By summiting 82 of Europe’s highest mountains over 16 ranges, Kilian Jornet pushed himself to the psychological and bodily limits for his Alpine Connections problem.
The numbers talk for themselves: 82 mountains summited in merely 19 days. Over 1,207km (749 miles) lined, with 72,233 meters (236,984 ft) of elevation obtain. Few athletes on the earth could be ready to consider – to not point out full – an issue of this magnitude. Nevertheless then, there are few athletes on the earth like Kilian Jornet.
The Spaniard, one in every of many world’s most well-known mountain athletes, has merely completed his epic Alpine Connections downside, linking – and climbing – all 82 of the 4,000 meter (13,123 ft) mountains throughout the European Alps, with out using any sort of motorcar.
“I really feel it is likely one of the very important troublesome points I’ve ever carried out, every bodily and technically, along with mentally,” Jornet talked about. “Having to stay in a state of full focus for 20 days requires plenty of energy, nevertheless it certainly has been excellent.
“I keep in mind the entire sunrises and sunsets and all of the buddies who accompanied me throughout the mountains, and I am very joyful and happy with what we now have now achieved throughout the closing three weeks. Now it’s time to rest and course of all of the issues that has occurred on account of I really feel it will probably take me some time to completely acknowledge it.”
Jornet began his downside on the foot of Piz Bernina (4,049 m / 13,284 ft) in Switzerland. After mountaineering, working, and scrambling to the summit, he set off for the next mountain. After which the next. When the hole between mountains was too good, he jumped on his bike and cycled. Day after day, mountain after mountain, he did it as soon as extra, and as soon as extra. Alongside one of the simplest ways, he climbed among the many Alps’ most well-known – and dangerous – mountains, along with Monte Rosa (4,634 m / 15,203 ft), the Matterhorn (4,478 m / 14,691 ft), and Mont Blanc (4,808 m / 15,774 ft).
As Jornet handed via Switzerland, France, and Italy, he clocked up monumental mileage and elevation obtain. All by way of the 1,207km / 749-mile journey, Jornet racked up 72,233 meters / 236,984 ft of elevation obtain. The majority (87%) of the time he was on foot, swapping solely to 2 wheels when needing to cowl the hole between peaks.
Similar to the challenges that confronted him, the time he spent out throughout the mountains numerous from on a regular basis. However, all by way of 16 ‘ranges’ he averaged 17 hours of train per stage – with the shortest day clocked in at 3h 45 minutes and the longest at an unlimited 34 hours.
There had solely been two earlier, documented, makes an try at this downside. Ueli Steck (who completed it in 62 days once more in 2015) and Franz Nicolini and Diego Giovannini (60 days in 2008). As such, Jornet supplies yet another Quickest Recognized Time to his unimaginable mountain resume.
It’s impressive to see such determination and physical capability. Kilian Jornet’s achievement sets a new benchmark for endurance sports.
Completing 82 mountains in just 19 days is quite the feat. I wonder how he managed his nutrition and recovery during such an intense period.
Kudos to Kilian for pushing the limits! It’s interesting to think about the mental challenges he faced along with the physical ones.
Jornet’s ability to switch between running, scrambling, and cycling shows incredible versatility. This type of multi-sport approach is inspiring.
The statistics are mind-blowing—over 72,000 meters of elevation gain is no small task. I hope this achievement brings more attention to the sport.