The Edge Of Possible: One Man, 72 Peaks, 31 Days

When Kilian Jornet set out from Longs Peak, Colorado, on September 3, his goal wasn’t just to climb mountains, it was to connect them and connect to them.

Over the next 31 days, the Spanish mountaineer and ultrarunner summited all 72 accessible 14,000-foot peaks in the lower 48 United States, linking them by bike and foot through unbearable altitude, blistering heat, lashing snowstorms and feral winds.

His "States of Elevation" project became an exploration not only of endurance but of landscapes, communities and the fragile balance between the two.

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“During all my career I’ve seen running and doing sports as a way to explore,” Jornet said. “To explore landscapes and to explore capacities.”

Jornet’s preparation was the culmination of years, if not a lifetime, of athletic and outdoor experience. “It’s about developing the tools to overcome all the possible problems that might occur," he said, adding that he spent decades improving his endurance, climbing, navigation and mental strength.

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Despite the project’s physical scale, Jornet said its essence was human. “I was very fortunate to do half of the summits with local runners or climbers from each area,” he recalled. “Those small interactions are as much a part of the journey as the miles themselves.”

From desert heat to frozen summits, the project demanded adaptation across extremes. “In Colorado, I had ten of sixteen days with rain, snow, and thunderstorms,” Jornet said. “In the desert I reached 100 degrees, and in California, going up Shasta, it was 13 degrees.”

At Mount Rainier, the final climb, he waded through knee-deep snow to reach the top. “Being in constant movement means that we need to adapt to the conditions of the mountains at that point," he explained. "Not waiting for good weather but just trying to navigate and find in that toolbox what's necessary to keep going in all conditions.”

Sometimes, the conditions were harsher than expected. In Crestone, Colorado, the hail was so strong it struck through the ventilation holes of his helmet. In the High Sierra, a snow storm plastered ice over the rocks as he climbed. On Mount Shasta, the wind was so strong he had to crawl for the last thousand feet so he wouldn’t be blown away.

(MORE: Heat Training Boosts Performance Like Altitude Training)

Though the project tested every limit, Jornet said his body adapted in surprising ways. “The first two to three days were the worst,” he admitted. Jet lag, altitude and dry air all took a toll. "Then it started to adapt and at the end I was feeling that I could continue for another month.”

Along the way, Jornet met with local communities and environmental organizations. The experience deepened his understanding of how climate change and government policies shape American landscapes. “The privatisation of public lands and its accessibility is very concerning for local communities," he said. "Also the increase of climate-related effects. There are more and more wildfires and more extreme phenomena."

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Asked what the journey taught him, Jornet said “It will take time to absorb all I've experienced, but probably from the land, the luck we have to be able to access and witness these areas that are so pristine, the wildlife and landscapes. It's something we often take for granted."

For now, Jornet is home with his family, recovering from the expedition. But he admits that new ideas are already taking shape. “Since my love is to be in the mountains, the work to preserve them, to try to fight for a future where my kids and their generation can also enjoy those landscapes is something I care about the most."

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.