Rohan - May Catalogue 2014

MAY 2014

WORLD PROOF WEATHERPROOF, SUN-SAFE AND SECURE GEAR FOR THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST TRAVEL.

PLUS: FAMILY HIKING HOLIDAYS IN MOROCCO | ANCIENT ARABIC SECRETS OF NAVIGATION | ROHAN’S BUTTON UP SUN SENSE

Possibly the closest far away place in the world. Morocco may only be a short hop from the UK, but as soon as the plane doors open, it’s clear everything has changed.

Contrasts are everywhere.

The push and shove of the souk is set against tranquil interiors. Hassle from street vendors is the exact opposite of gentle café proprietors in the hills, and the snowy peaks of Toubkal a cold shock against the arid foothills.

Open your eyes wide. You’re a very long way from home.

CONTENTS 4 EVERYDAY LOOKS, EVERYWHERE PERFORMANCE Technology disguised as great looking shirts.

6 COOL COMFORT

Linen without the downsides.

10 SIMPLE SCIENCE

Functional travel clothing without the fuss.

20 THE SOFTER SIDE OF SUMMER PROTECTION

22 HARD-WORKING GEAR

Not everyone wears a suit and tie for work.

24 FAST FORWARD

Light, fast and free with the Windshadow Jacket.

12 ROHAN VERSATILITY

Pacer Capris, perfect for everywhere.

26 A MOROCCAN FAMILY ADVENTURE

Trekking in the Atlas Mountains with the kids.

14 READING THE HEAVENS

Medieval Arabic navigation skills.

29 SUN SENSE

Protecting you in the heat.

18 URBAN ADVENTURE

City protection inspired by the wild places.

30 SUNDOWN WARMTH Rohan’s best-selling lightweight fleece.

Cover illustration © Andrew Lyons Left: Men’s Equator Shirt Long Sleeve available in Mariner Blue (shown), Thistle and Mineral Green; £55; code: 03622

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MEN’S SHIRTS

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Everyday looks with everywhere performance Technology disguised as great looking shirts.

Rohan shirts are easier to care for, protective and very lightweight. Here are just a few examples, there’s lots more online and in-store.

Rohan is your passport to adventure, anywhere in the world. And protecting you in hot climates is just as challenging as protecting you in the cold. That’s why all Rohan shirts feature hidden performance that will help to keep you cool, comfortable, sweet smelling and safe.

And because the design is understated, it allows you to fit in rather than stand out. Keeping you protected and comfortable, Rohan simply improves your journey every day, wherever in the world you are headed.

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1. Men’s Equator Shirt Long Sleeve Designed for the hottest and most humid conditions.

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Colours: Mariner Blue Check (shown opposite), Thistle Check and Mineral Green Check £55; code: 03622

2. Men’s Aura Shirt

Minimum weight with maximum technical performance.

Colours: Titanium Check (shown), Carbon Check and Moonlight Blue Check £55; code: 03376

3. Men’s Ether Windshirt

Ultra-lightweight shirt for travel, outdoor and the everyday.

Colour: Charcoal £70; code: 03375

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Men’s: Maroc Jacket and Trousers, Zephyr Shirt, Ecco Collin Lace shoes Women’s: Tunis Jacket, Serene Top, Tunis Trousers, Ecco Biom Lite Ballerina Pump rohan.co.uk

SUMMER LINEN

COOL COMFORT Rohan Linen Plus™ is linen without the downsides.

Not only is it crease resistant, it’s also more durable, dries faster and retains its shape after a spin in the washing machine. All the cool, classic comfort of linen, without looking like an unmade bed.

Everyone loves the charm of classic linen, but not many of us like the contrast between how it looks at the start of a journey to how it looks when we arrive. Linen Plus™ combines traditional linen yarn with technical fibres to create a unique fabric that gives the look and feel of linen with real world practicality. The Linen Plus™ range has been a proven favourite amongst our customers for many years. It was originally designed for people who loved rugged travel but

wanted to avoid the unwashed, backpacker look. The surprise is, it has also turned out to be favourite workwear for everyone lucky enough to avoid the starched collar and tie.

Linen has always been popular for warm weather travel – it’s highly absorbent and refreshingly cool and comfortable next to the skin.

Unfortunately, natural linen isn’t really that suitable for regular travel.

