Kilian Jornet summits 72 highest peaks in contiguous US in 31 days

Catalan mountain athlete Kilian Jornet has successfully completed his States of Elevation project, a 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.

"3,198 miles (5145km) traveled and 403,638 ft (123045m) climbed," Jornet posted on Instagram on Sunday, adding: "It was never about just the numbers, but rather a deep connection to wild places, and true test of resilience in body and mind."

Colorado 

The project began on September 3 with the summit of Longs Peak in Colorado, and concluded a month later at Mount Rainier in Washington.

It spanned three main states: Colorado, California, and Washington.

In the Colorado mountains, Jornet 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, technical routes that challenged Jornet to navigate Colorado's unpredictable weather and relentless terrain.

Some of these often take ultrarunners several days to complete. Jornet, however, moved efficiently across the mountains, often spending more than 16 hours per day in motion.

California

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.

From California, Jornet continued north through Oregon and into Washington's Pacific Northwest, where he completed 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.

"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," Jornet said.

"I'm really happy with how the project has gone."

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.

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, moments of companionship that added warmth to a project otherwise marked by solitude, storms, and long hours of effort.

​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 project: a hiking and biking journey linking 4,000-meter peaks across the United States.

Jornet faced 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.