Two runners have completed the first known “Everest” on the Chamonix VK (Vertical Kilometre). Carrie Craig, originally from Scotland, and Canadian Sheri Bastien hiked 10 times up the infamous route above the French town to reach the target of 8848m (the height of Mount Everest).
The friends took on the Everesting challenge to raise awareness about the impact of excessive use of plastics on the environment. Carrie, who now lives in Les Houches, and Chamonix-based Sheri are calling for people to make a pledge to reduce excessive packaging by committing to the Fantastic Unplastic campaign.
What is ‘Everesting’?
Everesting is the challenge of hiking, running or cycling the same hill repeatedly and non-stop to reach a total height of the tallest mountain in the world. The aim is usually under 24 hours.
What is the Chamonix VK?
The VK is a Vertical Kilometre. The Chamonix VK rises 1000m over 3.5km. A race on the VK is part of the Skyrunner series.
The women chose a slightly shorter route of just less than 3km so they could make the best use of the Brevant lift for the descents. This meant they needed to repeat the route almost 10 times to total 8848m.
Carrie and Sheri’s VK Everesting
Starting at 4.15am at Brevant lift station, just above Chamonix, on July 29, Carrie and Sheri hiked the steep zig-zagging VK route repeatedly to finish 17 hours and 45 minutes later.
The first descent was on foot, prior to the opening of the gondola. The next seven ascents on foot where followed by seven descents via the lift. The ninth descent was by tandem parapente and the final descent was again on foot.
Every ascent was joined by a support group of friends, with some people doing two or more ascents with Carrie and Sheri.
Hubby G and I joined Carrie and Sheri on their fifth ascent at around 11am. As we waited for them to arrive for the next uphill push, the sun warmed up and the views along the valley and to the high peaks above widened.
The women were surprisingly fresh and set a good pace, hiking from the base lift station to the top station in less than 1 hour 20 minutes.
The VK is an unrelenting path that rises precipitously on the north side of Chamonix valley. The track is rough and stoney. There were only a couple of stops for photos and Carrie managed to chat cheerily as she hiked.
She told me: “Living in Chamonix, most trails go steeply up, especially the VK route. It is a famous route and it seemed perfect for a challenge.
“About six weeks ago, Sheri and I did six times up and we then thought that 10 times – and an Everest – might be possible.”
Carrie seemed thrilled to be taking on such a big challenge. She said: “It feels like a race to me and I love that. I have a spreadsheet and I am taking care of my food…
“We still have along way to go but it is really great to have friends along to keep us going.”
The top of the trail becomes even steeper and requires a scramble over large rocks (there are metal steps and hand rails to hold on to). The sun beat down on the south-facing slope making the going even tougher.
A knee injury means that Carrie struggles with the descents so most of her current exercise is uphill. She says: “I can walk uphill and then I use the lift system in the valley to descend. I have been making good use of my lift pass this year!”
As they reached the Brevant top station, greeted by Carrie’s partner Chuck with much welcomed plate of salted chips, the total ascent was more than 5000m.
This is a huge amount of ascending – and I don’t think I have ever climbed so much in one day.
It seemed unbelievable that that would go on to ascend almost 4000m more.
But they did…
The final half
We met the pair again as they set off to complete their eighth ascent. They were hot but amazingly buoyant. Gratefully, they were grateful for supporter friends, who gave them food and cold drinks, as well as buffs filled with ice.
They had just 90 minutes to make another ascent to reach the final descending lift of the day. The ladies set off again with another small group of friends to push for the top.
Later, I learned that it was close run with Carrie and Sheri making the final lift of the day by less than five minutes.
After that they had only two more ascents but the ninth proved stressful because they were unsure if the planned parapente descent would be possible.
Carrie said: “We had communications that conditions might not be right for both of us to descend by parapente. This would have meant another descent on foot and neither of us were looking forward to that.
“Fortunately, both tandem parapentes were able to take off and the 10-minute descent was fantastic. It was my first time parenting and I really enjoyed it. It was great to give my legs a rest, too.”
At around 9.30pm, the women started the last climb. The sun was setting and the pair faced a hike up and down in the dark.
A group of friends accompanied them, while more supporters waited at the base of the trail to welcome the ladies home. They completed the Everest at around 10pm.
Then came the final descent on foot. Waiting at the base, we could see their head torches bobbing around as they walked downhill on the steep path.
Eventually, their voices became louder as they closed in on the finish.
Both Carrie and Sheri were elated to finish and obviously delighted to be able to stop. They still looked impressively strong.
Carrie said: “It has been hard and the sixth ascent was probably the toughest. It was so hot. I have also struggled with my stomach. But my legs have been fine.
“It was stressful as well when we weren’t sure if we would make the last lift and then the worries about the parapente descent, whether that would go ahead. But it turned out fine. It has been amazing.”
“I am so pleased to have finished and I am looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.”
Sheri was emotional. She said: “It has been incredible. All the stars aligned for us and it has gone so well. There were nail-biting moments but in the end it all worked out.
“My legs have actually been amazing. It has been the heat and my stomach that have been difficult to cope with.
“But what today has been for me is about the running community here in Chamonix. I am blown away and speechless by this community.
“I never expected this commitment and engagement and people turning out to join us on laps. There were so many people at the end, too.
“I am going to have a good cry later. This is the power of community.”
Friends and supporters
Helping to orchestrate the support was Jana, who joined Carrie and Sheri on three laps. She said: “They have been so strong. Carrie was going like a machine. Sheri was suffering in the heat but still going well.
“They were a little behind on the schedule towards the last laps but the schedule didn’t allow for any rests so that was to be expected. By the end they needed longer rests for water and to change their clothes.
“They were still doing well though.”
Another friend, Gavin, said: “What they have done is crazy. To climb the height of Everest on the Chamonix VK in the time they have done it in is crazy.”
Emma, another good pal, was impressed by the challenge although not surprised. She said: “They are awesome. Everesting on the VK is impressive but these are two of the strongest ladies I have ever met.
“Doing it once is enough and it is difficult to comprehend them doing it 10 times back to back. They are amazing.”
Giles, another friend, said: “It is awesome challenge and I am very impressed by what they have done.”
Hubby G said: “It is amazing. It is an immense physical challenge.”
Having done just one lap, I am in awe of what Carrie and Sheri have achieved. It takes physical ability but also mental resolve to dig so deep.
Many of the supporters have pledged to the Fantastic Unplastic campaign. Emma said: ”I have pledged to reduce the number of plastic bottles I buy.
“I don’t think I would have done that if it hadn’t have been for this challenge. It is great that they are raising awareness about the over use of plastic.”
Why don’t you make a pledge?