CIRQUE DE JAFFER
 

Hi, anyone done the Cirque De Jaffer recently, read somewhere there has been a rock fall on this piste.

I'm thinking of the Midelt to Todra route; any information would be helpful.

Thanks

PK

hi Darkenbad

I'll be riding to Morocco for 2 weeks of off-roading in mid-october. I should be doing Jaffar on about 14th. When are you travelling? Maybe I could give you a trip report if the timing's good.

I've been asking the same question about whether it's passable or not. Feedback I get is that rock slides sometimes occur, so you should plan an alternative route just in case ( all the guided tours do this ).

Cheers
Frank

i did it in april in a land cruiser a white knuckle job...but fun!!next time id want a wider path or a narrower vehicle..

Hi Frank, I'm leaving UK the 5 Oct 2005; hope to be on the Jaffa by the 10 if all goes well. Looks as though I may be sending you the report.

Thanks for the reply.

PK

Jeff, get your self a motorbike; grow old gracefully.

Thanks for the reply.

PK

Just did Jaffar last week. Its OK on a bike, if a bit hairy at times. 3 DRZs, 2 Hondas and 2 KTMs. One of the KTMs went over the edge, but it and rider was OK.

Wouldn't want to do it on four wheels. On a return back North we met Noel and Marruca who got down Jaffar in an old Landy. They has just started a year long trip to CapeTown. I was impressed - respect!

Some of the trails to the West and South of Jaffar are in a pretty bad state. Lots of bits where floods have just washed away roads. There are a couple of work gangs doing repairs, but they can't get to everything.

Tried it on 4 wheels last week. Our first bit off roading (other that 2 hours at a local farm)and thought that we were whimps at backing off until we heard from a local that the route was VERY bad. Very reassuring. The best part of the route was when 3 very wild Berber boys appeared from nowhere, waving there arms and trying to tell us not to go on.
We ignored them, but soon learnt better.

Was there about three weeks ago and still in Maroc in a TLC. piste down when we tried due to heavy rain and rock falls and ended up having to reverse about one k to get out. not pleasant as it took ages and had only mirrors and my partner to guide. still here to tell the tale

jeremy struggling on an arabic keyboard

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pigapitcha

Cirque de Jaffar
 

Just attempted the Cirque (15 September 2010) in a Landcruiser 105 and have the following observations:

The signposting to the route from Midelt has been removed.

The route itself is badly damaged due to heavy rainfall and no repairs being made. Even before the main Cirque descent we 'modified' the exhaust due to large dropoffs.

There is deep scree within 300 meters of the start of the descent into the Cirque and severe rutting before that. We almost went over the edge when navigating the scree.

There is what looks like a fairly new Landrover at the base of the Cirque. Looks like it came off when navigating the large boulder a quarter of the way into the Cirque.

We turned back and made it out after being assisted (saved!) by a couple of very experienced adventure company guides in a 3 yeqr old fully equipped Landcruiser who stated the route was impossible to navigate at this time. The return back up the track was more difficult thqn the descent in and we had to rebuild sections of the track on the way out.

We drove it three days ago (Defender 110) and although we managed to get through I wouldn't do it again, not in the actual conditions. Deep down lies the evidence of someone who had lesser luck, the remains of what looks like a Landrover Defender not sure how recent that happened.