It’s not particularly durable and wrinkles as soon as you look at it.

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SUMMER LINEN

Men’s Maroc Jacket, Maroc Shorts, Ecco Collin Lace shoes Worldview Shirt – rohan.co.uk Inset Women’s Tunis Dress

Linen you can live in Linen Plus™ fabric solves both problems by incorporating sophisticated modern synthetics into the blend. The result is astonishing. Linen Plus™ is incredibly durable and only crumples slightly in a gentle, attractive way without ever crossing into the realm of unsightly creasing.

The Women’s Tunis Jacket and Trousers are the perfect choice for summer trips and dry climate travel. They’re comfortable enough for long, hot days and easily smart enough to fit the bill in a decent restaurant.

They’re also a great choice for work.

On the warmer days of our British summer they’re a virtual uniform around the Rohan offices.

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‘Technical travel clothing doesn’t need to look like technical travel clothing. Combining simple looks, secure pockets and easycare fabrics for all-day comfort is the trick.

Technology hidden behind style.’

They’re easy to wash either in a machine or a hotel sink and will dry overnight.

And unlike ordinary linen, they keep their shape wash after wash, wear after wear.

And in common with most Rohan clothing, ironing is pretty much optional.

Linen Plus™ works perfectly with Essence T’s or Serene Tops – where simple style sits alongside technical performance to give all-day comfort and versatility.

Go to rohan.co.uk, visit one of over 50 shops or call 0800 840 1412

Women’s

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New

1. Tunis Jacket

Colours: Oyster Stripe (shown) and French Blue £100; code: 03564

2. Tunis Trousers

Colours: Sea Mist (shown), French Blue and Oyster Stripe £70; code: 03574

3. Tunis Dress

Colour: French Blue £70; code: 03587

4. Serene Top

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Colours: Green Meadow (shown), Blue Haze and Powder Rose £33; code: 03597

5. Tunis Capris Colour: Desert £65; code: 03578

6. Ecco Biom Lite Mary Jane

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Colour: Concrete/Shadow White (shown) and Warm Grey £90; code: 03397

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Men’s

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1. Maroc Jacket

Colours: Desert (shown) and Dark Indigo £145; code: 03563

2. Zephyr Shirt

Colours: Indian Ink (shown) and Dove White £50; code: 03372

3. Maroc Trousers

Colours: Dark Indigo (shown) and Desert £75; code: 03366

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New

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4. Maroc Shorts

Colours: Desert (shown) and French Blue £55; code: 03576

5. Ecco Collin Lace

Colours: Moonless (shown) and Port £100; code: 03663 Available online, by mail order and in selected shops only.

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WOMEN’S CASUALS

Travel is complicated.

Your clothing doesn’t need to be.

Women’s Stria Scarf

Colours: Parchment Stripe (above) and Jade Stripe (opposite) £20; code: 03355

Women’s Serene Vest

Colours: Green Meadow (above) and Blue Haze (opposite) £29; code: 03626

Women’s Thai Skirt

Colours: Black Rose Marl (above) and Limestone Marl (opposite) £59; code: 03588

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Good design isn’t about how technical something looks, or how many bells and whistles you can cram on. It’s about creating everything you need for all-day comfort and protection and nothing you don’t. Something that simply and quietly gets on with the job is always the aim. When you choose Rohan travel clothing you are relying on over forty years’ experience distilled into hardworking kit – adventure gear that has been de-cluttered.

It is clothing you can wear all of the time, whether on demanding adventures or for more effortless times. Lightweight, packable, easycare and protective.

Function without any fuss.

Women’s Essence Long Cardi

Colours: Jade Stripe (above) and Parchment Stripe (inset) £40; code: 03446

Women’s Thai Trousers

Colours: Limestone Marl (above), Black Rose Marl (inset) and Indian Ink £59; code: 03577

Serene Vest Thai Skirt Stria Scarf Ecco Kawaii Sandals rohan.co.uk

Essence Long Cardi Serene Vest Thai Trousers Serene Scarf – page 21 Ecco Kawaii Sandals rohan.co.uk

Pacer Capris The definitive casual, trekking, walking, running, relaxing and just about everything else trousers.

