Do the Fan Dance with Gore-Tex

This year’s Gore-Tex Experience Tour is a challenge of physical and mental agility. A team chosen from the most suitable applicants will attempt the infamous trek through South Wales known as the Fan Dance, a 23.5km route used as a fitness and navigation skills test by the British Military and which must be completed in just four hours.

The Fan Dance is a test of mind and body. Set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, the gruelling route takes you across ridges to a maximum elevation of 886m at Pen y Fan. There is nowhere to hide when you attempt the Fan Dance and the Gore-Tex Experience Tour team will be aiming to complete it – just like British Special Forces recruits – in just four hours.

So what do you gain from all this pain then? Well, the chosen team-members will spend the weekend learning the skills required to complete the challenge from two British Military Fitness Mountain Leaders. These will include: day and night time navigation, survival skills, pacing techniques and how best to pack your kit when you need to move fast and light.

You’ll also be kitted out from head to toe in the latest Gore-Tex garments and footwear from Berghaus. The weather in the Welsh hills can change very quickly, but wearing their Gore-Tex Active Shell products the team should have no problem carrying on, whatever the weather. Preparation is also vital so, once the team has been selected, they will receive a British Military Fitness six-week training plan.

So if you fancy following in Andy McNabb’s footsteps and think you’re up to the challenge, why not give it a go? You can either enter through the Facebook site or dedicated microsite below. The online application process runs until June 15^th and once the voting has been completed a panel will choose the most suitable ten people from the top applicants to make up our team. Entrants must be over 18, prepared to follow a 6 week fitness regime and be able to travel to Wales from September 1^st – 4^th 2012.

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