In memory of William Alchesay, the renowned Apache scout, negotiator, and chief.

THE HERO

"The renowned Apache scout, negotiator, and chief William Alchesay fought for the United States and the White Mountain Apaches. Alchesay was one of the most successful Apache Scouts in the United States Army. His career demonstrated how friendship with the United States was both possible and beneficial. Even when tensions between the Apache and the United States were high, Alchesay did not lose hope for peace.

Alchesay’s successful career proved that friendship between the United States and the Apache was not only possible but beneficial. His service as an Apache Scout and skills in negotiation earned him the respect of American officials and his fellow Apache. He calmed tensions and fought for peace. Alchesay earned the trust of the White Mountain Apaches and became their chief after he retired from the Army. As chief, Alchesay advocated for education within his tribe. He helped create the first American school on his reservation in 1924. Alchesay retired his role as chief in 1925.

Alchesay died at North Fork, Arizona in 1928 after 14 years of service to the U.S. Army and many years as chief of the White Mountain Apaches. He is buried at the Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona. In honor of his legacy, three places in Arizona bear his name: Alchesay Canyon in Maricopa County, Alchesay High School in Whiteriver, and Alchesay Barracks at Fort Huachuca. His remarkable impact on the U.S. Army is reflected in his receipt of the Medal of Honor in 1875 and induction into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 2012.

WORKOUT NOTES & MODIFICATIONS

This workout is designed to honor Chief William Alchesay’s strength, endurance, and leadership. It incorporates exercises symbolizing resilience, agility, and the physicality required for mountain and trail navigation.

The ruck bear crawl is scalable, as seen in the exercise demo link. 

In the ruck deadlift to squat demo, the athlete is using a set of dumbbells. You may use those, or you can use your ruck by holding it horizontally in the same plane.

THE WORKOUT:

35-Min AMRAP + 1 Mile Ruck

• 50 ft x Ruck Bear Crawl
• 20 x Mountain Climbers (Hard count)
• 10 x Ruck Deadlift to Squat
• 10 x Push-Up to Shoulder Tap
• 10 x Ruck Front Walking Lunges (Hard count)
• 8 x Burpees Without Jump

• Finisher: 1 Mile Ruck while listening to this 5:00 podcast on William Alchesay

  This Hero WOD is a PATHFINDER Ruck Training original workout.