Colours: Saffron (shown left), Deepwater Blue (shown above) and Driftwood; £65; code: 03565

ALSO SHOWN LEFT: Women’s Sundown Top Colours: Sea Mist Print (shown) and Rose Wine Print £47; code: 03614

ALSO SHOWN ABOVE: Women’s Swift T Colours: Sea Coral Marl (shown) and Amparo Blue Marl £35; code: 03596

Women’s Ecco Kawaii Sandals Colour: Shadow White/Teaberry £75; code: 03665

Women’s Dharam Shoes Colour: Slate/Thistle £120; code: 03343

HISTORY OF NAVIGATION

EVER PLOTTED A ROUTE WITH GOOGLE MAPS, CHECKED YOUR PHONE FOR DIRECTIONS OR PROGRAMMED A S AT N AV ? Y O U ’ R E U S I N G M E D I E VA L ARABIC EXPERTISE.

READING THE HEAVENS WORDS

VA N E S S A H A R R I S S | I L L U S T R AT I O N S

A N D R E W LYO N S

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READING THE HEAVENS

Steer by star You need “nautical twilight”, that time after sunset or before dawn when you can still see the horizon but the stars are out.

Be ready: it only lasts 15 minutes at the equator; further north or south, it’s up to 40 minutes.

The Greek astrolabe, a star map used to measure distance and time.

ou’re in unfamiliar territory and a bit lost. What do you do?

Nowadays, what we don’t do is look to the skies for direction; we leave that to our gadgets. And instead of the sun and stars, it’s satellites that show the way.

Yet all of our shiny devices are based on 1,500-year-old Arabic understanding of mathematics and the stars, highly sophisticated knowledge that grew out of ancient but effective nomadic observations of earth and sky.

“Until relatively recently the only reasons for travel were trade, necessity or survival,” says Alexander Maitland, fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and curator of its recent exhibition, Oman’s Natural Heritage. From earliest history, he explains, it was survival that forced the nomadic Bedouin of Arabia to cross deserts to seek water and food.

“A desert might seem featureless to us,” says Conrad Allen, an instructor for Trueways Survival “but anyone can learn to read the earth just as the Bedouin do.

Sand will bank up according to the prevailing wind, and termite mounds are always orientated north to south. So, after dark – which is better for walking

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because it’s cool – you can just feel which side of the mound is warmer.”

Over centuries, the Bedouin’s ability to read their environment opened up trade routes across Arabia and Africa, and for these increasingly complex journeys, travellers devised ways of measuring and predicting distance using the stars.

The simplest involves holding your fingers up to measure the distance of a star from the horizon. This was refined to the kamal, a piece of leather or wood with a string through the middle, along which knots were placed to denote time and distance. You hold one end of the string in your teeth and pull it taut, lining the board up between the horizon and your chosen star.

From navigating the desert for trade to navigating the oceans is not such a great step and Arabian sailors were soon travelling west into Europe and east to India. There, in the ports around the Indian Ocean, expertise was exchanged between Indian, Chinese and Arabic navigators, all of whom possessed far greater knowledge than their timorous contemporary Europeans, who refused to travel beyond the sight of land.

The two ingredients for accurate navigation are time and orientation, and ironically to 21st century eyes, it was religion that pushed the science.

The Qu’ran is punctilious about time and place – times for prayer and fasting, and the direction of Mecca for prayer and mosque alignment. The rise of Islam brought a thirst for knowledge, and early in the seventh century, Caliph al-Mamun in Iraq ordered that books on every subject should be translated into Arabic. Indian, Greek and Chinese knowledge poured in, and the region was soon home to the greatest mathematicians, astronomers and scientists in the world. Their discoveries are used to this day, identifiable by the prefix Al-. So alkali, alcohol, algebra, algorithm show Arabic roots, as do the astronomical terms azimuth, alidade and almucantar.

The Arabs also built observatories in

the clear, dry air and refined the Greek astrolabe, a star map used to measure distance and time. “I wouldn’t try and use one now,” admits Dr Mahmoud Hawari of the British Museum. Nevertheless, these beautiful instruments took Europe by storm when they travelled north via Moorish Spain and Arab navigators, who were in great demand.

The problem with the astrolabe is that it is location-specific, unlike the sextant, also perfected by Arab mathematicians using their new, universal rules of trigonometry. Astonishingly, the sextant is still used by the Royal Navy. “It’s essential,” says Lieutenant Marc Taylor, an instructor at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. “Every navigator in the Royal Navy has to be able to steer a ship by the stars.” The sextant is the perfect tool for the job, remaining virtually unmodified since Vasco da Gama’s Omani navigator took his crew round the Cape of Good Hope.

