed the night. We had dinner here and were treated to lovely Moroccan cuisine consisting of flat breads, soup and a variety of fruit and veg. Here we had the option to leave behind spare stuff we didn’t need on the mountain like a spare change of clothes or shower stuff for after which was quite handy. 

PIC: OUR ACCOMODATION AT IMLIL

PIC: IMLIL

DAY 2

The next day we began our trek from Imlil to the Refuge du Toubkal 3200m. The wind was quite wild this day so we were a lot colder than expected once we got trekking, so definitely pack some warmer layers. Some of our luggage was carried up by mules but I chose to pay a porter. This was due to the snow coming a bit further up the path then expected so the mules couldn’t reach the refuge. This cost €25 or 250 durham for reference. I also organised to rent crampons and this was a must. The mountain was all snow and you wouldn’t get far without them. This was about €15 to rent or 150 dirham. 

Pic: We stopped here for lunch on the way to Toubkal refuge.

This part of the hike was really beautiful. We passed glacial rivers and retreat centres/sites of particular significance to Muslim culture. You are surrounded by mountains as you trek up including views of snowy mountain tops and a very cloudy looking Toubkal. The terrain was all dirt path with some stoney bits. Typical hiking trail. The weather naturally got colder as we trekked and I was glad I packed my down jacket. Towards the end of the day as we were nearing our mountain refuge, we started coming across snow on our path. Flexi crampons would have been handy here in parts. 

Pic: Toubkal Refuge

The mountain refuge was lovely and warm inside and had its own tuck shop with water and snacks, a room for wet boots and a toasty fire in the communal room. Our room was a shared space, with bunks all pushed together.

Pic: Toubkal Refuge - Bunks

Eye masks and ear plugs are advised for a good night's sleep! We had popcorn on arrival (classic altitude snack) and tea and had some time to kill before dinner. The sunset was amazing here and you have some lovely views outside of the mountains beyond. 

Pic: Food at Toubkal Refuge

DAY 3

Pic: Trekking up in the dark on summit morning.

We had a 3:30am wake up call and it was about a 4:30am start to push to the summit. We had all our gear ready, crampons on and started our ascent. The terrain up was quite steep, all single file and definitely felt a little bit sketchy in parts. It evened out after about 40 minutes but the wind and powdered snow made it quite tough going.

Pic: Foggy conditions with summit in sight

We had a bigger group and aimed to make it up by sunset but this didn’t end up happening due to the weather and the pace. We had one short break after hiking about 2 and half hours and quickly started up again. The sun started to rise after this and the views were pretty incredible. The snow quality began to get bad about half way and we were finding soft snow in parts up to our knees. This subsided eventually but definitely drained the energy reserves. Toubkal has many false summits and this was definitely hard going as you hike up further and start to feel the altitude. I felt okay until about 300m away from the summit (which you couldn't see) as the altitude started to hit a bit. We eventually made it to the summit and had celebratory photos and a little dance party for the craic. We probably had 15 minutes at the summit until we had to make our way down. 

Pic: Summit Pic

The way down was definitely nicer than the way up. The sun is well up at this stage and you get to see the views you missed on the ascent. I felt it in the knees for a while but this subsided. We even had a chance to slide down the mountain in the snow which saved our legs a few metres. I would say try your best to stay at the front of the group as you won’t get breaks if you are in the back. This is what we found with the company we went with which was a bit tough going when you're already wrecked. We eventually made it back down to the refuge, had lunch, packed up and went to hike the rest of the way back to Imlil. Long day. For the ascent up Toubkal from the refuge it was about 4 hours up and 4 hours down. We then had the trek back to Imlil and that took us an extra 6 hours.

Toubkal is a great trek if you want to experience an altitude hike or a training hike for Everest Base Camp or Kili! Some people on the trek were doing exactly this to prep themselves. Winter skills would be handy for the time of year I went but you don’t absolutely need it. It is also relatively inexpensive and quick turnaround (I went for the weekend). I would highly recommend it if you want a challenge! 

