Pete Fraunholtz/Robin Melavalin
Morocco Trek and Sights
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Morocco Trek and Sights
Leader Pete Fraunholtz
Co-leader Robin Melavalin
Morocco - Anti-Atlas Mountains, Marrakech and Essaouira
Feb 24-March 10, 2010
Total # of days 15
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in The Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Max 10
Min 8
$ 2300
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month (max is one year in
advance of trip)
ASAP
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed? The trek route is remoteness from medical
care, and the first aid training of the Moroccan outfitter personnel is uncertain.
The trip is to a country with a significantly different culture; it's much easier for
12 people to keep track of each other than for 16 to do the same.
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why? see above
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Pete Fraunholtz
109 Williams St. #1, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
fraunholtz@hudce7.harvard.edu
Home 617.983.2351
Work same
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: soon - need to renew
CPR
BLS
Expiration: soon - need to renew
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you
are proposing.
Mar 09 Harvard Cabin Backcountry Ski Weekend -10 participants
Nov 08 NYC Arts Weekend - 12 participants
Mar 08 Harvard Cabin Backcountry Ski Weekend - 16 participants
June 09 Will take a group of Northeastern Univ students to Morocco -16 participants

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
Revised July 2008
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 5
Morocco Trek and Sights
Pete Fraunholtz/Robin Melavalin
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Robin Melavalin
11 Cuthbert Road, West Roxbury, MA 02132
rmelavalin@rcn.com
Home 617.780.5362
Work 617.521.2490
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: April 2010
CPR
BLS
Expiration: April 2010
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Robin coled this exact trip in 2009 with John Lisker using the same outfitter, Slimane
Baadoud. Pete is taking a group of Northeastern University students to Morocco in June
2009 and hiked in Morocco's Atlas Mtns in 2006.
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Trek across the Anti-Atlas Mountains covering 100 miles in eight hiking days, and enjoy
1.5 days exploring Marrakech at the beginning and another 1.5 days in Essaouira on the
coast at the end. The trek is fully supported, with mules, muleteers, guide, cook, and
most equipment provided. We carry day packs; the mules carry the rest. The trails are
good by White Mountain standards, and climbing is modest.
Hotel Ali in Marrakech, 2-person tents while trekking, and Hotel Riad Nakhla in
Essaouira. All camping supplies are provided except participants must bring a sleeping
bag.
All meals while on the trek are included. Breakfasts in Marrakech and Essaouira,
and dinners in Marrakech are included. Participants will need to buy lunches in
Marrakech and Essaouira, and dinners in Essaouira.
Yes
No
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Revised July 2008
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Been there. This trip is all inclusive through this outfitter.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
A careful screening process will ensure all participants are physically fit, can hike for 5-7
hours a day on consecutive days over rough ground, and can handle being away from
civilization for 8 days in a row.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
Pete Fraunholtz/Robin Melavalin
Morocco Trek and Sights
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Moroccan dinner at Kasbah Restaurant inWinthrop.
We will learn about the Berber culture, eat various Moroccan foods, and explore the
cities of Marrakech and Essaouira. While trekking, the guide will talk about about local
culture, geology, minerals, plants and trees, including cultivation of almond trees which
are in bloom at this time of year. Pete teaches about Morocco for his job and will
describe the history through the interplay between religion and politics in Morocco in
general, and in the region of the Draa Valley in particular. Robin is a cultural
anthropologist and will share information about the Moroccan people and their ways of
life, and will provide a French and Arabic phrase guide to participants.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
See Executive Summary above. The leaders don't speak the local languages, or know the
local customs well enough to be comfortable going alone.
Slimane Baadoud, a Moroccan company that we used in 2009.
www.maroctrekking.com
Slimane says his outfit has had no problems. Slimane has thought about procedures for
medical emergencies and for many years has done trips for Martin Hunt, a British tour
company. Likely they have handled a variety of medical incidents.
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
The route is no more than 4 hours by mule from a 4x4 track. The crew knows the area
well, carries cell phones, and knows how to arrange to meet a vehicle. Slimane says
helicopter evacuation can be arranged. During the 2009 trek the guide successfully used
his cell phone several times in the backcountry; he knew where the good signals could be
accessed, though they were not available everywhere.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Trails are in generally good condition. Though rarely seen, snakes and palm
rats live in the mountains. They are not a concern at this time of year.
