States of Elevation: Kilian Jornet Connecting the American West

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 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 the States of Elevation.

The 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 APEX 2 Pro, 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.

Kilians'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 the 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.