Bhutan’s Mountain Man Takes on the World’s Toughest Trails
Bhutanese ultramarathon runner Jigme Tenzin completed the legendary 268km Snowman Trek in just five days and is now preparing for the UTMB World Series Finals in France.
In recent years, hiking and trail running have become increasingly popular outdoor pursuits among Bhutanese, with more people exploring the country’s mountains and forests for recreation and fitness.
For 39-year-old Jigme Tenzin, however, running is far more than a pastime; it is a lifelong passion.
Popularly known among his friends as the ‘Mountain Man’, Jigme has run virtually every major trail across Bhutan. He has turned the country’s rugged landscapes into his training ground and earned a reputation as one of Bhutan’s most accomplished trail runners.
He recently completed the legendary Snowman Trek in just five days, covering 268.04 kilometres across some of Bhutan’s highest and most gruelling mountain trails. The trek normally takes between 25 and 30 days to complete.
PREPARING FOR HIS BIGGEST RACE
Jigme is now preparing to compete in the Courmayeur–Champex–Chamonix, one of the flagship races of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc World Series Finals, on 28 August.
The 100-kilometre course crosses the Alps, beginning in Italy, passing through Switzerland and finishing in France. Jigme will be the only Bhutanese athlete participating in the race.
He qualified in December 2025 following an outstanding performance at the UTMB World Series Major in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Competing against 1,600 runners from nearly 90 countries, Jigme finished 41st overall and 11th in his age category. He completed the gruelling 100-kilometre course in 12 hours and 55 minutes.
WHO IS JIGME TENZIN?
Jigme Tenzin is a Bhutanese ultramarathon runner who works as a flight dispatcher with Drukair, Bhutan’s national airline.
He completed his education from pre-primary through Class 10 at Gomtu Higher Secondary School in Samtse, southern Bhutan, where he spent his childhood in the border town of Gomtu.
Jigme later pursued his higher secondary education at Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School in Thimphu, graduating in 2008. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Gedu College of Business Studies in 2012.
His hometown is Ugyentse in Samtse. He comes from a family of nine and is the third-youngest among his siblings.
RUNNING THE SNOWMAN TREK FOR A GREATER CAUSE
Jigme began his five-day Snowman Trek run on the morning of 11 July from Shana in Paro, western Bhutan.
After covering 268.04 kilometres across some of the country’s highest mountain trails, he completed the run at Dur in Bumthang on 15 July.
Running at altitudes exceeding 5,000 metres and crossing some of Bhutan’s most remote and demanding mountain passes, Jigme pushed his physical limits for a purpose that went beyond setting records.
Even experienced trekkers often struggle with the thin air, unpredictable weather and unforgiving terrain along the route.
His mission was to document the visible effects of climate change in the high Himalayas, highlight the lives of Bhutan’s highland communities and draw global attention to the rapidly changing mountain environment.
Jigme hopes that the documentary chronicling his fastest known time attempt on the Snowman Trek will reach a global audience.
Alongside his physical journey, the film explores the realities of climate change and the lives of Bhutan’s highlanders, showcasing a side of Bhutan that extends beyond its dramatic mountain scenery.
The documentary’s release date has yet to be confirmed.
A PASSION BORN ON THE TAKTSANG TRAIL
Jigme’s journey into trail running began around 14 years ago out of sheer curiosity.
He challenged himself to run to Paro Taktsang simply to find out how long it would take, completing the climb in just 35 minutes.
The experience proved transformative. Running through the forest, breathing the crisp mountain air and immersing himself in Bhutan’s pristine natural surroundings gave him a sense of freedom and fulfilment unlike anything he had experienced before.
What began as a simple personal challenge soon developed into a lifelong passion. It inspired him to explore Bhutan’s rugged mountain trails while forging a deeper connection with nature, the landscapes he calls home and himself.
FROM EVEREST TO THE UTMB WORLD SERIES
In May 2024, Jigme set the Fastest Known Time on the Lukla–Everest Base Camp route in Nepal, completing the route in 10 hours and eight minutes.
In December 2024, he competed in a UTMB World Series event in Chiang Mai, Thailand, finishing 46th out of more than 2,200 runners in the 50-kilometre race.
His impressive performance earned him a coveted place at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France, widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and demanding mountain trail-running events.
Together with fellow Bhutanese trail runner Rigzin Chodra, Jigme became one of the first Bhutanese athletes to compete in the iconic 174-kilometre UTMB race.
The route traverses France, Italy and Switzerland and includes nearly 9,900 metres of elevation gain.
However, Jigme’s race was cut short after he sustained an injury just 10 kilometres into the course. The injury prevented him from performing to his full potential and achieving the result for which he had worked so hard.
THE SUPPORT BEHIND HIS JOURNEY
Jigme said the successful completion of the Snowman Trek was not solely his achievement. It was the result of the collective support and encouragement he received from his family, friends, well-wishers and everyone who stood by him throughout the journey.
He acknowledged that their motivation, trust and unwavering support played a crucial role in helping him overcome the challenges he encountered and complete one of the world’s most demanding high-altitude trails.
WHAT IS THE SNOWMAN TREK
The Snowman Trek is Bhutan’s longest and most demanding high-altitude trekking route. The classic journey begins in Paro in western Bhutan and passes through Lingshi, Laya and the remote Lunana region before ending in Bumthang in central Bhutan. Depending on the route and weather conditions, it generally takes between 25 and 30 days to complete.
The trail crosses numerous mountain passes above 4,500 metres, with several rising beyond 5,000 metres. Along the way, trekkers pass beneath towering Himalayan peaks, through glacial valleys, alpine meadows, turquoise lakes and isolated highland settlements that remain largely cut off from the rest of the country.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most challenging treks, the Snowman Trek tests even experienced hikers because of its extreme altitude, long duration, steep terrain and unpredictable weather. Heavy snowfall can close the mountain passes, while the route’s remoteness makes evacuation and resupply difficult. Completing it requires exceptional physical endurance, careful acclimatisation and strong mental resilience
FOLLOW JIGME’S JOURNEY
Follow Jigme’s journey and receive the latest updates on TikTok at @mountain_man_Bhutan, or subscribe to his YouTube channel, @MountainMan_Bhutan.
