The North Face

Nov 03 | Get the Facts & Get Involved - The Sahara Desert

By Dean Karnazes

EMBRACE THE RACE:
The Sahara Desert in western Egypt, North Africa, is the world's largest subtropical desert. 1600 kilometers wide (1000 miles) and 5000 kilometers long (3125 miles) East to West, it is also the largest non-polar desert in the world.
Sahara Race competitors face a land of contrasts: rocky mountains give way to gold, red and white sand dunes, stony expanses, the occasional palm-filled oasis and dried-up river beds. The heat is fierce with almost no relief, yet temperatures fall abruptly making evenings very chilly. Strong winds and sandstorms are common.

FACE THE REALITY:
Many African countries face severe climate conditions resulting in water crises. Let's examine two very different scenarios:
Egypt reports very encouraging statistics despite the fact that two-thirds lies in the Sahara Desert.
• 96% of the rural and 99% of the urban population has access to improved drinking water sources.
• Almost 100% of the urban and 96% of the rural population has access to improved sanitation.
• To control water pollution, Egypt established new legislation to increase organic farming, limit use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
• Nile basin countries cooperate on protecting and managing the river’s water
• Bilharzia, a common disease in rural Egypt, has greatly decreased with the provision of improved drinking water to most rural areas.

Tanzania reports major environmental problems due to inadequate water management, inadequate monitoring, and inadequate involvement of stakeholders:
• Lack of accessible, good quality water for urban and rural inhabitants • Deterioration of aquatic systems
• Pollution and poor management threatens the productivity of lake, river, coastal, and marine waters

You can create the change these families need.

By donating to the Blue Planet Run water fund just $30, you can provide safe drinking water to one person for life.
https://blueplanetrun.org/ext/donationformR2/g_donation_stp_new1.php?lang=en&dedicate=DesertGrandSlam

 
WALK IN THEIR SHOES:
The Blue Planet Run has dedicated thru the month of November to help bring safe drinking water to 1,200 students, and their families, in Tanzania.

Currently, these students leave valuable classroom time to walk long distances and collect water from a hand-dug, open water pit. This water source is used by animals and people for all purposes. It's a source of mosquito breeding and is not reliable drinking water. The community uses it very sparingly.

Based on reports of other communities in the region that have received wells, a well can greatly impact lives. Children attend school more regularly. Communities can grow gardens which impacts health and commerce. Life becomes hopeful.

 
GO THE DISTANCE:
Athletes all over the nation and beyond have committed to running, walking or cycling 30 miles in 30 days thru November 1 to raise funds for the three school communities in Tanzania. By pledging $1 per mile, people can make their miles matter. Make Your Miles Matter! http://blueplanetrun.org/30-mile

Learn More:
View the Blue Planet Run Foundation slide show and see for yourself the change you can make! http://www.blueplanetrun.org/desert_grand_slam

Spread the Word:
Send the message to your friends and family. By sharing this email with others, you are ensuring that more people embrace athletes such as Dean, learn more about the water issues we all face, and potentially save lives.

Donate Now:
You can give a tax-deductible donation to water projects that save people's lives. Just $30 provides safe drinking water to one person for life! Donate on-line. https://blueplanetrun.org/ext/donationformR2/g_donation_stp_new1.php?lang=en&dedicate=DesertGrandSlam

 

Nov 01 | Stage 6...The Finish!

By Dean Karnazes

After spending five days crossing very remote stretches of the Sahara Desert without getting lost, it is ironic that on this final day of racing—while running through a bustling section of Cairo—we would make a wrong turn. Put us in the desert searching for little flags and we’re fine, have us run down a paved road with street signs and we’re hopeless.

I ran the final stage today with the 3rd and 4th place finishers, Paolo Barghini and Rob James. As we were chatting spiritedly about what a remarkable week it had been, we ran right past the finish shoot and just kept heading down the road. Classic.

