CROSSING - Self-Supported Pyrenees Traverse

Want to see more? The documentary about the Via Alpina (2650K D+150000m) is available on VOD here: vimeo.com/onde...
English subtitles available
There is about 800km +43000m to cross the Pyrenees.
This october, I attempted to run the mountain range and join the ocean from the sea as fast as possible.
The goal was to run as much as 50K per day to pass the mountain range within two weeks. This video is this story.
A new trail running video every Tuesday.
See you on the trails and on www.runnexplorer.com
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Music
Musics used under a Creative Common 3.0 license or used with written Author agreement.

[@JustinCycling]

What an achievement! The journey itself, but also the commitment of documenting and editing. Major kudos to you good sir!

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks!

[@2oceans]

Brilliant Guillaume, felt I was there with you! Brilliantly produced and a great adventure

[@t.vandijk2018]

Wow, what a journey! Really major, congrats

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! If you enjoyed it, the VOD for the Via Alpina (2650k 150 000m) just released today :) you can check it out here: vimeo.com/ondemand/viaalpina/ Cheers!

[@GrandeurNature]

Wow! Bravo Guillaume. On sent vraiment bien comment c'était fort pour toi. Malgré toutes les difficultés, ta force est cette joie et positivité qui vivent en toi ! Bonne suite ! Chapeau !

[@karenb221]

Well done and thanks for sharing

[@Broer01]

You are an enourmous hero. What a job! What an experience. You might have had pain but I learned at my trailruns, the pain is temporary but the glory is for ever!

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! The memories are indeed forever.

[@Jelizaveta3]

This is just so impressive! All ups and downs and boulders and rain and water shortage.... unless you've been there, it's difficult to appreciate the full scope of this achievement! Under 14 days... it is superhuman! PS. Found you because you are part of the Cicerone guidebook now :)

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! I know I am in the book. Need to get my hand of the newest version :) Please note that I will not recommand 14 days for anyone that hasn't prepared for years for it. It might be too dangerous. Take your time and have fun on the HRP!

[@Jelizaveta3]

@@runnexplorer Thanks for your reply! Oh, don't worry, there is no way I would ever attempt it fast. I did GR11 last year and was half dreaming of HRP for this year, but after reading the guide, even leisurely stroll would be too much navigation for my personal comfort for now. That is especially the reason for me to be so impressed by anyone accomplishing something this great! I know that the mountain is no joke. Again, awesome job!!!

[@diderichlangmannen]

Impressive! I would never do this because all I want is to be in nature without having a goal but when I see something like this I could not say anything else than WOW!!! This is absolute unbelievable! Great trip! You deserve all my respect!

[@stephenmundane]

Incroyable. This is "Grade A" Awsomeness. Having merely walked the 170km+10,000m of the Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 days I marvel at your endurance and speed and that of the other ultra runners who do the same in 20 hours!

[@delvinmorales9458]

Awesome. I didn't realize how beautiful it was at that part of the world.

[@snavarro7713]

Le Pays-Basque est bien vert et on sait pourquoi. Impressionné par la légèreté du matériel, j'ai regardé la vidéo de bout en bout. Les images sont magnifiques, chapeau l'artiste.

[@Bertissy]

A very exceptional dimension in various terms !

[@hewrichardson6638]

Fantastic achievement 20 yrs ago I trecked the gr10 in 30 days the sas finished on the same time fully supported. The gr 10 has more ups and downs with plenty of refuelling stops. However I have done parts of the gr 11 poorly blazed and I not much used . To travel in the dark was something. With very few refuelling places. Main difference on the French side you must get down of the tops because of thunderstorms. I did the gr 11 six times taking longer each time . I certainly could not have done what you did congratulations pity the Guinness book of records were not around.

[@iansampson9565]

Absolutely superb effort, and a great, very watchable video. Your attitude in the face of adversity is very uplifting!

[@TriviumDS]

Really stunning docu of your trip. This is really amazing. I'm really glad you finished it. Wish you a great rest!

[@KeithDoesVideo]

Your videos are amazing and provide a wonderful view into the majestic places you visit- thanks so much for the hard work you put into giving to the rest of us

[@tsg1173]

I admire you.. incredible effort.. 😊

[@bertvdl1178]

Wow ! Thanks for sharing this adventure!

