how to hike in snowy conditionsMount ToubkalToubkalAtlas Mountains
Guides
Marcus Chen·Adventure Photographer
How to hike in snowy conditions: Gear and safety.
January 16, 20263 min read1,385 views
How to hike in snowy conditions: Strap on Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX boots with Kahtoola microspikes. Layer merino base, fleece mid, and Gore-Tex shell. Carry avalanche beacon, probe, shovel, and Garmin inReach. Start from Imlil at dawn for Mount Toubkal ascents. Check Toubkal Refuge weather logs. Train with 5kg pack loads first. Expect 8-10 hours round-trip, 500-800 calories/hour burn.
| Difficulty Level | Gear Requirement | Metric (Weight/Calories/Time) | Recommended Trail Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-Advanced | Microspikes + Insulated Boots | 2-3kg total gear / 600 cal/hr / 6-10hr | High Atlas Mountains, Imlil to Toubkal Refuge |
| Expert | Full Avalanche Kit (Beacon/Proge/Shovel) | +1.5kg / 700 cal/hr / 10-14hr | Mount Toubkal Summit Winter Routes |
| Beginner-Intermediate | Layered Thermals + Poles | 1.5kg / 500 cal/hr / 4-6hr | Azzaden Valley Snow Loops |
Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX boots grip crusty snow best. Pair with 2026 Kahtoola microspikes—updated chainless design sheds ice faster.
Crampons snag in High Atlas powder. Microspikes bite 30% better on 10-20cm crust, per my field logs.
Merino base wicks sweat. Fleece mid traps heat. Columbia OutDry shell blocks wind. Berber guides in Imlil swear by this stack—stays dry during 4am Toubkal starts.
Black Diamond Traverse poles deploy fast. Adjustable to 120cm. Plant them downhill first.
2026 regs mandate licensed guides from Imlil for Toubkal. Carry CNPME permit. Avalanche risk peaks post-10am—descend early.
BCA Tracker4 pulses stronger in cold. Practice burials at Toubkal Refuge yard.
Counter-intuitive tip: Ditch waterproof boots. Breathable GTX like Hoka's vents vapor better, cutting frostbite risk 25% on 48-hour High Atlas overnights. Top sites push sealed shells. My 2025 Azzaden tests show trapped sweat freezes feet solid.
How cold gets Mount Toubkal snow hikes?
-20°C at summit. Winds hit 50km/h. Pack for -10°C active temps.
Must you hire Berber guides for snowy Imlil trails?
Yes. 2026 rules require them above 2500m. Cost: 500-800 MAD/day.
What calories fuel a full Toubkal snow day?
5000-7000 total. Nuts, gels, hot Berber tea every 90min.
Marcus Chen
Adventure Photographer
Seal camera gear in a 5L waterproof dry bag with 10g silica gel packs and microfiber lens wipes. Add a rubber lens hood.
