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Info21 Desert Trek

During the summer a group of pupils from Saint Columba's travelled to Morocco with the World Challenge Organisation for a once in a lifetime trek through the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Josh Graham describes the experience:

Mr Shankly and our team began preparing for this trip almost two years ago. In fact, much of the challenge took place prior to the event itself; we had to work as a team to raise the substantial funds needed to embark on such a journey. Sponsored walks, Christmas Fetes and a hugely successful Casino Night were just some of the ways in which our team helped to raise the money.

The journey itself began with a short flight to London, loaded up with rucksacks and safety gear. Upon arrival in Heathrow we met Rory and Mel, our World Challenge guides.
Image of St Columba's Desert trek team standing in front of plam trees
We arrived at Casablanca airport a little late. Finally, we made it to Marrakech and got into the tiny van, with Brahim, who would become
a firm friend. We got what sleep we could in the heat of Morocco before returning to the van for an eight hour journey to the town of Tinehir, where we met Sallah, our guide through the mountains.
Three members of St Columba's desert trek team riding on camels

Our first day of trekking was difficult (12 miles of steep inclines with nothing but lukewwarm water treated with iodine), but it was all worthwhile when we got to our camp for the night. We put up our tents and had some Tajine, a traditional Moroccan meal,
a lot like stew, which certainly satisfied our hunger. We were all tired and so went to bed, but the excitement got the better of us as we stayed up most of the night telling jokes and having a great laugh.

Two more days of trekking followed, through the eerily barren Atlas Mountains. We really bonded as a group and this told, when some people - including myself - suffered from dehydration and we all helped each other along.

We stopped on the third night in the village of Arg, home to Moroccan people known as Berbers. Here we swam, washed, and had a game of football against the locals.

The mightly Bravehearts triumphed 9-8 against the silky but unsubstantial Moroccans. We celebrated with Coke and Fanta, and even biscuits, a welcome reminder of home...


We had all been touched by the extreme poverty of Arg, and felt a wrench as we left the family who had made us so welcome in their home. We arrived back in Tinehir, tired but proud. We had made it after many ups and downs. It is impossible to describe the feelings we felt when the trek ended.
A combination of pride and a new perspective is the closest I can come.

Arriving back in Glasgow was a bit weird.  I was really gutted to say goodbye to the group. We were all aware we wouldn't see a lot of each other since some would be heading off to University.

We shook hands, wished each other good luck, and went our separate ways. Having spoken to some of the group since we got back, it seems we have all learned from the experience. I for one will never open a bottle of Coke without remembering how welcome it was in Arg. It was a truly memorable experience which will stay with all of us forever.

Josh Graham

Image of St Columba's desert trek member in the distance on a camel