56 peaks in 16 days: Kilian Jornet completes Colorado Fourteeners as part of latest project

Catalan mountain athlete Kilian Jornet has successfully completed the first part of his States of Elevation project in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

For 16 days, Jornet hiked and biked the state's rugged terrain, ascending mountains over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) and tackling some of the most iconic and challenging routes in the country.

In just over the two weeks spent in Colorado, the trail runner reached the summit of 56 peaks. 

States of Elevation is Jornet's latest project in which he seeks to connect the "Fourteeners" (peaks reaching over 14,000 feet) across the United States exclusively by foot and bike, in a creative and self-sufficient way.

In total, over the 16 days, Jornet climbed 56 peaks of over 14,000 feet, covering 1,943 km with 78,004 meters of elevation gain.

He covered most of the distance by bike (1,188.56 km; ~61%), but more time was spent on foot (198:37:17; ~76%), averaging about 121 km and about 4,875 meters of elevation gain per day. This roughly equates to a marathon on foot plus about 80 km on a bike, each day.

He did it with about 4.5 hours of sleep per night, and in harsh conditions: rain or snow on 8 of the 16 days, with temperatures as low as -9°C at the peaks and 26°C in the valleys.

“It was incredible to finish in Colorado: the mountains are spectacular, and the nature here feels very special," Kilian Jornet said in a statement upon completion of the feat of climbing 56 peaks in 16 days.

"The first two weeks, the weather was really harsh, which added an extra challenge. The first week, I felt terrible, probably due to jet lag and the altitude, but then I improved, even as the bad weather continued. We only had three days of sunshine, which made everything very complicated."

He added that Colorado represented "the largest part of the project," which included more summits and technical navigation, something that was "exciting” for Jornet.

Jornet's adventure began on September 3 and included iconic trails like the LA Freeway, the Elks, and the challenge of Nolan's 14, as well as iconic peaks like Mount Elbert and Pikes Peak, all accompanied by storms, strong winds, and changing terrain.

Despite the extreme conditions, Jornet achieved a deep connection with the environment and the wild nature of the Rockies.

​Kilian Jornet

Jornet, born in Sabadell in 1987, is widely considered one of the greatest mountain athletes of all time. Through his challenges, he has redefined what is possible in trail running, ski mountaineering, and alpine projects. 

States of Elevation is the athlete's latest personal project: a hiking and biking journey linking 4,000-meter peaks across the United States.

Kilian will face a uniquely demanding challenge, with daily averages equivalent to a Tour de France stage and a marathon combined, at high altitude and over technical terrain.

Beyond the physical exertion, the project reflects Kilian's deep connection with wild places and his ongoing search for meaning through endurance, nature, and exploration.