PREVIEW

Endurance athlete and mountaineer Kilian Jornet has completed a remarkable feat by successfully climbing all 82 of the Alps' 4,000-metre peaks in just 19 days, all without the aid of any motorised vehicles.

The project, aptly named Alpine Connections, saw Jornet traverse the iconic mountain range in a hybrid approach that combined trail running, mountaineering, climbing, and cycling. The challenge was immense, requiring exceptional focus, technical skill, and the ability to withstand prolonged exposure to the harsh elements of the Alps.

Reflecting on the achievement, Jornet, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest mountain athletes, said: "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. Having to stay in a state of total concentration for 20 days requires a lot of energy, but it has been amazing.” Jornet began his journey on 13 August at Piz Bernina (4,049 metres) in Switzerland, concluding at Barre des Écrins (4,102 metres) in France. Over the course of the expedition, he ascended some of the most renowned peaks in the Alps, including Monte Rosa (4,634 metres), the Matterhorn (4,478 metres), and Mont Blanc (4,808 metres), the highest peak in Western Europe. The stages varied in duration, from just under four hours to as long as 34 hours, with an average of 17 hours per stage.
After 19 days, covering 1,207 km and accumulating a total elevation gain of 75,344 metres, Kilian Jornet completed his monumental project.