Cécile Amarger – Report on her Trek’in Gazelles in Morocco

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Introducing Cécile

Today, I’m hosting Cécile Amarger, who’s going to talk to us about Trek in Gazelle, the trekking version of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, with which you may be familiar. It’s a 100% women’s trek, organized by team in the Moroccan desert. I really wanted Cécile to share her experience, especially as she’s just returned from this adventure. Welcome Cécile, can you introduce yourself?

Thank you! I’ve just come back from Utrecht, so it’s still very fresh. My name is Cécile, I’m 44 and I’m a psychiatric nurse. We know each other because I’m also a travel blogger in my spare time. And I wanted to take on a new challenge: walking in the desert.

Have you wanted to walk in the desert for a long time?

Yes, it’s an old dream I’ve had for years. I think a blogger I met on a blog trip told me about it after his return. He had managed to convey something indescribable to me, and I thought, “Wow, I really want to do this.” I was immediately drawn to the Trek’in Gazelles project. I loved the idea of a women’s trek, but also learning to navigate and the values it carried. It corresponded perfectly to my desires, and it was really the right project to make my dream come true.

Did you already do a lot of hiking or other sports in general?

Hiking is my main sport. I’ve been hiking for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never stopped. I live in an ideal region for it, between Franche-Comté and Alsace, where the terrain is perfect for hiking. Whenever I have free time, I go hiking. I also do a bit of muscle strengthening, which was recommended in preparation for the trek.

Introducing Trek’in Gazelles

Yes, a bit of muscle strengthening never hurts, even if it’s often hard to get going! Can you tell us about Trek’in Gazelles?

Trek’in Gazelles, as you said, is the trekking version of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, a well-known event that takes place every spring. This rally, also for women, takes place by car in the Moroccan desert. For the past four editions, they have launched a trek version. The concept is similar: 100% women’s teams set off in search of beacons in the desert.

Unlike the rally, where participants can bivouac in the middle of the desert if they can’t find their way back, we returned to camp every evening. Each day, we had to locate physical or virtual beacons, as well as bonuses. We were given topographical data (longitude and latitude) and maps, and had to place the points ourselves.

Special feature of the trek: no GPS, no telephone. We learned to navigate using tools like a sighting compass and a Breton protractor, and then had to fend for ourselves. It was an incredibly enriching and challenging experience.

Yes, it’s clear that this isn’t just a simple hike. You’ve really done all the orienteering part, too. Did that make you want to take part? You talked about walking in the desert. Was that your main motivation, or was there something else? Had you already heard about the event and thought it combined all the things you wanted to do?

Yes, the event combined a lot of things that appealed to me. First of all, walking in the desert, but also learning navigation and orientation. That’s a skill I wanted to acquire. Then there were all the human values I hold dear. It’s a solidarity trek, with every beacon found earning 5 euros for Secours Populaire Français. It’s also a trek that’s very committed to the environment. In fact, it’s one of the only ISO-certified treks in the world, although I can’t remember the exact name.

On top of that, there was an action called the Clean Walkers, where we collected garbage during the trek. I was surprised to see how polluted the desert is. Maybe it has something to do with the way the environment is perceived locally, but it was quite shocking to see. It was important for us to contribute to the well-being of the desert.

Beyond these aspects, there was the whole human dimension. We often hear about the family spirit of the Gazelles, and it’s not just a slogan. Once you’re there, you realize just how much goodwill and solidarity there is between participants. I have absolutely no regrets about having had this experience with them.

And you were talking about garbage. Did you pick it up a lot during the day?

Yes, I think we were away for four days. On the first day, everyone was very motivated. The bags filled up quickly and we could drop them off at every feed station to be incinerated on the spot, which was pretty good. But as the days went by, we became more focused on the race and the rankings. So I’d say the teams were a little less involved in waste collection towards the end. Nevertheless, over 4,000 liters of garbage were collected. That’s huge, but it’s also pretty frightening to see that there was so much garbage in the desert.

