Athletes below the peak of Mt. Blanc between Courmayeur, Italy and Mt. Blanc, France on April 14, 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Philipp Reiter/Red Bull Content Pool As part of the longest ski tour event in the world, the Red Bull Der Lange Weg, five athletes completed the fastest crossing of the Alps main ridge from Vienna, Austria to Nice, France. Doing so in just 36 days, the group skied and hiked on foot 1,069 miles in distance and nearly 57 miles of cumulative elevation gain. In total, they were on the move for 375 hours. On April 22, the group of athletes Bernhard Hug (SUI), Philipp Reiter (GER), David Wallmann (AUT) and Janelle and Mark Smiley (USA) arrived in Nice only 36 days after leaving Austria. The crew averaged a grueling 30 miles per day.
The crew between Marmora, France and Entraque, Italy on April 20, 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Philipp Reiter/Red Bull Content Pool
Mark and Janelle Smiley at between Bardonecchia, Italy and Chateau-Ville-Vieille, France on April 18, 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Philipp Reiter/Red Bull Content Pool “It was really tough,” Hug told Red Bull in Nice. “Every day, you had to recharge your energy to re-focus and move forward step by step. These 14-hour days cost a lot of physical energy. And we had to adapt the route very often and to reorganize again and again because the weather was very difficult. This took a lot of mental energy. But now, we are relieved that we made it!” Aside from the blazing pace, harsh weather was a major factor – crossing the Alps in March/April is no easy task. Blizzards were a reality at times, and the threat of avalanches was palpable.
The team originally started with seven athletes, but Nuria Picas (ESP) and Tamara Lunger (ITA) had to retire on their way to Nice for different reasons. It was a very trying adventure. And the crew who made it in the 36 days endured plenty along the way.
Early mornings and late nights. Photo: Courtesy of Philipp Reiter/Red Bull Content Pool
The crew in Nice, France on April 22, 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Philipp Reiter/Red Bull Content Pool As Reiter summed up the experience, “We were 36 days on the road, we were stuck in a blizzard at 3,700 meters [12,139 feet], we rode in knee-deep spring snow and now we’re at the beach, this is totally crazy. I still can’t believe we really made it. It was damn far, it was pretty hard, but that doesn’t matter any more, because we’re here now!”
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As part of the longest ski tour event in the world, the Red Bull Der Lange Weg, five athletes completed the fastest crossing of the Alps main ridge from Vienna, Austria to Nice, France. Doing so in just 36 days, the group skied and hiked on foot 1,069 miles in distance and nearly 57 miles of cumulative elevation gain. In total, they were on the move for 375 hours.
On April 22, the group of athletes Bernhard Hug (SUI), Philipp Reiter (GER), David Wallmann (AUT) and Janelle and Mark Smiley (USA) arrived in Nice only 36 days after leaving Austria. The crew averaged a grueling 30 miles per day.
“It was really tough,” Hug told Red Bull in Nice. “Every day, you had to recharge your energy to re-focus and move forward step by step. These 14-hour days cost a lot of physical energy. And we had to adapt the route very often and to reorganize again and again because the weather was very difficult. This took a lot of mental energy. But now, we are relieved that we made it!”
Aside from the blazing pace, harsh weather was a major factor – crossing the Alps in March/April is no easy task. Blizzards were a reality at times, and the threat of avalanches was palpable.
The team originally started with seven athletes, but Nuria Picas (ESP) and Tamara Lunger (ITA) had to retire on their way to Nice for different reasons.
It was a very trying adventure. And the crew who made it in the 36 days endured plenty along the way.
As Reiter summed up the experience, “We were 36 days on the road, we were stuck in a blizzard at 3,700 meters [12,139 feet], we rode in knee-deep spring snow and now we’re at the beach, this is totally crazy. I still can’t believe we really made it. It was damn far, it was pretty hard, but that doesn’t matter any more, because we’re here now!”
Packlist: Essential Gear for Spring Ski Touring
Read article
An Avalanche Expert’s Tips on Spring Backcountry Safety
Read article
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Packlist: Essential Gear for Spring Ski Touring
Read article
Packlist: Essential Gear for Spring Ski Touring
An Avalanche Expert’s Tips on Spring Backcountry Safety
Read article
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