Kilian Moni Cimalp Ambassador

Our ambassadors

Kilian Moni

Athlete

Passionate about nature and the mountains his whole life, Kilian has lost count of the hours spent on crags and in high-altitude terrain, hanging from his ice axes with crampons on his feet on a north face.

At 22, mountaineering and ice climbing with his rope partner Hubert Boixeda are his sports of choice. But above all he is a caver who loves exploring the bowels of the earth and sumps in cave diving.

His ambition to explore the deepest cave systems transformed into a drive to climb the finest summits, the most beautiful routes, and the greatest faces, following legendary itineraries. Kilian decided to leave Avignon, the South, and the warmth to settle in Grenoble and get closer to the mountains, where he could thrive in his pursuits. Still a master's student in STAPS Sports Management (tourism and mountain), he is also into sport and trad climbing, canyoning, and ski touring.

Key Achievement

The ascent of the North Face of the Ailefroide, Écrins.
A 3-day bivvy with my partner Hubert Boixeda at the foot of the North-East face of Mont Blanc du Tacul to complete two major couloir routes.
The Meije traverse with a dream bivvy below the summit, Écrins.
Ascent of the North Face of the Eiger via the Heckmair route.
Complete Gabbarou-Albinoni route with Hubert and ski descent via the normal route of Mont Blanc du Tacul 4,248m.
Complete Brouillard ridge traverse in 27h (bivvy included) with a bivvy at 4,600m.
North Face of the Drus via the North Couloir Direct.
Ice cascade: coup de blues à crevoux (M6+, 6, 6b, A3, 300m).
Cristal palace extension (6, M8, 250m).
Ascent of the N face of the Grandes Jorasses and paraglider take-off.
American Direct route on the Drus in 10h33.
North Couloir Direct of the Drus.

Future projects

An expedition to Nepal.
North Face of the Matterhorn.
North Face of Les Droites

Interview with Kilian Moni

3 words that define you as an athlete?

Passionate. Perfectionist. Ambitious.

3 values that define you as a person?

Perseverance, teamwork, responsibility.

Why do you feel you belong to the Cimalp family?

At Cimalp, you find a family of passionate people, in love with the mountains and outdoor sports — whether trail, mountaineering, skiing or hiking. A family that wants to make the mountains accessible to everyone, so that each person can marvel at the beauty of nature. Cimalp also reflects values that are close to my heart, such as sharing and a passion for sport, and it is through these that I feel I belong to the Cimalp family.

What is your best and worst memory in the mountains, and why?

My best memory — that's a tough question! I'd say it was when I reached the summit of the North Face of the Ailefroide in the Écrins with my rope partner, Hubert. After getting caught in a storm the day before and sleeping in a snow hole at nearly 3,000m altitude, we climbed the face as best we could along a stunning but exhausting line, setting off at two in the morning. When we finally reached the top of the route, in thick fog and snowfall, it felt like a real achievement — almost like a release. All that was left was to abseil down the South Face to reach the refuge before nightfall. As for my worst memory, I think it has to be when I fell while abseiling at the end of a long day in the Écrins massif. We had just completed a beautiful ice cascade. But a small lapse in concentration sent me sliding down a slope for over 80 metres. I ended up with a helicopter ride, a full plaster cast on my left leg, and a good number of cuts and scrapes. A stark reminder that the mountains can be unforgiving...

What do the mountains inspire in you?

Freedom, the desire to always climb higher and reach the most beautiful summits on the horizon. The urge to escape, to venture where no one else goes, and to be completely overwhelmed by the views. The mountains are my playground, my favourite place to spend my best days — and my best nights.

What is your relationship with the environment and ecology?

As a student in mountain tourism, I'm immersed in the ecological transition of mountain tourism and the impact of climate change. It's therefore a very important issue for me. Nature and the mountains are wonderful spaces that we must protect by every means possible. I cycle to university every day, for example — far better than sitting in traffic in a car. This year I want to do as many mountain trips as possible by bike: setting off from home on two wheels, continuing on foot, then climbing to the mountain summits — all without a single kilometre driven.

Another great passion or talent beyond sport?

Studying!