Cécile’s team’s commitment to mental health in the workplace

It’s impressive, but also scary to think that you’ve collected so much. And it seems to me that you were also supporting associations as a team, in addition to Secours Populaire. You supported an association, didn’t you? Can you tell us about it?

So, yes, supporting an association is a possibility, but not an obligation. Trek’in Gazelle is an expensive event: between 9,000 and 10,000 euros per team. That’s why three quarters of the teams opt for sponsorship, enabling them to support a cause at the same time.

For our part, we chose to promote mental health in the workplace. We created our own association and, in return for the sponsorship we received, we proposed concrete actions to the companies that supported us. It wasn’t just a case of “give us money to walk in the desert”. We really wanted to establish a partnership. Depending on the amount donated by the company, we would intervene on site to organize preventive actions around mental health in the workplace.

We’ve had the opportunity to take part in a number of events, including awareness-raising workshops on burn-out. This is a very topical and important issue. Raising staff awareness of this issue was essential, and it led to some great encounters, even before the trek. Today, we’re almost a little sad that the trek is over, but we don’t necessarily want to stop these actions.

Perhaps you’ll continue then?

Perhaps, yes. We’ll have to discuss it, but it’s a possibility.

And you were able to organize these interventions because you had expertise related to your professions, right?

Exactly. In our team of three, two of us work in hospital psychiatry. We’re confronted with this problem on a daily basis, whether on the part of the carers or the patients. We’re seeing more and more people who are active and integrated into working life ending up in psychiatric hospitals because of work-related mental ill-health. It really is a scourge in today’s society.

Cécile’s trekking team

I’m in. And your teammates, did you meet them through work or otherwise?

Between the initial idea of the trek and the team that finally set off, there were a few changes. With everyone’s schedules and life imperatives, it’s never easy. Finally, there was Clémence, with whom I’ve been working for 12 years. She’s a doctor, and we met on my ward. Then there was Laura, whom I knew through parties and mutual friends. We often hiked together, but Laura and Clémence didn’t know each other. It was a bit like double or nothing. They met in Avignon, at the end of August, during the navigation course, and the feeling immediately took hold.

For my part, I wasn’t too worried, knowing both their characters, but leaving for almost a week in a not always friendly environment, under stress, in a hostile environment, can reveal complicated aspects of personalities. Fortunately, everything went very well, and we’re happy with the result.

Physical preparation

Once you’re a bit tired, things can quickly get out of hand if you don’t get on well. And in terms of your physical preparation, what have you put in place?

As I was saying, we live in a region where the weather didn’t make things easy for us this year. Preparation was complicated, and we weren ‘t able to hike as much as we would have liked. As you know, it often rains in Alsace, and this year it was even worse.

So I focused on muscle strengthening, Clémence did a lot of running, and Laura did a mix of several activities. They say the trek is accessible to almost everyone. A little preparation is necessary, but you mustn’t say to yourself“I’m not athletic enough, I can’t do it“. It’s not true. There were participants of all ages, including women over 68. I think the oldest was 69. So we did what we could: walking, bracing, a bit of pool and cardio. Then we just went for it.

Equipment

That’s good, and it worked! You can tell us later how the days went, and so on. What about equipment? Did you have to bring anything specific?

Yes, there was a list of compulsory, recommended and prohibited equipment. Among the prohibited items were all telephones and connected equipment, to prevent cheating. For the compulsory equipment, you had to be equipped for the desert, notably with gaiters. This was clearly one of the best investments we made. We took gaiters that hooked around the shoe. We had a cobbler sew them on, and the result: not a grain of sand in four days. It was really great, and I highly recommend them.

Another favorite purchase for me is the compression sleeves. When it’s hot, my fingers tend to swell up, which is very painful and unpleasant, especially on summer hikes. Thanks to these sleeves, I had no problems at all during the whole trek. It was a real relief.

