FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The 10th Mountain Division was activated on July 13, 1943, at Camp Hale, Colo., as the 10th Light Division (Alpine). During that year, Soldiers trained at altitudes beyond 9,000 feet and forged themselves into a division hardened to fight and survive the grueling campaigns of mountain warfare in World War II's European Theater, most notably the Po Valley Campaign in Italy.
Soldiers of the 10th Sustainment Brigade have strived to challenge themselves over the past two years with a series of physically and mentally intensive endurance competitions, christened Muleskinner Challenges in honor of the brigade's nickname.
These competitions offer an opportunity for young Soldiers and leaders to test themselves physically and mentally, while also serving to foster unit esprit de corps and an appreciation of the 10th Mountain Division's heritage of alpine warfare. Previous challenges include a 194-mile bicycle race, marathons at Schroon Lake and Lake Placid, and a winter quadrathlon consisting of skiing, snowshoeing, marksmanship and sled-pull events.
On Sept. 16, more than 400 Soldiers of 10th Sustainment Brigade completed the Muleskinner Challenge V "Climb to Glory" at Wilmington, climbing 4,867 feet to the summit of Whiteface Mountain to witness an unofficial casing ceremony for the brigade and a number of other deploying subordinate units.
Upon receiving brigade commander Col. Kurt Ryan's command, competitors moved to the starting line in teams of three at the resort's ski lodge to begin a climb they had prepared for with more than seven weeks of intensive training.
The first phase of training consisted of a medical screening to identify Soldiers who would not be able to compete due to a variety of physical conditions.
Next, an inspection was conducted to ensure Soldiers possessed all of the personal pro-
tective equipment required for the climb.
In the ensuing weeks, competitors were required to conduct four six-mile road marches to prepare for the climb. To complete their training, more than 400 competitors conducted a timed dress rehearsal of all aspects of the event on the wooded trails that run from Remington Park to Conway Road on Fort Drum.
Every battalion in 10th Sustainment Brigade supported the event, contributing personnel to reduce risk, to ensure the course was well-marked, and to time and document competitors' climbs.
The 91st Military Police Battalion provided Soldiers to maintain the scoreboard, operating in the facility's ski lodge. The 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and 63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion provided Soldiers to mark the course and conduct movement control in parking areas, while 7th Engineer Battalion provided Soldiers to maintain the official times for competing teams. Lastly, 10th Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion provided medics and qualified combat life savers positioned at a series of aid stations along the trail's ascent.
The event would not have been possible without extensive support from Fort Drum's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, which provided transportation support, and the management of Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. Bruce McCulley, the resort's general manager, was happy to provide today's mountain warriors an opportunity to trace a link to their unit's illustrious history, explaining that "the ski center is dedicated to the 10th Mountain veterans of World War II. We are glad to see that today's 10th Mountain veterans could come and make this climb."
Standing at an altitude of more than 4,000 feet, Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Hicks of the 642nd Engineer Company described the climb as "challenging and more." She dedicated her participation to the Soldiers and Family Members of the 642nd Engineers.
Spc. Michael Thomas, a driver on the brigade's Command Security Team, described the sweeping vista found along a portion of the climb by saying "this is amazing."
For many Soldiers participating in the event, Friday's "Climb to Glory" marked the first time they had ever climbed a mountain. Pvt. Kyle Gold, a human resources specialist serving in HHC, 548th CSSB, said he "looked forward to (climbing additional mountains) later in life," as he enjoyed the view from a mountaintop lodge.
At the summit of Whiteface Mountain, the brigade colors were cased in an unofficial ceremony designed to channel the spirit of the 10th Mountain Division's heritage.
Top competitors were later recognized in fields including All Male Team, All Female Team, Mixed Male / Female Team, and Command Teams.
Also recognized were lead times in a two-mile sprint stage at the base of the mountain, and a King of the Mountain Stage, which began with the ascent. All Soldiers who made the climb were awarded with competition-style medallion challenge coins to remember a day of accomplishment.
Soldiers of 10th Sustainment Brigade will deploy to locations around the globe in the coming weeks after months of extensive battle-focused training. As they prepare for the challenges that await them, many will be able to look back on Muleskinner Challenge V as an event that enabled them to climb to glory in the same traditions that forged the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale nearly 70 years ago.
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