Maasker

Chris Davenport skis Jbel Maaskar — Chris skis off the summit of Maasker and down towards the entrance of the couloir.

Next up on our Morocco ski adventure was Jbel Maasker, 3265m.

After two days skiing Jbel Ayyachi we were familiar with the routine: head towards the mountain by foot or car, load the gear on the mule, approach on foot, climb and ski the mountain, and head back down to a pretty incredible spread for lunch. It was a real civilized routine. We couldn’t help but acknowledge that once back in Colorado we would really miss having the mules and lunch spread awaiting us after each day!

With the mule loaded, we all headed up to the snow on Jbel Maaskar, pictured behind. — With the mule loaded, we all headed up to the snow on Jbel Maasker, pictured behind.

Christy Mahon skins Jbel Maaskar, on the third day of our ski Morocco adventure — Once on the snow, the ascent began as a skin.

So after another night at Mohammed’s gite, Christy, Dav, and I, along with Aaron (who set everything up) and Ismail made our way up to one of the prominent snow features on Maaskar. It was cool route, a long skin up a wide gully to a narrow dogleg couloir that formed up just below the summit. The snow was comparable to late spring in Colorado. It was pretty firm for ascending and we were hoping it would soften up for the ski.

Chris Davenport ascends the couloir — Dav, with crampons on, ascends the couloir.

Christy Mahon and Aaron Gould-Kavet in the couloir — Christy and Aaron in the couloir.

The climb as fun. It was nice to use all the gear we brought with us— boot and ski crampons, ice axes— and to explore yet another new mountain in this awesome country. Aaron said Maaskar rarely sees skiers, yet the mountain looked to offer an abundance of ski lines. Of course this year wasn’t the right season for some of them, but the potential was obvious.

Christy, Aaron, and Chris taking the final steps to Maaskar's summit. — Christy, Aaron, and Chris taking the final steps up to Maasker’s summit.

Pulling skins. — Pulling skins on another new summit.

Chris Davenport, Christy Mahon, and Ted Mahon on the summit of Jbel Maaskar — What a fun adventure!

And there we were, on another sunny summit in the High Atlas. The snow was just getting soft, and the four of us got ready to ski. We all retraced our route through the couloir and back down the long apron to the end of the snow where the muleteer awaited. It was another good day.

Aaron skis down towards the entrance to the couloir.

Ted Mahon taking it all in. — Taking it all in.

Christy Mahon in the couloir — Christy in the lower section of the couloir. It was a fun line.

Dav abd Christy take it down to the bottom. — Dav and Christy take it down to the valley floor.

We packed up our stuff and headed down to the trailhead, this time following a different route from the one we used to approach. It took us through some old growth cedar forests which were really cool. Eventually we were back where we started, and it was time to eat!

The mule is loaded, time to go down. — With the mule loaded, it was time to go down.

Later that evening back at the gite, Mohammed and his family organized a big party. Ahmed spent all day cooking, the women dressed Christy up in their native Berber dress, and some of the neighbors and new friends came over to join in some song and dance.

After three days of skiing and exploring, meeting the locals, partaking in the ritual meals and mint tea, we felt the cultural experience left at least as big of an impression on us as the skiing.

We can’t wait to get back!