Other than the navigational blunder, the finish at the Great Pyramid of Giza was spectacular. A large crowd of locals had gathered to see us in and there was food and festivities awaiting our arrival.

I’ll post a longer update in the next couple days. Right now, I need to get packing for the trip back home. The top 10 finishers are listed below and you can visit the 4 Deserts website for complete event details: Sahara Race

Overall, it’s been an incredible experience.

Homeward bound,

Dean Karnazes

-------------------------------------------- 1. Ryan Sandes – South Africa

2. Dean Karnazes – United States

3. Paolo Barghini – Italy

4. Rob James – Hong Kong

5. Paul Liebenberg – South Africa

6. Nina Breith (F) - Germany

7. Angelo Salvetti - Italy

8. Olivier Lhoas – Belgium

9. Sean Abbott – United States

10. Andrew Whiteside – United Kingdom

Oct 31 | Stage 5...Running from the White Desert to the Heart of the Black Desert

By Dean Karnazes

Today’s run took us from the White Desert to the heart of the Black Desert. The terrain was lunar like, with numerous plateaus that we climbed, traversed, descended, and then climbed the next. The final stretch was a grueling deep sand section that took us through the small village of Bahariya and eventually on to our camp at El Ris Village.

I spent most of this “long day” running with the event winner, Ryan Sands. We ran the entire 100 km distance together and it was really great. In the previous 16 stages of running—in the three deserts of Atacama, Gobi and Sahara—I’ve run solo almost the entire time. Yesterday was different, and the change was refreshing.

Ryan is a tremendous athlete, and a super person overall. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, he is an engineer by training, but his passion is for ultrarunning. Clearly, there is no lack of talent there. We watched the day pass while running across the Sahara, chatting about the upcoming US elections, life in South Africa, family, the future, basically, life. When the sun set the moonless sky was filled with stars like neither of us had ever seen before. It was simply amazing, like being in an observatory.

We were first to arrive at the finish and we crossed the line side-by-side, the 100 km slipping by as pleasantly as could be expected for a rather long run across the soft sand and heat of the Sahara.

Tomorrow, we run a short stage around the famous Pyramids of Giza. And then it’s on to the hotel for a swim in the pool, where I’ll be supplying my own poolside beach with the sand that’s accumulated in my hair. And it won’t be a small beach!

Signing off from the sands of the Sahara,

Dean

Oct 29 | Running Stage 4...

By Dean Karnazes

Today we ran through an area known as the Qarawin dunes. Right in the middle was a small oasis brimming with water and, of course, the token palm tree. It was like the scene from a Hollywood movie, only it was real (or I was hallucinating, which is a distinct possibility).

Ancient Roman ruins were everywhere and a mummy’s located just to the left of the oasis (reportedly as a reminder to visitors’ of how unforgiving the terrain can be). Though, when you’ve been running through it for hours in 115 degree temperatures and no breeze, there’s not much need for a reminder.

My run today was dreadful. Legs felt like lead, only heavier. Pretty much just grunted through it. So, instead of boring you senselessly with the details of my floundering performance, I’ll talk instead about the luxuries we’re afforded out here in the Sahara. The list really isn’t that long, actually. In fact, it’s just one item: water (and not a whole lot of it). Basically, you’re allotted 1.5 Liters per check point during the run, of which there are usually three, and when you arrive at the finish (should you be so lucky), you are given 4.5 Liters of water for the night and following morning. Oh yeah, you can also have the water heated for you.

Heated water in the Sahara Desert you ask? It’s to “cook” your dehydrated food. You know, freeze dried food, the stuff that the astronauts eat. Unless your British. In that case, you use the hot water to brew your tea. There’s no need to reconstitute your meal, because you subsist on small packets of Parmesan cheese. The Italians don’t need hot water either, because they live on test tubes filled with Olive oil. Light is right. What you strive to achieve is the maximum amount of calories with the minimum amount of weight. Simple math, carbohydrates and protein supply 4 calories per gram, fat 9 calories. Fat has more than twice the calories by weight, so foods high in fat are the standard (e.g., oil, nuts, dried cheese). Yes, it’s a regular smorgasbord out here in the desert.

