4 Deserts Race – Gobi March: ready to go

After the Sahara Race (Egypt) and the Atacama Crossing (Chile), I will be heading to China to participate to the Gobi March (China), my third 4 Deserts Race.

Philippe at the Sahara Race (© P. Gatta)

After almost 30 hours of travel, I will arrive to the city of Kashgar (also called Kashi) which is on western part of the Xinjiang Uyghur region. Kashgar is near the border with Tajikistan along the Ancient Silk Road. Kashgar is 460 km Southwest of the Peak Khan-Tengri (7010 m, Kirgizstan) that I plan to climb this summer with Yannick and Thierry. Kashgar is also 430 km North of K2 (8611 m, Pakistan).

The 250 km Gobi race will take place in adesert and mountain range (up to 2,500 m) around Kashgar, starting on the Sunday June 10th. The race is self-supported, which means that we have to carry all our clothes, sleeping bag, mandatory equipment, medical/safety kit and 7 days of food in our pack. We will be only provided with water (13 liters per day) and tents for the nights.

Anna and Philippe at the Atacama Crossing (© P. Gatta)

We will run 6 stages in 7 days: 38 km, 40 km, 40 km, 42 km, 79 km and 12 km. Most of the course altitude ranges between 1,500 m and 2,500 m and the temperatures are expected to range between 5°C and 40°C.

I tried to limit the weight of my pack to the bare minimum, knowing that we have a long list of mandatory items (medical and safety kit, headlights, clothe, sleeping bag…). I end up with a 6.7 kg pack, which is much lighter than what I had in Sahara (7.9 kg) and Atacama (8.3 kg). I also took a bit less food; 21,243 calories which is still above the minimum allowed (14,000).

Here is my kit list for the Gobi March:

1 Berghaus Octans 40 Pack (600gr)
1 Berghaus Argentium Cool Base Crew short sleeves Tee-shirt
1 Berghaus Argentium Cool Base Crew long sleeves Tee-shirt
1 Berghaus Routeburn Jacket
1 Tight Shorts
2 pairs of Berghaus Fast Track Cushioned Socks
1 Berghaus Powerstretch Hat
1 Berghaus Sol Neck Gaiter (Buff)
1 Suunto T6D watch with Foot POD (distance/speed)
1 pair of sunglasses category 2-4
1 sleeping bag comfort 0°C
1 cap
1 pair of light gaiter
1 pair of Trail running shoes
1 Nikon AW100 camera + 2 batteries
1 knife, spoon & fork
2 headlights
1 safety kit: 1 red flashing light, 1 whistle, 1 life blanket, 1 compass
1 medical kit: blisters kit, alcohol, pain relief medicines, bandages, sunscreen
Food (4kg / 21,243 calories), electrolytes, energy & recovery powder and vitamins

Kit and food for the Gobi March (© Anna Gatta)

To follow me during the race:
– Updates will be posted on this blog
– You can email me here.
– Read the braking news are available here.

Video:
– video of the Sahara Race 2011
– video of the Atacama Crossing 2012