We got started a bit later than we hoped, at about 6:45 AM, but perfect for beautiful morning light and views as we went up the valley. We parked the car in Sayod Village, at about the spot we thought the loop would meet up. The route was mostly pretty clear, but there are a few places where there could be some variability. The first place we lost some time was missing a bridge at around 14 km in that was new and wasn't on the map. At the location the path we were on on the left side of the river was still better used, but soon after our path deteriorated and after a couple km of poor trail and some steeper ascents we were forced to wade across the stream to get back to a reasonable path on the right side of the river, that cost us some time and energy. The location to turn left from Luchob Valley to go over Kaynar pass also had two options. There may have been an earlier spot to turn about 3/4 km earlier, but a bridge that was marked on the map didn't exist. In the end, the route we took up the stream to get to the pass worked well, even if it was slightly further than the earlier turn-off would have been. The final area with some variability is going over the final smaller pass from Hanaka Valley back to Luchob Valley. There is a dirt road that goes the whole way but is fairly windy. A couple spots we went over steeper areas to cut off some of the extra distance. The road would be a less steep option and would allow a faster pace, but would add some distance. I'm not sure if I would try to follow the road a bit more on the way up to the pass if we did it again, or if I would choose our more direct route.
We were feeling good for the first 45 km of the run. We filled up water from streams twice along the way. Once halfway up Kaynar Pass and the second time in Hanaka Valley a little bit before we turned over the pass back to Luchob Valley. The easiest access to water is on the way up and down Kaynar pass, because you are actually going in the stream bed, but you are following fairly close to rivers most of the way, accept the last pass to the starting point. We had only the food that we carried.
About 1 km into the pass returning to Luchob we both had significant stomach issues, leading to mot much ability to take in more nutrition and hydration. Our energy levels were really low and our pace was very slow for this last 10km section till we arrived back at the car in the dark a little before 7pm.
Overall, a great experience with a great friend, though would like to be able to finish a little healthier with a little less misery and a better pace the last 10 km if we ever try again.