Strategy and Survival on the Great Himalaya Trail

Press Release / 14.03.2018

Here's an insight into the strategy behind Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel’s FKT attempt on the Great Himalaya Trail and some of the challenges they have faced.

Currently Ryan they are some 16 days and 589 kilometres into their attempt to set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the iconic Great Himalaya Trail.

A few days back, before they entered the Dolpa Region they had to buy additional gear - ice axes and ropes – because unseasonal snow threatened to slow down their efforts.

Going into Dolpo they knew it was going to be tough—no one had crossed the pass this season, they needed rope and ice axes, and it was the most remote section of the trail. However, the reality was: the section was next level.

“It was 3.5 days of really roughing it—we had to beg a monastery to stay there one night and another night we stayed with a Monk,” Ryan said.

“It was pretty hectic,” Sandes continued. “With all the late winter snow and ice, it made for really slow going. But those conditions also made the adventure that much more real and epic.”

“We had to break our own way through the ice and snow—which took a lot longer and was mentally challenging,” Ryno explained as he nursed frost bitten fingers.  “Unfortunately, I also picked up a bit of proper frost bite from looking at the GPS without gloves on to navigate. It’s a little bit of concern at the moment in terms of long term effects.”

“If that monastery hadn’t been there, I think we would have frozen to death,” Sandes said reflecting back on the 3.5 day run. “So it was really cool how the people opened their arms and doors to us and gave us their beds—that was really cool.

Although the area was physically demanding, the real challenges were the mental challenges.  For Ryan, it was the challenges with survival that really hit home. Ryno also slipped into a dark place and has been struggling to find his mojo again.

Despite the insane conditions, the guys have been able to take in their surroundings. “The scenery was spectacular—really rugged and wild,” Ryan said. “Looking back now I’m quite relieved.”

You can see a video interview with the two runners about the crossing of Dolpa here. 

These unpredictable eventualities were obviously a part of the strategic planning ... but just how do you set your pace when you are planning to run for 28 days.

“The plan is to keep it as consistent as possible,” Ryan explained, “Especially early on and through the Dolpa region,” he said.

Speaking about their plan for FKT he added, "Daily it varies a lot, and, if you look at Andrew’s record on day one he did around 70 kilometres and then after between 20 and 30 kms most days.”

“Obviously it depends a lot on the terrain but I think if you do like 55km a day, that would put us doing pretty well.” Currently the two are averaging around 36 kilometres per day, but this is set to increase.

“The plan is to start of conservatively and then make up some time on the second half where it becomes a bit more ‘runable’. This is the same approach I have for 100-milers where I try make up time in the second half,” Ryan said.

Following the Dolpa region, the crossed the Annapurna and Manasul regions and you can see their latest position and follow the pair’s attempt live here.