Nothing to Breathe, Only Dust to Eat

Yak Ru Enduro race

Based on the feature in Australian Mountain Bike Magazine (Issue 182), Words and Photos by Kristina Vackova.

A Milestone at 4,000 Meters

In 2019, photographer Kristina Vackova embarked on what would become a career-defining journey: capturing the YakRu Enduro Race in the rugged Manang District of Nepal. This wasn’t just a photoshoot; it was a two-week immersion into hard conditions, high-altitude headaches, and the chaotic beauty of a country built on spirituality and grit.

Her exceptional work on this expedition earned her the prestigious AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano Local Photographer of the Year.

The Reality of “Blind” Racing

The YakRu is legendary for its “blind” format. Racers drop into trails they have never seen before, located between 3,200 and 4,200 meters in altitude. Kristina documented the sheer determination required to navigate these natural singletrack routes, carved by generations of villagers and yaks.

“The motor certainly doesn’t help when you have to push or carry the bike 4000m above sea level,” Kristina noted, observing the “hike-a-bike” reality that even eMTBs struggled to conquer in the thin air.

Dust, Deities, and Dal Bhat

The story Kristina captured was as much about the culture as it was about the competition. Based in the beautiful village of Ngawal (3,600m), the crew lived in the shadow of Annapurna III. The conditions were brutal—sunsets at 3:45 PM led to freezing nights in rooms with no heating, where thick duvets and sleeping bags were the only sanctuary.

On the trails, the lack of rain meant clouds of dust so thick they were “unforgettable”. Yet, amidst the dust, there was magic:

• The Spiritual Path: Riding alongside ancient prayer wheels and stones carved with mantras.
• The Local Connection: Descending 50 kilometres of trails through historic villages with cheering locals.
• The Yak Trophy: The tradition of the daily winner receiving a stuffed yak’s head to keep at their door for good luck.

The Lasting Impression

For Kristina and her team, the YakRu was more than a race; it was a “crazy experience” that challenged their perceptions of adventure. While the excess of plastic waste in the mountains was a sobering sight, the overwhelming memory remains one of a majestic landscape and a group of people united by a love for the trail.

Today, Kristina’s award-winning photos stand as a testament to the spirit of Himalayan racing—a spirit that Dawn Till Dusk continues to pioneer every single day.