17 dagar kvar till avfärd och jag sitter mitt i utrustningsträsket.
På frågan till organisationen vilken utrustning man bör prioritera samt hur mycket allt bör bli svarade dom återigen i kryptiska ordalag, – Use a 100 litre bag and fill it with all stuff you need and that should equal approximately 20 kg of equipment.
Smart tänkte jag. Vilket stalltips. Vikten beror nog mer på VAD man fyller väskan med…
Föregående år har viktlimiten varit dystra 10 kg. Allt utöver får du ta på ryggen över sträckorna. I år har minimivikten utökats till makalösa 20 kilo efter att ett antal deltagare försökt ta sig över Thorong La-passet i benvärmare med förfrysningar som resultat.
20 kg är ganska mycket men det fylls upp fort när man börjar packa. Jag är just nu i prylstadiet där jag från många håll får in all utrustning som behövs samt de ”smarta” trix till utrustningen jag tror kan ge mig ett försprång.
Jag gillar att tänka ut kluriga lösningar jag ser mig själv hala fram framför näsan på ett koppel förbluffade Nepaleser medans Race Directorn förbryllat mumlar –Not even I could have built such genius device that probably will warp the ”young” swede to top results!”
Drömma kan man ju göra. Det är inte bara drömmar dock, jag har några kort i ärmen jag tror kan funka bra! Mer om det senare.
Bara skorna är ett kapitel som kräver mycket omtanke. Lätta och svala skor de första dagarna, lätta och varma skor de senare sträckorna där snö och minusgrader råder. Ju längre upp vi kommer desto mer trekking kommer det att bli. Både i snö men även över sten och löst underlag så greppet kan vara viktigt. Kan det vara så att just skorna är ett av mina hemliga kort? Det visar sig.
Nedan ser ni den omfattande ”gearlistan”.
Compulsory Kit List
The following clothing and equipment must be carried by all competitors during the race.
Spare base layer top
Plasters
Bandage and safety pins
Provisions for carrying at least 1.5 litres of water (water bottles or CamelBac etc)
If weather conditions dictate, we may ask riders to carry additional clothing / equipment. This will be advised of at the daily race briefing in the evening.
It is also compulsory that whilst riding all bikers wear a helmet and carry the following items:
Spare tube+ puncture outfit
Link to repair broken chain
Multi tool
Pump
Chain Lube
It is a race requirement, as a minimum, that all competitors are adept in repairing a puncture and fixing a broken chain. It would also be prudent to carry some light items of warm clothing to change into after finishing each stage as the luggage may not arrive until a few hours later, and especially as we gain altitude the afternoons can become quite cold.
Recommended Kit
The following is only a suggestion and includes items worn or carried. Several thin layers are better than a few thick ones as air trapped between the layers acts as insulation. Remember that although it may be hot during the day, temperatures can plummet as soon as the sun goes down and it will probably be below freezing at night above 3000m. At Thorong Phedi the night time temperature is likely to be around -10C.
Strong kit bag to contain items to be transported by porters (max total weight 10kg)
Rucksac for carrying possessions/ spare clothing etc during the day.
Lockable bag for leaving spare luggage at hotel
Various polythene bags for wrapping clothes etc.
Footwear( see paragraph below)
Cycling shorts, tops and gloves ( at least 2 of each)
Down / synthetic jacket(can be hired in Kathmandu)
Warm trousers or Tracksuit bottoms
Thermal long sleeved high wicking top (at least 2)
Thermal longs
Mid layer fleece
Thin socks
Thermal socks (for night and crossing pass)
Thermal Gloves and head cover
Waterproof and windproof jacket and leggings
Sunglasses
Travel type or small towel
Biodegradable soap for washing body, hair and clothes
3/4 season sleeping bag(can be hired in Kathmandu)
Any race aids ie HRM, water bottles, re hydration powder, recovery aid etc
Water filter and / or purifying tablets, chemical hand/ foot warmers for crossing the pass,
crampons for the icy descent from the top of the pass.
*Footwear.
For the majority of the race normal trail/cycling shoes will be sufficient. However whilst crossing over the pass snow may be encountered, the temperature may be below freezing and competitors should decide whether their footwear will be adequate for such conditions and bring an alternative set of shoes/boots if they deem necessary. Also riders must consider that on the Besi Sahar to Chame legs and whilst crossing the Thorong La pass there is a certain amount of walking/carrying involved, often over rocky surfaces and should also consider whether their normal riding shoes are adequate for this. A warm pair of shoes/boots to change into after each days stage has finished is also recommended and the boots/shoes adequate for crossing the pass could also satisfy this criteria.
First Aid Kit
This is only a minimum recommendation and is at the participants discretion.
Plasters(various sizes)/ plastic skin
Crepe Bandage and fastening
Antiseptic cream
Pain Killer such as paracetamol or Ibuprofen
Sunscreen (Factor 20-25)
Lip Salv
Hand wash
Outnorth, som stöttar mig i min Jak Attack har alla prylar en äventyrare kan drömma om. Nedan ser ni ett urval av vad jag kommer att använda. Alla nedan produkter är det bästa, lättaste, starkaste och mest utvalda för att kunna hjälpa mig nå mina mål.
1 st Western Mountaineering Ultralite 198 cm LZ
1 st Brunton Sustain 2
1 st Outnorth Spork
2 par Urberg Mountain Trail Sock
1 par Salomon XA Pro 3D Mid LTR GTX®
1 st Spot III Generation
1 st Thule Chasm L-90L
1 st Urberg Basic Beanie
1 par Urberg Compression Sock
2 st 24 Hour Meals Chicken Sweet and Sour Pasta
2 st 24 Hour Meals Pasta med Köttbullar i Tomatsås
2 st 24 Hour Meals Chicken Massaman Potato
1 st 24 Hour Meals Chicken Korma Potato