I know the version for the legs, but what’s it like for the hands? Some kind of gloves?

Muffs are different from gloves. They’re sleeves you slip on, which stop at the wrist. They’re made of the same material as compression socks. I was worried about getting hot, especially as they were black, but in fact, not at all. They’re very comfortable to wear, and above all, they prevent the fingers from swelling and avoid pain. It was really great.

We had a lot of help with our equipment. We didn’t want to set off with basic hiking gear, because the desert isn’t like walking in our mountains. Two specialist stores advised us, particularly on suitable brands. For example, we had equipment from Raidlight, which is also a partner of the Marathon des Sables. It’s a quality brand that reassured us.

Then we had essential equipment like Saharan caps to protect our necks and ears, because sunburn on the ears is terrible. We also had chèches, which were indispensable on the third stage when we had a sandstorm. Fortunately, the Moroccans helped us tie them properly. Finally, goggles or ski masks were essential for protection in these conditions.

It may seem like a surprising piece of equipment, but it’s easy to see how useful it is once you’re there!

You don’t realize it until you get there, but when you see the list, you think, “Ah yes, everything has a reason.”

Weather

What was the weather like in terms of temperature?

It was cold at night, but not as freezing as we’d been told. We’d been told it would be between 0 and 5 degrees, but it was actually around 5-7 degrees. As a result, an adapted sleeping bag was compulsory, with the option of adding a silk sheet for extra comfort. In the afternoon, it reached 35 to 40 degrees, but we were lucky to always have a little wind. The organizers told us it was a good year. The year before, it was 40-45 degrees with no wind, which caused dehydration and major problems in the dune trial.

It’s tough. Well, I have to say that I’m a bit sensitive to heat…

Yes, you really have to be sure you can handle the heat. That’s for sure.

The organization of Trek’in Gazelles day by day

And you were talking about trials. Can you tell us what that was like? First of all, how many days were there? And was each day different, or was there a typical day that repeated itself? How did it go in general?

The trek consisted of four days’ walking.

On our first day, we were welcomed in a beautiful hotel, a welcome luxury before starting our adventure. That day, we went through all the necessary checks: equipment, medical certificate, and the handover of our special “Trek’in Gazelles” t-shirt to be worn every day.

The next day, we headed for the bivouac, where one of the first tests was to hand over our phones. This was a crucial moment for many, because although I’m used to being connected, I couldn’t wait to disconnect. In a way, it was a relief, a real letting go, as the environment in which we found ourselves invited us to live the adventure to the full, without digital distraction. Once this was done, we took our maps with the beacons to find, as well as our topographic and satellite maps. We had two types of map to use to plan our route. The evening before, the preparation began, with the scouting of the points to be reached.

The trek then took place over four days. Each day was unique. Although we had to return to the bivouac each evening, each stage was designed around it, allowing us to discover different routes each day. On the first day, we were told it was a warm-up. Perhaps this definition deserves to be revised, because in reality, our team covered 25 kilometers! We crossed a wide variety of landscapes, from mountains to more desert-like terrain.

25 kilometers of sand?

It wasn ‘t all sand, in fact. Before this trek, I thought the desert was all about endless dunes. But in reality, the famous “dune day” only came on the last day.

The previous days were much more varied : we moved over rocky terrain, through extremely barren landscapes, where you can’t see anything on the horizon. On the first day, for example, we crossed small mountains. Coming from the Puy-de-Dôme, I felt like I was in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes.

I even learned that there are volcanoes in the desert, which was an amazing discovery. These volcanic mountains blew me away. I don’t know exactly how much we climbed, but I asked, because we climbed a lot, both up and down. So it’s not a flat desert, as you might imagine. It’s not all sand dunes. Each day, on average, we covered between 20 and 25 kilometers.

It makes for good days all the same. But you have to be used to walking.

Yes, yes. It’s just the last day that’s shorter. It was about 10 kilometers. But you know why…

Yes, because it’s in the sand!