MY PACKING LIST (NOVEMBER)

  • 1 X merino long sleeve baselayer (200 weight Icebreaker Merino)

  • 1 X merino short sleeve 

  • 1 X sun top midlayer

  • 1 X light down jacket (Rab Cirrus Jacket)

  • 1 X heavy weight down jacket (Rab Electron Down Jacket)

  • 1 x liner glove (175 Icebreaker Merino liner gloves)

  • 1 x heavyweight ski/down gloves 

  • 1 x walking pant

  • 1 x 260 Icebreaker merino legging base layer 

  • 1 x duffel bag (I used my 90L H/H Duffel cause of the size of my sleeping bag but you could easily go way smaller)

  • 1 x sleeping bag (3 season)

  • 1 x sleeping bag liner (Lifeventure silk liner)

  • 2 x Lifeventure 1L bottles

  • 1 x 500ml bottle (for electrolytes)(dynafit soft flask)

  • 1 x sunhat

  • 1 x beanie

  • 2 x buffs (I used one heavy weight and one lightweight)

  • Hiking boots (Meindl Bhutans)

  • Plenty of hand warmers

  • Suncream

  • Sunglasses cat 4/3

  • Medication for altitude (diamox)


TIPS AND TRICKS

  • If you are hiking around the colder times of the year like I was, I’d recommend a soft flask to put in your pocket on summit day as your water freezes on the way up. This was also the case for water bladders! An insulated flask would also be a good shout cause it wasn’t too pleasant drinking iced water when it’s already freezing!

  • I took about €100 worth of Moroccan Durim out at the airport as it was only a short trip. There weren't many spots after the airport to take out cash so I’d recommend getting it sorted there. This was enough for the tip for our guides and for some of my water expenses for this trip but if it was summer you might need more. I also brought my own snacks with me but you can buy some there once you get to the refuge. They do take euros up the mountain though if you're stuck. I’d recommend smaller change like €5- €20 notes though as they don’t have much change to break bigger cash. 

  • Hand warmers are a must in the winter on this trip. Do not underestimate the cold. Especially if you are doing a sunrise ascent like we did.

  • Bring smaller snacks like nature valley bars or cliff bars. I found there weren't too many breaks because of the cold, so easy snacks on the go are a must.

  • Ski Goggles - on the ascent up the wind squalls would make loose snow hit your face so this is one thing I wish I brought! Clear ones are better for night hiking.

 

Christmas Shipping Deadlines and Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas Shipping Deadline:

Please place any online orders by Monday 16th December to ensure you get your parcel before Christmas. We will keep shipping up until Thurs 19th but there are no guarantees it will get there in time. :-)

We use GLS Courier Service and the following are their Christmas operating times:

GLS Operating Hours:
Monday, December 23rd, 2024:
Operating as usual
Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 (Christmas Eve):
Operational until 12:00 PM
Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 (Christmas Day):
Closed
Thursday, December 26th, 2024:
Closed
Friday, December 27th, 2024:
Closed
Sunday, December 29th, 2024:
Operations resume as usual
Monday, December 30th, 2024:
Operating as usual
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 (New Year's Eve):
Operational until 12:00 PM
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 (New Year's Day):
Closed
Thursday, January 2nd, 2025:
Normal operations resume

Christmas Opening Hours:

  • Sunday 22nd December: 12noon - 5pm
  • Monday 23rd December: 10am - 6pm
  • Christmas Eve: 10am - 4pm 
  • Christmas Day: Closed
  • St Stephen's Day: Closed
  • Friday 27th Dec: Closed
  • Saturday 28th Dec: 11am - 5pm
  • Sunday 29th Dec: 12noon - 5pm
  • Monday 30th Dec: 11am - 5pm
  • New Year's Eve: 11am - 4pm
  • New Year's Day: Closed
  • Thurs 2nd Jan: Open as usual

 

 

 

 

Preparing For Quest Killarney

This weekend is one of our favorite weekends of the year—Quest Adventure Race Killarney! This year, unfortunately, I have to sit it out, so only Philip is taking part, along with Philip's brother and his wife. If you're doing it for the first time and need advice on what to wear or pack, here’s what we do!

Weather & Gear:

The weather forecast looks promising, with little chance of rain. For past events where rain was an issue, we typically wore hiking shell jackets. But for this race, given the forecast, we'll opt for our ultra-light shells instead.

In the picture above, Philip is wearing Sealskinz waterproof socks under his trail runners and has a Rab waterproof shell on. That’s also his trusty pack, which he brings to every adventure race.