“They’ve got a little light on them now,” says Taylor, “and they’re made of plastic, but otherwise they’re exactly the same as they were 400 years ago.”

Martin Lawson, a Scottish mountain guide, explains why such old-school techniques aren’t as perversely Luddite as you’d imagine. “It’s the simple stuff that might save your life,” he says.

‘Over centuries, the Bedouin’s ability to read their environment opened up trade routes across Arabia and Africa, and for these increasingly complex journeys, travellers devised ways of measuring and predicting distance using the stars.’

Once, he was guiding a group near Fort William and the cloud came down, leaving them with just six feet of visibility. On a plateau with only a narrow path off it and steep drops on all sides, Lawson had noted his exact position just as the weather rolled in.

With the map now useless, no GPS and an increasingly jittery party, Lawson relied on a technique so basic it sounds babyish. “Counting steps. I took our compass bearing and I know how many strides I take to cover 100 metres.” How accurate was it? “In half a kilometre, I was out by one stride,” he says. “I had to look calm, but I wanted to cheer!”

So whenever you use a satnav or even triangulate your bearing, give a thought to those ancient nomads, adventurers and mathematicians down through the centuries – they were literally leading the way.

Shipping news In the Royal Navy, navigators spend three to four weeks learning to steer by the stars alone using a sextant – although they do use computers to make the final calculations.

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READY FOR BUSINESS

Rohan clothing is liberating. It is light, breathable, packable, good looking and easy to care for. It will keep you protected and comfortable – whether you are heading for the sun and heat or the cold and rain. It is just as at home in cities of glass and steel as mountains of rock and ice – wherever you make your world.

URBAN ADVENTURE City protection inspired by the wild places, or urban clothing for adventure? Whichever way you look at it, meshing ‘technical’ with ‘easy to wear’ means more versatile performance gear.

And applying the lessons learned creating technical clothing for the world’s wildest places to more urban clothing goes back a long way at Rohan. It’s one of the things that makes us unique.

Just because a shirt, raincoat or a pair of jeans is destined to live in town, there is no good reason why it shouldn’t share all the benefits of outdoor performance clothing.

Shouldn’t chinos be windproof with secure zipped pockets?

Wouldn’t jeans make more sense if they were easycare, less bulky and more comfortable? Wouldn’t shirts be better if they wicked away perspiration, dried faster and needed no ironing? And if all the clothes you needed for a week away working in a foreign city packed neatly into your hand luggage, wouldn’t airports become much more palatable?

Like you, we think the answers are pretty obvious. We’re just surprised that so few other clothing designers share our reasoning.

Shown left: Men’s Worldview Shirt Long Sleeve

The classic smarter casual shirt.

Colours: Flag Blue Gingham (shown), Red Micro Check and Blue/Red Stripe £65; code: 03273

Men’s Grand Tour Chinos

Women’s Sanctuary Shirt Short Sleeve

Designed for trekking and adventurous travel.

Colour: Vapour £55; code: 03630

Women’s Crossover Trousers

The best chinos we’ve ever worn – or ever seen.

Perfect for walking, travel and everyday wear.

Colours: Graphite (shown), Blue Steel and Raincloud £68; code: 03204

Colours: Sepia (shown), Asphalt and Flint Blue £65; code: 03575

Stowaway Daybag 8

Lightweight, packable shoulder bag.

Colour: Beacon Red £32; code: 03039

Women’s Journal Jacket (above)

Protective, lightweight and easy to care for, the perfect summer travel jacket.

Colours: French Blue (shown) and Sepia £125; code: 03638

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WOMEN’S ESSENTIALS

THE SOFTER SIDE OF

summer protection Sometimes it’s great to zig when everyone else is zagging! Instead of making tough travel gear feel tough, we like to make it soft. These polos, T-shirts and tops are not just softer than most of their cotton counterparts, they also knock spots off them in terms of performance.

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1. Women’s Essence T

3. Women’s Stria Top

Offers the performance of a technical base layer in a relaxed, everyday style.

Simple, versatile and incredibly useful.

