CLASS 040 BEGINS MAY 01. SIGN UPS ARE OPEN!

SNOW RUCK CHALLENGE - Everything You Need to Know

by Amy Petersen

You asked, you begged, you pleaded...we made it happen. 

This Challenge is designed for rosters participating in PATHFINDER programming during regional winter weather. This Challenge is explicitly designed for use in the snow. Avoid all icy conditions, and use your common sense when participating in this Challenge. 

SNOW RUCK Purpose

  • The PATHFINDER Snow Ruck Challenge is designed to test your body, pacing and equipment on snowy terrain.

SNOW RUCK SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

  • ALWAYS CHECK LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THIS CHALLENGE. IF ANY TRACEABLE ICE IS EXPECTED IN YOUR REGION OR IS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY ON SURFACES, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS CHALLENGE.
  • NEVER RUCK ON ROAD SIDES, STREETS OR HIGHWAYS IN SNOW OR ICE CONDITIONS.
  • ALWAYS PACK EXTRA CLOTHING, SOCKS, FOOD AND WATER. MAKE SURE YOU'VE TOLD SOMEONE WHERE YOU WILL BE GOING.
  • BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAIL OR PATH YOU WILL BE USING, AND CARRY YOUR FULLY-CHARGED PHONE IN YOUR RUCK.
  • PATHFINDER IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY, DEATH OR DAMAGES RELATED TO ROSTERS ATTEMPTING OR COMPLETING THIS CHALLENGE.

SNOW RUCK Specifics

  • Rather than center the Challenge specifics around each PATHFINDER program, we have developed a tiered Challenge for regional weather conditions. You must check your local weather forecast before heading out, and select the appropriate time/distance and terrain for your conditions as outlined below.
  • You must have sufficient snow to see the outline of your boot/snow shoe clearly. PATHFINDER’s minimum requirement is 1” of snow. TRACE SNOW WILL NOT BE PERMITTED DUE TO THE INCREASED ICE HAZARD.
  • This Challenge is not approved for Advanced: OCALA, Horizon, Stirling or Compete use.

ALWAYS HAVE...

  • Always wear the appropriate footwear and clothing for your weather conditions.
  • Pack extra clothing and supplies in your ruck for emergencies.
  • Always carry water - dehydration can be an issue in cold climates and athletes may be unaware of how dehydrated they are getting.

ALLOWABLE FOOTWEAR

  • Trail shoes with tread, spikes, boots and snow shoes are all approved footwear for this Challenge. TENNIS SHOES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

SNOW RUCK Tiered by Snow Depth

 

  • 1-2” of snow present

This Challenge must be completed on a known, marked gravel or dirt trail. No sidewalks, street or roadside rucking will be permitted. Be very wary of ice. This is a timed 45 minute ruck, and there is no distance requirement for safety reasons. Ensure you are wearing the appropriate clothing and footwear for your weather conditions. For 1-2” of snow, we recommend the use of spikes as a precautionary measure.

  • 2-4” of snow present

This is the sweet spot for distance. You may ruck on known, marked trails or on safe sidewalk conditions. Avoid all street and roadside rucking. Ensure you are wearing the appropriate clothing and footwear for your weather conditions. You may select which distance you would prefer. There is no time completion requirement. The following programs may complete the efforts as follows:

      • Life: 1-3 mile ruck;
      • Forward: 2-4 mile ruck; 
      • Endure: 3-5 mile ruck;
      • Advanced: 4-6 mile ruck

    • 4-6” of snow present

    This snow depth will be a taxing lower-body workout. Ensure you are wearing the appropriate clothing, footwear or snow shoes for your weather conditions. You may ruck on known, marked trails or on safe sidewalk conditions. Avoid all street and roadside rucking. You may select which distance you would prefer depending on your unique weather and terrain conditions. There is no time completion requirement. The following programs may complete the efforts as follows:
        • Life: 1-2 mile ruck;
        • Forward: 2-3 mile ruck; 
        • Endure: 2-4 mile ruck;
        • Advanced: 2-5 mile ruck

      • 6+” of snow present

      This is the most physically challenging depth. Proceed with caution and use sidewalks or trails you are familiar with. Ensure you are wearing the appropriate clothing, footwear or snow shoes for your weather conditions. Avoid all street and roadside rucking. You may select which distance you would prefer depending on your unique weather and terrain conditions. There is no time completion requirement. The following programs may complete the efforts as follows:
          • Life: 1-2 mile ruck;
          • Forward: 2-3 mile ruck; 
          • Endure: 2-4 mile ruck;
          • Advanced: 2-5 mile ruck

                SNOW RUCK Weight Requirements

                • Life, Forward and Endure: there is no stated minimum weight requirement. An appropriately challenging weight for the rosters fitness level must be in the ruck at all times.
                • Advanced: 45# ruck dry weight for body weight of 150# or more, or 30# ruck dry weight for body weight less than 150#

                SNOW RUCK Time Requirements

                • This Challenge is tiered based on the amount of snow present, regardless of your current programming. 

                SNOW RUCK Challenge Restrictions

                • There are no ruck weight restrictions for this Challenge, with the exception of the Advanced program. Reasonable weight should be used in the rosters ruck and should be appropriate for their training level.
                • THE CHALLENGE SHOULD NEVER BE ATTEMPTED WHEN ICY CONDITIONS ARE PRESENT. NEVER ATTEMPT THIS CHALLENGE DURING OR AFTER AN ICE STORM OR WHEN ICE IS VISIBLY PRESENT. ALWAYS CONSULT LOCAL FORECASTS PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THIS CHALLENGE.
                • NEVER RUCK ON ROAD SIDES OR HIGHWAYS.

                Challenge Restrictions

                • Ruck safely. Communicate your route and estimated times to another individual/party who can alert
                • YOU MUST COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS. DO NOT TRESPASS. If you are in doubt contact facility management for a clear understanding of access to and usage of any facility’s property. PATHFINDER assumes no liability whatsoever for any actions taken by a PATHFINDER roster.

                PATHFINDER assumes no responsibility or liability for any injuries, damages or death. A roster assumes all risk associated with their participation in any and all PATHFINDER programming.

                      ALL PATHFINDER CHALLENGES ARE COPYRIGHT © PATHFINDER RUCK TRAINING. 

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