This is exactly what I wore for Quest Killarney last year in similar weather conditions, and I was super comfortable. Here's a breakdown of my gear:

From the bottom up:

Shoes:  DYNAFIT. WOMEN'S ULTRA 100 RUNNING SHOE - HOT CORAL/BLUEBERRY. €169.95

Socks:  DYNAFIT. NO PAIN NO GAIN SOCK €22.00

Cycling bib

T-Shirt: Dynafit Running Top (sold out) but similiar this one from Rab

Jacket: Vital Windshell from Rab (sold out) but similar to this one from Columbia

Running Pack:  Alpine 8 Trail Running Vest (€125). I love this running vest. 

I love this vest! It fits like a second skin and offers plenty of space for gear, with an ingenious layout for easy access. It features two overlapping compartments with both top and bottom zippers for quick access while running. Plus, the vest has stretch pockets and a removable waterproof pocket for your phone.
 
Head: DYNAFIT PERFORMANCE 2 DRY HEADBAND €20.00
The Performance Dry Headband is a light, wind-resistant technical headband for all kinds of mountain activities.

Essentials for Your Pack:

In addition to your gear, here’s what we always make sure to include in our pack for the race:

  • Basic First Aid Kit (minimum: 1 dressing pad, roll bandage, plasters). You can buy these at pre-registration or from our shop (we love the Lifesystems one here). Some people prefer to make theirs from supplies at home.
  • Map of the route (included in your race pack).
  • Survival blanket and whistle.
  • Appropriate food and drink. (Note: there are limited water refill stations on the course).
  • Cycle helmet, bike repair kit, spare tube, and pump.
  • Hat, buff, gloves, and a waterproof jacket (sleeveless jackets aren’t acceptable).
  • Suitable footwear (trail runners are recommended).
  • Front and rear bike lights.

In the photo, you can see my gear from Quest Kenmare, which is held in early March and is usually freezing! The orange gloves are waterproof Sealskinz, and I also have waterproof socks. For Quest Killarney, I’ll swap those out for lightweight gloves and always bring a Buff for warmth on the bike.

Not pictured is my essential giant bag of Jelly Babies, which I keep in my bike pouch. They are, hands down, my favorite part of Adventure Races!

Any questions pop into us in the shop or get in touch here - we'd be delighted to help out! 

 

How to Care for Your Gore-Tex Waterproof Hiking Jacket

Your Gore-Tex waterproof hiking jacket is a vital piece of gear, designed to protect you from the elements while keeping you dry and comfortable. Proper care is essential to maintaining its performance and longevity. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to care for your Gore-Tex jacket to ensure it lasts for many adventures.

1. Regular Cleaning

While it might seem counterintuitive, regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the waterproof and breathable qualities of your Gore-Tex jacket. Dirt, oils, and sweat can clog the pores in the fabric, reducing breathability and causing the jacket to feel damp.

  • Wash Frequency: Wash your jacket with a product like Nikwax's Techwash after extended use or when it looks dirty, especially after exposure to saltwater, mud, or sweat.

  • Machine Washing:

    • Close all zippers, flaps, and Velcro closures to avoid snagging.
    • Use a gentle cycle with cold water (or follow the jkt's wash instructions - a lot of them are 30 degree washes).
    • Use a mild, liquid detergent like Techwash from Nikwax. Avoid powdered detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, or stain removers, as they can damage the waterproof membrane.
  • Hand Washing: If machine washing isn't possible, gently hand wash your jacket using cold water and techwash.

2. Drying Your Jacket

Proper drying is just as important as washing. It helps restore the jacket's Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish.

  • Tumble Drying: After washing, tumble dry your jacket on a low or medium heat setting. The heat helps reactivate the DWR coating on the jacket’s exterior. Avoid high heat, as it can damage the fabric.

  • Air Drying: If you don't have access to a dryer, hang the jacket in a well-ventilated area. Once it’s fully dry, you can use an iron on a low setting to reactivate the DWR coating by placing a cloth between the iron and the jacket.

3. Reapplying DWR Treatment

Over time, your jacket’s DWR finish will wear off. This doesn’t mean the jacket is no longer waterproof, but it may not shed water as effectively, causing the fabric to absorb water on the surface. When water no longer beads up, it’s time to reapply DWR.

  • Spray-on or Wash-in Treatment: Purchase a DWR reproofing spray (we recommend TX Direct from Nikwax) or wash-in treatment from outdoor gear stores. After cleaning your jacket, apply the DWR product following the instructions provided.