Colours: Violet (shown), Raspberry, Sea Coral and White £30; code: 03595

Colours: Blue Haze Stripe (shown), Jade Stripe, Azalea Stripe and Parchment Stripe £37; code: 03627

Colours: Powder Rose (shown) and Blue Haze £20; code: 03294

4. Women’s Crossover Shorts

Soft, comfortable and hugely versatile.

A highly functional alternative to a basic, cotton top.

2. Women’s Progress Polo

The classic piqué polo – updated with a technical Rohan twist.

Colours: Jade (above), Azalea (left), Blue Haze and Lavender £46; code: 03585

The perfect choice for travel, outdoors and the everyday.

Colours: Driftwood (shown) and Flint Blue £55; code: 03586

5. Women’s Serene Scarf

6. Women’s Stria Scarf

Colours: Jade Stripe (shown) and Parchment Stripe £20; code: 03355

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NOT EVERYONE WEARS A SUIT AND TIE FOR WORK

Rohan have always made hard-working gear for professionals whose work takes them all over the world.

RUGGED WORK & TRAVEL

Working around the world often demands a completely different approach to your clothing than UK domesticity.

Easycare is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. And with space usually at a premium, everything needs to be much more versatile – if one shirt will cover the day job as well as a restaurant trip in the evening, you have just saved some precious space.

If temperatures are high, you’ll want clothing that not only resists smells and wicks moisture, but that’s also a cinch to wash in the sink and then ready to go again the next morning without ironing.

‘Hard-working Rohan kit is lightweight, packable, protective, easycare and tough.

And because the design is simple and understated, it is more versatile – fitting in, rather than standing out.’

Security is always an issue that Rohan designers take seriously.

Losing a car key or documents may be an irritation close to home, but on the other side of the world it’s more likely to be a minor crisis.

That’s why so many Rohan clothes feature secure zipped pockets – some placed in secret spots away from prying eyes and fingers.

And when you get used to a zipped pocket, perfectly sized for a passport, on the chest of your shirt, you’ll never travel without one.

Any experienced traveller will tell you that the closer your important stuff is to you the better, which is why Rohan clothes have so many storage options. Travel safe with a place for everything and everything in its place.

SHOWN LEFT:

Women’s Sanctuary Shirt Long Sleeve

Designed to take on the challenges of the harshest conditions in the world.

Colours: Spring Blue Check (shown), Powder Rose Check and Vapour £60; code: 03607

Women’s Trailblazers Convertible

Eagle Creek Flashpoint Rolling Duffel Large

Innovative 105 litre wheeled duffel that packs into its own compact storage bag.

Colours: Black (shown) and Red Clay £120; code: 03394

ALSO AVAILABLE:

Women’s Sanctuary Shirt Short Sleeve Colour: Vapour

£55; code: 03630

Ultimate walking cargos that easily convert to capri length.

Women’s Trailblazers

Colour: Moorland

£80; code: 03603

£90; code: 03599

Men’s Waypoint Shirt Short Sleeve

Technical performance with everyday good looks.

Colours: Mariner Blue (shown), Mineral Green and Pink Clay £55; code: 03612

Colours: Asphalt and Moorland

Men’s Overland Shirt Long Sleeve

Robust, lightweight and highly packable.

Colours: Flint Blue (shown) Willow and Boulder £65; code: 03602

Men’s Trailblazers

Rugged, protective and supremely comfortable.

The ultimate trousers for the British hillwalker.

Colours: Vine (shown), Graphite and Blue Steel £80; code: 03598

ALSO AVAILABLE:

SHOWN ABOVE:

Men’s Overland Shirt Short Sleeve

Men’s Freight Vest

£59; code: 03611

Multi-pocketed and multi-functional. Perfect for the adventurous traveller.

Colour: Moorland £115; code: 03560

Colours: Flint Blue and Boulder

Men’s Trailblazers Convertible

Colours: Graphite and Vine

£90; code: 03591

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One of the things experience brings is the ability to recognise when enough is enough. The art of travelling with no more than you really need gives greater freedom. Unencumbered and uncluttered, you can move fast and light. And this really does have an effect on how much joy your adventures bring.

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The Windshadow Jacket is a remarkable feat of minimalist protection. It is feather light, yet tough and protective. It packs away to less than the size of your fist and weighs little more than an apple.

