Two years ago, mountaineer Ben Clark took on what’s widely considered the most difficult trail in the world. He had his sights set on completing the Snowman Trek, a grueling route through the Himalaya in Bhutan.

The crescent-shaped trail starts on the northern border of Bhutan in Paro and snakes about 200 miles to Bumthang, covering roughly 48,000 feet uphill through rugged terrain. It traverses the peaks and valleys of 11 mountain passes, spanning a landscape often pummeled by fierce snow and rain storms. (Related: “World’s Happiest Country Also Has No Carbon Emissions”)

It normally takes a month to complete the trail, which can only be done when the weather is calm. Clark wanted to break