Operation DRAGONS DANCE

Operation DRAGONS DANCE

Distance: 26 +/- miles

Brief Start Time: Saturday 17th August 2024 at 0630 hrs

Event Start Time: Saturday 17th August 2024 at 0700 hrs

Start Location: Parking near Art Loeb Trailhead, NC

Event Finish Time: Saturday 17th August 2024 at 1900 hrs

Finish Location: Parking near Art Loeb Trailhead, NC

Situation

Operation DRAGONS DANCE takes place in the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina. Comprising over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah National Forest is a land of high peaks, cascading waterfalls, heavily forested slopes, and hundreds of miles of trails.

Mission

Candidates must complete the 26 +/- mile route in under 12 hours to pass and under 10 hours to earn the GBF Op DRAGONS DANCE Dog Tag. The winner earns the elite Gold Dog Tag.

Execution

Candidates will meet at the Parking near Art Loeb Trailhead parking area. Please park on the concrete parking lot, not the grass area.

At 0630 hrs, GBF Staff will give an event brief before answering any questions and releasing the candidates to begin the route at 0700 hrs.

Service Support

- Mapping. You can navigate this route easily from the AllTrails app on your Smartphone. GBF suggests candidates have a paper map, compass, and GPS for redundancy. To download the route from AllTrails, you will need to sign up for a membership.

- Route. Ensure you download the route for offline use.

Operation DRAGONS DANCE route is HERE.

- Weight. Candidates must carry a minimum of 20 lbs (without food and water) in a backpack. Weight vests or sandbags are not permitted.

- Equipment.

This list is mandatory.

• Backpack (waterproof inner-bags)
• Phone (fully charged)
• Phone charger
• LifeStraw
• Head Torch (spare batteries)
• Hydration bladder(s)
• Whistle
• Compass
• Emergency rations (see below)
• Emergency shelter
• Personal First Aid Kit

This list is optional:

• Maps (waterproofed)
• GPS
• Blister kit
• Pocket knife
• Chem-light/cyalume
• Microspikes
• Hiking poles
• MRE(s)

- Dress. Candidates' dress will be a personal choice. Wet weather and cold weather gear is recommended in case of inclement weather conditions.

- Checkpoints. There is one checkpoint / water point at Pink Beds Trail Loop.

- Water. There will be bottled water at the start / finish point. Candidates should carry enough water to last to the water point, +3 miles, in case they get lost.

- Rations. Candidates should have a minimum of 3 x energy bars and 0.5 litres of water as emergency rations.

- Medical. A personal medical kit is required by every candidate. GBF Staff must be made aware of any medical conditions prior to starting the event.

- Transport. Transport to and from the event will be at candidates own arrangement.

Command and Signal

GBF HQ: 941-993-9432

Numbers - Maximum number of candidates 40. Minimum number of candidates 10.

Cost. $125

Refunds - Refunds will be in the form of a GBF voucher for future events. Refunds within 30 days of an event will not be possible.