[@joggermac]

Superb effort Guillaume and great filming. You are a hard adventurer. Well done

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks :)

[@runnexplorer]

Hi everyone, Obviously this project is a massive commitment for me. Please comment so that the video can get some tracking on KZbin and into the running community. This is a one of a kind experiment and is the only unsupported (even supported?) video recorded cross of the Pyrenees. Cheers, Guillaume

[@frederickschmidt7605]

Hi Guillaume from Falkenberg Sweden, to you have a kind of roadbook or a gpx file, anything to tread and learn more about your tripp? See you out there Frederick

[@irunovermountains]

Great adventure. It brought back memories of racing in the mountains of Andorra. A rugged and beautiful place

[@michadrozd2912]

great adventure. All the best from Poland

[@gregg5690]

Wow. Fantastic and very inspiring.

[@trailito8952]

Amazing video !!! What a great challenge you are a machine ! Congratulations

[@Jesuisdehors-dw7ny]

Amazing hike! Super well done, you're great man!

[@MillionHeadedMonster]

Superb, Guillaume. Fantastic adventure, beautifully captured.

[@DanOutdoorsUK]

Great video, this is on my list of trails. Really enjoyed watching your journey

[@chabatestelle342]

Superbe !!! Félicitations pour cette belle aventure !!!!!

[@alicemeyer1326]

Félicitation pour cette incroyable performance, on ne se rend même pas compte des 50min de vidéo tellement on profite de l'aventure et des panoramas exceptionnels, qu'on soit adepte du trail ou non c'est vraiment inspirant !

[@runnexplorer]

Merci :) et encore j'ai pas tout mis^^

[@30stef30]

Bravo, vraiment très beaux moments, c'est ça les vrais héros de notre temps, merci de nous faire partager ces moments

[@michmuchmach]

Incredible Guillaume! What an achievement!!! Bravo!

[@thorruns3966]

Wow, impressive brother!

[@trailrunningmemories]

That was quite an adventure, congrats and thanks for sharing these amazing views!

[@lorettebelland5030]

Bravo Guillaume. WOW!!! The pics are great, I love your way of talking to "us". Always an inspiration to follow you on Facebook.

[@coraliebitar1123]

Congratulations. I admire your positivity and your courage because you do it alone. You inspired me and i plan to do it next year with my boyfriend. Hope to see you soon.

[@runnexplorer]

You are going to have so much fun.

[@MarkBorter]

Enorme..... Bravo.

[@horizonssports234]

Good job Guillaume !

[@lizaseavers1160]

Thanks for recommending this video Guillaume, I don't know how I missed it. This is top class trail inspiration, I am already looking at flights. ''I just have to run the last 39k, easy stuff''. You're just too cool!

[@runnexplorer]

+Liza Seavers :D I think this is my master piece so far. So hard to get the camera still rolling during such hardship.

[@runnexplorer]

+Liza Seavers if you do this, please consider the GR10. Way easier to plan from afar and still as epic as this one.

[@clementchevallier4446]

Respect! c'est énorme ce que tu as réalisé!

[@henkvangierden718]

Very inspiring video!! Well done to you! Quite a long video but enjoyed watching every minute of it.

[@Rem-sh9pn]

Merci pour cette superbe vidéo... great adventure ! Wow... you're strong !

[@novicehiker6897]

This video was insanely good! Congrats man and great editing!!!

[@4southwest]

Those views are something else! Keep up the epicness!

[@Maurisnowboard]

INSANE my friend, great effort! And massive congratulations for you. Trully inspiring,

[@thomaszanaska5690]

Encore une belle aventure, avec des paysages magnifique, une volonté de fer même dans les moments les plus difficiles. Machine :)

[@humanchris]

Thank a lot for sharing with us this amazing adventure, this feat !!! So inspiring. Congratulation.

[@nilsp9426]

This is such a treat to watch, from the midst of a city in Germany, while having work left over on a sunday. I am so looking forward to being in the mountains, soon.

[@romeomarley456]

you all probably dont give a shit but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot the login password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!

[@madduxbrendan901]

@Romeo Marley Instablaster ;)

[@romeomarley456]

@Maddux Brendan Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@romeomarley456]

@Maddux Brendan it worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much you saved my ass :D

[@madduxbrendan901]

@Romeo Marley You are welcome :D

[@jamesharrison5181]

AMAZING, some insane distances and altitude day in day out, truly incredible. 2 weeks this is mind boggling!!! I hope to do the GR20 this summer (you'd have smashed that in 3 days at this pace, you probably already have....) and maybe one day the GR10. Very Inspirational. I'm not surprised you didn't get in the sea in Hendaye!

