What We Learned From Our Time In The Mountains

At 2:00 AM, my alarm went off. With excitement and a bit of nerves, I got dressed and grabbed my bag for what would be a very memorable day ahead. I went downstairs with my headlamp illuminating the way, as the refuge only has electricity from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM each night. I met the students for a very early breakfast.

The students gathered around the table, headlamps glowing, eating what they could, and excitedly chatting. We then filled up our water bottles, did our final preparations and started off into the night. We left at 2:51 AM, beginning our summit hike of Mount Toubkal. The day before, we had covered a lot of ground, though ahead we had another 1000m of elevation over about 4.5km of trail to the summit. Sunrise was set for 6:21 AM, giving us just over 3 hours to arrive if everything went to plan. 

Hiking in the dark of night is a special thing. It’s quiet, dark and yet oddly comfortable and peaceful at the same time. All you can focus on is putting one foot in front of the other, paying attention to each step and managing your breath. The first portion was quite steep, with large rocks as stepping stones lining the path. As we reached our first spot to break, everyone turned off their headlamps to save battery and look up at the magical night sky. 

We continued on, with each break bringing a new feeling of accomplishment as we knew we were getting higher and higher. The trail transformed from larger rock formations to smaller gravel. Energy was steady, with everyone doing their part to support one another, keep them focused, ensure they were warm enough and provide encouragement. The temperature continued to drop the higher we got, which provided small markers of progress. 

As we reached our last break spot, everyone had almost every layer they had brought with them on. The breeze was cool, the mountain silhouette in the distance started to illuminate with the first morning light, and our anticipation was palpable. With the final push in our grasp, we stayed present and intentional with each step. As we crested the final ridge, we saw the summit. We cheered and took in the moment, with a mixture of emotions flowing, we were so grateful and proud to be at the top. 

We sank into the moment, taking photos, sharing congrats and high-fives all around. It was an incredible moment to share together. As the sky continued to brighten with the welcoming of the day, we looked east for the sunrise, which peeked through the clouds and the light snow to give us an amazing view. 

After our time on the summit was over, we gathered and began to head back to the refuge. Now with the sun up, we could see the trail and our path back down. It was a quiet return to the refuge, a journey full of gratitude, reflection and accomplishment. After a slow walk back with lots of breaks for our tired bodies, we reached the refuge around 9:00 AM. We then took an hour to gather our things and rest before beginning the long hike back to Imlil. 

Once we were back at our hotel, we all took some much-needed rest to recover. During this time, I shared one of my favourite quotes with the students and asked them to reflect on what they learned about their time in the mountains, knowing that these experiences can hold so many lessons. 

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself” – Edward Fallon

Below is a collection of their responses: 

During my time in the mountains, I learned that I had a lot more perseverance than I had previously thought. Throughout the trip to the summit, I thought I would give up, but I kept on going until the end. I’m stronger now because I have managed to hike the tallest mountain in North Africa. A feat that I personally never thought I would accomplish. – A.H.

What I learned about myself in the mountains is that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. During the hike, I had some trouble midway through, but focusing my attention on each smaller portion of the trail instead of thinking of making it all the way to base camp helped me finish the hike much faster. Breaking it down into smaller and more manageable-sized goals. – A.M. 

Climbing Mount Toubkal taught me how much resilience I actually have, even when I doubted myself. The thin air, steep trails, and cold winds stripped everything down to the essentials—physically and mentally—and I discovered I’m more determined and grounded than I ever realized. I used to think that true adventure meant going far off the grid, but my time in Morocco, especially in villages like Tizi N’oucheg, showed me that connection with people, culture, and nature is what makes a journey meaningful, not just remoteness. – M.S. 

⁠I am stronger now because I have seen what I can accomplish if I win the mental battle. When hiking up Mt. Toubkal, there were times when I had to fight with myself to keep a good pace and fight through the cold and fatigue. Having accomplished that and returned to Marrakech, I can now throw myself into more challenges, believing that I can be strong enough to complete them. In the mountains, I learned about how much I appreciate stillness. When we reached the peak, I was able to fully take in that sense of peace and tranquillity that comes from being higher than and quite far from any other source of noise. During this time, I really appreciated the stillness and beauty of being at the top of the mountain, and it’s something I can hope to look for back in Toronto. – D.O.

I am now stronger because I pushed through physical exhaustion and unfamiliar environments and came out more confident in myself. Climbing Mount Toubkal tested my endurance, but I proved to myself that I could handle discomfort and stay focused. Working in Tizi N’oucheg gave me a sense of purpose and showed me how much of a difference small efforts can make. Overall, I feel much more confident when adapting to an unfamiliar environment. What I learned about myself from my time in the mountains is that I really enjoy simplicity and spending time offline in nature. Without phones, noise, or busy schedules, I realized how much clarity I gain when I slow down and enjoy time with my friends in nature. The breathtaking views and support from my friends helped me stay grounded and focused during the most challenging parts of the climb. Facing challenges with my friends and offline would be something that could continue to be really beneficial. – L.N.

What I learned about myself from my time in the mountains was that I like getting offline and spending time with my friends doing something challenging. It had a lot of value to me with my perseverance as well. – C.H.

I learned that I am more resilient and capable than I often give myself credit for. The challenges of altitude, unpredictable weather, and physical strain showed me how far I can push myself when I stay present and committed. I also realized how much I value stillness and the sense of clarity that comes from being disconnected from the noise of everyday life. I faced discomfort, uncertainty, and unfamiliar situations—and didn’t retreat. I adapted, listened, and kept going even when I felt unsure. That experience built a kind of inner strength that comes not just from endurance, but from trust in myself to grow through challenge. – F.S.

I am stronger now because I have learned to look at people, challenges, and experiences from different perspectives. Seeing and experiencing all that I have on this trip has opened my eyes and expanded my worldview. My time in the mountains gave me the space to reflect on this. – J.P.