Toubkal Team ready after sandstorms and flat tyres

19 October 2012

We are thrilled to hear that everyone involved in climbing Mount Toubkal has finally arrived in Morocco.

But to be honest, it’s a minor miracle that they have all managed to get to the assembly point in Marrakech at all after various travel mishaps on the way!

Before they’d even left the UK, the team from ABP had a somewhat unexpected three hour delay en route to Gatwick airport when their car broke down on the M40.

Continuing the theme of motoring misfortunes, James Colley was also delayed after picking up a flat tyre as he made his way to Gatwick.

Sandstorms and flight diversions

And as if that were not enough drama for one day, the flight carrying the team from SABMiller Zurich was diverted from Marrakech to Casablanca thanks to an impromptu sandstorm! They then had to find their way back to Marrakech and the rest of the team.

Using the hashtag #takeontoubkal, Farm Africa tweeted:

“Teams have battled flat tyres, sandstorms and tow trucks but all now in Marrakech ready to #takeontoubkal at dawn for @FarmAfrica!”

The team reports that they had a very welcome group meal last night after the various tribulations involved in getting together and they have now set off from Marrakech to Imlil, the village in the Atlas Mountains from where the trek proper starts.

They are in excellent spirits and Sam Mallet from ABP says he is “excited and ready to get going after an eventful few days”.

And it appears that the team are very focused on meeting their fundraising goals, having already raised around £20,000.

In fact, James Colley from Moy Park is so determined to add to the pot that he has even pledged to allow colleagues to wax his chest in return for a donation when he returns to his office in Sleaford, Lincolnshire!

You can follow the team’s progress on Twitter using the hashtag #takeontoukal. And you can see all images and updates as they come through here.

Please reward the SABMiller team from Zurich for the extraordinary effort of making it to Marrakech at all after battling sandstorms and flight diversions! You can donate to their fundraising page.