Berghaus Yak Attack 2008 concluded with great success on March 16th. Kaji Sherpa won the second Yak Attack that was held from 8-16 March 2008 between Besi Sahar of Lamjung district to Beni Bazaar of Myagdi. There were total 23 participants including four professional nepali women cyclist. Extreme World Challenges-UK with support from Berghaus-UK, Dawn Till Dusk mountain biking-Kathmandu, Nepal Cycling Association (NCA), Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP, Nepal), Torq-UK, started this challenging race last year.

Kazi Sherpa finished the 240km stretch in 20 hours and 52 minutes. More detailed reports are avilable at www.yak-attack.co.uk. Extreme World Challenges UK and Dawn Till Dusk Mountain Bike Trekking is thankful to all the participants and supporters without whose help and support this event could not have been possible. 

Following is a preview of the duathlon itinerary:

March 6
Race registration at Kathmandu Guesthouse, Kathmandu.

March 7 Drive to Besi Sahar (approx 6 hours).
Preparation for the race, checking of bikes, equipment, permits etc, last minute briefing.

March 8: Besi Sahar to Bahundanda Rideable: 95% Altitude: 760m—1310m Distance: 20km
Approx 2km of sealed road starts the race along Besi Sahar main street. The trail soon turns to rough jeep track, which can be quite muddy along the first predominantly flat 14km. Competitors will travel through many small villages and cross numerous suspension bridges crossing the Marshyangdi River. At these lower altitudes the temperature can reach upto 30c and the final 6km can prove to be a long hot climb upto Bahundanda.

March 9: Bahundanda to Taal Rideable: 15% Altitude: 1310m—1700m Distance: 7km
A steep rocky and technical downhill starts day 2 out of Bahundanda. After dropping 500m its then time for the riders to push/carry their bikes up a long, steep and hot climb over the hill, before a final rocky downhill ride into the village of Taal.

March 10: Taal to Chame Rideable: 33% Altitude: 1700m—2570m Distance: 16.5km
Leaving Taal, there is a Mani wall (dry stone wall inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates) in the middle of the path. These should always be passed on the left. After going by fields of maize, barley and potatoes, the valley becomes narrow again. From Taal to Dharpani the trail will be mostly push or carry for bikers although it does become more rideable through Barachap, Tanagyung, Latamrang and Koto. After a hard days work to reach Chame, competitors can relax in the hot springs on the other side of the Marshyangdi Khola.

March 11: Chame to Manang Rideable: 75% Altitude: 2570m—3540m Distance: 33km
The route today takes competitors through a dense forest in a steep, narrow valley and crosses a river via two bridges, one at 2910m and then another at 3030m. The trail continues along the river to Pisang, where the altitude is enough to bring on the first symptoms of altitude sickness or AMS. From Pisang, the route roughly follows the contours of the land. You will reach a wall of prayer wheels and Mani stones (again, these should be passed on the left) before travelling through Ghyaru and Ngwal to reach Manang. The route is now through the drier upper path of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of monsoons by the Annapurna Range.

March 12: Rest day in Manang
It is necessary to spend a resting day in Manang for acclimatisation purposes. To ascend too rapidly could have potentially fatal consequences. There are many short excursions possible from Manang and remaining active is encouraged to aid acclimatisation.

March 13: Manang to Thorong Phedi Rideable: 68% Altitude: 3540m—4450m Distance: 17km
The race leaves Manang through narrow, medieval looking streets and then climbs steadily upto Khusang. Although the trail is more rideable above Khusang (3900m), the altitude now takes effect making turning those pedals very hard work. For the majority of the international competitors it becomes a slow hard slog upto Thorong Phedi with an added bonus of having to cross a steep scree landslide area in the final 2km.

March 14: Thorong Phedi to Jomsom Rideable: 93% Altitude: 5416m—2720m Distance: 32km
A 4am start is necessary to cross the Thorong La: the trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the top (approx 3km) and will be 100% carry for bikers. The effects of altitude are now fully felt and the majority of international competitors will be unable to move at anything but a snails pace. Once at the top, the trail descends rapidly on a very steep slope (technical riding) for approximately 45 minutes to Muktinath and then on a less extreme gradient on fast, wide flowing trails to the valley floor. The final few kms into Jomsom are along a flat dry river bed and is predominantly into a headwind. The finish line in Jomsom main street is a welcome sight after this tough day.

March 15: Jomsom to Tato Pani Rideable: 79% Altitude: 2720m—1190m Distance: 54km
An undulating trail along jep track leads to a flat dry river bed, The trail folllows and crosses the river several times before leading back onto jeep track and dropping rapidly through Chiso Pani and beyond. The trail narrows and becomes rocky for the last approx 10km and riders may have to push/carry over some of this last section.Once in Tato Pani competitors can enjoy the revitalising qualities of the hot springs that give Tato Pani (hot water) its name.

March 16: Tato Pani to Beni Rideable: 80% Altitude: 1190m—830m Distance: 23km
A predominently rideable day for the bikers with a short rocky downhill carry section in the middle. The finale to the race is a 4 mile fast and flowing 40kph+ dusty jeep track leading into the main square at Beni and an end to the 200km Yak Attack 2008.
After finishing photographs and interviews for the winners, the competitiors will then be transported by coach to Pokhara (approx 3 hours), where relative civilisation and all the luxuries that go with it can be enjoyed. Overnight at the beautiful Barhai Hotel.

March 17
A morning to look around and enjoy the splendours of Pokhara. The awards ceremony will commence late afternoon, followed by an end-of-race BBQ at the hotel, for all competitiors, porters and support staff.

March 18: Transfer back to Kathmandu.
The coach will take approx 8 hours or (optional extra) an internal flight will take approx 45minutes.


Optional Extra acclimatisation in Kathmandu valley prior to race departure. (available to runners and/or mtb'ers)

March 4: Kathmandu to Nagarkot via Bhaktapur (38km with 650m altitude gain)
After an early morning breakfast in Kathmandu, we ride due east to the medieval town of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is an ancient city, full of Newari culture. There are many temples and squares here that we will have time to explore. From here we head northeast to Nagarkot on an excellent and quiet tarmac road. We gradually climb 20km to Nagarkot, on the valley rim, passing steeply terraced farmland and houses that seem to be clinging to the hillside. When we reach the summit we will be able to see the Himalayan mountain range and on a good day, Mount Everest too. We stay in a guesthouse on the ridge.

March 5: Nagarkot-Shanku-Boudhanath-Kathmandu/Sleeping Vishnu (34 - 40km with 650m. descent)
The day starts with an exciting descent on Jeep tracks. We pass through many rustic villages with the Himalayas to the right on a clear day! We reach the beautiful ancient village of Shanku. From here we are on tarmac road towards Boudhanath Stupa. Here we will have lunch and then ride back to Kathmandu or ride towards (Budhanilkantha) the Sleeping Vishnu temple and then back to Thamel.

HOW TO APPLY/REGISTER

A non refundable deposit of £100 will secure a place in the Berghaus Yak Attack 2008, with payment in full required by 30/11/2007. Places are limited so early applications are recommended.

To apply please click here to use our secure online payment system via paypal or to download an application form and pay by cheque.

See you in March 2008!