Kilian’s physical challenge started in August 2024 and finished in September 2024, and focused on connecting all 4000m peaks in the Alps – across Switzerland, Italy and France – only using human-powered means.

The project used Kilian’s high visibility during the challenge to communicate important scientific and environmental information to a wide outdoor audience. The Alps are famous for their vast glaciers and extensive permafrost, but they are rapidly changing due to rising global temperatures. By following Kilian’s journey, Alpine Connections became a vehicle for environmental education aimed at climbers, mountaineers, and nature lovers. Central to this project was an interactive map that visualized Kilian’s route while displaying environmental data and other resources from the area. This included the current state of glaciers, permafrost zones, biodiversity hotspots, and protected natural areas. The map also highlighted scientific institutions, local initiatives, and conservation projects working to reduce the impacts of climate change in the Alps. The interactive map is a powerful tool to connect people with science, transforming a physical challenge into a learning experience.

The project focused on four main themes:

• glaciers
• permafrost
• biodiversity
• human impact

For each topic, the Kilian Jornet Foundation (KJF) partnered with an expert to explain the science and ongoing efforts. As Kilian progressed, KJF gradually unlocked each theme through social media and the project’s website, combining footage from the challenge with expert information and resources.

Alpine Connections was especially relevant to the outdoor and mountain sports community. It showed how tight these activities are interconnected with the environment and how much we depend on the stability and health of natural ecosystems. Performing in and enjoying these spaces comes with a responsibility to understand and protect them. This project was an example of how sport and science can come together to create awareness, responsibility, and action. Alpine Connections offered a new type of environmental education: immersive, inspiring, and in the landscapes that outdoor athletes love most.

The goal was to support scientific research, amplify local conservation efforts and promote sustainable practices, through an engaging and educational campaign. As Kilian traversed the Alps, the project documented environmental changes and vulnerabilities in real-time. KJF collaborated with scientists and regional actors to provide a deeper understanding of the region’s ecological importance and the challenges it faces. The specific goals were:

1. Promote environmental awareness
2. Support scientific communication
3. Develop an educational tool (interactive map)
4. Highlight local initiatives
5. Enhance a responsible outdoor culture
6. Inspire environmental action

The Alpine Connections project was developed as a multidisciplinary educational initiative to raise awareness about climate change impacts in the Alpine region, exploiting the visibility and influence of Kilian Jornet and scientific partners. Beyond the physical quest of Kilian, the Foundation continues to have ongoing collaborations with some of the scientific partners, such as Ice&Life, to contribute to the development of an international treaty for glacier protection.