Response
Participants will be encouraged to look where they are stepping.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Emergency and specialized care may be below U.S. standards, especially outside the
major cities, and in backcountry will not be immediately available at all. Panhandling
and pickpocketing are only minor concerns, and only in urban areas. Morocco is a lowcrime country.
Response
Leaders have AWFA training and CPR, and carry a medical kit and a Moroccan phone
card for emergencies. Participants will be in the big city only briefly (Marrakech for only
two full days), and will be encouraged to be careful.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Traffic accidents are a hazard in Morocco.
Response
We will be driven by local professional drivers. We will not rent or drive any vehicles,
Revised July 2008
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
Morocco Trek and Sights
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Pete Fraunholtz/Robin Melavalin
except possibly in case of emergency.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Skill level, health, group dynamics.
The leaders will screen for these factors. Participants should practice good fitness and be
prepared for 11-mile hiking days.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Women walking alone may be vulnerable to harassment from men.
The group will stay together most of the time. Women will be advised to dress modestly,
not to travel alone, and to ignore any harassment.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
Leaders will carry a Moroccan phone card and possibly a satellite phone (from the AMC
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
if it is available); tour operator has normal cell phones. The police emergency services
documentation, distance from
phone number is 190. On the trek, a multi-lingual local guide will be available to our
emergency services
group and assist with language translation as necessary. The American Consulate
General in Casablanca is located at 8 Boulevard Moulay Youssef, telephone (212)(22)
26-45-50. The Consular Section's American Citizens Services hotline is daytimes
(212)(22) 26-71-51or after hours (212) (61) 17-23-67. The fax number is (212)(22) 2041-27. The Internet web site is http://www.usembassy-morocco.org.ma/.
If an AMC satellite phone is available, we will carry it. In 2009 Robin made a call on the
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
satellite phone from the backcountry in Morocco to test whether it would work, which it
aid or communication
did.
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
The route is no more than 4 hours by mule from a 4x4 track. The crew knows the area
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
well, carries cell phones, and knows how to arrange to meet a vehicle. Slimane says
evacuation from the
helicopter evacuation can be arranged. (I doubt that normal cell phones have coverage
backcountry location if
everywhere.)
applicable?
The Marrakech clinic listed on the State Dept website is POLYCLINIQUE DU SUD,
Medical care
Please describe the medical
Dr. Taarji BEL ABBASS (Fair to Good English), 2 Rue Yougoslavie, Gueliz, Tel: 044care available in the area(s)
44-79-99/044-44-83-72 or Fax: 044-43-24-24.
where you will be traveling
This US Consulate link lists hospitals, clinics, physicians and pharmacies in Casablanca,
and list names and telephone
which is the most convenient medical treatment location for our itinerary:
numbers for these facilities.
http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/casablanca.html
Robin knows an excellent urologist in Casablanca as a result of a participant incident in
2009.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign
currency, the current $US
dollar exchange rate and what
contingencies you have if that
rate changes. If a tour
operator or agent is being
used, what currency is the
agent to be paid in?
Deposits
What deposits will be required
Revised July 2008
Moroccan currency is dirhams. Currently the exchange rate is $1.00 = 8.40 dh.
Fluctuation in the rate will have a minimal effect on the budget because the strength of
the US dollar far exceeds the dirham, so fluctuation is just a matter of pennies.
Payment of flight deposits and costs will be determined by the airline chosen and its
deadlines. If we go on Air France, they require refundable seat deposits which the co-
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
Pete Fraunholtz/Robin Melavalin
Morocco Trek and Sights
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
leader will front. The tour operator does not have a deposit deadline; he does have years
of successful experience booking these treks for western groups.
Air France will refund the deposits on unticketed seats until 91 days before departure.
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Leaders will share costs if necessary. In 2009 there were over 120 inquiries for this same
trip, so we anticipate an enthusiastic response. We prefer not to go with fewer than 8.
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
Revised July 2008
Initial deposit of $500 is due with application. Second payment of $700 is due two
weeks after acceptance, large enough to cover participant air fare and share of leader
airfare. Final balance is due November 1, 2009.
Nobody's cancellation will be allowed to raise costs for others. Published minimum
penalty schedule: zero before 1 Aug 09, $200 from 1 Aug 09 to 30 Sep 09, $400 after 30
Sept 09. If actual costs are higher, they will be assessed instead.
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
cyout@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 5