Press Release - IronHike Endurance Productions | Elevation-Based Endurance Events

Press Release

IronHike Endurance Series 2026: Choose Harder. Choose Your Summit.

At Mohawk Mountain, Cornwall, Connecticut & Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, Georgia, USA

With its Spring leg now complete, the IronHike Endurance Series proudly extends a hearty invitation to Mountain Athletes from around the globe for the two Endurance Events remaining on the 2026 calendar: October 1–4 back at Mohawk, and a new December 9–13 leg at Amicalola Falls. These Endurance Events are more of a personal odyssey than a competition, beckoning Mountain Athletes to reach the highest summit in their own mind, to choose harder, and to choose their summit.

Fast Facts

Mohawk Mountain · Spring: June 4–7, 2026 · Cornwall, CT · Concluded

Mohawk Mountain · Fall: Oct. 1–4, 2026 · Cornwall, CT · Registration open

Amicalola Falls · New Venue: Dec. 9–13, 2026 · Dawsonville, GA · Registration open

Format: 7 self-powered Endurance Events · Solo, Trail Buddy, or Trail Family FlexRelay

A Lineup of Seven Events

IronHike is built for Mountain Athletes to crush the ordinary, offering a comprehensive lineup of seven events, five of them named after a legendary mountain, each a beacon for personal achievement:

Kuwohi12 Hours · Target Summit: Kuwohi · 6,643' · Highest Point on the ATHighest summit on the Appalachian Trail. The entry point for first-time Mountain Athletes. If you can hike 4 hours over hilly terrain, you have the base fitness to start. The rest is mental. That’s what the Mountain is for.

Double Kuwohi24 Hours · Target Summit: Kuwohi x2 · 13,286' · Double the Highest Point on the ATBack-to-back Kuwohis across a full day and night. Night trekking by headlamp. 24 hours to find out what you are actually made of.

Denali48 Hours · Target Summit: Denali · 20,310' · Highest Peak in North AmericaNorth America’s highest peak. A full weekend on the Mountain. This is where mental grit separates the finishers from those who came to try.

Everest72 Hours · Target Summit: Everest · 29,032' · Highest Peak on EarthThe authentic self-powered Everesting alternative. The 29029 alternative where you earn every descent. Three days and nights on the Mountain.

Olympus Mons Ultra84 Hours · Target Summit: Olympus Mons · 72,000' · Tallest in the Solar SystemHighest summit in the solar system. Ranked Top 4 Hardest Ultra Events in the World. Only three finishers in history.

Answer the Bell Ultra - Basic24 Hours · Elevation Determined by Course · 1 Lap Per Hour(New for 2026) One lap per hour, every hour, until you can’t anymore. IronHike’s elevation-based take on the backyard ultra format, on a real Mountain.

Answer the Bell Ultra - Full84 Hours · Elevation Determined by Course · 1 Lap Per Hour(New for 2026) 84 hours. One lap per hour, every hour. Through darkness, fatigue, and doubt. Answer the bell until you just can’t anymore.

For those who prefer teamwork over solo endeavors, IronHike offers FlexRelay options for Trail Family and Trail Buddy Teams. This unique format allows team members to share the mileage and elevation, managing their laps and pace according to their own strategy and strength.

A Personal Odyssey, Not a Race

The IronHike Everest Series continues to offer a more demanding, affordable, and self-reliant alternative to the 29029 Everesting Event. This Series strips away the conveniences, removes the gondolas, and turns off the chairlifts, pushing participants to rely on their own resilience and determination. It is raw and uncompromising, offering a true test of endurance and spirit.

“There is nothing out there like IronHike. The camaraderie, the shared suffering, the sense of brotherhood. I’ve done Tough Mudders, Spartans, and marathons. Nothing compares.”
— Paul, IronHike Everest Finisher

About the IronHike Endurance Series & Mohawk Mountain

Founded by John Kolker (Founder/CEO), a US Army Intelligence Veteran and sudden cardiac arrest survivor, the IronHike Endurance Series is a call to those who seek to redefine their boundaries. John, who has completed the Appalachian Trail, the New England Trail, and 15 triathlons, created IronHike to push the human spirit.

Co-founders join him:

Dan Allen: A world-class Masters Swimmer, accomplished triathlete, and US Army Military Police Veteran who brings IT expertise to the team.

Cliff Anders: A Longbow Apache Pilot US Army Veteran, strong hiker, former D1 College Football Player, and Team USA Bobsledder, known for his commitment to the trail.

Scott Festa: A former Enlisted Green Beret and US Army Medical Officer PA, an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker, and the first person to finish the grueling Olympus Mons Ultra in 2024.

