In the world of mountain endurance, few names resonate like Kilian Jornet. Known for redefining the limits of human potential, Kilian's latest personal project: States of Elevation is a human-powered journey discovering the American West.

Aiming to connect 14,000-foot peaks across three states. The route will test endurance, navigation, and recovery in ways no project before it has.

What are the States of Elevation?

The towering summits, known as “14ers”, challenge mind and body, demanding patience, efficiency, and an intimate relationship with altitude.

In the lower 48 states, only three regions reach this height: the Rockies of Colorado, the Sierras of California, and the Cascades in Washington. Together, they form a sacred high-altitude corridor, which is set to be Kilian's States of Elevation.

Kilian's States of Elevation Route

Beginning in Longs Peak, Colorado, the project will take Kilian across three states, Colorado, California and Washington.

For the States of Elevation, just like his previous projects, Kilian will rely entirely on human-powered travel. Using his COROS DURA and COROS Watch, and NNormal essentials, he'll cycle between regions and ascend or connect each peak by foot. In doing so, he'll navigate a mix of paved roads, dirt passes, alpine ridgelines, and glaciated terrain.

As with any great adventure, memories will matter as much as the miles. From quiet mountain mornings to the grind of steep switchbacks, this adventure will create a journal worth documenting.

Kilian's Preparation for States of Elevation

Kilian is no stranger to long traverses, having connected the Pyrenees in 2023 and the Alps in 2024. Those experiences, have helped shape his mindset for States of Elevation.

"My experiences in the Pyrenees and the Alps motivated me to continue exploring this dimension of long traverses. I like that they have strong physical, cognitive, and creative components to them."

After a captivating run in his return the Western States, where he improved his time by over 80 minutes. Kilian's training throughout 2025 has been focused on building his aerobic base.

His recent win at the Kia Fjällmaraton Vertical KpM highlights the readiness of mind, body and technical ability.

This project demands more than fitness, though. It requires pacing, navigation, and precise decision-making at altitude. Throughout his journey, Kilian will rely on COROS tools like Effort Pace, Navigation, Recovery Time, and Altitude Performance to guide real-time decisions. All features that have been pivotal in his explorations before.

"In critical situations navigation is key, features like the Back to Start have been saving my life, such as going down the Hornbein in Everest, or navigating crevasses in the dark during Alpine Connections."

With dozens of consecutive summits ahead, managing strain on his body becomes as important as route choice.

Why This Project Matters

States of Elevation is not a race or record attempt. It’s a test of self-reliance and sustainability across three of America’s most iconic mountain ranges. The project spotlights what’s possible when endurance, planning, and environmental respect converge.

"It’s about exploring the American West, the vastness of the terrain and the cultures that have lived and continue to live there, as well as a nature that is often wild and incredibly diverse, ranging from alpine areas to dense forests and deserts. I am excited to explore these new places."

Kilian is currently finalizing logistics and will begin the project in early September. Follow along for dispatches, data insights, and route breakdowns. When it’s over, we’ll share the full map, metrics, and memories from a project that redefines the scale of mountain endurance in the U.S.

Colorado: Where Elevation Meets Endurance

Photos by Nick Danielson

For Kilian, Colorado is more than just the starting point; it’s the steepest learning curve of the project. His COROS data shows the toll: an average daily Training Load of 544 for the first three days of his project, compared to his baseline of 141, throughout 2025. Even Kilian, with all his experience, found the first few days particularly taxing, showing that even the best in the world rely on accurate data and their intuition to succeed.

"It was hard, but knowing my body and checking the data reminded me that I had to take better care of myself, hydrate, fuel, and rest. With this, I slowly managed to feel better and it has been going super well ever since."

With the greatest concentration of 14ers in the United States, efficiency is everything. Having covered over 1,200 miles under his own human power, these long days have already tested his mental and physical limits, navigating technical ridgelines by headlamp and climbing high into thin air.

Already, Kilian has spent 261 hours, 29 minutes, and 29 seconds in motion, summiting 56 peaks along the way, performing at the highest level day after day often on less than 5 hours of sleep. Each ascent adds to the cumulative strain, forcing him to manage his recovery, which has averaged an exhausting 13.5% since he began.

Even as fatigue sets in, there are the moments that remind him why he climbs: the sun hitting Longs Peak at dawn, the wildlife accompanying him along the route, and the community that celebrates his every step. These human experiences, just like his performance metrics, are captured right from his watch. The beginnings of a journal of an expedition defined by endurance, precision, and reverence for the mountains.

Up next Kilian Jornet begins the long ride to the heights of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. He'll be clocking up energy sapping averages of 175 miles and over 12 hours of riding on the bike per day, but equipped with COROS DURA at least battery life will be the least of his concerns. Follow along for dispatches, data and insight, as he summits and connects California.