That’s it! In the mornings, we’d wake up at 5:30 a.m. to music, to get the day off to a good start. After that, we’d get our things ready and go for breakfast. A briefing took place during the meal to inform us of the day’s organization, especially with regard to the weather and a few practical details.

At 7:30 a.m., there was a physical preparation session, in case we didn’t walk enough. A sports coach led this little warm-up session, with a bit of cardio and everything else we liked. Afterwards, each team left with a slight time difference, to avoid everyone leaving at the same time.

There were around 140 teams, so it was a big organization. After that, you chose your route according to what you had planned the day before. Some participants would return around 3 or 4 pm, if they had opted for easy-to-find bonuses. Others, if they had decided to go in search of more difficult bonuses, could return at nightfall, sometimes as late as 8pm.

Depending on the route chosen, days could vary from 6 to 7 hours’ walking, to 10 or 11 hours.

So it’s modular at least, you can change and adapt from day to day in the end, perhaps depending on your shape too.

Exactly, that’s what we told ourselves at the start. On the first day, we had no idea what we were in for, so we opted for a leisurely 25-kilometre route. But by the end, we were really tired. The next day, we decided to take it a bit easier, but in reality, you never really walk quietly, because you always end up getting carried away in the search for the bonus markers. And in the end, you end up doing quite a lot of walking, even if you had planned to slow down.

Accommodation, sanitary facilities and food

And what about the bivouac? Do you all sleep in one big tent? Well, no, there are too many of you, but how are things organized? Can you shower? Lastly, what about all the practical details?

So, this year, we were lucky enough to have large 12-square-meter tents for each team, which was a first. Before, we’d been in tiny, tiny tents. In other words, we couldn’t even stand up. Each tent was equipped with small foam mattresses about 10 cm thick. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, and personally, I hardly slept all night.

But as far as sanitation was concerned, it was quite well organized : we had showers, toilets, a real comfort compared to what we could have imagined.

The kitchen was also top-notch. There was a big tent restaurant with a whole team of chefs. Frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten such good Moroccan food in my life. Even the hotel we stayed in before didn’t have this quality. In the end, this comfort motivated us even more to keep going. We knew why we were walking!

And it’s regenerating, so afterwards you’re ready for the next day!

Yes. There was even a nice little bar. Still, that was cool.

And if you get totally lost in the middle of the day, there’s a broom wagon to pick you up?

You don’t leave without security. You leave with a GPS beacon. It has a dual function: the organization can follow your route, check your mileage and make sure you’ve taken all the markers. And if you ever get lost, they can locate you.

That’s reassuring.

Yes, it’s reassuring.

Memorable moments

And for you, what were the most memorable moments of this adventure, whether positive or more difficult?

So, on the negative side, I guess I don’t really have any. But on the positive side, there are two things that come immediately to mind.

The first is the scenery. We were lucky enough to see lakes in the desert. And that was both a blessing and a curse, as it had to do with the weather conditions and the floods that had hit the Moroccan region a month and a half before. But these landscapes were hallucinating and magnificent: micro-lakes, trees immersed in water, it was incredible. The organizers told us they’d never seen anything like it. So, yes, we were lucky, but it also makes you think. Then there’s this diversity of landscapes that you can’t even imagine before going there.

And then… there’s the strength of the body in the face of effort. The first day, with our 25 kilometers, my legs were starting to feel a bit wooden. I said to myself, as usual on my hikes, the next day I won’t be able to walk, so what’s going to happen? You can feel where the aches and pains are going to appear. And yet, the next day, nothing. You start out again as if you hadn’t walked 25 kilometers the day before. And this phenomenon lasted for 4 days. I had to sleep 3 or 4 hours a night, and yet I’d never been in better shape. That’s when I really discovered this incredible phenomenon, this adrenalin that pushes you. The body was really fascinating.