This founding cadre of long-distance hikers, doers, and US military veterans has created an invitation to embark on a journey that promises to be as rewarding as it is demanding, set against the backdrop of Mohawk Mountain’s breathtaking vistas. Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, located in Cornwall, Connecticut, holds the distinction of being Connecticut’s oldest ski area, operating since 1948 and remaining in the hands of the same family ownership that founded it. Cornwall is known as “the Greenest Town in Connecticut” for its forested land and natural beauty.

Key Details for Mountain Athletes

Go solo, buddy up with a friend, or form a Trail Family team in the FlexRelay format, switching Mountain Athletes anytime.

Camp in the base camp near the course with other Mountain Athletes and spectators.

Complimentary tenting is provided for all participants and up to six spectators.

This is an all-weather Series, so be ready for anything.

These Events are well suited for raising funds, awareness, and acceptance for a cause. IronHike Endurance Productions is supportive of using these Events as a vehicle for fundraising and socializing issues of significance.

About IronHike Endurance Productions

IronHike Endurance Productions, LLC is US Military Veteran built, owned, and operated. Trail-proven and Tribe-approved, IronHike hosts self-powered, elevation-based Endurance Events at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Connecticut and Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. Learn more at ironhike.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IronHike Endurance Series 2026: Choose Harder. Choose Your Summit. At Mohawk Mountain, Cornwall, Connecticut & Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, Georgia, USA With its Spring leg now complete, the IronHike Endurance Series proudly extends a hearty invitation to Mountain Athletes from around the globe for the two Endurance Events remaining on the 2026 calendar: October 1-4 back at Mohawk, and a new December 9-13 leg at Amicalola Falls. These Endurance Events are more of a personal odyssey than a competition, beckoning Mountain Athletes to reach the highest summit in their own mind, to choose harder, and to choose their summit. Fast Facts - Mohawk Mountain, Spring: June 4-7, 2026, Cornwall, CT. Concluded. - Mohawk Mountain, Fall: Oct. 1-4, 2026, Cornwall, CT. Registration open. - Amicalola Falls, New Venue: Dec. 9-13, 2026, Dawsonville, GA. Registration open. - Format: 7 self-powered Endurance Events. Solo, Trail Buddy, or Trail Family FlexRelay. A Lineup of Seven Events IronHike is built for Mountain Athletes to crush the ordinary, offering a comprehensive lineup of seven events, five of them named after a legendary mountain, each a beacon for personal achievement: Kuwohi (ironhike.com/kuwohi): 12 Hours. Target Summit: Kuwohi, 6,643 feet, Highest Point on the AT. Highest summit on the Appalachian Trail. The entry point for first-time Mountain Athletes. If you can hike 4 hours over hilly terrain, you have the base fitness to start. The rest is mental. That's what the Mountain is for. Double Kuwohi (ironhike.com/double-kuwohi): 24 Hours. Target Summit: Kuwohi x2, 13,286 feet, Double the Highest Point on the AT. Back-to-back Kuwohis across a full day and night. Night trekking by headlamp. 24 hours to find out what you are actually made of. Denali (ironhike.com/denali): 48 Hours. Target Summit: Denali, 20,310 feet, Highest Peak in North America. North America's highest peak. A full weekend on the Mountain. This is where mental grit separates the finishers from those who came to try. Everest (ironhike.com/everest): 72 Hours. Target Summit: Everest, 29,032 feet, Highest Peak on Earth. The authentic self-powered Everesting alternative. The 29029 alternative where you earn every descent. Three days and nights on the Mountain. Olympus Mons Ultra (ironhike.com/olympus-mons-ultra): 84 Hours. Target Summit: Olympus Mons, 72,000 feet, Tallest in the Solar System. Highest summit in the solar system. Ranked Top 4 Hardest Ultra Events in the World. Only three finishers in history. Answer the Bell Ultra - Basic (ironhike.com/answer-the-bell-ultra): 24 Hours. Elevation Determined by Course, 1 Lap Per Hour. (New for 2026) One lap per hour, every hour, until you can't anymore. IronHike's elevation-based take on the backyard ultra format, on a real Mountain. Answer the Bell Ultra - Full (ironhike.com/answer-the-bell-ultra): 84 Hours. Elevation Determined by Course, 1 Lap Per Hour. (New for 2026) 84 hours. One lap per hour, every hour. Through darkness, fatigue, and doubt. Answer the bell until you just can't anymore. For those who prefer teamwork over solo endeavors, IronHike offers FlexRelay options for Trail Family and Trail Buddy Teams. This unique format allows team members to share the mileage and elevation, managing their laps and pace according to their own strategy and strength. A Personal Odyssey, Not a Race The IronHike Everest Series continues to offer a more demanding, affordable, and self-reliant alternative to the 29029 Everesting Event. This Series strips away the conveniences, removes the gondolas, and turns off the chairlifts, pushing participants to rely on their own resilience and determination. It is raw and uncompromising, offering a true test of endurance and spirit. "There is nothing out there like IronHike. The camaraderie, the shared suffering, the sense of brotherhood. I've done Tough Mudders, Spartans, and marathons. Nothing compares." - Paul, IronHike Everest Finisher About the IronHike Endurance Series and Mohawk Mountain Founded by John Kolker (Founder/CEO), a US Army Intelligence Veteran and sudden cardiac arrest survivor, the IronHike Endurance Series (ironhike.com/about) is a call to those who seek to redefine their boundaries. John, who has completed the Appalachian Trail, the New England Trail, and 15 triathlons, created IronHike to push the human spirit. Co-founders join him: Dan Allen: A world-class Masters Swimmer, accomplished triathlete, and US Army Military Police Veteran who brings IT expertise to the team. Cliff Anders: A Longbow Apache Pilot US Army Veteran, strong hiker, former D1 College Football Player, and Team USA Bobsledder, known for his commitment to the trail. Scott Festa: A former Enlisted Green Beret and US Army Medical Officer PA, an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker, and the first person to finish the grueling Olympus Mons Ultra in 2024. This founding cadre of long-distance hikers, doers, and US military veterans has created an invitation to embark on a journey that promises to be as rewarding as it is demanding, set against the backdrop of Mohawk Mountain's breathtaking vistas. Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, located in Cornwall, Connecticut, holds the distinction of being Connecticut's oldest ski area, operating since 1948 and remaining in the hands of the same family ownership that founded it. Cornwall is known as "the Greenest Town in Connecticut" for its forested land and natural beauty. Key Details for Mountain Athletes - Go solo, buddy up with a friend, or form a Trail Family team in the FlexRelay format, switching Mountain Athletes anytime. - Camp in the base camp near the course with other Mountain Athletes and spectators. - Complimentary tenting is provided for all participants and up to six spectators. - This is an all-weather Series, so be ready for anything. - These Events are well suited for raising funds, awareness, and acceptance for a cause. IronHike Endurance Productions is supportive of using these Events as a vehicle for fundraising and socializing issues of significance. About IronHike Endurance Productions IronHike Endurance Productions, LLC is US Military Veteran built, owned, and operated. Trail-proven and Tribe-approved, IronHike hosts self-powered, elevation-based Endurance Events at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Connecticut and Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. Learn more at ironhike.com.

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IronHike Endurance Productions

Who We Are IronHike Endurance Productions is a veteran-owned endurance event series built by US Army veterans who hike, coach, and compete. IronHike produces elevation-based endurance events and multi-day mountain endurance events at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Connecticut and Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. The Mohawk Mountain endurance event series runs Spring and Fall each year. The Amicalola Falls endurance event series runs Fall each year. This is not a race endurance event. There is no podium, no finish line prize, and no gondola. Every foot of elevation gain is self-powered, earned one lap at a time, by athletes from 30 states and 3 countries and counting who came here to prove themselves right.

The 2026 Series Registration is open for the 2026 Fall Mohawk Mountain endurance event, October 1 to 4 in Cornwall, Connecticut, and for the newest venue on the Series calendar, Amicalola Falls State Park, December 9 to 13 in Dawsonville, Georgia. The Mohawk Mountain spring leg, June 4 to 7, 2026, has concluded. The Series offers seven elevation-based endurance events ranging from a 12-hour endurance event to an 84-hour endurance event, covering target elevations from 6,643 to 72,590 feet.

The Tribe The IronHike Mountain Athlete Tribe is a shared suffering endurance community built from the ground up by veteran endurance sports athletes who believe personal transformation happens on a mountain. Athletes register as Solo Mountain Athletes, Trail Buddy pairs, and Trail Family teams to earn every foot of elevation together. The IronHike Tribe spans 30 states and 3 countries, supported by the veteran-owned Cadre who trek every Event alongside them. The mountain does not care, but the Tribe does. This is not a spectator sport. You show up, you belong, and you prove yourself right one lap at a time.

What Makes Us Different IronHike is a self-supported mountain ultra series where every foot of elevation gain is earned under your own power. No lift, no shortcuts. As a veteran-owned endurance event operating at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Connecticut and Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia, IronHike delivers East Coast ultra endurance at a level that rivals the hardest events in the world. IronHike is the most affordable Everesting alternative and the most accessible 29029 alternative on the East Coast, with an elevation gain series built around the FlexRelay format that no other trail endurance event USA-wide can match.