Eva Borsody Das /Linda Moraski
Morocco Trek and Sights
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Morocco Trek and Sights
Leader Eva Borsody Das
Co-leader Linda Moraski
Morocco - Anti-Atlas Mountains, Marrakech and Essaouira
March 2 - March 16, 2011
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
$ 1450
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 1150
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 in a remote area and away
from medical care. The trip is to a country with a significantly different culture; is
much easier for 12 people to keep track of each other than for 16 to do the same. Past
leaders recommended to limit the trip size to a trip of 10 participants and 2 leaders.
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
Eva Borsody Das
59 Gosnold St, Hull, MA 02045
borsody@gmail.com
Home 781-925-9733
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: March 29, 2011
CPR
BLS
Expiration: March 29, 2011
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.
Bulgaria, Hiking, August 2009, 16 participants
Glacier National Park, July 2009, 12 participants
Romania, Hiking, June 2007, 7 participants
participated in a trip to the same areas in March 2009, Mt Kilimanjaro in 2008

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 October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 5
Eva Borsody Das /Linda Moraski
Morocco Trek and Sights
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Linda Moraski
56 Glenham Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
lmoraski@gmail.com
Home 617-448-8895
Work 617-469-9779
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: will be renewed in 2010
CPR
BLS
Expiration: will be renewed in 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.
Bhutan, Trekking, 14 participants, 2 leaders
Mt. Kilimanjaro, High Peaks in Ecuador
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:
Eva was a participant in a non AMC trip to the same areas in 2009. French is a
secondary language in Morocco; Eva speaks French well enough to communicate when
needed. She does not speak Arabic or Berber.
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
Essaouria. All camping supplies are preovided except participant sleeping bags.
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
Revised October 2009
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
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:
Past leaders who have traveled 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
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
Eva Borsody Das /Linda Moraski
Morocco Trek and Sights
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
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
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.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Day hiking at Blue Hills.
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 the local
culture, geology, minerals, plants and trees, including cultivation of almond trees which
are in bloom at this time of year.
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 past leaders of this trip have used.
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. In 2009, on the Brisitsh trip, they made arrangements to safely evacuate a
participant who could not finish the trek. Likely they have handled a variety of other
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 cehicle. Slimane says
helicopter evacuation can be arranged. During the 2009 AMC 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
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
Morocco Trek and Sights
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Eva Borsody Das /Linda Moraski
two full days), and will be encouraged to be careful.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Traffic accidents are a hazard in Morocco.
We will be driven by local professional drivers. We will not rent or drive any vehicles,
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 a satellite phone (from the AMC
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
or rented); 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/.
We will take the AMC satellite phone or rent one if it is not available. In 2009 Robin
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
made a call on the satellite phone from the backcountry in Morocco to test whether it
aid or communication
would work, which it 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. (Normal cell phones do not 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
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?
Revised October 2009
Moroccan currency is dirhams. Currently the exchange rate is $1.00 = 8.2 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.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
Eva Borsody Das /Linda Moraski
Morocco Trek and Sights
Deposits
What deposits will be required
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 flights will need to be paid 90 days before departure. The tour operator does not
have a deposit deadline; he does have years of successful experience booking these treks
for western groups.
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Yes
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
Revised October 2009
Likely for flights it is 90 days before departure for a full refund. Payment to the outfitter
is on-site.
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, 2010.
Nobody's cancellation will be allowed to raise costs for others. Published minimum
penalty schedule: zero before Aug 1, 2010, $200 from Aug 1 to Sep 30, 2010, $400 after
Sept 30, 2010. If actual costs are higher, they will be assessed instead.
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
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