This expedition involved five members of the Imperial College Caving Club undertaking a three‑week caving and reconnaissance project in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, focusing on the Jebel Ghat region near the Mgoun massif. The team aimed to build on a 1999 reconnaissance trip and earlier French exploration from 1982, which had suggested significant potential for further cave development. Although major cave discoveries were limited, the expedition succeeded in establishing strong local contacts, gaining logistical experience, and thoroughly surveying the area.
After flying to Marrakech, the team travelled by Land Rover to the Bougoumez Valley, where local guide Mohammed Achari arranged mules, supplies, and a cook. The two‑day approach from Abachkou to the proposed base camp at 2800m was physically demanding, especially across rocky riverbeds and a steep final ascent. Base camp was established in a high, dry valley between Jebel Awltoum and Jebel Ghat, where water scarcity posed a continual challenge; only four small springs were found in the wider area, requiring iodine treatment for safety.
The caving work focused on re‑examining French‑identified zones, particularly Zone N, believed to hold the greatest potential. The plateau area comprised extensive bare limestone, lapiaz, dry valleys and deep gorges, with many small shafts and rifts but few substantial cave systems. Over 40 caves were located and GPS‑logged, most consisting of narrow vertical rifts descending 10–70m before ending in earth or snow‑plugged floors. A few cave entrances offered water sources used by local shepherds, but even the deepest explored shaft, Kef Ahmen, closed down at approximately –50 m.
Although the expedition did not locate major systems, it confirmed that Jebel Ghat lacks the deep cave potential seen elsewhere in the Atlas, potentially due to seasonal freezing limiting meltwater infiltration. The report concludes that more promising areas exist north near Azilal or south around the Tessaout Plateaux. No return to Jebel Ghat is planned.