Morocco - Midelt to Imilchil via Cirque de Jafar
 

Hi, can anybody advise me on how difficult the piste is from Midelt to Imilchil in Morocco? I'll be travelling in mid-october on a KTM LC4 Enduro with a big tank and alloy boxes.

My likely route ( arriving in Ceuta on 13th October ) is roads to Midelt, off-road from Midelt to Nekob via Imilchil and Tinerhir, roads to Zagora, off-road to Merzouga and finally roads back to Ceuta by 25th October.

I've read Chris's book, and I have detailed maps. I've studdied the routes on as many web sites as I can find, but nothing seems to cover the Crique de Jafar.

Any advice gratefully received,

Thanks
Frank

I read somewhere of a serious rock fall that had closed the route, but can't find the reference now. There's some waypoint info at http://www.voyages4x4.com/roadbook_maroc.htm

Tim

Thanks Tim. I don't have too many spare days on my planned route, so I can't afford to get half way along a piste only to have to turn back.

The website you pointed out was excellent.

Anyone know more about this rockfall? I did Midelt > Tounfite > Tamefraste > Tizi-n-Isly > Imilchil > Agoudal last October and it was fine. I'm off out there again mid October too. Was planing on Midelt > Tounfite (spend a night there), then back-tracking East to go the alternate route to Agoudal SW via Tagoudit.

Hey Crugel

I'll be travelling solo, but there's safety in numbers, especially on pistes. If your schedule fits in with mine and you don't mind the company then let me know.

Cheers
Frank

Hi Frank,

I'm part of a larger group and we will be a couple of days behind you I think. We will be coming down from Ifrane on the morning of the 17th, aiming to have a coffee in Midelt late morning, then off West down the Jaffar. Its some of the best riding in Maroc I think but its not too difficult. We should reach Tounfite before dark on the 17th and may stay there.

Last year we noticed that floods had washed away a few trails, but saw no major rockfalls, so I'm a bit concerned about this and want to know more.

Email me on miRobchaertel_shuPlantlver@mailblocks.com and we can exchange mobile numbers (you have to remove the name of Led Zep's singer to make the address work - low tech anti spam)

Midelt to Imilchil May 2010 - Road tyred 1200GS
 

We rode this route from Midelt to Imilchil a few weeks ago on 1100 and 1200GS's both with road tyres laden like Moroccan donkey's. It was our first piste and I'll remember it well.

Coming down from the stoney first big pass with my companion nowhere to be seen I lost the plot traversing a gravelly camber and experienced my first solo lift (tank pointing downhill). Only 20 minutes later and virtually at the floor of the valley I took a respectable track that lead to a horrible traverse passing a steep gulley and ended up on a descending 'track' of DEEP loose stones that petered out above the river. This was not the right way! Instantly I was surrounded by kids wanting to help. I didn't see my mate waving his arms from the other side of the valley. This was my lowest moment and it took both of us 45 minutes to sort out this mess and extricate the bike.

What I learnt from this experience is:

1) if you have Chris Scott's book READ about this particular section BEFORE you ride it. He mentions the 'trap prepared by the kids'. (book was pinched following day so quote could be inaccurate) Could this have been it?

Edited comment: Just received a new copy of Chris's book. No it wasn't. It does indeed mention the need to avoid taking the old line (which we unfortunately took) as it's now washed out.

2) If it looks a bit dubious, park up and review the options.

We were green to riding Moroccan pistes and in hindsight we shouldn't have been carrying so much. I also reckon my tyre choice was not the best (Bridgestone Battlewings) but then more than 90% of the trip was on tarmac so a set of Conti's seemed a bit over the top for just 600km of piste. My mates Anakee 2's seemed to fare better but maybe he was just a better rider?

So would I do it again on a 1200GS with road tyres? Yes...it was stunning and one of the best routes.