We headed back up to the High Atlas to cross over to Ouarzazate via the Tizi n Tichka pass. You dont see anything for a lot of the pass as you seem to be wandering in canyon with HGVs, campervans & Buses for the first third. Then you pop up to the top and see a barren wasteground of shattered rock. Not the pace to drive too near the edge or take too many risks.
At the top, we decided to take an alternative route down and see an old Glaouli Kasbah at Telouet. The road was heaving with tourists getting their 4x4 experience and stoping the the same (and only) tea stop on the way. The piste was mostly good hardpacked clay with occasional lumpy rocky bits and spectacular views. Sometimes, the dropoffs to the side were enough to make sure you concentrated...very hard.
we followed it along and looked down in to this strip of green in a brown rocky desert. Somehow, people can farm this land if there is regular water.
Then the hard bit came as we had to descend into the canyon. Richard went first and I heard on the radio 'this gets a bit technical' which is bloke speak for I may need new underpants when this is over. I followed and soon passed Richard who was stopped above a particularly lumpy bit. I passed only because I couldn't stop. I bounced down the rocky track and eventually stopped near the bottom and waited. No Richard.
After a couple of minutes and no repsonse on the radio, I walked back up (riding back up was not considered) to find R assembling his luggage again. Amazingly, he took a tumble on the easy bit between two hard bits. Yes, he is pointing to the easy bit.
When we finally hit blessed asphalt again, it was relief. Another adventure with no real damage done.
Distance 197km
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