1999 Found me in the Moroccan Sahara and Jbel Sarhro. This was my first trip outside of the Western world and I loved it. Morocco is a beautiful country with very friendly people.

This part of the Sahara isn't the stereotypical sand desert. It's much more rocky, although there is the occasional dune. It's actually a former seabed, witness the fossils to be found.

Jbel Sarhro is a smallish mountain range in between the Sahara and the Atlas mountains. It's a rugged place and I loved it. Its most famous landmark is Bab'n Ali, Ali's Gate.

This is the trek where I grew to be fond of deserts and barren landscapes. There's something rough and pure about them that I like very much.