It is aimed at enthusiasts who know that breathability is more important than waterproofness when you’re setting a brisk pace.

Heavier gear isn’t stronger, more breathable or more protective.

It’s just heavier. And all Rohan gear, no matter how light, is built to last.

Of course, the benefit of losing weight is that you travel lighter, go further, stay longer and feel free.

It may well be time to re-think the clothes you plan to pack for your next adventure.

LIGHT PROTECTIVE & SPORT WEAR

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1. Men’s Windshadow Jacket

Colours: Garnet Red (shown) and Dark Shadow £95; code: 03254

1. Men’s Rangefinder Shorts

Colours: Falcon (shown) and Asphalt £62; code: 03582

1. Women’s Windshadow Jacket

2. Men’s Elite Jacket

Colours: Raspberry Stripe (shown) and Blue Haze Stripe £49; code: 03368

3. Men’s Element T

6. Women’s Aura Jacket

Colours: Parchment Stripe (shown), Mariner Blue, Raincloud, Tibetan Red, League Green and Sea Spray Stripe £30; code: 03593

4. Men’s Core Silver T

Colour: Blue Mist £95; code: 03365

Colours: Green Burst (shown), Team Blue Marl and Titanium Marl £36; code: 03624

1. Women’s Pacer Capris

4. Men’s Outrider Shorts

Colours: Driftwood (shown), Deepwater Blue and Saffron £65; code: 03565

5. Women’s Essence Hoodie

Colours: Green Burst (shown) and Graphite £225; code: 03631

Colour: Black £65; code: 03637

6. Women’s Pacer Capris

Colours: Deepwater Blue (shown), Driftwood and Saffron £65; code: 03565

Colour: Graphite £60; code: 03579

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FA M I LY H I K I N G I N M O R O C C O

A MOROCCAN FAMILY ADVENTURE

Taking the whole family, including the kids, on a trek into Morocco’s Atlas Mountains might seem daunting at first, but with a little planning it will end up being an adventure to remember.

WORDS

PIERS TOWNLEY | ILLUSTRATIONS

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ANDREW LYONS

“The main consideration for us was the fitness of the boys and the type of terrain we’d encounter,” explains Sue. “We’d been on shorter treks before and the boys are really into their outdoor stuff but it was still largely an unknown to us. We opted for a two-day itinerary that ended up being about five or six hours trekking each day.

“It sounds like a fair bit but the boys loved ‘training’ beforehand and it was, hands down, the best trip we’ve ever done together as a family.”

Sue’s itinerary began with the ascent from Imlil up towards the west col of Tizi h’Mzik, along ancient paths through breathtaking terraced slopes and cloud-topped views of the valley behind them.

“The col was our main concern,” says Sue. “The pass is over 2,400m and we worried about the boys and altitude sickness. Blisters and aching

The beginning of an impressive family trip lies just 65km from the centre of Marrakech, with the mountainside village of Imlil as the access point for exploring the mountain region.

Previously crucial to the country’s production and trade in walnuts and cherries, the village and surrounding areas now soak up the increased demand for adventure tourism and Imlil has established itself as an ideal base for welltrodden trekking routes up to the 4,167m summit of Toubkal.

Supplementing the souks of Marrakech, a few nights high in the Atlas range is an adventure

not to be missed.

“Once we’d suggested the idea to our two boys, aged 16 and 12, there was no turning back,” says Sue Reynolds from Lancashire.

“They did more research over the next 24 hours than their parents had done in the last couple of months.”

Tour operators abound in Marrakech and most are able to fine-tune a trek for varying numbers of days based on your levels of fitness and expertise. They’ll also source accommodation, guides and mules if needed depending on your trek’s itinerary.

‘ The Tizi h’Mzik col was our main concern.

The pass is over 2,400m and we worried about the boys and altitude sickness’ knees we could handle but the altitude was hit-and-miss.

On advice from friends, we hired an extra mule in case either of them suffered any symptoms. It actually added to the trip – no one got sick and taking turns riding the mule was a highlight.

The banter with the guide and ROHAN.CO.UK | 27

FA M I LY H I K I N G I N M O R O C C O

“It was two unforgettable days, it felt like a real challenge for us all and the experience was literally breathtaking.”

What better way to top this all off than with an evening back in Marrakech and the start of a very different adventure that is the Djemaa el-Fna square.

