82 Peaks in 19 Days

Ultra-trail runner Kilian Jornet has once again pushed the boundaries of human endurance, successfully linking 82 of the Alps' 4,000-meter peaks across Switzerland, France, and Italy in just 19 days. This remarkable feat involved a combination of running, mountaineering, climbing, and cycling, covering a total distance of 1,207 km and gaining an elevation of 75,344 meters.

The project, dubbed "Alpine Connections," was divided into 16 stages over 19 days, including a day of rest. Each stage averaged 17 hours, with the majority of the time spent running, climbing, or scrambling on foot. The remaining time was dedicated to cycling between mountain ranges, resulting in an 87% on-foot and 13% by bike split.

Jornet's achievement surpasses the previous record set by Ueli Steck of Switzerland, who climbed the same 82 peaks in 62 days back in 2015. Jornet's journey began in Switzerland on August 13th with ascents of Piz Bernina (4,049 m) and Weissmies (4,017 m). He then tackled technical peaks in the Valais region, including Weisshorn (4,506 m) and Dom des Mischabels (4,545 m).

The final stages took place in Italy and France, with the Mont Blanc massif proving to be the longest and most demanding section. Here, Jornet summited some of the highest peaks, including Mont Blanc (4,808 m) and the Grandes Jorasses (4,208 m). A lengthy bike stage connected the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy to the Parc National des Ecrins in France, where he climbed Dome de Neige des Ecrins (4,015 m) and Barre des Ecrins (4,102 m).

Throughout the challenge, Jornet averaged 16 hours of activity per day with only around five hours of sleep. A small support team handled logistics for food, equipment, and content creation, making this project a culmination of over six months of meticulous planning.

"This project has been incredible; I think it's one of the most challenging things I've ever done, both physically and technically, as well as mentally," Jornet said in a statement. "Having to stay in a state of total concentration for 20 days requires a lot of energy, but it has been amazing. I remember all the sunrises and sunsets and all the friends who accompanied me in the mountains."

"I am very happy and proud of what we have achieved in the last three weeks. Now it's time to rest and process everything that has happened, because I think it will take me some time to fully appreciate it."

This latest achievement adds to Jornet's already impressive list of accomplishments, which includes holding the record for the fastest ascent and descent of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, and winning numerous long-distance trail running races, including the prestigious double of the Western States 100-mile event and Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc.