Hardcore hikers conquer Mohawk Mountain

CORNWALL — The opening event in the new IronHike Endurance series pushed participants to the limit at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. 

This recently created series was conceived of and produced by John Kolker and four co-founders: All are distinguished U.S. Military veterans.  Kolker referred to himself as, “the hands-on CEO.” 

The core concept of the series was designed to reach “mountain athletes,” trail runners and hikers, and to provide a selection of endurance challenges. The test here was not about speed, but rather about elevation gains. 

The only competition the hikers faced was themselves and the goals they hoped to achieve. 

IronHike’s website explained, “This is a classification of events that combine physical, mental and spiritual gumption” An opportunity to assess, achieve and appreciate ones own goals.

The format for the four-day event sounded straightforward: Hikers would ascend and descend Mohawk trail, which totaled 595-feet in elevation from the base. 

The challenges were named after noteworthy mountains and the distance for each event was determined by the altitude of its namesake.

The first, and “easiest” was “Clingmans Dome,” which is the highest peak on the Appalachian Trail.  Hikers were given a  twelve-hour limit to hike Mohawk up and down until 7,140-feet  of elevation  was achieved. 

“Denali,” named for the highest U.S. peak at 20,825-feet, provided 48 hours to complete, and would total 43 miles of hiking.  

Third was “Everest” with a 72-hour window, 61 miles, and 29,155-feet of elevation. 

Finally, the fourth challenge was “Olympus Mons,” the highest peak on Mars at 72,000-feet of elevation. 84 hours was given to complete this 152-mile “hike”.

Thirty hikers registered for the event, and could enter individually, with a teammate or as a four person relay team. “Clingman’s Dome” attracted the majority of hikers and “Everest” had its hikers as well. 

Above and beyond imagination, there was one hiker challenging the “Olympus Mons” feat. Scott Festa of North Carolina seemed eager and very at ease in anticipation of this feat. 

He calmly and happily said “I’m looking forward to pushing myself.” He added that he would “probably know within the first few hours of starting if I was going to make it.”

A modest Army vet, Festa mentioned only that he had been an Appalachian Trail “through hiker” in his life as an extraordinary endurance athlete.

In addition to pushing participants to the extreme, IronHike supports worthwhile causes: St Jude’s Children Hospital, 2NDGO (a veterans organization) and New England Forestry among others.  

As IronHike’s website  says,  it’s “Your Journey toward becoming the best version of yourself.”