How to get there:
The final mountain road to the trailhead used to serve some mining
activity and it is still closed by a chain well before the top. This
point was controlled by an armed guard. A permit for this climb may be
secured at the police station in the village below. Most likely, they will
also ask that some local guide should come along.
Route description:
From the trailhead, walk a short distance down the road, then go left passing
some big boulders. Ascend the slope behind while traversing right. There are
various trail fragments here. As you traverse you will enter a fairly distinct
gully. The trail zig-zags up here, now very clear. Exit right and traverse easy
terrain to reach a pretty flat shoulder from where a rocky ridge extends uphill.
Ascend on the left side, then soon find your way on easy rock onto the ridge proper.
Higher up, again ascend slightly on the left side, aim for a more narrow gully that
comes down pretty close to the main ridge. Climb this, easy (YDS) class 3. Continue
on the ridge towards the final section of the ridge, again you may ascend on easy
rock essentially on the ridge itself or stay on its left side. The final slope
to the summit is somewhat more smooth and gentle.
Comments:
We arrived on an early flight from Tamanrasset and continued directly from Alger to the
trailhead. This is a fairly long drive. After the somewhat confusing paperwork at the
local police station, we drove up to the trailhead with 3 additional guides.
This ascent looked moderately steep and I decided right away that Per should remain in the
vicinity of the trailhead together with Sofouane, the guide that had been with us here in
the north since our first arrival. He knew Per by now and would not leave him before my return.
We left at 1200, I soon realized my guides slowed down after a good pace that lasted about 15 minutes.
Once we arrived at the ridge, I decided to show them what looked like the best route of ascent and
I quickly pulled ahead. I arrived at the summit
at 1320. It was very strong wind up there, not a place to
spend much time. I still waited with some shelter from one of the buildings, about 15 minutes for
the fastest guide to arrive.
He was happy and I took a summit picture of him.
The two other guides were far behind. We descended back down and out of the strongest wind before
waiting. They finally came, but then also wanted the summit. Overall, my wait for these friendly
guides added up to about one hour.
At the end, we descended more or less together, being back at the trailhead by
1520. Next, we drove down to the village where we were all invited to a family style
dinner in the house of one of my guides. Very nice indeed.
