Many mountain sports activities followers have been sorry to listen to of Kilian Jornet’s current damage, which took him out of motion for a lot of this yr’s racing season. Fortunately, he has confirmed his return to full well being in a really Jornet-esque vogue — by finishing a problem to summit all 177 peaks over 3,000 meters within the Pyrenees in a single push.
The enduring mountain vary straddles the border between Spain and France, and separates the Iberian Peninsula from the remainder of mainland Europe. It’s additionally a particular vary for Jornet, because it’s the place he grew up.
Kilian Jornet throughout a nighttime part of his Pyrenees traverse. All pictures: NNormal/David Ariño
The route, which Jornet lined in simply over eight days complete, took in 485 kilometers (302 miles), in extra of 43,000 meters (131,200 toes) of elevation achieve, and over 155 hours of transferring time. He started his journey from the bottom of Frondella peak on Monday, October 2, and descended the ultimate peak, Pica d’Estats, on the morning of Tuesday, October 10. Afterward, Jornet described the problem as an “unforgettable expertise” and “one of many hardest issues I’ve ever carried out.”
Of the concept’s inception, he mentioned: “This yr I needed to take part in some races, nevertheless it wasn’t attainable resulting from an damage. After recovering, I started to contemplate numerous initiatives and considered linking the peaks larger than 3,000 meters within the Pyrenees. I had this concept in thoughts however wasn’t positive if it might be a possible problem or pure insanity. After consulting and looking for recommendation from individuals very acquainted with the Pyrenees routes, I made a decision to do it.”
Kilian Jornet crosses a ridgeline within the Pyrenees.
For Jornet, who grew up in a mountain shelter within the Pyrenees, the problem was largely about getting again to his roots. He recalled, “I had climbed these peaks once I was 13 however didn’t bear in mind them, making this a visually intense expertise.” Among the iconic peaks visited on his journey included Balaitus, Garmo Negro, Vignemale, Cilindro, Mont Perdut, Pic Lengthy, Pic de Posets, Punta de Lliterola, Aneto, Sayó, Montcalm, and Pica d’Estats. Jornet additionally integrated a bit of biking to hyperlink up the peaks.
You may look again on Jornet’s social media, his model NNormal’s social media, and Jornet’s Strava profile for a great deal of particulars on this journey.
With one of many world’s all-time biggest mountain athletes firmly again in motion, we’re excited to see the place the paths take him subsequent.
Kilian Jornet rests on the summit of Pic de Posets, throughout his 177-peak traverse of the Pyrenees.
