ENDEAVOR 2024: RETURN TO BEAR VALLEY, CA - Page 7 of 8

2013 Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

October 31, 2013 No Comments

I. Summary: This post is a roll up of our goals for the 2013 Endeavor Team Challenge, how we did in achieving them, and what changes we are making for next year. II. The Goal: When we designed the Endeavor Team Challenge our goal was to build the ultimate culminating fitness event. In our minds such an event needed to be the following things: Accessible to the average athlete (with training) A broad test fitness Something

Blog Posts Discussing the 2013 Endeavor Team Challenge

October 24, 2013 No Comments

Competitors have written some detailed accounts of their experiences preparing for and competing in the Endeavor Team Challenge. Here are some of them we have run across. **Please feel free to send us links to others** To Endeavor Is To Accept by Brendon Mahoney on September 12, 2013 Recently my buddy, Brett Scharf, and I competed in the inaugural event of the first ever Endeavor Challenge. Excited and apprehensive at the same time, we

Rim Fire Update – Endeavor Team Challenge

August 27, 2013 No Comments

Competitors, Volunteers, and Supporters, We are monitoring the Rim Fire closely. It has currently set the record for the 7th largest fire in California history, burning 184,481 acres, and the Governor of California has declared a state of emergency in the neighboring County of Tuolumne. It is currently 20% contained, and it is still over 30 miles South of the event site. There is no concern of the fire reaching Bear Valley, CA. The roads to the event

Mountaineering Updates

August 19, 2013 No Comments

Competitors will encounter a rappel certification, top-roped cliffs of Box Canyon, and an awe-inspiring suspension traverse during Saturday afternoon’s Competitor Field. The routes range in difficulty from 5.6 to 5.9, with plenty of options to challenge teams of all abilities. This activity is timed, with incentives to take on a more difficult climb. We’ll provide a helmet and harness, but the climb will be completed in the gear you are wearing or chose to carry

Rock Climbing Skill Videos

August 4, 2013 No Comments

Rock Climbing will be a sub-event of Competitor Field. Harnesses, ropes, and professional instruction will be provided. In the following videos, Aaron Johnson of Mountain Adventure Seminars explains proper procedures, wear of gear, and climbing technique. Aaron shows competitors the climbing gear they should expect to encounter during the Endeavor Team Challenge. Aaron demonstrates proper technique, which will allow even beginner climbers to complete the climbing routes during the Endeavor Team Challenge. Aaron explains the climbing route

Water Crossing – Building a Poncho Raft

July 12, 2013 No Comments

During the Endeavor Team Challenge, competitor teams will have to swim short distances across alpine reservoirs with all of their equipment. In this video we demonstrate how to waterproof your backpacks with provided ponchos.

Nick Donato Competes to Honor his Family

July 3, 2013 No Comments

“Always remember who you are and what you represent.” These are the words that will be echoing through Dallas, Texas resident Nick Donato’s head as he summits Mt. Reba during the inaugural Endeavor Team Challenge this September. Growing up in Iowa, Nick’s Aunt, Lori Dowie-Reeser, frequently spoke these words to him, but this year they carry a special meaning. This past spring, in the span of just two months, Nick lost his Grandfather, Anthony “Tut”

A Monumental Test of Fitness

July 3, 2013 No Comments

The Endeavor Team Challenge is a Monumental Test of Fitness: We designed the Endeavor Team Challenge to be two things: (1) an awesome experience to share with a teammate and (2) an event to train for that objectively measures competitor fitness. The value of the experience is apparent: Our competitors must work together to overcome harrowing challenges while immersed in some of the most beautiful parts of our National Forests. The individual events are fun

Introduction to Land Navigation

May 20, 2013 No Comments

This post builds on the Introduction to Map-Reading to cover some basic land navigation / orienteering techniques. Class 1: Pace Count Class 2: Dead Reckoning Class 3: Terrain Association Class 4: Route Planning

Northern California Event Update

May 17, 2013 No Comments

Greg and I recently traveled up to Bear Valley California to conduct our first reconnaissance of the competition grounds after the snow melt. I have a few observations that I wanted to share with our current and potential competitors. 1. The area is still magnificent. The area combines inspiring views with an ample playground of lakes, woods, mountains, and rock formations for our competitors to be challenged on. 2. The town of Bear Valley is