Tomorrow is the much anticipated “long day.” We’ll be covering 100 km’s to the next camp, much across soft sand. Temperatures are forecast to be even higher, so there’s plenty of anxiousness in camp tonight (mine included).

Okay, off to enjoy my scrumptious dinner. Yum, my mouth would be watering, except I’m too parched.

Sweltering though still shuffling,

Dean

Oct 28 | Beginning of "Hamada"

By Dean Karnazes

Stage 3 is the beginning of what is called “Hamada” in the Bedouin language or “flat out” in English. We were in an area today where only sand was in sight, leading to a dune section known for its harsh and unforgiving winds. The area resembles a paradise with no water.

As far as the run today, I can pretty much sum it up in a single word: “survived.” That ‘bout captures it. The desert landscape was spectacular; spectacular and mercilessly unrelenting. The sand in the Sahara is seemingly infinite, sometimes stretching absolutely flat in every direction, then, for no apparent reason, jutting skyward in these magnificent towering mountains of sand.

We ran through it all. Sometime the footing was stable, more often it was loose and soft. Trying to maintain a steady pace is frustratingly difficult when the sand breaks away underfoot so easily. Even on the flat sections, averaging 15 minute miles is nearly impossible in the soft stuff.

Oh well, I’m still having a remarkable time. If someone had told me ten years ago I’d be running in the Sahara Desert, I never would have believed them. Though, I did have a lengthy heart-to-heart conversation with Paul Liebenberg today after the run. Paul is the other racer left who is vying with me to be the first to complete all 4 Desert races in the same year (four of us set out this year to be the first to accomplish this, only Paul and I are left). He said it’s hard to enjoy the experience when your body is so wrecked from the other two desert events we’ve done. At a point, it becomes grunt work, sheer struggle. As much as I’m enjoying the experience, it wasn’t hard for me to relate to his words. I’ll definitely be glad to see those Pyramids at the finish of this event.

Finally, I’ll include a photo of me typing this blog. I’m using a specially designed Intel PC with their new Atom processor hooked to a satellite receiver. I hope this image puts you in the desert right besides me. Like I said, as ravaged as my body feels, the setting and the overall experience is just too extraordinary to lose sight of.

Sand saturated but still smiling,

Desert Dean

Oct 27 | Stage 2...

By Dean Karnazes

Today we traversed some of the most beautiful rock formations imaginable in an area know as the White Desert. There were camels, birds, and these little white lizards darting about. The mushroom formations dotting the landscape were incredible. Some of them had extremely slender stems yet were supporting these huge rock caps on top.

The stage began with a difficult section through towering sand dunes, and pretty much got worse from there. The sand seemed to get deeper and softer as the day progressed, perhaps in part due to the rising temperatures which hit 110 degrees today.

There was a stream located around the midway point that I was tempted to dunk in, but the piranha situation is quite concerning. Just kidding, there are no piranha’s here. The real reason I didn’t stop is for the very practical reason that the more time you spend not moving forward, the longer you’re exposed to the heat. Instead, I plunged myself in the unique desert landscape that only the Sahara can provide.

As far as the racing element, I’m holding my own. I’ve never had legs so heavy; way too many race miles on these babies this year. I freely admit, I’ve bitten off more than a could chew with my 2008 event calendar. Perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise, however, because I am able to enjoy myself and immerse more deeply in the overall experience versus focusing too heavily on the racing aspect. Just don’t let Paul pass me again (hee! hee!).

Sandy and smiling,

Dean

Oct 27 | Begining Stage 1...

