Re: 2012 24-HOUR SNIPER ADVENTURE CHALLENGE
Such an awesome event as this does not come around very often, if ever at all. We have a chance here to share thoughts, ideas and experiences on what did and what did NOT work for them. I'm asking the competitors and staff to volunteer/share what ever they think would help "COMPETITORS". Per Zak's post above, "Yes, please send suggestions and feedback to me via private email.", let's keep suggestions about the event itself sent directly to Zak and his staff.
I'll start; Things I did wrong, could have done better, etc. In no particular order. Just as they come to me.
1. I was the LR Precision shooter. I still brought 2x the amount of ammo "suggested" by Zak let along what was actually needed. = Weight
2. I started training in early February, rucking 3-9 miles per week/10 days.
-Rucking more often, faster, STEEPER would have helped me.
3. I trained and competed in the same Under Armour Speed Freak boots and Cabelas InGenius socks. Not a single hitch. Nothing changed for the event except not taking advice from my partner about lacing my boots with two sets of laces; one set for lower (instep) and one set for upper (ankle). I should have experimented with lacing my boots differently BEFORE the event and not DURING. = 6 nice blisters on just my little and big toes from going down hill.
4. I did train with Hammer Gel and Propetulum but did not tasted other flavors. When I started the event I opened a large bottle of Banana flavor (un-tasted) which I now despise and more than likely did not consume enough during the event = thus effecting my strength/endurance.
5. Same with electrolyte supplements. I carried two H20 bladders; 60 oz for electrolytes and 100 oz for straight water. Drank mostly straight water due to the unpleasant taste of the electrolyte laced water. = Pretty sure I hit heat exhaustion twice.
6. Even though I brought all the required 1st aid items I refrained from using such items as the Ibuprofan and Tylenol, fearing they might mask pain that would tell me something was wrong. I now think they might have made "movement" easier for my 54 yr old body if taken in moderation. I noticed this when one team (not mentioned but gratefully thanked!) shared a dose of Ibu's with me which helped proceed.
7. As much as I like my Eberlestock GSII pack and how my LR rifle is carried, it made it improbable to simply plop down to rest with that lower scabbard portion making it difficult if not impossible. No idea what to do next. Oh, wait, did I say next? As if though I'm coming back next year?
8. I love my Milt Sparks BN55, OWB holster. I open carry in Utah every day. It worked fine carrying my 1911 except when it was time to remove my pack. Several times, if not paying attention, my right side waist belt/buckle of my pack would hang up between the gun and my waist. Wasn't fun trying to unhook it as the pack is tetering, ready to pull me to the ground, if I lost control of the pack.
9. Love my little HPG chest pack to carry all the items I wanted to access quickly and often.
10. To keep weight down, used a SnipePod instead of a Harris bipod, etc. It was nice and light and works great for say, one shot (like in my training), but was not great for multiple shots as it would lose some of it's "tightness" and had to be readjusted before the next shot/s.
11. I wore UA compression briefs to include a full length bottom and t-shirt covered by some of Cabelas high tech long sleeve shirt (that was me in the bright blue) and pants. They worked great except the salesman talked me into a large and it chafed alot in my arm pits, where the pack straps ride. I opted to forgo carrying a light third layer such as a long sleeve polypro top. When I would stop to rest up on top = I froze.
11a. I should have pulled out my Sitka Gear beanie up on top, in the wind, to retain more heat.
12. Loved using walking/hiking poles! Really helped this "older" guy up and down the steep stuff. Noticed that when I held both poles in each hand, left to right, swinging my hands hard, left to right, my flat land pace really picked up!
13. Precut moleskin was new to me. Thanks Chris our of San Diego!
14. Take more pictures!!!
15. Hated the mouth piece on my Camelback bladder. Would leak unless I blew water back into the pack. Also hated the short H20 tube on my Eberlestock bladder. Would have to really pull to easily reach it which might have also contributed to my drinking less water with electrolytes.
16. Shemaugh was nice but kept getting in the way of dawning my pack.
17. Never used the tripod/spotter. = less weight.
18. Bring apre foot wear. You may have noticed the funkly black/white checkered slippers I bought at the dollar store in Tremonton. Very comfy! Wouldn't dare try to put my boots back on after.....
19. Glad I brought my "all up" 11 lb 6.5x47 instead of my 19 lb 6.5x47!
Hope this gets your thought processes flowing and you can share your thoughts in a constructive manner.
6.5x47....out!
Alan