Ultrarunning
Tensions mount as the guys battle through injury and face rockslides
As Ryan and Ryno race though Nepal, Ryno is forced to push through severe pain and keep his head in the game as he battles with frostbite and further injuries.
3 min
Ryan and Ryno face new hurdles, including injury, but power through
After overcoming the notorious Dolpa region, South African ultra-runners, Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel face a new hurdle of powering through and overcoming injury to smash the FKT.
It’s safe to say that not surviving the Great Himalaya Trail was always a possibility for the two runners. However, Ryan and Ryno have had to overcome quite a few massive challenges thus far – including a momentarily crippling leg injury Ryno sustained in the Manaslu region.
“As I looked down and took a step I could just hear a bit of a pop,” Ryno said. “Then it was just excruciating pain – I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t move.”
Sandes and Griesel got some four-legged company
© Dean Leslie/Red Bull Content Pool
Meanwhile, the filmmakers were hunting for the guys to drop Ryno his frostbite medication (Ryno sustained severe frostbite in the Dolpa region – see video below). The filmmakers remained in the air until it was almost too late and they nearly ran out of fuel in the helicopter. Dean and Jared were then forced to land and were unable to give Ryno the medicine he desperately needed to guarantee completing the run.
As a result, we were left biting our nails wondering if Ryan and Ryno would even make it to the next meeting point.
Ryan Sandes in the Manaslu Valley, Nepal
© Dean Leslie / Red Bull Content Pool
Compared to the remoteness of the Dolpa region, the Annapurna and Manaslu regions are quite touristy and gave the opportunity to stop for a pizza along the way. “I’ve really enjoyed the contrast,” Ryan said. “It’s definitely been my favourite and just spectacular. I’m really enjoying the way we’re doing this because we get to enjoy some big iconic mountains of Nepal and more remote areas, but then also the farming, touristy areas – all on foot.”
“We’ve gone from trying to find something remotely close to an ice cream to the total opposite in more touristy areas,” Ryno said with a laugh.
Grabbing a bite to eat
© Dean Leslie/The Wandering Fever
However, with the more modern areas, the guys also come across more dangers – including roadworks.
“It was a bit hair-raising when we were coming into town,” Ryan said. “Some guys were doing work on the road above us, and they were bashing down rocks. We nearly got taken out when they said we could go but continued to work. I snapped a trekking pole trying to get out of the firing line.”
Feet taking a beating
© Dean Leslie/The Wandering Fever
Although the guys were able to escape without injury, the rockslide did shake the runners up. However, as they continuously overcome all literal and figurative obstacles, they prove again (and again) that they are athletes like none other.