States of Elevation: More than miles

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Kilian Jornet Fundation

October 14, 2025

Kilian Jornet Fundation

October 14, 2025

When you embark on a journey so vast that you can’t truly know what lies ahead, perhaps that uncertainty is the most beautiful part of it.

“If one thing stands out about this project for me it is the connections we have with the wilderness, and this connection is what makes people feel close to a place.”

— Kilian Jornet

As our president set out on this remarkable challenge, the Kilian Jornet Foundation (KJF) saw States of Elevation as more than an amazing performance traverse. It was an opportunity to learn, connect, and amplify the voices behind every one of Kilian’s miles.

“When I started this project, it was just an idea on a map, something I thought could be great, but I didn’t know if it would be possible. Now I see that it was, and beyond the numbers, it’s been a true adventure: a way to discover places that have become very special to me.”

— Kilian Jornet

Connecting Communities for Climate Action

With States of Elevation, our goal was to bring together communities working toward climate action, highlighting their stories and showcasing the projects they lead. Local actions, after all, hold the power to address global challenges. This journey made that clearer than ever.

Our path was guided by three pillars: Restoration, Resilience, and Reconnection. Along the way, we met people and organizations who embody these principles, reminding us that they are deeply interconnected.

Each theme stands strong on its own. Together, they form a progression: We restore what’s been damaged – We build resilience to face the challenges ahead – We reconnect with the lands, waters, and ecosystems that sustain us.

“One thing that I really appreciate in the US is how local communities take care of their wild areas (the trail work they do is just amazing), to make these places accessible and preserve them.”

— Kilian Jornet

These are not isolated actions but part of an ongoing journey. Every step, whether restoring a river, protecting an old-growth forest, or returning land to Indigenous stewardship, adds to a larger picture. Over time, these actions weave together, strengthening the bonds between ecosystems, communities, and people.

“When I came here I knew it was a challenging time for the wild areas in the US, and compared to Europe it is so different because there is just for granted that you can access them. I learned a lot about the accessibility of these lands during the project. I hope that this project helps people to be more aware of the land that we have to access natural spaces and wilderness areas and that we keep pushing to preserve them to be able to access them in the future.”

— Kilian Jornet

A journey beyond peaks

The States of Elevation campaign followed this arc, sharing stories across the U.S. that showed how restoration, resilience, and reconnection can guide us toward a healthier planet and a deeper relationship with nature.

Even though Kilian linked all 72 fourteeners in 31 days powered only by his own strength (amazing and stunning numbers!!), this was never a solo project. That sense of collective effort became the project’s most inspiring element. Throughout the campaign, the KJF celebrated a journey that reached far beyond summits.

We hosted five Running Minds events and two trail restoration days, engaging more than 700 participants across several U.S. states.

“It’s so special when you discover a place with people that have a deep connection with it, because you become part of it. You also learn about the challenges they are facing.”

— Kilian Jornet

In collaboration with more than 20 partner organizations and storytellers, KJF amplified the themes of restoration, resilience, and reconnection. Participants signed 79 advocacy cards urging lawmakers to support public lands protection. From start to finish, KJF helped coordinate on-the-ground actions, convene local partners, and elevate community voices into a shared platform for change.

This journey reminded us that humanity is inseparable from the world it explores. Each mile and summit deepened our bond with nature, inspiring emotions, humility, and a renewed sense of belonging.

Elevating Connections

We are so honored about what we all achieved, and we just want to THANK to everyone who joined, shared, and supported this campaign, especially our partner organizations, including Where the Climate Things Are, Runners for Public Lands, Outdoor Alliance, Honnold Foundation, Protect Our Winters (POW), Trails and Open Spaces Colorado, Sierra Nevada Alliance, Trail Runner Volunteers, Jefferson County Open Space, Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Cloud City Conservation Center and many others who offered invaluable knowledge and connection to these landscapes and their histories.

States of Elevation has been more than an adventure, it’s been a catalyst for connection, collaboration, and continued action toward a more just and sustainable planet for all.

“We are part of nature, we are not humans and nature, we are all the same. We need the connections with other species to survive, and when you have access to these wild areas is when we feel more this connection and it is key for our mental and physical health, and for our development as humans. And this is why it is key that these areas remain wild and accessible.”

— Kilian Jornet

Photos by @nickmdanielson