Marrakech Advice?

Hey guys,

I am just finding out if anyone has been to Marrakech and especially ventured up the Atlas Mountain Range?

I am planning a 8 day trip at the end of April 2010' and was after some advice in regards to booking a guide for my mini Atlas expedition.

I have researched the Internet in relation to the actual guides available etc but I was wondering to see if it is possible to arrange all this when I actually reach Marrakech itself and Befriend a local to experience a 100% genuine Morrocan trip?

Any help or added info on Marrakech would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks.

AB.

I have done both by road and train. It is a remarkable region of North Africa that I love very much.
What have you already read in your research and what aren't you sure of ?
I don't want to tell you things that you're already familiar with as your researching is already well under way.
As to the question of getting a guide, I have tried it on spec more than once and wasn't very happy with the result for so many reasons. The price was good to start with but went up with every obstacle that we came across.
The Atlas Mountains are just so easy that as long as you don't want to go hanging off the side by a piece of string or do extreme sports of any kind, you will be fine either on your own or with friends.
There are some treacherous bits for sure, after all some of the peaks are up in the 4,000mtr bracket. However, there are very gentle routes too, very similar to small mountain ranges on every continent, with easy and accessible paths.