By: Paul Laedke - Founder of 2NDGO (Veteran-Owned 501(c)(3)) - IronHike Everest Finisher

Tribe. A quick Google search will give you an overview of what a tribe is, "a group of people who share a common culture, language, history, and often ancestry, typically living in a distinct community with a strong sense of shared identity."

I will use the above definition (well most of it) to give you a glimpse of what you can expect at an IronHike event. My journey with IronHike started with a phone call from one of their founders, John. He learned through a mutual acquaintance that Nick Nunnally and I had developed 2NDGO, a small non-profit focused on building community for Veterans and First Responders through movement and service. Most of IronHike's founders are prior service and John felt that our mission was highly aligned with his. As a result of our conversation, 2NDGO would become one of the partner charities for IronHike's endurance events.

Back to the overview of what IronHike is all about and how the term tribe brings it all together. A group of people sharing a common culture. What is that culture? That culture is evident as you make your way up and down the mountain. Every athlete out there is encouraging and humble. They know we are experiencing what has been referred to as "shared suffering." This shared suffering unites the athletes on the mountain, we all have one thing in common. We are there to test ourselves. We are there to do difficult things. This is the shared culture. A shared language? Well, yes to some degree. On the mountain you'll hear endless words of encouragement, a few curse words here and there (we are hiking a damn mountain for hours and days after all), and many "you got this", "you're almost there", "that sweat makes you look badass", "get it brother", many "HOORAHs"! This creates a very distinct culture on the mountain and at basecamp. A shared ancestry? Well, outside of bringing my sister along (a novice endurance athlete who, by the way, killed it her first time IronHiking) I don't think I am related to any of these guys! I can say that a brotherhood does form. Going from a spring to fall event, it seemed like it was just days since I saw many of the crew and participants. The camaraderie that is experienced is unparalleled. The experience of this event from start to finish leaves participants with a shared identity of grit, perseverance, and a sense of brotherhood. Everyone leaves basecamp feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Having watched IronHike grow over the last couple of years, I can honestly say that there is nothing out there like it. I have completed Tough Mudders, Spartans, marathons and too many Ragnars to recall. IronHike creates an event that challenges all participants to do one simple thing; prove themselves right! Hope to see you out on the mountain this spring!

Your tribe is waiting!

Paul