It’s true that this is always fascinating. First of all, the body adapts and then if you’re a bit carried away by the thing

But completely, it was fascinating. In fact, that’s the word I had to repeat to my girlfriends every day, because I couldn’t believe it.

Orientation experience

It’s a great effect. In terms of orientation… So, you were telling us earlier that there’s no phone, no GPS. So you plot your points and so on. How did you manage? You also said there was a training course, right, that was organized before you left? Yes, there was. How did it go?

Yes, it’s compulsory for all teams to spend two days in Avignon. Why Avignon? Because that’s where the organization has its headquarters. It gave us a chance to discover the city, which is really superb, by the way. And during these two days, you learn to master essential skills, such as how a sighting compass works, or what a Breton protractor is to help you find your course and your bearings.

These are tools we’re not necessarily familiar with, so it was really enriching. The course was very instructive. But of course, it’s not enough to learn well, you also have to be able to put it into practice.

On the first day, you’re confident, you think you’ve done well… And then on the second day, you realize you’ve come to the wrong tree for a bonus beacon. We had to reorientate our course, and as a result, we ended up covering a lot of extra ground and had to turn back. But after that mistake, we were on top form for the last two days. This kind of situation is also what makes the experience interesting: you really learn from your mistakes. And I found that really great.

It’s great, because even in four days, you can already see the evolution. It’s a relatively short time, but you can already see the progression. You tell yourself that if you keep going, you’ll become the queen of orienteering! It’s always useful.

Yes, that’s it! But you have to admit that with three people, it can be a bit complicated at times. A trio isn’t easy to manage. We divided up the roles, each with specific tasks. For example, Laura immediately understood how to use the sighting compass, and blew us away during the orientation course. It became her responsibility.

Clémence and I were in charge of placing the points: one on the topographic map, the other on the satellite. We had really defined our respective roles. And it’s super important to coordinate at this level.

Atmosphere among participants

That way, everyone has their own role, and no one tries to outdo the other. You trained together, in a good dynamic. And how did the atmosphere go between all the participants?

The atmosphere was excellent ! It was a bit like a Club Med, but a Club Med for chicks. But of course, you soon realize that some of the girls are there for the competition, those who have already done it once and really want to go further, to excel. You can see it in their attitude.

But within our team, it was more the “kiff” that we were looking for, and we were lucky enough to meet some great girls who helped us out at slightly more difficult times.

Then there were some who were clearly there for the competition, and who didn’t hesitate to throw you back on the ropes when you made a mistake. Once, we set off on a bonus beacon, but realized we were aiming completely off course. We asked which beacon they were aiming for, and they kind of blew us off. But that’s all part of the game, it’s a competition after all. But 95% of the time, the atmosphere was really good.

And speaking of competition, is there anything to gain for the firsts?

Yes, at the prize-giving ceremony, we received prizes. I here are two classifications: the general classification and the classification of first-time participants. But in the end, almost all the girls who made it to the podium were first-timers. It’s logical: you learn a lot in four days, and the second time around, you’re much more seasoned. The winners go home with prizes from our partners, and above all, they have the chance to take part again the following year, with free registration fees. It’s a great reward.

That’s what motivates them.

The prizes aren’t really the main thing. Sure, it’s a little wink in competition mode, but that’s not really why you go. Of course, you want to rank, but the real issue is more the state of mind than the prize at the end. It was fun, but that’s not what motivates you.

It’s more the state of mind than the ranking.

Completely.

Assessment of the experiment

On a personal level, maybe it’s a bit early to identify exactly what this experience has brought you, but do you already feel that it’s brought you something?

That was the hard question when I saw your questions. But what I’ll remember is that I can do it. I can do it. This four-day challenge, in somewhat difficult conditions without comfort… I proved to myself that it was possible. I know now that I can do this, and why shouldn’t I do more?

Today, I’m no longer afraid of that kind of experience. When I think back to the desert terrain I’ve crossed, I tell myself that cows, slopes or other obstacles that once seemed intimidating are nothing in comparison. It’s a great lesson.