  • Heat Activation: Most DWR products require heat activation. After applying, either tumble dry the jacket on low or use an iron to finish the process.

4. Storage Tips

Storing your Gore-Tex jacket properly ensures that it maintains its shape and protective qualities.

  • Hang it up: Avoid stuffing your jacket into a backpack or storage bin for long periods. Instead, hang it in a cool, dry place with adequate air circulation.

  • Avoid Compression: Continuous compression can damage the jacket’s fabric and membrane. If you need to pack it, make sure it’s loosely folded, not crammed tightly into a small space.

5. Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Certain practices can damage the delicate waterproof membrane of your Gore-Tex jacket. Here’s what to avoid:

  • Don’t Use Fabric Softeners: These can leave a coating on the jacket that interferes with its breathability and water resistance.

  • Avoid High Heat: Whether drying or ironing, high heat can permanently damage the jacket. Stick to low or medium settings.

  • Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, dry cleaning solvents, and harsh detergents can degrade the jacket’s waterproof layer. Stick with mild, non-abrasive cleaning agents designed for outdoor gear.

6. Repairing Minor Damage

Even with the best care, accidents can happen. If your jacket gets a tear or hole, you can often repair it with a Gore-Tex-specific patch or repair tape.

  • Gore-Tex Repair Kit: Carry a small repair kit during hikes in case you need to make quick fixes in the field. Permanent repairs can often be done with a more durable patch or by sending the jacket to a specialized repair service.

Final Thoughts

With proper care, your Gore-Tex hiking jacket will continue to protect you from rain, snow, and wind for years. By regularly washing it, reapplying the DWR treatment, and avoiding practices that could damage the fabric, you’ll preserve its waterproof and breathable qualities, ensuring that your adventures stay dry and comfortable.

Staff Adventures: Sarah - Mountain Skills 2 - Wales

I headed to Snowdonia with two friends I met doing Everest Base Camp last October to complete our Mountain Skills 2 course together. We drove over and got the ferry to Holyhead as it was the easiest option with all our gear! We went with @fiamountaineering who I did my MS1 in the Comeraghs with, and I couldn’t recommend Cormac enough! MS2 involves night navigation and difficult terrain navigation.
Day 1 we navigated up Snowdon. We were treated to magnificent views thanks to the weather and got to capture the most beautiful sunset.
There was snowfall on the mountain when we went up and it was a bit slippy in parts. We then continued navigating through the dark on our decent, with the use of our compasses and maps. This was overall about 10 hours of hiking 😅 which I throughly enjoyed.

There is a cafe and bathrooms on top of Snowdon which were shut when we were up there due to snow. You can access Snowdon via train (all weather dependent). The tracks where originally built for the mines but now gets used by tourists bringing people up. Half of the train was operating the day we hiked up and as it was a bank holiday weekend, it was quite busy!

Day 2 was traversing hard terrain. We hiked up Tryfan, a scramblely, hard hike. A popular one for rock climbing! This includes routes that have grade 1 scrambling, which we ended up deciding not to take due to high winds. Looking up at it was a bit intimidating but I throughly enjoyed the light scrambling over rocks. The descent down was in definite need of walking poles due to scree and rocks. We were out on the mountain for approximately 6 hours.


Tips and tricks
-Hand warmers: it got cold with the wind and during night nav these were essential!
-Pack spare batteries for your head torch.
-Careful where you park in Snowdonia! A lot of these locations don’t have service and they tow your car away if you park in a non designated spot!
-Full support hiking boots are essential for these hikes.

Products used
-Meindl Bhutans GTX
-Expedition 4 compass
-Lowe Alpine 35/45L bag
-Rab Cirrus Flex 2.0 Insulated Hooded Jacket
-Led Lensor MH4 headtorch
-Rab Capacitor Hoody - Orion Blue
-Eco stretch buff
-H/H lifa merino midweight crew baselayer
-Icebreaker 200 Oasis crew baselayer

