Today, I want to share with you an epic story that has captured the hearts of mountain sports enthusiasts: Kilian Jornet’s triumphant return to the mountain peaks after a forced break due to an injury.
Mountain sports fans were disappointed by the news of Kilian Jornet’s injury, which kept him away from competitions for much of this season. However, his extraordinary skill and unwavering determination have once again demonstrated what he is capable of. Kilian has announced his return to full form with one of the boldest and most ambitious projects ever undertaken.
His feat? Conquering all 177 peaks in the Pyrenees, each exceeding 3,000 meters, in a single continuous expedition. This legendary mountain range stretches along the border between Spain and France, dividing the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of mainland Europe. The Pyrenees are not just a place of challenges for Kilian but also his childhood home.
The route Kilian completed in just over eight days covered a distance of 485 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of over 43,000 meters and a total moving time of over 155 hours. He began his journey from the base of the Frondella peak on Monday, October 2, and reached the final peak, Pica d’Estats, on the morning of Tuesday, October 10. Speaking of this epic challenge, Kilian described it as an “unforgettable experience” and “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
The origin of this endeavor is intriguing: Kilian had originally planned a season of races, but an injury forced him to change his plans. After recovering, he began to consider new projects, and the idea of conquering the Pyrenees peaks above 3,000 meters took shape in his mind. Despite the incredible difficulty of the project, Kilian sought advice from experts familiar with Pyrenees routes and embarked on the journey.
For Kilian, who was born and raised in a mountain shelter in the Pyrenees, this challenge represented a return to his roots. He had climbed some of these peaks at the age of 13 but had no recollection of those moments, making this adventure a visually intense experience.
Some of the iconic peaks he visited during this epic journey included Balaitus, Garmo Negro, Vignemale, Cilindro, Mont Perdut, Pic Long, Pic de Posets, Punta de Lliterola, Aneto, Sayó, Montcalm, and Pica d’Estats. Kilian also incorporated a cycling section to link some of these peaks, further increasing the challenge.
With Kilian Jornet, one of the world’s greatest mountain athletes, firmly back in action, we are all eager to discover what new challenges and achievements the future holds.
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