A STUNNING NATURAL SETTING : OUKAÏMEDEN – WHERE THE RACE STARTS
We are at an altitude of 2620m, on the plateau of Oukaïmeden, it’s almost midnight, under a starry sky the competitors, headlamps on, listen to the speakers last words of encouragement.
The race is on !
1st Ascent
The first 5 kms of the race, partly on a track (30%) partly on paths (70%) and with 369 of D+ will get you to the first col – Tizi n’Addi at 2920 m (PC1).
1st Descent 5kms & 600 D-
The descent will cross the village of Tacheddirt(PC2).
Just aheaud you there is a col, with the same name, culminating at 3190 m. This is the first of the 6 cols above 3000 m you will climb. Not too technical or steep, a smooth ascent to PC3 Alt 3190 m, KM 16, 1360 D+.
From there a smooth descent will get you to your first Aid Station (Food & Drinks) at Timchi PC4 Alt 1960, KM 24 – at 1 960 m – 1440 D+ & 2120 D-.
Then you will cross a number of picturesque villages before arriving at Takerkourte Aid Station (Drinks) PC5 Alt 1750 m, KM 34,5, 1880m D+ & 2770 m D-.
After this you ford the Orika wadi, the lowest point of the race at 1568m.
Here is where your journey into the most magical part of the race starts, 50kms of paths far from the beaten track, into an untouched nature.
The ascent towards Tamatert, the next village, is steep and gets you to the 3rd col on the race : Tizi Tamatert (PC6 Alt 2222 m, KM 41 , 2630m D+ & 3 060m D-).
After a short descent to Azib Assaka, you climb up to the Amenzel col, and onwards to the village with the same name.
After a stretch in the bottom of the valley you will get to the foot of the Oumchichka col and find the Boukchoud Aid Station (Food & Drinks) PC7 Alt 2600 m, KM 49, 3380m D+ & 3 350.m D-.
The ascent to the col is a path in a scree. At the col a short ascent to reach Oumchichka PC8 Alt 3070 m, KM 51 , 3830m D+ & 3350m D-.
Followed by a descent with a few short uphills, crossing water reservoirs before getting down to the river.
Ahead is yet another col, another valley. The climb on the side of a rocky peak leads you to a new valley, another river to cross and a smooth climb to the col at Tougroudadene PC9 Alt 3264 m , KM 60, 4730m D+ – & 4060m D-.
Followed by a long and easy descent in two parts, to get you to Azib Likemt Aid Station (Food & Drinks)PC10 Alt 2564 m, KM 68, 4 780m D+ & 4810m D-.
After a break it’s time to make the ascent of Tizi n’Tifourhate PC11 Alt 3144 m, KM 72, 5390m D+ & 4850m D-. A short descent will get you to the next PC : Azib Tifni PC12 Alt 2895 m, KM 74, 5390m D+ & 5140m D-.
You are now at the foot of a giant: Adrar N’Tarharate, a climb divided in 3 sections. First you go to Tizi Terhaline PC13 Alt 3313 m, KM 76,6, 5850m D+ & 5140m D-.
After this you get to the highest point of the UTAT : Tichki Alt 3670 m, KM 78,5, here starts on of the most impressive descents you’ll find on an international trail race, some 11,5 kms and a drop of 2000m. After crossing a col, you get to Tagharate PC14 Alt 3495 m, KM 79,4, 6250m D+ & 5330m D-.
You are now in the steepest part of this mythical descent that takes you to the PC called “Le Rocher” PC15 Alt 2435 m, KM 84 , 6260m D+ & 6390m D-.
The last part of this long 1600 m descent gets you to the Aremd cirque. After crossing a dry riverbed, you will see the first dwellings, and then a track to PC16 Alt 1940 m, KM 87, 6270m D+ & 6930m D-.
A smooth climb on a track for about 1 km, followed by a set of descending single tracks, a path and you are in Imlil the next Aid Station (Food & Drinks) PC17 Alt 1675 m, KM 90, 6310m D+ & 7160.m D-.
If needed, here you will find medical staff and the possibility to take a short nap.
From here the path follow the river, before a climb up to the second last col at Aguersioual Alt 2044 m, KM95.
A new descent, another valley, a different village. A short climb amongst walnut trees and through the village of Amskere and you are at the second last PC, at the exit of the village PC18 Alt 1885 m, KM 96, 6900m D+ & 7 660m D-.
Then a first uphill on a track, ending on a path that leads you to the beginning of a flat section : the Gliz Plateau.
A complete change of environment : the red earth stands out against the green of the junipers, on a path almost flat. You can see the last PC, a steep climb and some hundreds meters away PC19 Alt 2245 m, KM 101, 7 510.m D+ & 7770m D-.
You are almost there, and will soon see Tizi Oukaïmeden , and just behind the arrival and the UTAT base camp!
