October's Adventure Goody Bag: From 250km Ultras to New Peak Records

You're in for a treat with daring adventures, captivating documentaries, and the best outdoor events that have taken place around the world this month.

A story of extraordinary proportions

Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, a 32-year-old climber from Nepal, achieved a remarkable feat this season, becoming the first Nepali woman to conquer most of the world's highest peaks above 8,000m.

She summited G1, G2, and Nanga Parbat by July 2023, completing her twelfth 8,000er in just 16 days. G1 (8,080m) is the 11th highest peak, G2 (8,035m) is the 13th, and Nanga Parbat (8,126m) ranks ninth.

Dawa Yangzum, a mentor to aspiring female mountaineers, is celebrated for her achievements. She is also Nepal's first woman to earn the rigorous IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide qualification - often described as a PhD in mountaineering - which has been awarded to around 6,000 people worldwide and just 50 men in Nepal, despite climbing being a major income stream for the country.

Her impressive climbing record includes being the youngest K2 summiteer, the first Nepali woman to conquer Annapurna I without supplemental oxygen, and leading three expeditions to Everest. She also holds the speed climbing record (female) on Makalu in 20 hours.

She aims to complete all 14 peaks above 8,000m with ascents of Cho-Oyu and Shishapangma.

Our top movie picks for October

This month proved way too hard to only pick two outdoor movies - there were just too many good ones to choose from! So, here’s our goody bag of four adventure movies we couldn’t get enough of. Grab that popcorn and settle in for some epic viewings.

Masherbrum (K1) is often called the "Queen of the Mountains" perhaps due to its inaccessibility. While Mt. Everest has been summited many times, only four expeditions have conquered Masherbrum, the last in 1985.

Now, a Czech team seeks to establish a new alpine-style route on its west face. Will they succeed in captivating the Queen?

In 2014, Trevor Kennison's existence was profoundly reshaped by a debilitating spinal cord injury - a transformation that brought both adversity and opportunity in equal measure.

Full Circle offers a candid exploration of the hurdles one faces after a spinal cord injury, but it's also a tribute to the potential for personal growth that can emerge from such a tragic event.

The premier big-mountain freeride MTB event returned on Friday, October 13, where the top 18 mountain bike athletes competed for gold.

Red Bull Rampage brought riders to the rugged desert landscape of Southwestern Utah to showcase the biggest and baddest tricks, lines, and sends the sport has seen yet!

As strikingly beautiful as it is dramatic, Earthside is the story of Emily Harrington, Brette Harrington, Christina Lusti, and the late Hilaree Nelson who went on an expedition to climb and ski first descents on Baffin Island, Canada.

Check out where they made basecamp.

Adventure racing results

We don’t know about you, but we are constantly awed by what humans can achieve. The results below are a testament to the will and determination it takes to compete in some of the world’s most rugged and harsh terrains.

#1 The Transcontinental Race

In 2013, the inaugural Transcontinental Race redefined bike racing as a self-supported, rule-minimal event with only mandatory checkpoints and road restrictions, setting a groundbreaking precedent.

It is the ultimate test of bike riding, spanning legendary cycling routes and remote mountain trails, while demanding exceptional self-sufficiency in rest, resupply, route planning, bike maintenance, and self-care for success.

In this year's Transcontinental Race, called TCRno9, 350 cyclists covered 4,000km unsupported, stretching from Geraardsbergen in Belgium to Thessaloniki in Greek Macedonia.

Last year’s winner, Austrian rider Christoph Strasser won again in 8d 16h 30m with an average daily distance of 454km. Gereon Tewes and Sherry Cardona were the first pair to finish in 18th and 19th place, and the first female rider, Jaimi Wilson, placed 28th.

#2 The Beacons to the Blacks

The Beacons to the Blacks trail running challenge in Wales offers a diverse set of races that includes a 80km and 51km Ultra Marathon, Marathon, and Half-Marathon distances.

The Ultras and Marathon start in Llangynidr in the stunning Brecon Beacons and finish deep in the heart of the Black Mountains. The Half-Marathon starts at Llanbedr hall and runs through the Black Mountains, ending at Perth y Pia.

This year, Craig Bowen-Jones claimed victory in the 80km Ultra in 12:26:09 (in the 50+ category, no less), while Sarah Scott came in as the first female champion in 18:02:33.

#3 The Roc d’Azur

The European mountain bike show and competition, Roc d’Azur in Fréjus is one of the continent’s largest mountain bike shows. There are seven MTB competitions to choose from and a trade show with 300 exhibitors. Over 20,000 participants take part each year and roughly 150,000 visitors make their way to southern France for the unmissible event.

French cyclists Hugo Drechou and Noémie Garnier claimed victory at this year's Roc d'Azur. Drechou won, with Matthis Azzaro in second and Fabian Rabensteiner in third, while Garnier led the way, followed by two more Frenchwomen Constance Valentin and Marine Allione.

Page-turning adventure articles

10 of the Best Multi-Day Hikes in the Alps - Originally published in Strava Stories

With a dense network of trails, cable cars, and mountain huts, the European Alps offer unique adventures unlike anywhere else. Spanning eight countries, including Monaco, France, Italy, Switzerland, and more, the following 10 multi-day treks unveil the best of this iconic mountain range, from scenic foothills to world-renowned long hikes.

