Kilian Jornet Sets New Ascent-Descent Speed Record on Argentina’s Aconcagua
ByMary Anne Potts
December 24, 2014
2 min read
Kilian Jornet
Kilian Jornet, our 2014 People’s Choice Adventurer of Year, just set a new ascent-descent record on Aconcagua (22,837 feet or 6,902 meters), the Western Hemisphere’s highest peak, as part of his Summits of My Life project. His time was 12 hours 49 minutes following the normal route, with a start and finish in Horcones. This route ascends 13,327 vertical feet in about 25 miles to reach the summit. Read more about his Aconcagua record here >>
According to Climbing magazineClimbing magazine, the fastest reported times on Aconcagua are in the 15-hour range for the round trip from Horcones. No one has ever reported a time faster than 13 hours 46 minutes for this route.
“I’m really happy to have completed this new challenge. It has been tough, especially at 6,500 meters altitude when I suffered altitude sickness. Anyway, these moments of suffering will always be remembered,” said Kilian.
Kilan completed the challenge Tuesday after a failed attempt last Friday, when he was forced to turn back at a height of about 6,500 meters due to bad weather, with gusts of wind of more than 90 kilometers an hour.
Mountain runner Emelie Forsberg, cameramen Seb Montaz, and Vivian Bruchez, who advised on safety, accompanied Kilian in this challenge.
Kilian also set a new record on Alaska’s Denali (McKinley) in 2014. With this new challenge Kilian Jornet completes the third year of his project Summits of My Life.
Read more about his Aconcagua record here >>
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then dieThis fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then die
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
Environment
- Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- When America's first ladies brought séances to the White HouseWhen America's first ladies brought séances to the White House
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
Science
- Should you be concerned about bird flu in your milk?Should you be concerned about bird flu in your milk?
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
Travel
- This striking city is home to some of Spain's most stylish hotelsThis striking city is home to some of Spain's most stylish hotels
- Photo story: a water-borne adventure into fragile AntarcticaPhoto story: a water-borne adventure into fragile Antarctica
- Germany's iconic castle has been renovated. Here's how to see itGermany's iconic castle has been renovated. Here's how to see it
- This tomb diver was among the first to swim beneath a pyramidThis tomb diver was among the first to swim beneath a pyramid
