Yes, it is very similar.
This event is based on the priciples of the Tenderfeet developed as a key training part of the Qualification Course of the Special Forces.
The way this Tenderfeet will unroll is exactly how it is done at the SF:
- You are on your own. No external help.
- You will receive very similar maps they receive.
- Check Points to check if all goes well and where you receive extra water and a new map.
The differences are:
- They SF recrutes have no idea the Tenderfeet begins. They do minimal 1 dropping a week and the start seems like a normal one.
Only the fact that they keep on receiving new maps gives them a hint the Tenderfeet is happening. - The SF Tenderfeet is always exact 100km that you have to finalize within 48hrs.
We will play a bit with the distance (70-100km) to keep is a bit more reasonable and more unpredicatable :-).
Later editions might go tougher if the participants seem to be up for it. - The backpack of an operator is 20kg without food. They have to add food/water on top. Next to that they have to carry their webbing and their weapon.
https://www.nationalwebbing.com/nylon-webbing-articles/other-categorie/how-webbing-is-used-in-the-military-54.html
In total they have to carry approximately 30kg of extra weight.
In Kamp Waes it was also a bit different:
- The backpack had a minimum of 20kg (dry weight) and was around 25kg at the start (full water and food reserve).
- They did not have to carry a webbing or weapon.
- The Tenderfeet was 50km within 24h.
- Special here is that the candidates had a very minimum of sleep the 2 days before the start (2h/day sleep).
They were already very fatigued at the start. - Also the Kamp Waes candidates had no idea the Tenderfeet had begun. It seemed just another orientation challenge.