[@kevinb2039]

Enorme ce défi, bravo tu nous raconte là une très belle aventure !

[@ilaallen190]

This was awesome!! Love the scenery!

[@le7art]

Merci pour cette vidéo !

[@antuamach4334]

Brilliant

[@remigironell244]

way to go champ ! very inspiring and impressive !

[@user-nt8mt3zv2t]

Lucky you !

[@_jamespanton]

Amazing effort and super video: thank you for sharing.

[@pierrelemasson3659]

ça donne vraiment beaucoup beaucoup beaucoup envie de faire pareil :) chapeau bas, en autosuffisance comme ça, y'a du avoir pas mal de petits moments de solitude, notamment les passages techniques en Andorre...

[@runnexplorer]

+Chemin Gras ca piquait en Andorre effectivement.

[@pieda490]

Des images toujours aussi exceptionnelles. ..

[@Jose13bis]

Just amazing Man. Congrats. You have a new subscriptor 👏👏👏👏

[@arthurhaskind7779]

Hmm i think i met you in Slovenia last summer. You were starting the via alpina and i was waking the other direction. You told me to take it slow and to try and not braking anything since i was so close to the end. Remember?

[@runnexplorer]

Oh.my.god. it is you! I was wondering about your name! I do remember of course. How did the end go for you? I am happy to report I finished it in 44 days :)

[@arthurhaskind7779]

It was fine. Made it to the sea in muggia and just stood there for awhile as people were walking by. Guess i was waiting for something to happen. But in never does. Glad to hear about you success. Its really something special what you did. One of the greatest feats possible in my opinion. Congratulations.

[@jean-bernardsaint-eve3340]

Superbe video pour un incroyable exploit !!

[@Mrgoeniegoegoe]

Best HRP vid ever bro

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! Also this self supported record is still standing :)

[@nicoinca]

Images magnifiques et bel exploit !

[@runnexplorer]

Want to see more? The documentary about the Via Alpina (2650K D+150000m) is available on VOD here: vimeo.com/ondemand/viaalpina/ English subtitles available

[@ChaseMountains]

Amazing job man! I'm not sure what the fastest known time is but this is pretty damn fast! I would like to see what gear you carried!

[@runnexplorer]

It is the FKT for self supported Here was my kit for this one: m.facebook.com/notes/runnexplorer/how-to-fastpack-my-kit/1003212256487973/

[@hewrichardson6638]

Phenonimal I did the gr10 6times first time 31.5 days the special air service with support took the same time .I never walked in the dark also get low before 5pm when the thunder storms roll in, what is you next flagelation going to be.

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! Next is the Alps this september. 2650k d+170000m

[@moneymayhem2000]

"Short day,.. 50km, ..13hrs, something like that"

[@runnexplorer]

+Swift i know... I think I lost track of reality on this^^

[@PetitNuagefr]

Merci Guillaume, elle m'a fait voyager ta vidéo, et donner très envie de le faire. Pas trop dur seul ? "hapiness only true if shared" ? A bientôt sur les chemins

[@runnexplorer]

Merci! Non, j'ai l'habitude de partir en solo et je préfère. La sensation de liberté est nettement au dessus. Cela permet aussi de prendre des décisions plus rapidement, ce qui est critique pour ce genre de projet. "Hapiness only true if shared". Absolument, d'où le film :) Je ne suis pas contre aller courir avec d'autres, mais sur ce genre de projet, la solitude est magique.

[@juliengandemer2821]

Wow , you should be guide on this crossing

[@marekmakola1780]

Spectacular trip and video. Thank you very much for sharing! I have two questions for you my friend. What is your recording gear and at what day of October did you start this traverse?

[@runnexplorer]

Most of it on a gopro 4, the rest on a phone. I started mid october. Despite most huts being closed, it is actually rhe vedt period weather wise to do it

[@rudolphteperberry3888]

Inspiring! Really learnt a lot from this video too so thanks for uploading! Planning to give this a go in a similar style in the next year or 2 (expecting to take at least 3 weeks though!). Noticed the Cicerone guide book for Pyrenean Haute Route in your kit vid. How closely did you follow it and how useful was it? That's the one I'm thinking to use too. Used their guidebook in the past and they've been so good you could potentially leave the map at home (not that I would!).

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! I ended up not taking it with me as it was too heavy. There was no use after the start to be honnest. I got all the maps/gpx saved so that I was navigating with digital maps.

