How about L7->L8?
It’s just not worth the best years of your life, unless you think it is, in which case maybe you should do it, or.. maybe you are undervaluing yourself.
It’s all the same recipe, take on more work, grow L(n-1) under you, be lucky, kiss up to management, and.. be lucky. Even then it’s 4 years at a minimum of grueling work.
I’m not against grueling work, but why not put that effort in for yourself? What are you going to get as an L8, maybe 1M? Is that worth 4 years+ of your prime time life ? Are you really learning all that much? Are you really having all the impact you want in the most meaningful way?
If you think your ultimate purpose is playing the games to get the L(n+1), maybe it’s the right place. But if not.. maybe not?