ADDITIONAL ADVENTURES Saddle up

mule handler was just a bonus for the boys.”

As many trekkers do, they then headed to the top of the Azzadene Valley and the famous Cascada d’Irhoulidene waterfalls.

“By this stage, the boys were so into everything to do with the trek, that they even got stuck in with the washing up.”

The descent towards their gite accommodation in the village of Tizi Oussem took them down slopes dotted with juniper trees and wandering mountain goats. Along this part of the route they passed through villages where seeing the preserved Berber way of life caught them all by surprise.

The boys were exhausted by this stage so finally resting up in a traditional gite was a welcome relief, with only a few strips of Compeed needed for worn-out toes.

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“Day one of the trek had been perfect and the guides had been great in making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. That night felt a lot cooler than we’d imagined, so we were glad we had plenty of layers for the evenings.”

It was an early sunrise start on day two for the family.

The route took them up to the second high pass of Tizi Oudite at 2,219m, then a picturesque descent through fragrant shrubland. This part of the trek took them through the Berber villages of Agersioual and Matate then finally back to Imlil.

‘ The night felt cooler than we’d planned for, so we were glad we had plenty of layers for the evenings’

A sunset camel trek followed by an overnight with an evening meal in traditional Berber nomad tents is the chilled opposite to the frenetic bustle of Marrakech.

Many organised groups head out to the famous shifting sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, with Rissani and Merzouga the best towns for pitching out from. Alternatively with a bit of haggling, you can book a camel ride through La Palmeraie, just a short drive from the centre of Marrakech.

Soak up the city

Head out to the desert citadel of Aït Benhaddou, a World Heritage Site out in Ouarzazate province. It is the country’s most famous ksar (Arabic for a fortified city) and has been frequently used as a setting for films such as Gladiator and Babel.

It can be a great history trip for teens and younger children as they climb and explore the (remarkably preserved) narrow alleyways and dwellings, with a few still home to Berber families.

UPF CLOTHING

BUTTON UP SUN SENSE Protecting you in the heat is just as important as protecting you in the cold.

Sanctuary Shirt Long Sleeve

A relatively small increase in core body temperature can be at best uncomfortable, at worst life threatening.

Whereas cold protection can often be as simple as adding more layers as the temperature drops, heat protection is more difficult.

It requires the thinnest, most lightweight garments to protect you in the most extreme conditions.

Rohan clothing uses state-ofthe-art technologies to protect you from harmful UV radiation and to keep you cool.

It is well known that UV radiation causes sunburn and skin damage.

What is less well known is that many garments offer minimal protection from UV light.

Rohan were actively involved in pioneering the testing of clothing fabrics for UV penetration over 15 years ago in the UK. It’s one of the innovations we’re most proud of.

All Rohan fabrics for hot weather, that carry the sun icon, are tested for their Ultraviolet Protection Factor and rated either 20+ or 40+, making it easy for you to choose

the level of protection you need.

Our Sanctuary Shirt for example is light, fast drying and protective.

It will guard against biting insects and the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Seersucker fabric helps to keep you cool by encouraging channels of air to flow against the skin.

Dynamic Moisture Control™ wicks perspiration away from the skin and is stretchy, soft and comfortable.

And because it’s Rohan, it is durable enough to keep working, no matter how hard you work.

ROHAN.CO.UK | 29

Microgrids – perfect, packable, sundown warmth Don’t let the hot days of the tropics trick you into being ill prepared for the nights.

Sundown warmth is a travel essential for virtually everywhere in the world.

Rohan microgrid fleece is the perfect ingredient for dry climate warmth because the more air a fabric can trap, the more it insulates. And microgrid works harder than ordinary fleece because it traps more air. A less dense fabric also means better packability, more effective wicking, faster drying times and excellent breathability.

It’s no wonder that this fabric is the secret behind our best selling fleece jackets and tops.

The microgrid structure also gives the fabric a soft and gentle waffle texture, and as an extra bonus, the subtle pattern seems to make these perfect for everyday tops as well.

Men’s Microgrid Stowaway Zip

Men’s Microgrid Stowaway Jacket

Men’s Microrib Jumper

Deep ventilating zip and a handy Packpocket.TM

Full length zip and two zipped hand pockets.

Features a neat V-neck collar which works well with a base layer or a casual shirt.

