Mountain athlete Kilian Jornet has successfully completed States of Elevation, an unprecedented journey linking the 14,000-foot (4,267 m) peaks of the United States. Over the course of a month, Jornet summited all 72 fourteeners in the Lower 48 (the continental United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii), covering thousands of kilometers on foot and by bike in one of the most demanding projects of his career.

For Jornet, the journey was a discovery beyond a physical challenge — a way of moving and exploring new places, powered only by his own movement. What made the challenge even more remarkable was not only the climbing itself, but the sheer distance required to link peaks across different states. The scale of the project is hard to grasp. To put it into perspective, the project is comparable to linking “several Tours de France and dozens of marathons, but all at high altitude.

The project began on September 3rd with the summit of Longs Peak in Colorado, and concluded a month later at Mount Rainier in Washington. From the rugged Rockies to the deserts of California, across the majestic Sierra Nevada, and finally through Oregon into the forests of Washington State, Jornet imagine a line that would cross cover an immense variety of landscapes and discovered a part of the United States that was largely unknown to him:

I’m really happy to have made it this far. When I started this project, it was just an idea on a map — something I thought could be great, but I didn’t know if it would be possible. Now I see that it was, and beyond the numbers, it’s been a true adventure — a way to discover places that have become very special to me. Kilian Jornet

The project spanned three main states: Colorado, California, and Washington. Jornet’s journey began in the Colorado mountains, where he climbed all 56 public fourteeners in the state. Highlights included iconic traverses such as the LA Freeway, the Elks, and Nolan’s 14, as well as some of Colorado’s most emblematic summits like Mount Elbert and Pikes Peak. These technical routes — requiring both endurance and expertise — challenged Jornet to navigate Colorado’s unpredictable weather and relentless terrain, from fierce storms to strong winds. Some of these link-ups of fourteen peaks often take ultrarunners several days to complete. Jornet, however, moved efficiently across the mountains, often spending more than 16 hours per day in motion.

After completing Colorado, Jornet pedaled west — more than 1,400 kilometers by bike — into California. There, he faced a completely different challenge: the barren desert approaches of the White Mountains, the technical ridges of the Sierra Nevada, and the long, isolated push to Mount Shasta, where snow and very strong winds tested his endurance. One highlight was the Norman’s 13 traverse in the Sierra Nevada, which quickly became Jornet’s favorite stretch of the project. Despite having been on the move for 23 days, Kilian managed to advance quickly — resulting in a new supported FKT (pending official confirmation).

From California, Jornet continued north through Oregon and into Washington’s Pacific Northwest, where he closed the project with the iconic Mount Rainier. The climb was among the most technical of States of Elevation, and at this time of year it was uncertain whether a summit would be possible. Fresh snow in the days prior had made the route more demanding, but Jornet managed to reach the top and return safely. Back with the team, he had pizza and explained:

I’ve been amazed by the wild nature, the wildlife, and how much the landscapes change. I loved doing it by my own means, but also being joined at times by friends who came to share a moment and show me their home. I’m really happy with how the project has gone. Kilian Jornet

With Rainier completed, the journey came full circle: one month after starting in Colorado, Jornet had summited 72 fourteeners entirely under his own power — on foot and by bike.

The scale of States of Elevation is difficult to comprehend. Unlike a race or a record attempt, it had no external benchmarks. The project demanded thousands of kilometers of movement and immense vertical gain. To put it into perspective, it was the equivalent of linking several Tours de France and dozens of marathons — but all at high altitude.

Over States of Elevation, Jornet covered 5,145 km under his own power — 4,133 km by bike (80%) and 1,011 km on foot (20%) — climbing 123,045 m. Though most of the distance came on the bike, nearly 60% of the total time was spent on foot, averaging 15 hours of movement per day.

Throughout his journey, Kilian was supported by a dedicated community of athletes who contributed their time, knowledge, and expertise. These moments of companionship added warmth to a project otherwise marked by solitude, storms, and long hours of effort.

In closing this chapter of States of Elevation, the Kilian Jornet Foundation (KJF) celebrated a journey that reached beyond peaks. The initiative hosted four Running Minds events and two trail restoration days, engaging more than 500 people across several US states. A final Running Minds event is planned, with over 200 attendees expected. In collaboration with 21 partner organizations and storytellers, KJF amplified themes of restoration, reconnection, and resilience. Participants signed 79 cards urging lawmakers to support public lands preservation. From start to finish, the Kilian Jornet Foundation coordinated on-the-ground activations, convened local partners, and lifted community voices into this collective platform. The journey served as a reminder that humanity is inseparable from the world it explores. Each mile and summit deepened the bond with nature, inspiring awe, humility, and a renewed sense of belonging.

With States of Elevation now complete, Jornet will take some time to rest and recover — before once again imagining new lines, new mountains, and new adventures.

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Kilian Jornet

About States of Elevation

States of Elevation is Kilian Jornet’s latest personal project: a journey to link 14,000-foot peaks across the United States by foot and bike. A uniquely demanding challenge, Kilian will average the equivalent of a Tour de France stage and a marathon each day—at high altitude and over technical terrain. Beyond the physical effort, the project reflects Kilian’s deep connection to wild places and his ongoing pursuit of meaning through endurance, nature, and exploration.

About Kilian

KILIAN JORNET is widely regarded as one of the greatest mountain athletes of all time. With his vision, he has redefined what’s possible in trail running, ski mountaineering, and mountain projects, always guided by ​ a consistent set of values. Today, his impact extends well beyond sport.

Mountains are Kilian’s home and inspiration: they ground him and push him forward. Through more than two decades in mountain sports, he’s made a career by pushing limits—physically, as well as in how we design gear and care for things that matter.

As the co-founder of NNORMAL, Kilian brings his personal experience into product development—striving to create gear that reflects how he moves and what he believes in: durability, function, and responsibility. Through the KILIAN JORNET FOUNDATION, he advocates for the preservation of mountain environments and works to raise awareness of the climate challenges facing our planet. Whether through competition, entrepreneurship, or activism, Kilian uses his voice to inspire a more conscious way of moving through the world.