Operation FAN DANCE

Operation FAN DANCE

Distance: 14 +/- miles

Event Start Time: Sat 12 Jun 21 at 0730hrs

FUP (Forming Up Point) Location: Art Loeb/Cold Mountain Trailhead, NC

Event Finish Time: No Later Than Sat 12 Jun 21 at 1800hrs

Finish Location: Art Loeb/Cold Mountain Trailhead, NC

Operation STIRLING Series

This route is Route Four (4) in Operation STIRLING.

Situation

The Area of Operations (AO) for Operation FAN DANCE is the Pisgah National Forest in 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.

Candidates will have 10 hours complete the 14 +/- mile course. Operation FAN DANCE is a test of endurance, fitness, and mental strength.

Mission

Candidates must complete the 14 +/- mile route in under 10 hours to PASS and under 7 hours to earn the GBF Op FAN DANCE Dog Tag.

Execution

Candidates will meet at the Forming Up Point (FUP) at the Art Loeb/Cold Mountain Trailhead prior to 0730hrs and prepare their kit. At 0730hrs, GBF Staff will give an event brief before checking candidates maps and kit. Candidates are advised to carry paper maps (waterproofed), in addition to their smartphone, for navigation. Each candidate must carry 20 lbs plus water and food.

Once GBF Staff are happy with the candidate's kit, they will be released to begin the route. GBF Staff will not release candidates who do not possess the mandatory kit list items; this is for their own safety.

Candidates should be self-sufficient for the route. There may be safety checkpoints but these will not be used to replenish water.

All candidates who sign up in advance will receive a free GBF Operation FAN DANCE t-shirt. Candidates finishing in under 7 hours will receive the highly sought-after 'GBF Operation FAN DANCE’ dog tags.

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 but this is not required. The following links will provide candidates with information on the route. To download the route from AllTrails, you will need to sign up for a membership.

GBF will NOT provide mapping for the event.

- Route. All Trails. This is the route candidates will follow, including the summits at Shining Rock (6001 ft) and Cold Mountain (5968 ft).

- Dress. Candidates' dress will be a personal choice but they are reminded this is a self-supported, rural event with little provision for support. Changes of clothes should not be required on the route itself but having a spare set of clothes and shoes in your car waiting for you would be sensible. Wet weather gear is advised in case of inclement weather conditions.

- Equipment.

This list is mandatory:

• Backpack (waterproof inner-bags)
• Phone
• Phone charger
• Hydration bladder(s)
• Whistle
• Emergency rations (see below)
• Emergency shelter
• Personal First Aid Kit

This list is recommended:

• Maps (waterproofed)
• GPS
• Compass
• Blister kit
• Chem-light/cyalume
• Pocket knife
• Head torch
• MRE

- Replen. There will be no food or water replenishments for candidates along the route unless in an emergency situation. Candidates should carry enough food and water to last the duration of the 14 +/- miles. There will be water at the end.

- Rations. Candidates must have a minimum of 2 x chocolate bars as emergency rations. GBF suggests snickers bars and we advise taping them together so you can identify them as your emergency rations. It is the candidates' own decision if they wish to take extra food with them.

- Water. Candidates must carry a minimum of 3 litres of water and be self-sustained for the whole route. The use of hydration bladders is encouraged to enable candidates to drink water while moving. Water can be topped up from extra bottles in the backpack.

- Medical. A personal medical kit is required by every candidate. GBF Staff must be made aware of any serious medical conditions prior to starting the event. If any GBF staff deems a candidate is medically unfit to continue, they may be withdrawn from the event for their own safety.

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

Command and Signal

GBF HQ - 9419939432

Weight - candidate’s backpacks must weigh 20 lbs without water.

Numbers - Maximum number of candidates 60. Minimum number of candidates 10.

Cost - $115

T-Shirts - Orders for t-shirts will be placed on 28 May 21. Any tickets booked after this date will NOT receive a t-shirt for this event.

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.