FKT: Lefteris Paraskevas - Annapurna Circuit (Nepal) - 2017-05-01

Route variation
Standard route
Gender category
Male
Style
Unknown
Start date
Finish date
Total time
2d 20h 22m 0s
Report

Lefteris Paraskevas of Greece is reported to have completed the Circuit in 2d20h22m, April 28 - May 1, 2017, starting from Besisahar and ending at Nayapul. Further information and some photos are at trailrunningnepal.org.

Seth Wolpin provided additional perspective:

Hi - I think I can shed some light. In this post to TRN an FKT is claimed by Leuteris Paraskeuas of 2d20h22m which is ~4 hours faster than what I slogged and set as an FKT 2014. Short version: I believe and support Leuteris setting an FKT around the circuit but his route, and whether he chose trails over roads, needs clarification. Long version: Before Leuteris attempted this, his friend Nikolaos contacted me and TRN asking for advice as he expected to attempt it - I directed him to this site and the conventions posted here (declare in advance, follow same route, document things, etc) and discussed the different styles (supported, on trails, on jeep track). In the end, Leuteris ended up attempting this instead (I think Nikolaos decided to climb Pisang Peak instead) and then they reported the attempt to me and to TRN on the TRN website. TRN does not validate attempts like this and said as much in their comments. I also try to track FKTs in Nepal on my site (link below) and wanted to know if the same route was followed. Leuteris did not track his journey with a GPS or sat tracker. That is fine by me - I don't doubt that he did it - he offers decent anecdotal/supporting evidence. But the route is in question and since there is now a jeep track around most of the circuit, there are many ways to travel. I avoided the jeep track at all costs and followed the 'new annapurna trekking trail system.' which can add many hours to different sections. I encouraged Nikolaos and team to do the same and to use my GPS tracks. After Leuteris finished, he sent me a scan of an elevation profile chart with villages he had passed through. I wrote him and cc'd TRN on May 31st and said it was an elevation profile chart and really a map was needed to document his route as there are multiple routes. I have not received a response to date. I will email him and point him again to this website.  Incidentally - I try to track trail running/fast-packing FKTs (not climbing) in Nepal on this website which I also directed Nikolaos to, I welcome any input and look forward to more people trying FKTs in Nepal: www.himalayanadventurelabs.com/trail-resources/