Update on Mongol 100 2021

 A recent email from Rat Race stated that a final decision as to whether Mongol 100 2021 would go ahead will be made on 11 January 2021.

I'm still minded to go ahead at the moment should the event take place and I've upped my training in preparation.  The option to defer to 2022 is still there too.

Having said that, there are many factors which will determine whether travel can go ahead.  Things such as insurance, available flights from Scotland, COVID situation home and abroad will all play a part in deciding.

I noted today, that the Mongolian Government have instigated stricter border and lockdown measures due to a positive COVID case from a citizen who was found to be positive even after 21 days of quarantine.

The situation will be reviewed by the Mongolian Government on 17 November.

It's news like this that makes me think even if restriuctions are lifted, is it wise to go ahead?

I don't need to decide until the New Year but I am becoming more doubtful that the circumstances and environment surrounding the event will not be right to travel and take part.

Mongol 100 2020 Cancelled

Got this today. So disappointed.

Important: Mongol 100 deferred to 2021. 

It is with deep regret we must inform you that we have been forced to defer the Mongol 100 to 2021 in light of the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis in Asia. We have been keeping an exceptionally close eye on the situation as it has unfolded over the past month and liasing with our team on the ground in Mongolia to keep up to date with current local news and information. 

Many of you have already experienced flight cancellations as a direct effect of the lockdown of Asia following this outbreak, most of those travelling from the UK (our crew included) are set to transit through Turkey who just last week announced a travel alert to Mongolia, suggesting people avoid all nonessential travel to the area. 

The Mongolian government has currently banned all sporting events and gatherings of people as they are anticipating COVID-19 to arrive in the country imminently and have started preparing. Our sources on the ground have been informed that in the event of the infection reaching Mongolia they may enforce a quarantine in regional provinces and there is also a possibility of a complete inter-country travel ban. If this were to come into effect while we were in the country, we would potentially be unable to leave for up to 14 days. We feel that the responsible and safest action to take in the best interest of our participants and crew is to defer the event until 2021. 

This means that your entire entry, including all transfers and any extras have been deferred to 2021. The new date will be the 7th – 14th March 2021 or alternatively you can join the existing Mongol 100 2021 event and move to the 28th February – 7th March 2021. 

We understand that you may wish to attempt to use your travel insurance to claim back any 3rd party losses, such as flights etc. We will be providing you with a letter from our operator in Mongolia outlining the reasons that the Mongol 100 can no longer take place on the existing date which you can use for such claims. If you require any other information, please email us on events@ratrace.com and we will assist you. 

Test packing of kit and gear

I'm told Aeroflot, Russia's airline, has a reputation of losing luggage.

There were a couple of participants who took part in the first Mongol 100 last year (2019) where luggage arrived late and in one case arrived too late for the start of the event itself leaving the particpent with no kit and had to borrow and make do with what he was wearing and carrying as hand luggage.

I've decided to take a large red suitcase which will protect my kit and hopefully stand out for airport bag handlers and so reduce the risk of my kit being mishandled or lost.  Especially since there will be 2 flight changes en route to Ulaan Bataar for me.

However, Rat Race ask for a soft holdall type bag for the internal flights and transfers to base camps.
So inside the suitcase I will take a holdall bag that I will use for the internal flight from Ulaan Bataar to Moron.  Rat Race will hold on to my suitcase at their agent's office and I will get it back after the event.

I have a couiple of holdalls but none large enough to carry everything, so I borrowed my brother in law's holdall and saved myself from buying a new one which I'd unlikely use again.

Everything fits in the holdall and the suitcase - even the skating poles, which just fit in if I take them apart.

I'll carry a backpack (different to the one I'll be using on the ice) which will have some kit, snacks and travel documents.

Sorted!

Photos to follow!

Mr Scotland And Mongol 100

Evacuation Insurance

Rat Race insist on a second insurance policy designed to cope with emergency evacuation should an emergency take place when away from Ullaan Bataar on the ice.

I went with their recommendation SOS International which cost me $81 for 8 days (to be on the safe side).

So, if the worst happens, a helicopter will come find me (I'll have my tracker and flare) and take me back to Ullaan Bataar Hospital.

Food

Food

During the time on the ice, we have to take our own food.
Since temperatures will be around -20c, the food needs to be dry and easily hydrated otherwise it'd freeze and take ages to heat up - bearing in mind all we have available is hot water.

I've been trying a number of brands and here's my thoughts.


Decathlon freeze dried camping food

It's cheap at £5 a bag, but I didn't find it easy to eat.

I tried the breakfast option too, cereal and raison, but found this difficult to finish.

Fire Pot Dehydrated Meals

You can buy 4 sample bags (£12), which are roughly half the size of the actual bag.  You add boiling water and wait 15 minutes.

I quite liked the bolognaise with orzo pasta.  The others were OK but they were scrunchy and again I had trouble finishing the meal.


Tent Meals

As I write this, I've only tried the breakfast cereal with blueberries and coconut.
This was really nice and I'm looking forward to trying the others - they look like real food and the ingredients look fresh thriough the bags.

You just add hot water and wait 10 minutes.
These are the ones I'm going to take I reckon.


For snacks, I'm going to take Naked Noodle soup bags - just like Pot Noodle but in a bag.  There's a variety of flavours and there tasty and easy to prepare.  Need to get a bowl though.

I also plan to take bags of sweets, probably Haribo and Soreen malt loaf bars.  These are mini malt loaves - tasty, filling and not easy to freeze.

I'll post after the event on my thoughts on how the meals went.

Rat Race Mongol 100 kit list

Kit Checklist

Official Rat Race Kit List now in

Charity Fundraising

Charity Fundraising 
It's so difficult to choose a charity to support. In the end I couldn't decide on just one so I chose a local hospice called Strathcarron Hospice and Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland.

Strathcarron Hospice 
Strathcarron Hospice provides palliative care throughout Forth Valley, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth in Central Scotland. They provide vital care and support to patients and families at a time when they need it most.

Their services are free to everyone and they need to raise over £12,900 each and every DAY. The Hospice employés nearly 200 people and their services cost over £6.5 million each year. They only get 38% of their running costs from the NHS - the rest has to be found from individuals and the community.

So I'm doing my part to support this vital service.


Labrador Retreiver Rescue Scotland 
We've had many dogs over the years, most of them rescues and most of them labradors!

The Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland (LRRS) people do a remarkable job - all voluntary in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming Labradors.

It's the vet bills and kennel costs that take up most of LRRS funds. Every little helps in making sure these lovely dogs are looked after.

I have a Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/mongol100

Update

It's been ages since I mage any updates or new pages to my Mongol 100 blog. I'm going to make time and make an effort to add more content on a regular basis!