On day six, the Silk Road Mountain Race has reached the wide expanse of the Burkhan Valley and the steep switchbacks of Arabel Pass. It's an endless valley, with hundreds of kilometers of no resupply, made longer this year with a right hand turn after Arabel Plateau and a 200km loop up and over the second Suyek Pass.

The conditions changed quickly. Sunlight in the valley gave way to storms at altitude, snow sweeping across the plateau and visibility dropping to almost nothing. Riders pressed on through whiteouts, frozen shoes, and river crossings, while others took much-needed rest. Alongside them, our control cars navigated their own challenges in their pursuit of the leaders.

Riders (and media team) featured in this episode:

• Meaghan Hackinen - Cap 132
• Miron Golfman - Cap 137
• Nelson Trees, Race Director
• "Vlad" Teisseire Wladimir - Cap 189
• Victor Eklund - Cap 205
• Davide Zanardo - Cap 53
• Danil Usmanov, Control Car 3 Photographer
• Kayla Hall - Cap 110
• Nat Anderson - Cap 319A

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Production and hosting by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Music by Batyrkan

Cover image by Stephen Shelesky

Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. 

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