Some people look at ranges and imagine lines. Kílian Jornet looks at continents. Last week, Kílian completed a truly incredible adventure that was hiding in plain sight. Over the course of 31 days, the renowned mountain athlete climbed 72 fourteeners in the lower, 48 connecting them all by bike. Before he left Washington, we had a chance to sit down and talk about how he approaches projects like States of Elevation. 

Want to write a Short for the Diaries? We’re accepting submissions through Nov 16, 2025. More info

Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto  •  Delivered by Brendan O’Connell  

Tracks provided with permission from the artists.