14 Bikes from the Desert Days Women’s Freeride Gathering - Originally published in Pinkbike

“Desert Days is a women’s open invitation to the desert between Sep 29 and Oct 7. The idea was to create an open and inviting space for women to experience the freedom of freeride. Both professionals and novices gathered for digging, riding, connecting and learning.” Chelsey Kimball.

Without further ado, let’s dig into these 14 remarkable freeriders and their bikes:

Micayla Gatto | YT Tues Core 4: Micayla is running the Marzocchi Bomber 58 in retro white. With a mudguard from Arrowsmith bike shop, based out of Nanaimo.

Blake Hansen | Specialized Demo Mullet: Blake is running the RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, SuperDeluxe Ultimate, and XO1 7 Speed drivetrain.With Tenet Components handlebars and Omen pedals finishing out the build.

Chelsea Kimball | Specialized Demo: Chelsea is running Butcher DH tires, Roval wheels, Reverse components in the cockpit and TRP drivetrain.

Kaia Jensen | Transition TR11: Kaia is stoked on the build she's put together for the desert. "It’s really cool to be on a bike that is so solid and confidence inspiring. I love how fun and comfortable the combo of TR11, OneUp components, Maxxis tires, and TRP brakes is. I've really been able to progress with this bike,” she said to Pinkbike.

Britny Ferguson | Revel Rail: Britny is running TRP DH EVO brakes, Deity bars and stem, SRAM XO1 drivetrain, custom etched Race Face cranks, and custom Industry Nine laser etched hubs with her designs.

CJ Selig | Canyon Torque: CJ is running Reverse Components, Black One wheels and pedals, and Nico Vink's Signature handlebars and Shovel and Shred Saddle.

Jordy Scott | Hyper DH: Jordy is running the SR Suntour RUX 38 fork and the SR Suntour Vero shock. She runs the Kenda Hellcat tires in the front and rear.

Gemma Corbera | Cannondale Jekyll: Gemma's Jekyll is sporting some special pink Reverse components, SR Suntour suspension, some zebra AMS frame protection, Hope Tech brakes and hubs, and Michelin tires.

Nikki Holzman | Norco Aurum: Nikki's Aurum is from the Mt. Bachelor demo fleet, so it's gotten plenty of love already. When asked about set up, she said to Pinkbike: "Ryan just pumped up my fork, Chelsea gave me a stiffer coil (450#), the tires had 30 psi 3 days ago, the brakes work pretty good, and the chain could use some lube."

Cami Nogueira | Propain Spindrift: Cami's Spindrift is sporting a dual-drown Bomber, OneUp contact points, Industry Nine wheels, and TRP brakes.

Sally Thornton-White | Transition Scout: Sally - " This bike is the absolute dream! It pedals like a beast and handles all types of descents. This is only the second mountain bike that I have ever owned and I love it so much I don't think that I will ever part with it."

Pascal Sapunar | Mondraker Superfoxy R

KaJay Rooke | Juliana Roubion: KaJay is a graphic designer and came complete with a custom mudguard.

Kat Sweet | Norco Aurum HSP: Kat is a downhill mountain biking coach and coaches Sweetlines downhill teams.

Guinness Revoked Reinhold Messner’s 8,000er Record. That Was a Huge Mistake. - Originally published in Outside

In 1985, Italian mountaineer and household name Reinhold Messner became the first recorded climber to ever summit all 14 mountains higher than 8000m. The feat had taken him 16 years to accomplish.

Now, 38 years later, the Guinness Book of World Records has revoked Messner’s title as the first person to scale all 14 8000ers.

The company took the advice of German mountaineering expert Eberhard Jurgalski, who, armed with GPS data and photos, claimed that many climbers, Messner included, hadn't actually reached the highest points on certain peaks. Jurgalski, a renowned 8000ers chronicler since 1981, though not a climber himself, sent shockwaves through the mountaineering world in 2022 by revising the list of achievements, challenging Messner's and others' ascents.

Jurgalski claims Messner missed Annapurna's real summit, citing photographic proof. Annapurna's extensive summit ridge can make it tough to pinpoint the highest spot, particularly when snow obscures the rock.

Messner has responded tersely to the decision and emphasized that his alpinism is driven by the experience, not records.

As Messner's groundbreaking achievements face nullification in official records, some in the sport remain unfazed. According to the Guinness Book, American Ed Viesturs is now the holder of the new record after completing the 14 in 2005. However, Viesturs, the first American to summit all 8000ers, firmly believes that Messner's achievements should still be recognised, stating that the Italian climber paved the way and inspired others to follow in his footsteps.

Regardless of what has recently happened, Messner remains a steadfast icon and pioneer in the mountaineering world. Perhaps what is now needed are new records, while the old records should remain standing.

Outdoor events not to miss

Kendal Mountain Festival

The UK's biggest adventure festival, the **Kendal Mountain Festival**, is back. Expect films, literature, speaker events, music, and more – rolled into one adventurous weekend.
**16 - 19 Nov.**

Marathon des Sables

Registration is now open for the legendary 250km Marathon des Sables, kicking off on 22 April, 2024.
**22 Apr. 2024**

Azores Challenge MTB

Adventure-seekers worldwide prepare for the ultimate test in the Azores, as the **Azores Challenge MTB** welcomes 300 athletes to explore São Miguel Island's wonders.
**11 Nov.**

See you out there!

Team FATMAP