Kilian's Crossing
We have started to run out of superlatives when it comes to some of the stuff that Kilian Jornet achieves in the mountains. After this week’s little escapade in the Alps we, like many others, were left almost speechless…
Following on from his tragic trip to the region at the start of the summer, it must have been an emotional journey on Tuesday for the young Catalan. However, the unquestionable determination and desire to stick to the Summits of My Life programme meant that his Mont Blanc Crossing went ahead as planned.
Kilian Jornet has successfully completed the second of the challenges of his personal project Summits of My Life, which this led him to complete the demanding crossing from Courmayeur (Aosta Valley, Italy), to Chamonix (France) single-handed, reaching Mont Blanc via one of its most technical climbing routes, the Innominata Ridge.
A challenge which was completed without any assistance and with the least possible material, following the purist philosophy of the project Summits of My Life.
Watching this film gives us a little insight into how incredible this run / climb / hike was, a journey that can take an experienced mountaineer 3 days to undertake. Add to the 42 km with almost 4000m of vert trip the amount of kit (below) which he carried, and you’ll begin to appreciate how incredible his time of 8hours and 42mins is.
Gear:
static rope 7mm 20m;
Dynema 120cm Vie de Carabin;
helmet Petzl Siroco;
headlamp Petzl NAO;
crampons aluminium;
Ice axe Petzl Sumtech;
Suunto AMBIT;
gloves Petzl Cordex;
sunglasses salomon;
cap;
Duvet salomon;
gore tex pants salomon;
1 gel overstim’s; 40cl water;
overboots; long thighs;
short + long teeshirt; trail running shoes;
socks.
Total weight: 2.512gr
His Suunto Movescount is here, which makes for interesting reading!
Comments since the news has come out have ranged from amazement to some saying a solo like was risky. Well, as with all great boundary pushers would say, what is life without a little risk?