I’m delighted by your answer, because I realize from all the interviews I’ve done that this is often what comes out: “I’ve realized that I’m capable.” And I think that as women, we sometimes tend to doubt our abilities. So it’s great to see that through each experience, we become aware of what we’re capable of, and that this opens up new perspectives for other projects. That’s really motivating.

Yes, exactly. I don’t know yet what projects this will generate, but I ‘ m sure there will be others in the months or years to come. I know it will take me elsewhere.

And in concrete terms, in your day-to-day sporting activities, will this change anything? For example, if you’ve had a bit of trouble going uphill or downhill, you might be thinking that it would be useful to do more muscle strengthening or hikes with a difference in altitude. Will this experience have an impact on your daily practice?

No, not really any radical changes. But clearly, it’s made me realize what I’m capable of and pushed me to go a little further. Maybe I’ll incorporate more hikes with elevation changes, or concentrate a little more on certain aspects of my physical preparation, like muscle strengthening, to be even more ready next time.

When I think of the terrain I’ve crossed, the differences in altitude I’ve faced… clearly, if I’d been put on a climb in Alsace, on terrain like that, I’d never have been able to do it. Before, I was really scared, especially in winter, as soon as there were pebbles or rocks. But now, you don’t think about it, you just go for it and trust your body. It’s amazing what adrenalin can make you do. Now I have no excuses. I’ll be more confident on certain hikes and less fearful, that’s for sure.

That’s great! You said you’d like to take part in other projects, but do you already have something in mind that makes you dream, even if it’s not for the immediate future?

Actually, no, this project has already kept me very busy over the last few months. I think we’re going to make the most of everyday life, although to be honest, I don’t really know what everyday life is!

But in time, I’d like to do other treks lasting a few days. I loved the disconnection aspect: going away for three, four or five days, far from everything. You have no phone, no distractions, and it’s amazing how cut off you feel from the world. You don’t have to go far away to feel like you’ve been away for ten years. It does you a world of good. We’re lucky in France to have some incredible trails. I’d really like to discover the Vercors, the Mercantour, there are several regions that appeal to me for trekking or hiking, that’s for sure.

It’s a wonderful country for hiking, and there are so many possibilities! And what would you say to a woman who’d like to embark on an adventure, whether it’s Trek’in Gazelles or simply a trekking tour?

The answer may seem obvious, but you simply have to go for it. Don’t say to yourself “it’s not for me”. A trek can start with two days, then three… and that’s already a great start. Even a two-day experience is great, because it takes you out of your comfort zone. It’s a real adventure.

And I remember a phrase from Dominique, the director of Mayanga, that really resonated with me: ” Wise girls know their limits, smart girls know they don’t have any. “ That’s pretty powerful, because we often set our own limits. We think we’re not capable or that it’s not for us, but in reality, it’s accessible to everyone.

I couldn’t agree more, that’s a powerful sentence. And finally, would you have any advice for women considering entering Trek’in Gazelles, either in terms of equipment or preparation?

In terms of equipment, I’d say gaiters are essential. Then you need to think about strengthening your muscles. Knees, thighs, calves… these parts of the body carry you throughout the trek. I don’t think we should neglect mobility exercises either, especially for the back, because we sleep on very thin mattresses, and even the ground can be quite hard. It really pulled on my back, and I felt it afterwards.

I also advise you to pay attention to your stomach, your microbiota. When you’re eating outdoors, with changing temperatures, you really have to be vigilant. And don’t drink tap water or eat raw vegetables. These are just a few things to keep in mind.

It’s a project that really deserves to be well prepared, including financially. But once it’s done, it’s 100% worth it.

Thank you so much, Cécile, for sharing your experience with us. It was fascinating!

Follow Cécile

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ce_cile.a/
• Blog: https://www.alaconquetedelest.fr/