In early September 2025, Spain’s GOAT of mountain and path operating, Kilian Jornet, will embark on his newest—and arguably most bold—mission but. Referred to as States of Elevation, this problem goals to attach the US’ fourteeners (mountains over 14,000 ft) throughout the continental USA utilizing solely human energy (operating and biking). For Jornet, a mountain athlete recognized worldwide for pushing human endurance limits, this can be a journey into the center of America’s wild locations, reasonably than only a race towards the clock or a private finest.
A pure development
States of Elevation builds on Jornet’s earlier long-distance efforts, together with Pyrenees 3000 and Alpine Strains, the place he stitched collectively excessive summits throughout each mountain ranges. These tasks mixed velocity, endurance and route-finding over a whole lot of kilometres—multi-day efforts that examined his capability to maneuver effectively and creatively by means of advanced terrain.
“There are two issues that led me to decide on this mission: what I skilled within the Pyrenees and the Alps motivated me to maintain exploring this dimension of lengthy traverses with a powerful bodily, cognitive, and inventive element. It’s undoubtedly a continuation in that sense,” Jornet instructed Canadian Working.
Linking peaks and studying landscapes
The concept is easy on paper: join excessive factors utilizing solely human energy. However the scope is large. Jornet will start at Colorado’s Longs Peak and journey by means of a variety of landscapes, from alpine ridges to forests and desert-like terrain. Whereas Jornet has not been express concerning the degree of assist concerned, if this problem follows the model of his previous tasks, it would doubtless contain restricted bodily help, whereas nonetheless providing glimpses to followers monitoring his progress.
That vary and scale are a part of the enchantment. “With the excuse of linking 14ers, it’s additionally about exploring the American West—the vastness of the terrain and the cultures which have lived and proceed to stay there, in addition to a nature that’s typically wild and extremely numerous, starting from alpine areas to dense forests and deserts,” he stated.
Wish to observe Jornet on his journey? Updates and particulars about States of Elevation will likely be shared on each the NNormal Instagram and on Jornet’s private social media.
