POEM: The Bhutan STRIvathalon
Welcome to the most anticipated Strive to date,
Four years in the making we did patiently await.
We Strive together to build community and have fun,
The culmination is personal growth as a top one.
Pain might be necessary while doing hard things,
But suffering is optional, it’s what your mindset brings.
After days of travel In Bhutan we arrive,
A group of 40 incredible humans ready to Strive!
A role model country in so many ways,
Like Gross National Happiness as a philosophy - okay!
And a carbon negative kingdom to add to the facts,
A beautiful country filled with yetis and yaks.
We were entertained by Michael Rutland who delightfully did share,
The history of Bhutan and its 5 kings with great flare.
It’s time to start moving, Strivers get your boots on,
It’s time to hike, bike and raft our way through Bhutan!
It’s a STRIvathalon like never done before,
Because to Strive is to stretch ourselves and always DO MORE.
Our warmup hike was to the most sacred landmark of all,
To Tiger’s Nest monastery that nestled atop a rock wall.
Inside were colorful temples and shrines throughout,
A spiritual journey for all is no doubt.
Day 1 we began to hike uphill,
A magical forest that gave our eyes quite a thrill.
We blessed a safe passage with Prayer flags hung high,
“Lha Gyalo” we yell thrice, altogether we cry.
Lha Gyalo!
Lha Gyalo!
Lha Gyalo!
Camp 1 we arrived and relaxed with coffee and tea,
And kicked off a Big Education talk about transformation and community.
As well as Power and Hope which rounded it out,
Great discussions to show what Big Change is about.
Day 2 was long and a proper Strive day,
More than 10 hours of hiking with some led astray.
Up and over many ridges through rain and sleet,
Over 37,000 steps were taken on our feet.
Arrival to Camp 2 overlooking Sand Ox Lake,
Ready to take a much needed break.
We arrived at camp exhausted and late,
But our horses ran away with our silverware and plates!
Forcing us to stay up a bit longer,
To wait for our meal to curb our post exercise hunger.
After a frigid night we wake with frost on our tent,
We set forth on day 3 even with many of us spent.
Each trek reveals more land that’s pristine,
The Druk Path has been blessed with rock piles on land and in streams.
A sun filled day as we arrive at camp 3,
Aside a beautiful lake where horses roam free.
Rise and shine day 4, it’s time to descend,
We are ready for a hotel, we want camping to end!
We reached the final summit at 4200 meters high,
We start running downhill as to this trek we say goodbye!
A rocky and steep 6mile path down,
Where buses met us to take us into town.
WOW a shower felt amazing after days in a tent,
And a surprise soccer game that we all last minute went!
It’s time for a change, no more hikes,
We now will travel many miles but now on bikes.
We rode 137 km over the next few days,
Seeing the country in the most magnificent ways.
Sleeping under the stars and along a river side,
Enjoying Bhutanese spirits and chatter fireside.
We continue to push our physical limits every morning until afternoon,
One more jam packed day before it’s all over soon.
Our last Strive day started with a 20km ride,
Then we end with a white water raft with a professional guide.
We rip down the rapids of the Pho Chhu river,
Getting splashed in the cold chop and holding back shivers.
But cold water doesn’t intimidate this crew,
Many rock jumped from 10 feet high into the beautiful blue.
Damn y’all, This poem is getting long,
We’ve done so much awesome shit to leave anything out would be wrong.
We ended this journey with a private audience with the King,
All dressed up in our Ghos and Kiras which to wear was exciting.
His Majesty provided us with information on his vision for Bhutan,
And answered questions from Strivers then took pictures on the lawn.
To celebrate this great achievement let us take note,
A new personal record that everyone just wrote.
We covered over 200 kilometers of Himalayan terrain,
On foot and on bikes, in sun, sleet and rain.
Let me translate for the Americans, that’s over 140 miles,
All completed with blood, sweat and smiles.
All for a good cause in the name of Big Change we tether,
To Go fast you go alone but to go far we go together.
An incredible group of Strivers, each of you a gem,
We don’t just climb mountains, we move them.
Let’s finish this incredible Strive with words we hold dear,
With Noah’s loud voice leading us in one last cheer!
When I say “WE”, You say “Strive”!
We - STRIVE!
We - STRIVE!
Video Credit: Sam Branson
