Home

10%

Some good news for mountains

Legendary mountaineer Kilian Jornet launches new foundation to protect mountain environments

By GRID-Arendal

October 2^nd, 2020

When it comes to exploring the limits of human endurance, it would be hard to outdo Kilian Jornet. A groundbreaking mountain athlete, he excels in trail running, ski mountaineering, and summiting, among other sports. Throughout his career, he has set numerous speed records up mountains.

In 2013, Jornet embarked on a personal, five-year project he called “Summits of My Life”, in which he ran up and down some of the most iconic mountains on Earth in the fastest known time. That quest included the legendary feat of summiting Mount Everest twice in one week without oxygen.

It’s fair to say that Jornet is one of the most famous mountain sports persons in the world.

And now he wants to give something back to mountains.

Some good news for mountains

Kilian Jornet. Photo: Matti Bernitz, 2019.

Last week he launched the Kilian Jornet Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of mountain environments. The foundation will focus on three areas:

- direct action to solve environmental problems in mountains

- education and awareness raising about the importance of mountain environments

- research into the effects of climate change on mountain areas

Tromsø montains. Photo: KJ Foundation.

We at GRID-Arendal are delighted to see this foundation up and running. We’ve been helping in the lead-up to its launch by sharing facts about waste and climate issues in mountains, making connections to other mountain organizations, and providing project ideas.

GRID-Arendal and the Kilian Jornet Foundation look forward to collaborating more closely in the future. Areas of cooperation could include tackling waste problems in mountains and researching the impacts of glacial melt across mountain regions.

To Jornet and his new foundation, we congratulate you and wish you many happy and impactful years ahead!

GRID-Arendal's Björn Alfthan in Lofoten.

GRID-Arendal's Tina Schoolmeester in Hovden, Setesdal.

GRID-Arendal's Tina Schoolmeester in Møre og Romsdal.

Footnotes

Lead Image: Lymbus, KJ Foundation.

FootNotes

Lead Image: Lymbus, KJ Foundation.

© 2026 GRID-Arendal

When words are contested, journalism matters

Inside GRID-Arendal’s UNEA-7 journalism initiative

Sky Patrol: New Momentum in Madagascar’s Fight Against IUU Fishing

By Romain Langeard (GRID-Arendal) and Lalaina Rakotonaivo (WWF Madagascar)

Norway at COP30

Highlighting GRID-Arendal partners' COP30 events

Empowering journalists

Reflecting on the Impact of Environmental Journalism Grants

Waves of Change, Phase II: Return to Lüderitz

By Rob Barnes

Arendalsuka 2025

A week of thought-provoking exhibitions and events

Loading, please hold on.