About

***Click here to track my trip***

On April 18th, I’ll be setting off to Nepal for a 3 week solo/unsupported mountain bike challenge around the Annapurna trail. This is a 275 mile ride with a few extra side rides and hikes thrown in. I'll be heading to Kathmandu from Manchester Airport and then taking a small domestic flight to Pokhara where I'll start my ride around the Annapurna circuit. I'll spend around 5 days riding the ascent to a small remote village called Manang (3,519m), where I'll spend a few days resting and hiking to acclimatise to the altitude.

I will then detour from the Annapurna trail, head to the tiny village of Shree Kharka (4,000m), leave the bike there and hike to Tilicho Lake (4,919m) via Tilicho Base Camp. This extension will take 4 days.

After the lake trip, I'll get back on the Annapurna trail and head towards Thorong La Pass (the highest traversable mountain pass in the world). To get there, I'll stop at Thorong La Pass Base Camp, then set off in the early hours to summit the pass and descend the other side before the afternoon wind and snow roll in. This is the toughest section of the trip as I'll need to carry my bike up a technical 40% climb in the dark, reaching an altitude of 5,416m.

The next 3 to 4 days will involve some very technical descents down rocky and loose terrain until I arrive back in Pokhara.

So.....3 weeks in total with around 80% of the time spent riding and the rest carrying or pushing the bike. The bike and backpack together weigh around 30kg, meaning I'll need to take things slowly to avoid altitude sickness. The middle 10 days of the trip will see nighttime temperatures around -20º and daytime temperatures around -13º, so thermals have been packed! While this adventure is completely solo and unsupported, I'll meet plenty of travellers at the various teahouses where I'll be staying overnight, so I'm looking forward to that.

I’ve decided to raise some money for the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team. While I’m fortunate enough to never have needed their services, it does give me reassurance that they are there when I’m out on my hikes, rides or runs.

My trip is completely self funded so 100% of your donation will go to Calder Valley SRT and I will be applying for Morrisons Foundation Fund Matching (up to £1000) which will double your donation!

Thank you!!