Crane brothers ‘(Trail) Running the Himalaya’

In 1983 two British cousins, Richard and Adrian Crane ran the Himalayas, from before Kanchenjunga to beyond Nanga Parbat in less than 100 days.

back then there was no way to cross the border between Western Nepal and India and so they had to decend onto the flat plains of the Terai to make the crossing.

The Crane’s were…

…travelling super-light. One rucksack, one sleeping bag, one set of clothes, one pair of shoes, and shared between us: map, diaries, camera, penknife, water jar and two plastic teaspoons. No guides, no porters, no shelter, no food, no water. And we would be running. Looked at logically, the idea was preposterous.

You can guess from the route map above the average milage that was being completed on a daily basis. Quite amazing. Worth reading a copy of their book “Running the Himalayas” if you can get one.

“Trans-Nepal-Himalaya” – Paul-Eric Bonneau and Bruno Poirier, 1994

Similarly in 1994 two French men ran a route across Nepal in Event less time than the Cranes. In just 42 days (October 21 – December 1, 1994) they crossed from Pashupatinagar on the eastern border to Mahakali on the western border.

During their adventure, known as the “Trans-Nepal-Himalaya,” Paul-Eric and Bruno traveled 2000 km and +/-55 000 m elevation.

Bruno Poirier et Paul-Eric Bonneau en 1994 à Phagune Dhuri. Derrière eux, le Churen Himal et le Dhaulagiri Himal

The outline of the itinerary of Paul-Eric and Bruno in 1994.

Pashupatinagar – Illam – Taplejung – Tumlingtar – Num – Sedu – Bamlung – Bung – Karikhola – Namche – Everest BC – Junbesi – Jiri – Lamosangu – Dolalghat – Bhaktapur – Kathamandu (Swayambhunath) – Budhanilkantha – Thansing – Trisuli – Arughat – Gorkha – Besi Sahar – Garhyu – Manang – Muktinath – Tatopani – Dhorpatan – Pelma – Dhule – Rukhumkot – Jajarkot – Surkhet – Chisopani – Mahakali.