Colours: Green Burst (shown), Tibetan Red, Titanium and Mariner Blue £60; code: 02915

Colours: League Green (shown) and Carbon Marl £70; code: 03322

Colours: Putty (shown), League Green and Mariner Blue £48; code: 03589

Women’s Microgrid Stowaway Jacket

Amparo Blue

Azalea

Carbon Marl

Women’s Microgrid Stowaway Zip

Full length zip and two hand-warmer pockets.

Deep ventilating zip and a handy Packpocket.TM

Colours: Cobalt (shown), Azalea and Limestone £70; code: 03191

Colours: French Blue (shown), Raspberry and Amparo Blue £60; code: 02921

Cobalt

French Blue

Green Burst

League Green

Limestone

Mariner Blue

Putty

Raspberry

Tibetan Red

Titanium

HOW TO ORDER

There’s stacks more to choose from in-store and online.

We would love to show you everything we make but that’s virtually impossible in print.

You will, however, find it all at rohan.co.uk and, of course, with over 50 shops around the country it’s easy to see for yourself just how light and comfortable all our gear really is.

HOW TO ORDER:

FOUR WAYS TO BUY Whether you’re at home, on the move, or in a far corner of the world, Rohan is always easy to find.

ORDER ONLINE ROHAN.CO.UK 1

You can view the entire range with easy and totally secure ordering. You’ll also be able to read about all the relevant technologies, features and benefits for each product. While you’re there, why not check out the Rohan Souk – the best place to grab the biggest bargains. You can sign up for our email newsletter to ensure you’re the first to hear about all the latest news and offers. And you’ll also find Rohantime, a forum to share ideas and opinions with other enthusiastic Rohan wearers.

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FIND A STORE

We have over 50 shops – to find your nearest one and to check opening times visit rohan.co.uk or give our Customer Service Team a call.

Whichever shop you choose to visit, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and great advice.

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BY POST

If you prefer to place your order by post, call our Customer Service Team and they will post you an order form. Alternatively, go online to the Customer Service section where you can download the form.

OVER THE PHONE 0800 840 1412 4

You can place your telephone order with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Calls are free from a BT landline. Call costs from a mobile or networks other than BT may vary.

CUSTOMER SERVICES 0800 840 1411

If you need help and advice, you can ring our Customer Service Team between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (or 24 hour answerphone). Or, if you prefer, you can email us at post@rohan.co.uk Here at Rohan, we take customer service very seriously.

That’s why we’ve got a fully‑staffed Customer Service Department – and we’re here to help. So, if you’re not quite sure, give us a call. We absolutely do our best to delight you with our service. If we haven’t, please let us know. It’s the only way we’ll get better.

DELIVERY

Our standard charge is £4.95 to mainland UK addresses; you should have your parcel within three working days.

Please call for a price, or check online if you need nextday or worldwide delivery. Alternatively, we also offer a Deliver to Store service. You can pick your order up from one of our stores with no delivery charge. Someone from the shop will give you a call when it’s ready for collection.

RETURNS OR EXCHANGES

Please package the clothes carefully and include your exchange/re‑order form which came with your original delivery. Use recorded delivery or something similar.

If it’s more convenient, take them into your local shop.

OUR GUARANTEE

Rohan products are designed and manufactured to be as functional, comfortable and durable as we know how. If for any reason they don’t live up to your expectations, we will be amazed, disappointed and keen to know why. We will then offer you a replacement, a refund or a repair. Damage from wear and tear will be repaired for a reasonable charge.

Order online rohan.co.uk

Find your nearest store

Order by post

Order by phone 0800 840 1412

Our Covent Garden shop has moved.

We look forward to seeing you soon at 6a Langley Street, London WC2H 9JA. Tel: 020 7240 2551

ROHAN.CO.UK | 31

Everyday style for everywhere in the world.

Classic style combined with technical performance is at the very heart of Rohan.

You’ll see jeans and a polo worn together practically everywhere. When they’re made from Rohan performance fabrics however, they don’t just fit in visually.

They become your passport to comfort and discovery – anywhere in the world.

Men’s Progress Polo

Colours: Thistle (shown), French Blue, Mineral Green and Pink Clay £46; code: 03434

Men’s Jeans Plus

Colours: Mid Denim (shown) and Dark Denim £75; code: 03573