[@rudolphteperberry3888]

@@runnexplorer Great. Thanks for the reply. In that case I shall use the guidebook to help planning but will likely leave it at home too.

[@runnexplorer]

@@rudolphteperberry3888 no problem. You can ask me direct question on facebook on Runnexplorer page. We can even have a call if you need more info. Always happy to help people getting this beauty done

[@EUrunner]

Great job, Guillaume, congratulations! I have been planning a similar track for the next summer, and I have a couple of questions: why didn't you follow the GR 10 or GR 11 route all the way across? Do you also have a blog describing more into detail the preparation for this trail? Anyway, thanks a lot for sharing!

[@runnexplorer]

+EU runner hi, thanks! Description (and video) of my bag and items are on the Runnexplorer FB page. I picked the HRP and my own tracks because I wanted something more commiting difficulty wise. As this was off season too, I was seaking the more remote ones.

[@EUrunner]

Thanks, Guillaume. And good luck with your further projects!

[@geoffpeterson1698]

this was an amazing journey, thank you for documenting it. I enjoyed this even more than your TDG video. What are you using for camera gear? Keep up the good work!

[@runnexplorer]

Hi, Thanks! This was shot with a gimbal and a gopro 4. I have some experience with it so results may vary.

[@xaviervermeulen9586]

Could you do an overview of the gear you used on this traverse?

[@runnexplorer]

I did :) Here is the list: facebook.com/notes/runnexplorer/how-to-fastpack-my-kit/1003212256487973/

[@lonckelph]

Hi Guillaume, a friend of mine gave me the link to this video. Not sure it would be for 2019 but I'd like to attempt the HRP unresupplied, I'm a "specialist" and adventurer in unsupported and some unresupplied treks in Tasmania. My latest and hardest being the world first winter traverse. +500km in 52 days, starting with 62kgs on the back. That's how I'd like to do my HRP attempt. Buy food at the start like +-40kg, have +-15kgs of equipment. Oh yes, I only sleep in my tent, I refuse refuges. I obviously refuse food if someone wants to give some. I only accept advice and smiles underway. Do you have a GPS route of your HRP ? Why did you do the EW and not the WE traverse? I prefer to start at the Atlantic but with a heavy pack it might makes sense (more efficient) to start at the Med sea? I have no idea how many days it could take if I make it. I's say at least 40-45 days but extreme it would be 60 days. Unresupplied with a backpack it might be a "record". 52 days in the winter was already something. But here the ups and downs and rocky terrain are a challenge. I did the GR20 in 9 days, I had planned 5 days unresupplied but my knees were too weak when going down. I could only manage to do 2 stages per day. One day I was a bit injured and rested for most of the day. I always slept in my tent of course, most of the times off track as I could not reach the official camping spots.

[@runnexplorer]

High, you could get it on my strava I think. Atlantic to Med was because the med side is harder so I wanted it done first to have decreasing difficulty. Find runnexplorer on FB so thst we can have a direct chat if you want.

[@runnexplorer]

I put the gpx all in a single map here Pyrenees by Runnexplorer goo.gl/maps/hpNg6TcBwV22

[@youtischia]

Superb video. But how did you know the way so well ? Had you already walked it before ? It seems you know exactly where to go never losing your way.

[@runnexplorer]

I studied the map before hand to make sure I had limited troubles. In the end I had around 20K of extra distance from errors, but that's quite limited for such distance :) Check the Via Alpina documentary if you want to see this adventure, but on steroid :)

[@vitorinobarcelona6990]

This sort of suffering is exactly why people don't travel or walk. This route can be easily walked with the minimum of discomfort in under 2 months. As you get older you begin, or at least some realise that those pains/aches you get are a result of doing exactly this to your body at a younger age. I have all those aches and pains and so will walk this with a home made trolley, light enough to carry with rucksack attached, the short distances where rocks, steepness or narrow paths inhibit it's movement. No way would i go the way this guy went, you miss all the views, and rainy days?, well, stick to the spanish side and stay put if it's raining, the sun will re emerge and so long as you collect the water and have enough dried feed you can be ok for three or so days up the tops...face it, most of us will only do this route once if we are lucky...make an enjoyable experience, perhaps with minor and few incidents to add to the experience. I must add though, the video capture was A1, as i came here to examine path condition and just how to build my trolley, well, trolley's as there will be two of us

[@tommyslavic898]

That was insane. Incredible discipline and fortitude. Do you have the GPX or KML for the route you took for reference? Can you post it?

