Asia's newest sport - yak skiing

BBC News ^ | Sunday, 3 July, 2005 | not attributed

[stylin_geek]

The American magazine Time has recommended the little-known sport of yak skiing in India as one of the 10 best ways in Asia to relax the mind.

The magazine's Asian edition says this "implausible extreme sport" involves going at rocket speed uphill attached by rope to a yak charging downhill.

The skier attracts the yak from up high by shaking a bucket of nuts, which must be put down fast before the fun begins.

"The sport may be a barmy injunction to even barmier tourists," Time says.

Nervous wait

According to the article, yak skiing is carried out in the Indian hill resort of Manali, where it is run by a Tibetan man, Peter Dorje.

It says that in winter, he takes up to five skiers and his herd of yaks to the hills above town, making an overnight camp.

"Never shake the bucket of nuts before you're tied to the yak rope.".. Peter Dorje

In the morning, Mr Dorje heads to a high slope with his beasts, trailing out a rope behind him.

The yak skier waits nervously below, wearing skis and holding a bucket of pony nuts.

When Mr Dorje reaches the top, he ties a large pulley to a tree, loops the rope through it and attaches the cord to a stamping, snorting yak.

Then it is all down to the skier, who is tied to the other end of the rope.

[Mad Dawgg]

"The skier attracts the yak from up high by shaking a bucket of nuts, which must be put down fast before the fun begins"

My daddy told me when I was about to graduate high school "Son, you aren't truly a man till you shake your nuts at a Yak."

[Mad Dawgg]

Ping!

We need the professionals in here to evaluate this thread!

[GSWarrior]

I tried this once, but I threw my yak out!

[HairOfTheDog]

Oooh - I see 'bad idea' written all over this, unless you are in college and drinking. :~D

[stylin_geek]

Hold my yak and watch this?

[Mad Dawgg]

"Oooh - I see 'bad idea' written all over this, unless you are in college and drinking."

I am guessing the college requirement can be waved if you drink enough.

[dfwgator]

It's sure a lot safer than that other Asian sport, Tree Catching.

[pipecorp]

will you get a bigger yak if you shake your nuts harder?

[injin]

it is a wonderful thing to hear a herd of Yak , with their yak bells clanging , walking across a Himalayan slope , the sound of the bells echoing thru space. really something....

[HairOfTheDog]

I am guessing the college requirement can be waved if you drink enough.

It couldn't hurt ;~D

[Mad Dawgg]

"will you get a bigger yak if you shake your nuts harder?"

Hmmm one of the great mysterie of the Universe.

I believe Buddha whispered the answer to his good friend Bob Denver on his deathbed.

Unfortunately Bob took that secret with him to the grave!

[wyattearp]

What happens when you meet the yak on the way up?

You lose your nuts.

[reagan_fanatic]

[pipecorp]

I see dead people. Bob had coconuts. No secret there.

[frankjr]

Remember the royal anthem of the kilted yaksman!!!!

I was very happy to see that Ren & Stimpy are back on TV.

[Leo Carpathian]

The American magazine Time has recommended the little-known sport of yak skiing in India as one of the 10 best ways in Asia to relax the mind.

Cuda fooled me! Relax the mind by stampeding Yak down hill? Yuck!!! Sometn' FReeePee here!