Yak Attack in the Himalayas

Rob Howard / 15.06.2006

Economical World Challenges are living up to their motto, ‘Radical Challenges in Extreme Locations’, by offering runners and riders the chance to complete a stage race around Nepal’s fabled Annapurna Circuit.

‘Yak Attack’ is set to take place in March 2007 and is being run in conjunction with
Biking High, who specialise in Himalayan mountain bike holidays, and has the support of the Nepal Mountain Bike Association. The course is open to runners as well, either solo competitors or in pairs.

The 12 day route covers a total distance of approximately 200km, circling the Annapurna mountain range and crossing the Thorong La Pass at an altitude of 5416m. The trail is said to be over 60% rideable for bikers, or to put it another way it will be necessary to hike-a-bike over parts of the route, particularly during the first few days. The last part of the course will be one of the longest descents ever! The course finishes with a two-and-a-half day downhill, from an altitude of over 5000m back down to 800m.

Not surprisingly the organiser Phil Evans warns, “This challenge is suitable for experienced and physically fit competitors only: the trails are steep and rocky, and the effects of altitude are draining. Temperatures at altitude can reach well below 0°c and areas of the pass may still be covered with snow.”

The stages are set to allow for acclimatisation so will seem fairly short (from 7 to 54km), but the effects of altitude and difficulty of the trail should not be underestimated.