Heading to Laya, Bhutan, where the race started. Brian Ralph
I wrote a story about my time in Bhutan at the Snowman Race for Outside Run. Here's the story!
Leki, my dear Bhutanese friend, walking in his hometown of Laya. Brian Ralph An ariel view of night halt 3, at 16,500 feet. I didn't sleep much here... Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceRosanna Buchauer won the women's race and is forever my German machine! Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceThe Honorable Chairman of the Snowman Race, Kesang Wangdi. His sense of humor is as good as Bhutan's forest conservation. Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceThe Pho Chhu River and Lunana Valley village underneath 23,000+ mountains. Meghan Hicks/Snowman RacePego, the mother of my homestay host, Tinley, in Laya. She's always busy foraging, drying plants, sewing, cooking, chatting... Brian Ralph My Dad! Mike Gallagher, known as Papa G, was the best plus one I could have asked for. Megan Hicks/Snowman RaceThe jokesters! Arafat, from Bangladesh and Pascal Egli, from Switzerland. Brian Ralph Karma Yangdon, from Laya, Bhutan, became a total homie - even with her destroying me during the race. She got third this year and won in 2022. She herds yaks and forages in traditional highlander fashion. Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceArafat became everyone's favorite, inspiring everyone by finishing the Snowman Race. It was his first trail race! Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceOne of the villages in the Lunana Valley, at risk of a glacier lake outburst flood. Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceKelly Halpin, from Wyoming, on day three of the race. The best tent buddy I could have asked for. Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceThe field and plus ones and race support at Tiger's Nest Monastery. Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceSimon Mtuy, from Tanzania, returned to Bhutan for the second time. He's hilarious. Also he's summited Mt. Kilimanjaro over 350 times! Meghan Hicks/Snowman RaceAfter the race. Kaori Niwa is a trail sister for life; we ran many miles together at altitude and in knee-deep mud. Japan's national broadcasting station is making a documentary about this year's Snowman Race. Out in January! Luke Nelson, friend to all! Brian Ralph
