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Aroudane

The name-change from Aioui to Aroudane at least makes this hill one that can now be pronounced with some confidence. It presents a north face of several kilometres, with endless rock climbs of up to 800m, yet has had little in the way of visits from British climbers. The base is Zawyat Ahancal or Agoudim, where there are gîtes, and beyond which lie even more spectacular climbing opportunities in soaring buttresses and canyons with vertical walls. This is the Chamonix of the Atlas, but with decent weather. As Aroudane dominates a major east–west trekking route we had admired its array of crags often enough to want, at least, to stand on top of the mountain. Easy enough; a bit like Ben Nevis in Scotland, where walkers photograph the impressive cliff side and then go up a tourist path. Not that Aroudane has a tourist path. Its neglect by climbers is perhaps due to its one-time inaccessibility. Now there are good roads and/or pistes up to Zawyat Ahancal or in by Aït Mhammed, making the approach run impressive in itself.