IW Silkie's Hike- Houston

• New for 2016- online pre-registration, online waivers, fundraising incentives and new Houston route. 
• PLEASE PRE-REGISTER IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. AFTER YOU REGISTER, PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK TO SIGN THE LIABILITY WAIVER. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MEpYVY0uaBl0soJuVNtvM01upbNGom615dH2C_1XsQk/viewform

• Pre-registration will also save you time on the day of the hike! If you pre-register- all you need to do when you go to the hike is check-in with the volunteers to let them know you're there! They will have a list of everyone who has pre-registered. 
• New route and stops TBA closer to the Hike. 

The hike provides the therapy and treatment for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress and other stressors to effectively prevent suicide by using humor and camaraderie to heal these mental wounds. The mission of the Silkies hike is to being veterans together with laughter and camaraderie, create a support network for veterans, and provides a day of therapy - in order to prevent veteran suicide. These hikes support and spread Irreverent Warriors bottom line: "put the gun back on safe, put it back on the nightstand, and stick around a bit longer."

What:

A 22km (13.6 mile) VETERAN's hike/pub crawl with 22 kg on our backs (for whoever enjoys the weight, it's not required) throughout the Washington Ave/Montrose/Midtown area…in silkies.

Why:

To get our veterans together, to put weight on our backs and feel nostalgic, to laugh, to drink, to party, and remind us all that our camaraderie and brotherhood will never die. #notforpussies

CIVILIANS/SUPPORTERS: Please feel free to meet us at the park for the initial festivities and also advance to the locations if you'd like to receive your veterans with cheers, hugs, kisses, photos, videos, beer, shots, screaming, yelling, and excessive PDA.

Uniform of the Day:

U.S. Marines – green SILKIES, body/face paint, desert/combat boots.

U.S. Navy - green/blue/black SILKIES, body/face paint, desert/combat boots. Corpsman, bring IVs filled with vodka/red bull.

U.S. Army - green/black SILKIES, body/face paint, banana hammocks, body/face paint, desert/combat boots you can put a lot of weight and miles on, you can leave the gay reflective army belts at home.

U.S. Air Force - green/blue/black/pink SILKIES, body/face paint, desert/combat boots...remember there is no air conditioning during the march because it's happening "outside" lol.

U.S. Coast Guard - turqoise/aquamarine/pink SILKIES with dolphin caricatures, body/face paint, desert/combat boots, prepare to hear Coastie jokes from your Navy brethren for the entirety of the march.

CIVILIANS - We appreciate all the love and support and look forward to seeing you guys at our bar stops and at the final party. This is a no shit serious hump for over 8 hours with 22 kilos on our backs, at speed, in some serious temperatures. This is a time for us as veterans to re-live the times we once had, bond, get fucked up, and laugh at all the bullshit we used to deal with...

Gear:

Backpack - The 22 kg is optional

Snacks, protein bars, fruit

Camelback with water

Sunscreen

For the families, friends, civilians, and supporters meeting us as the Muster location:

Food, drinks, tables, chairs, sunscreen

Transportation and Safety:

The Houston Area Raptor Owners "HARO" are generously donating over a dozen Raptor chase vehicles loaded with water, medical supplies and loads of silver bullets along with medical personnel present. 

Rules:

No weapons, weapon accessories, magazines, ammo, flash bangs, grenades, nuclear devices or other illegal arms (nunchucks and/or a bo staff are acceptable). We will be going into bars and consuming alcohol, so even if you are licensed for concealed carry - LEAVE IT AT HOME...and I could give two fucks about "open-carry", if I see any moron with a rifle I will personally kick you in the nuts. This will be strictly enforced.

No drinking open containers in public.

No conversations about politics with strangers.

No engaging anyone who makes negative comments to us.

If there are any PTSD or emotional episodes everyone must rally to control the situation, help our bro, and protect the group from an early night.

No getting so drunk that you lose your shit (just be cool, bro)

Do "check-in" on Facebook as we progress through the hike

Do FLIRT with girls and invite them to party at final location later that night. 

Do bring CASH for drinks to help expedite each stop.

DO BRING A SHIRT FOR SOME OF THE BARS and for the FINAL PARTY at MIDTOWN DRINKERY!!!

Any questions- please fb message Mark Metger or send him a text at: