Guillaume Beauxis at the Pierra Menta 2023

Battling bronchitis, brutal weather, and the mountain itself – one step at a time.

The 2023 edition of the Pierra Menta took place from March 8th to 11th under harsh and unpredictable conditions. Team Holyfat athlete Guillaume Beauxis shares his raw experience navigating through illness, mental fatigue, and the iconic climbs of this legendary ski mountaineering race.

"From dream to reality — and reality hits hard."

“For several years now, I’ve stepped away from competitive ski mountaineering to practice more freely — no pressure, just enjoying the mountains. I’ve checked off some amazing events like the Altitoy, but I had never done the mythical Pierra Menta.

When my friend Greg Curmer asked if I wanted to team up for it, I jumped on the opportunity immediately. It became my main goal for the winter. Training was going great, I felt strong... until three days before the race, when I came down hard with bronchitis and a fever. Breathing became a struggle, and I was in bad shape the night before the start.

Stage one was exactly what I expected — suffering. I fought my way through, just trying to make it to the finish line.”

Team Spirit, Tough Days, and the Mountain's Mercy

“Thankfully, the connection with my teammate Greg was perfect. But I was frustrated — after all the work this winter, I couldn’t perform.

Stage two was a carbon copy in terms of how I felt physically. The only upside? We had sunshine and some beautiful alpine terrain. Still, I questioned whether I’d make it through four days of this. I was draining everything I had just to get through each stage, and I feared it could compromise the rest of my season.

Then the weather stepped in — one stage was cancelled due to conditions. The final day turned into a short 600m+ time trial. I managed to finish, but it was brutal.”

Lessons and Fuel

“This first Pierra Menta left a bittersweet taste. I’m proud to have finished and to have found such a solid partner in Greg. I just hope next time we can return and race it at 100%.

From a nutrition standpoint, I kept things simple and reliable:

• Holyfat Macadamia Lemon and Macadamia Vanilla purées

• Hydrascore hydration drink during effort

Despite being sick, I had no energy crashes, and everything digested smoothly — a real win when your body’s under this kind of stress.”

Fighting Through the Fog

Not every race is about the result. Some are about getting through — through the symptoms, through the fear, through the fog of disappointment — and still showing up. Guillaume’s Pierra Menta wasn’t a personal best, but it was a testament to grit, partnership, and the kind of fuel that holds up when the body doesn’t.

We’re proud to support Guillaume. And we’ll be there when he comes back stronger.

📸 Photo credit: @pierre_meyer_photography