Staff Adventures: Lucy's Kayaking Trip to East Skeam Island in Aug 2022

Staff Adventures: Happy St. Brigid's Day! As we celebrate the shift from Winter to Spring, our minds are drifting towards summer adventures. For inspiration, take a peek at Lucy's amazing photos from her kayaking and camping trip to East Skeam Island in Roaringwater Bay during the scorching August 2022 heatwave.
East Skeam Island (Irish: Inis Céime Thoir) is an island in Roaringwater Bay, County Cork, Munster, Ireland, that forms part of Carbery's Hundred Isles. It is situated at 51°30′30″N 9°26′48″W, North from Heir Island, East from West Skeam Island, West from Cunnamore Pier.
It's hard not to feel the urge to start plotting your next excursion, isn't it?
Some products Lucy used on her trip included:
elixir 2 tent
KAYAK WITH WATER BLADDER
COMPRESSIBLE PILLOW
All are available to view on our website. 🙂

Staff Adventures: Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

In 2018, Edith and her family embarked on the adventure of scaling Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. Positioned within the esteemed Kinabalu Park, the mountain boasts a rich biodiversity, hosting a multitude of plant species from various origins including the Himalayas, Australasia, and Indo-Malaya. Recent botanical surveys have revealed an astonishing diversity, estimating between 5,000 to 6,000 plant species, surpassing the combined count of Europe and North America, not including tropical regions of Mexico. 

Rising to 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Its name, derived from the Kadazan term ‘Aki Nabalu,’ translates to ‘the revered place of the dead.’ Despite its lofty elevation, Mount Kinabalu is renowned for its safety and accessibility, granted one possesses reasonable health and fitness.

To adhere to national park regulations, climbers must be accompanied by certified guides at all times and should be prepared for potential altitude sickness.

Sharing her experience, Edith said, "The trek takes two days, with an overnight stay in a hut. We set off for the summit at 1:30 am on day two, so having a good head torch was key. Despite the 33°C temperatures at sea level, it gets freezing at the top, so warm thermals were a must. We packed dioralyte to tackle altitude sickness and brought along two walking poles, which made a huge difference on the descent, especially for my dodgy knees."

Staff Adventures: Gougane Barra

Sarah and Lucy, both keen hikers, recently headed out to Gougane Barra to check out the trails.

Within the park itself, there are six Coillte walking trails to suit all levels of fitness.

Picture of Gougane Barra church

The Slí an Ghaorthaidh (0.5kms, 30mins, multi-access) is a nature trail with 10 stops; Sli na Laoi (1.3kms, 1hr, moderate) is a delightful trek along the floor of Coomroe following the course of the infant Lee to the head of the valley; Slí Dhoire na Coise (1.8kms, 45mins, easy) is a gentle walk along the Lee to the lake and back; the more energetic can tackle the Slí an Easa (1.8kms, 1.5hrs, strenuous); Slí na Sléibhe (2.5kms, 2hrs, strenuous) is the most majestic of all the trails in the park – high into the mountains with spectacular views; for those pressed for time, Slí an Choim Rua (0.5kms, 30mins, moderate) gives a glimpse into the wonder of the park at the back of the forest valley.


Outside of the park there is the 11.5km Gougane Barra Loop which is a beautiful more challenging hike (boots, maps, poles, etc required). Will share details of that again soon. Posted it way back when 🙂
Remember to bring coins for the carpark (€5) and make sure to stop into the fab Gougane Barra Hotel afterward.

Christmas Delivery

Last day for pre-Christmas delivery within Ireland is Wednesday Dec 13th 2023

We're recommending that all web orders are placed by the 13th of December for pre Christmas delivery. We will continue to ship after that, and our staff make every effort to get web orders out on the same day they are placed (the couriers pick up at about lunchtime so if it's after that you roll into the next day) but we can't promise anything. 

We also offer click and collect if you'd prefer to err on the side of caution. 

In summary, the 13th of December was the last day for guaranteed delivery before Christmas but we will continue shipping daily. However, we won't be able to do too much chasing of the couriers for any order placed after the 13th that doesn't make it in time. 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch!

Laurie

Green Friday 2023 - Shop local this Black Friday and support Pieta House

Black Friday is not for us! Whilst there are lots of great bargains to be had in our shop at the moment, we don't agree with the Black Friday madness. And frankly, we're much more about encouraging people to make the right purchase that suits their needs as opposed to buying stuff they don't need at an artificially deflated price. Rant over!  

Instead (and for the seventh year in a row) we are picking a charity to donate a percentage of the days sales towards. This year the charity we've picked is Pieta House.
So this year,  shop small, shop local and buy stuff that lasts. 


It's great to see so many Irish businesses thinking this way and getting behind @championgreen and #greenfriday this year. #supportlocal #pietahouse #greenfridayireland

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