By: Dave Darcy - Two-time Mountain Athlete and IronHike Event Finisher
I just completed the June 2024 event a few days ago and I wanted to articulate my experience with IronHike as it was such a uniquely positive experience.
Although I have a lot of experience participating in various endurance events I noticed early Saturday morning before the event began that this event was different. There was a strong sense of “we” that was evident. Prior to the “Hikers Away” I had already developed bonds with multiple participants. All of them doing various distances. From 3 laps as part of the Clingmans Dome 4-person flex relay to 122 laps attempting the Olympus Mons challenge. The beauty of this event is there was a place for all of them. The sense of “we” I mention earlier was demonstrated every time up the mountain. There was constant support and encouragement from and for everyone participating.
My own experience was so interesting and diverse as it began for the first 1/2 days as constant excitement and achievement as I not only completed laps l, but also cheered on other participants, whose names I can still remember shouting and then having the best 15 seconds of passing conversation as I could muster up while ascending or descending. Names like Paul who was running for charity, or Meagan who loved Vermont. People I may never meet again but for a brief period of time we were proverbial best friends.
The excitement of the day quieted as many of the participants completed their goals and the number on the mountain dwindled. How peaceful it was for an hour or so being on the mountain at 1am with no distractions, just my thoughts and the silence, and then how exciting it was to see Scott or Ester back on the mountain after they had taken a quick nap.
At about 4am I took my own brief nap. The best 3 hours of sleep a guy can get after 18 hours on the run. I was woken up by the celebration of Ester finishing her event, and while I was tired I felt a sense of happiness come over me as I knew how she had been flying down the mountain every lap and I was very happy for her that she had achieved her goal. After a quick cup of coffee and a bite of oatmeal I was back on the mountain doing my final 14 laps. After a few hours it was just myself and Scott (Olympus Mons attempt) going up and down. The day came and went. In true IronHike spirit, Scott offered to do my last lap with me, and I gladly accepted. I completed my last lap at about 6:30pm on Sunday. A very happy and tired man I was. The best part of finishing was the cookie from Divi Tree. So when people ask if you want a medal or a cookie, tell them you want the cookie!
After that I loaded up the car and made my way home, but IronHike was not over and my newest friend Scott was still on the course. IronHike was complete two days later when I received a text that Scott had finished his Olympus Mons attempt after 60 hours and just under 2 minutes. I was so happy he was successful. No one had ever done that before. So that wraps it up.
See you on the mountain (in October).
Dave