Quoted:
(Note. I see die-tryin edited his post to remove his previous thoughts on the event)
Before you call it a game, you might want to think twice. Most folks carry their BOB. I know I do. My BOB doubles as my SAR pack. Same guns, too. The people who finish at the top all have several things in common.
1. Fitness. Real fitness and real ability to go hard with their pack and gear. (how is yours? is the test)
2. Well thought out gear. Bad fitting pack. Bad choice of shoes. Piss poor packing. Lack of thought in planning for basics = fail
3. Better than average shooting. Can you hunt, kill, and defend yourself in various situations?
4. Mindset. Those at the top push through the pain, cramps, blisters, and the general thought that "this sucks"
Sounds like a perfect recipe for a Bug Out test to me. In fact, it reads pretty much like every single survival manual, book, or publication I have ever read. I say put your money where your mouth is. I did. Six times.
LD
Sorry your bent out of shape over it., actually not really. I think part of getting through life is not being so wound tight But it is a game, Ive already seen how its played. Alot of people tailor the gear for the event.Infact, I remember when the 2nd year they ran it, there was hints and clues as to the event and what may or may not be needed, so folks more than likely dumped things they would otherwise put ina true BOB. My BOB is for survival and I think its well rounded for surviving, but it might be totally useless at this event. No biggie. But if I went, I would bring it, as is. If they had a stage that I wasnt prepared for, I would make mental note and see if that stage would/could translate to real world and re-address my BOB accordingly.
Fitness - I agree, but real bugging out is more than fitness but it does help obviously, im no marathon running but I could go slow and steady and get where I need to without being tired, this event is TIMED, so obviously the marathon runner types will win out regardless. Ive followed this event since the first one, I know how its played and I know who wins.
Gear - of course shoes, pack fitment all that play a role, most of us do use our BOBs for normal camping/hiking, so I know what works and what doesnt.
Shooting - this is a skill everyone should be developing all the time, im guessing this event tests that, cool.
Mindset - Was USMC, pushing thru things isnt a problem.
Dont get me wrong, Id luv to attend for my own personal experience and will someday, I think its a neat event with alot of challenges, so you can unclinch your fists and chill, I support events like this.