From climbing 14ers to long hours in the saddle, Colorado has tested Kilian’s endurance, and his gear.

12 September 2025

Kilian kicked off his States of Elevation project with a tough opening stage on the LA Freeway: 36 mi running, 48 mi biking, 24,791 ft of climbing, and his first 14er summited. A demanding start that set the tone, long hours on the move and the first taste of how deep this effort would go.

Stage two, spanning two days across the Tenmile Range, pushed him further. Still feeling the effects of day one, he shortened the stage to allow for recovery, and storms forced additional reroutes, adding four extra hours. Yet he kept pushing, covering 40 mi on foot and 34 mi on the bike, climbing 19,645 ft and adding five more 14ers to the tally. It was a test of patience and adaptation, both physically and mentally.

Stage three, over Tenmile Range and Holy Noly!, unfolded across two long days. A good night’s rest and hydration adjustments gave him energy. Rain, snow, and cold challenged him, but he moved steadily, keeping transitions smooth and spirits high. Ken joined him on the first bike, Sam Wescott on the opening hike, and Gavin McKenzie on the final foot section. The final day of this stage stretched into a 22-hour push: he summited Holy Cross, then Massive and Elbert, finishing past 2 a.m., tired but determined

Across these stages, Kilian has covered over 100 mi running, nearly 140 mi biking, and climbed more than 61,000 ft — proving endurance, adaptability, and determination through long hours, harsh weather, and fatigue.