| Tuesday 09 March 2004 During recruit selection to join the Brigade of Gurkhas in Nepal, every candidate has to undergo a series of tests, both cognitive and physical.  | | It was a long race from the valley floor. |
One of the tests, which is both feared and revered, is called the Dhoko Race. The Dhoko is a traditional conical-shaped wicker basket that is widely used by Nepalis to carry heavy loads up and down the hills. The test consists of carrying the Dhoko, filled with 35Kg of gravel, up a hill 1300m high as quickly as possible (the total climb is about 700m). The fastest time taken by any recruit to date is 24 minutes, the average time around 30 minutes. Unusually, the Dhoko also has a strap that loops around the top of the head to assist with weight distribution. It's primitive, uncomfortable and heavy.  | | The Annapurnas and Machepuchare from the route |
At 7.00am this morning, lined up on the start line next to a river at the bottom of a steep sided gorge, we were ready to go. I knew this was going to be tough, and I was right.  | | "Oh baby is it heavy?" |
The first 200m ran parallel with the river, through fallow paddy fields, until the course turned right where hundreds of stone steps led us up and out of the gorge. Without a doubt, the first 10 minutes was the hardest of the whole race. It was impossible to keep a rhythm, as the surface changed from steps to dirt track and back to steps, over and over again. The bemused inhabitants on the route seemed to look on with a mixture of amusement and sympathy. One old lady, who I passed on some steps towards the end, called out in Nepali (translated into English): "Oh baby is it heavy?!"  | | The finish! |
I finished in a time of 37 minutes, exhausted, relieved and thankfully injury-free. Within The Brigade of Gurkhas the Dhoko race is legendary and unique. It is a test of character, moral courage and above all determination. You would expect nothing less from the selection process for Gurkha soldiers. Previous entry | Next entry | 
