Kilian Jornet Conquers 82 Alpine Peaks in Record Time
Renowned trail runner Kilian Jornet has accomplished the extraordinary feat of summiting 82 peaks in the Alps, each standing over 4,000 meters, in a record-breaking 19 days. Jornet combined running, mountaineering, and cycling to cover a staggering 1,207 kilometers across Switzerland, France, and Italy, with a total elevation gain of 75,344 meters.
Jornet’s ambitious project, dubbed “Connecting Alps,” involved 16 stages over 19 days, with one day of rest, concluding on September 2nd. On average, each stage took 17 hours, with most of the journey consisting of running, climbing, or scrambling over rock faces, and the remainder spent cycling between mountain ranges. His efforts were 87% on foot and 13% by bike.
Consistent with Fastest Known Time, Jornet shattered the previous record set by Swiss alpinist Ueli Steck, who summited the same 82 peaks in 62 days in 2015. Jornet began his journey in Switzerland on August 13th, starting with the ascents of Piz Bernina (4,049 meters) and Weissmies (4,017 meters). He meticulously connected challenging peaks in the Valais region, including Weisshorn (4,506 meters) and Dom des Mischabels (4,545 meters), into a continuous route.
The final stages took place in Italy and France, with the Mont Blanc massif being the longest and most demanding. Jornet summited several of the highest peaks, including Mont Blanc (4,808 meters) and Grandes Jorasses (4,208 meters).
On average, Jornet was active for 16 hours each day, with only about five hours of sleep. A small support team assisted him with food, gear, and documenting the project, which took over six months of meticulous planning.
“This project was truly incredible; I think it’s one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever undertaken, physically, technically, and mentally,” Jornet said. “Maintaining intense focus for 20 consecutive days required a tremendous amount of energy, but it was absolutely worth it. I’ll never forget the sunrises and sunsets, and the friends who accompanied me on these mountains.”
Jornet, who also holds speed records for summiting and descending Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest trail runners of all time. The 36-year-old has claimed victory in numerous ultramarathons, including prestigious races like the Western States 100 and Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc.
“I’m incredibly happy and proud of what we’ve achieved over the past three weeks. Now it’s time to rest and reflect on everything that has happened, as I think it will take some time to fully grasp the significance of it all,” Jornet said.