By Dean Karnazes

    Beginning at the oasis of Farafra, we runners begin Stage 1 in an area surrounded by white rocks in the heart of the White Desert. Temperature’s today climbed over 100 degrees with almost no breeze, making the first day of racing a brutal one. It was the perfect introduction to the Sahara. The sand dunes were remarkable, stretching in every direction as far as the eye could see. Of course, the sand was hot. Many of the competitors suffered from blistering, making the medical tent one of the more popular destinations post run.

   The field in the Sahara Race is very strong. Rob James, runner up at the Atacama Crossing, is looking tough. We’ve kept in touch over the months and have developed an enduring friendship. That said, Rob is extremely competitive and I’m doing my best not to get caught up racing him. The only competitor I’m keeping an eye on is Paul Liebenberg, who is vying with me to be the first to complete all 4 Desert Race’s in the same year. Of the four individuals who set out to do this, Paul and I are the only two left. He got the better of me today, taking an impressive second place (I was fourth). So the race is on!

 I’ll try to update this blog daily with a progress report. Satellite reception has been good so far, hopefully this will be the case for the rest of the event. I can’t tell you how bizarre it is to be out in the middle of the Sahara Desert sending an upload via satellite to this site. Bizarre, and a little exhausting, so I think I’ll sign off for now and try to relax before tomorrow’s run.

So long from the sands of the Sahara,

Dean

Oct 23 | The Sahara Desert

By Dean Karnazes

All sand is not created equal. Although composed principally of silicon dioxide, there are many subtle nuances in sand. I first noticed this as a surfer. Sand along the beaches of California was different than sand found along the East Coast. Hawaii has different sand than Australia, which has different sand than Africa. The South Pacific sand is composed largely of coral, while the Caribbean has sand beaches of shells (in both of these cases, the sand is actually the limestone exoskeleton of marine organisms). It was all fascinating and academic, until I had to run in it.

To a runner, sand can prove to be an unstable, energy zapping torture field. While some types of sand can be somewhat gentle, having a relatively firm upper crust, other types of sand will swallow your foot whole. I fear the Sahara Desert is composed primarily of the latter. It’s not exactly comforting that the largest excavation of mummies was made in an area close to where the upcoming Sahara Race will take place.

Today I leave to join 150 competitors from 30 different countries at the 2008 Sahara Race. Am I looking forward to it? You bet. Am I concerned? Highly.

The Sahara Desert is the hottest place on earth and one of the world's most forbidding deserts. Located in North Africa, the Sahara occupies the west portion of the broad belt of parched land that extends from the Atlantic Ocean eastward past the Red Sea. The entire desert, the largest non-polar desert in the world, is about 1000 miles wide by 3000 miles long from east to west. Sahara Race competitors can expect a land of contrasts: rocky mountains giving way to gold, red and white sand dunes sometimes rising more than 400ft high, stony expanses, the occasional palm-filled oasis, and pools of water and dried-up river beds where oleanders grow.

Egypt is one of the hottest and sunniest countries in the world. The heat of the Sahara in Egypt—where the race will take place—is fierce, there is almost no relief from one day to another. However, temperatures at night can fall rather drastically, making the desert evenings deceptively chilly. Competitors must carry all their own clothing and gear for the entire six days of racing, and the trick is to pack the bare minimum to keep your pack as light as possible, but not too light. There is an old maxim for people crossing the Sahara: “Go light, freeze at night!”

Hopefully I’ll get the balance just right and won’t be joining that large depository of mummies nearby. Satellite reception in the Sahara is reported to be pretty good, so I’ll try to post something nightly on this blog for those of you who want to track the progress of the event.

Finally, if anyone knows how to summon a camel in times of distress, do share. I’m not a very quick study, but I’m sure I’d pick-up on in no time.

Your slightly parched friend,

Karno

P.S. Beyond camel calls, if anyone out there does have some practical tips for running in the sand, please do post your comments. Needless to say, I’ll be reading these closely.