82 Alps in 82 Days

Patrick Berhault and Philippe Magnin are about to launch a new endurance test in Europe: All 82 of the 4,000-meter summits of the Alps in 82 days. Starting in March, the two will attempt every peak topping 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), from Barre des Écrins in southern France to Piz Bernina in eastern Switzerland, over nearly three months of climbing and skiing. One of France’s leading and most imaginative climbers for more than two decades, Berhault has long been a proponent of Alpine link-ups. In 2000 and 2001, he created the ultimate enchainment when he walked, skied and climbed the length of the Alps, from Slovenia to France, between August and February, climbing 22 major routes along the way with various partners. In February and March of last year, Berhault and Magnin climbed 16 major routes on the high south face of Mont Blanc in 21 days. Most of the 4,000-meter peaks they will climb this year are in Switzerland.