424.7
Distance (km)
10
+4000m Peaks
19831
Elevation gain (m)
67:27:09
Activity (time)
3.35
Avg. hours of sleep
424.7
Distance (km)
10
+4000m Peaks
19831
Elevation gain (m)
67:27:09
Activity (time)
3.35
Avg. hours of sleep
<span data-metadata="" style="font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;">424 km in 3 Days
13–17.08.2024
423 km in 3 Days
Kilian Jornet began his adventure in Bernina, in eastern Switzerland. From there, he made his way to Grimsel Pass, linking up with Mönchjsoch Hut and finally reaching Blatten. Along the way, he summited ten Alpine peaks, including Lauteraarhorn (4,042m), Finsteraarhorn (4,274m), and Hinter Fiescherhorn (4,025m).
During these initial stages, Kilian Jornet has accumulated over 19,831 meters of elevation gain, 67 hours of activity, and 423 kilometers. These first three days of activity have been crucial for assessing his performance and conducting an initial exploration of the physical and technical limits, as well as the systemic stress that Kilian will endure throughout this Alpine endeavor. Undoubtedly, the toughest day has been the third one; when he ascended six peaks in a single push, accumulating 8,778 meters of elevation gain. Moreover, the rough weather of the Alps has also added extreme difficulty during the second and third stages. He had to adjust his planned route 3 times to avoid exposed areas, whilst tackling wet rocks, snow and storms. Despite all the unforeseen, Kilian is feeling strong and enthusiastic about the days to come. Want to know more about how Kilian’s performance evolves in relation to the accumulated physical load? Keep reading!
Cognitive limits and stress levels
Kilian’s unwavering motivation to push his human limits drives this challenge forward. However, the ongoing energy demands from a caloric deficit and systemic stress, combined with constant physical exertion, are starting to cause frequent changes in sensations and perceptions.
In previous studies with Kilian, Dr. Jesús Álvarez, PhD in Biology, observed that cognitive impairment under these stimulus-induced conditions were similar to that of patients with severe brain damage. Analyzing Kilian’s response to this extreme challenge could be revolutionary for science, shedding light on the physiological limits of the human body. The impact threshold will be key to understanding how systemic stress affects cognitive capacity. Let’s analyze the stress levels according to data provided by the COROS Training Hub.
The relentless demands on the body—renal, hepatic, digestive, cognitive, vascular, musculoskeletal—will lead to an extreme struggle for energy. This affects his perceptions and mechanical efficiency, creating a loss of confidence and security in Kilian’s physical performance
Human Impact on the Alps
The Alps are one prime example which showcase the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
The Alpine Connections project urges us to consider our role in this transformation. To address this, we are collaborating with Louisa Moreau, Communications Manager at Protect Our Winters, who offers her perspective through the Kilian Jornet Foundation. “If we want to address local impacts, such as air pollution or the preservation of water resources—both examples of effects the Alps are experiencing—we must improve in areas such as human activity and transportation.” — Louisa Moreau.
During his journey, Kilian is experiencing firsthand the effects of climate change and the degradation of natural resources in this region, inviting us to reflect on how each of us can contribute to improvement. Protecting the unique ecosystems of the Alps ensures that future generations can continue to test their limits in these inspiring landscapes. Throughout this project, the Kilian Jornet Foundation will also accompany Kilian with the goal of understanding the limits of nature and will collaborate with experts like Louisa Moreau to reinforce the conservation message.
Want to learn more about how to support resource preservation?
Measuring Kilian’s Effort
Each day, Kilian logs his COROS Training Load, which measures the amount of stress on his body based on heart rate and duration.
Each day, Kilian logs his COROS Training Load, which measures the amount of stress on his body based on heart rate and duration.
As the stress on Kilian’s body accumulates, there is more stress on his brain and cognition, as muscles are fighting for glucose and energy. To put this in perspective, Kilian’s average Training Load per day in 2024 is 312. During his highest volume days in the Pyrenees last year, Kilian was hitting 1200-1400 Training Load, roughly 4x the typical amount of stress in a day. Coupled with minimal sleep, Kilian is experiencing both physical and mental wear and tear.
During the first 3 days in the Alps, Kilian has averaged 636 Training Load per day. As his total output accumulates, Kilian can monitor his data and make calculated decisions on rest and caloric intake. Or in this case, he’ll determine just how far he can push the limits of what’s possible.
