It was an intense 24 hours for 32-year-old Rudi Kristiansen to pursue an “Everesting. In other words, climb 8.849 meters on roller skis. For those who have taken on the challenge before, it has mainly been on a bicycle or running.

Kristiansen’s challenge involved 36 ups and downs on the 3.5-kilometer hill in Mjöndalen, Norway.

In 2021, Eirik Andreas Mortensbakke from Asker attempted “Everesting” on roller skis but gave up after more than 6.000 meters of climbing.

For those who want to try, the hill is called Mjøndalen-Hagatjern Uppe on Strava. The segment has 253 meters of altitude difference from bottom to top, spread over 3.5 kilometers. This means that 36 laps were needed to reach the 8.849 meters of altitude.

At around 22:00 on Friday, Kristiansen embarked on the first of the 36 laps up the hill. And a little after 21:00 on Saturday, he clocked in at the top, after more than 8.849 meters of altitude and over 250 kilometers.

“It was only after the 33rd lap up the hill that I realized I could do it. Then everything got a bit easier,” Kristiansen told Langrenn.com after the challenge.

Why did you choose to take on this challenge?

It’s mostly about challenging yourself, and a little adventure. And it’s fun to break up everyday life with something a little different between work and school.” 

What was most demanding? 

“It is terribly monotonous to ride the same hill so many times. It’s just a matter of counting. Between round 18 and 21, I think it was very slow,” Kristiansen says, adding that the weather conditions did not make the project any easier.

What did you think would be the biggest challenge beforehand? 

“I was most excited about the weather. And that was the worst, too. It rained when we started and for the first few hours, and then again from 18:00 onwards today (Saturday). There was no sun, so the asphalt didn’t dry. This made it a little difficult to brake downhill, and skiing uphill was very tough and heavy.”

“There was a big group cheering in the last laps. They had hot dogs and soft drinks and basically everything you could want, so I stopped there every third lap to replenish,” Kristiansen says.

So, you ate hot dogs and soft drinks to get by? 

“Yes, but it was mostly soda and very strong sports drinks. I got quite nauseous.”

How did you prepare? 

“I had done three long rides up to Tryvann before this. Then I did four laps each time, so it was around 60km and 2.000 meters of altitude and took a little over four hours.”

But there is a big difference between four and 24 hours, right? 

“Yes, but previously, we (Kristiansen and Haugnæss, journalists) have done Vasaloppet three times in a row. Then we went back and forth and watched Nattvasan back at the finish. And then we did the regular Vasaloppet two days later. And in 2021, we did Birken four times in a row.”

Will you do this again? 

“No, I won’t. Absolutely not. It is the most monotonous thing I have ever done. And it’s like other extreme things: it’s fun the first time because it’s something new and exciting.”

What’s next for you now? 

“Now I’m going up to that bend and celebrate a bit. They were a good bunch.”

FACTS ABOUT ‘EVERESTING’                                                   

• The concept of ‘Everesting’ is to climb the same hill repeatedly until you have accumulated 8.849 meters of altitude gain, equivalent to the height of Mount Everest. The most common way to Everest is by cycling or running.
• The total altitude gain must be completed in a single session, but you can take breaks. The total time, including breaks, is the applicable time for the challenge.
• Similar awards have been named after other mountains: Mount Blanc, Kilimanjaro, etc., depending on the altitude gain one accumulates during the session. 
• Hells 500, the Australian organization that established the ‘Everesting’ concept, verifies and keeps statistics on ‘Everestings’ worldwide.

Also Read: Could be the first ever to “Everest” on roller skis.