[@runnexplorer]

Hi! This is call the Haute Route des Pyrénées. It is a bit of conceptual route between the GR10 in France and the GR11 in Spain. Hope you find what you are looking for. Go to my strava from years ago, cannot remember if I had all the gpx activities in there or not. But if it is somewhere, it is there

[@runnexplorer]

I just check. It is o my oct 2017 strava.

[@runnexplorer]

I renamed all gpx with "HRP" as a tag to allow you to find them.

[@tommyslavic898]

@@runnexplorer Awesome. Thanks mate. I'm planning a route that captures a bit of each of the trails. I did not realize this run was also a standing FKT for a few years. Pretty wild.

[@FuckAdds]

Je la regarde pour la 3 ème fois et je trouve toujours aussi inspirante ton approche de bivouac ultra léger avec une progression type ultra trail. Perso je me chauffe pour de l'ultra trail en autonomie donc le matos et l'approche m'intéressent énormément ! En termes de rythme tes journées sont allongées au maximum et je me demande si tu "trottine" beaucoup ou bien marche les plats ? Sur la vidéo tu sembles trotter les descentes et marcher les plats, mais c'est peut être parce que tu tiens la caméra ? J'ai adoré ton film de la via alpina, de 50 km tu est passé à 60 pour la via alpina sur du plus long. C'est l'entrainement ou le terrain plus facile ou l'expérience ? En tout cas tu est mon exemple et ma référence pour ce que je veux faire alors un immense MERCI en plus d'un évident BRAVO !

[@runnexplorer]

Entrainement et terrain légèrement plus facile. Je te conseil le très bon podcast UltraTalk que j'ai fait au sujet de la Via Alpina, tu y trouveras toutes les réponses à tes questions je pense :)

[@freija6201]

What is the grey foam thing you have on your shoulder strap actually?

[@runnexplorer]

+Freija Van Hove that's the camera holder when I am not filming

[@FizjoSzczyt]

@@runnexplorer how did you do that?

[@runnexplorer]

It's custom made with pipe foam.

[@FizjoSzczyt]

Your idea is great. I used the same items like you, but i have camera with selfi stick. Thanks

[@markisdeviaje7753]

Nice, man! So inspiring. Liked and suscribed. But because I'm a stupid jerk, I have to say this is Self-Supported instead of Unsupported, since you are resupplying in stores/towns and all that stuff, don't take it too serious, just a semantics issue, no big deal. And obviously most important is your accomplishment of such a big challenge and not my comment here. Congratulations for you!

[@runnexplorer]

+Markis De Viaje I was actually having a trouble defining the difference between the two terms. I picked the one that I though was good. Damn it. Seems that I picked the wrong one.

[@markisdeviaje7753]

Thanks for the reply! and nothing to be worried about, I'd told you I'm a jerk and because of that I'd made my comment. I'm just using the definition most commonly agreed among the FKT community, but even there, there are some discussions about this and the differences sometimes are really on small details. Keep up with your adventures! You are doing an amazing job out there.

[@runnexplorer]

Nothing of being a jerk here :) I've try to follow the discussion around the FKTs and the terms, but wasn't able to find the answer. Glad you commented so that I will be able to use the proper term for the next adventures! Thanks!

[@runnexplorer]

There we go, changed the title of the video. Cannot edit the title in the video itself, but that should do the trick :)

[@Abnsdllnnlosnfd]

Perhaps a stupid question: Where do you take a number two?

[@runnexplorer]

Refuges mainly. Restaurant when I cross town. There is also sometimes random toilets at trailheads.

[@Abnsdllnnlosnfd]

@@runnexplorer Thanks man!

[@minimalector]

Concernant l'alimentation tu faisais comment? Merci

[@runnexplorer]

Ravitaillement en fond de vallée tous les 2/3 jours

[@minimalector]

@@runnexplorerça rajoute de la distance et d+ c'est sur ☺

[@houditv]

What a nice video my friend, congratulations. How much you pay when u rest in the refugees? Cheers

[@runnexplorer]

Thanks! It varies a lot. It can go from 30 to 60e depending on the refugees (with dinner & breakfast)

[@houditv]

@@runnexplorer thanks 👍

[@jochemmecking3534]

Ait

[@landrover4444]

Too much music. See Rich Hartfield's videos on this subject.

[@landrover4444]

Too much music. Wind noise distracting.

[@runnexplorer]

I tried without music and it felt flat. There is indeed wind noise, but when it blows hard, there isnt much to do.about it. Hope you like the landscapes :)