Running the World 196
Running the World 196

*The Best Quest is in no way involved with this journey/expedition. Photo credits –

Nick Butter

Flooding and Landslides as Butter Heads to Nepal and Bhutan

Date: July 17, 2019
Approximate GPS Location: (27.47°N, 89.63°W)

Leaving the Central African Republic, Butter flew home for his last major stopover in the UK. He needed to collect another passport and sort out a couple of visas, including a ten-year working visa for the USA. The ten-year visa is evidently for after Butter completes his quest, suggesting that “many big and crazy expeditions” are in the pipeline for the future.

From the UK, Butter flew back to Asia. His first stop, Kathmandu, Nepal. He had six days to explore Nepal and took the opportunity to head into the Himalayas for some hiking. Together with a small group, Butter set out on the Mardi Himal trail from near the town of Pokhara. They set off from an altitude of around 2,600ft, climbing to nearly 15,000ft over the course of a few days. Despite rainy monsoon weather, Butter loved the trek and enjoyed breathtaking views of several major peaks.

His return to Kathmandu proved dramatic. Arriving at Pokhara airport he was told that there had been a plane crash in Kathmandu, grounding his flight. Instead, he took a jeep on the long drive back to the capital. It was a hairy experience thanks to heavy rain, flooding and the Nepalese mountain roads. News reports for Kathmandu described roads closed, further landslides, and huge traffic jams. Sadly, 15 deaths were also reported from villages around the city.

Despite these trials and tribulations, Butter made it back in one piece. The official marathon he had been planning to take part in had been cancelled due to the weather, but a group of 10 still turned up to support his run. Together they ran out of the city into the surrounding mountains and enjoyed surprisingly good weather. Butter finished his run in Durbar Square in around six hours, one of his slowest marathons but also one his most memorable.

Next up was Thimphu, Bhutan for marathon number 157. Butter was charmed by the small Buddhist country, describing a “kaleidoscope of bright white butterflies, falling leaves, the sun through the trees and a breeze that landed gently on my face.”

( 4 ) USER RATING
( 7.9 ) CRITIC RATING

update history

Running the World 196

A New World Record, Butter Runs Marathon 196

November 11, 2019 // Running the World 196

Seven Marathons in Two Weeks as Butter Works Through the Pacific

September 30, 2019 // Running the World 196
Running the World 196

Butter Island Hops Across the Pacific

September 16, 2019 // Running the World 196

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