Navigator is like boy scouts for grown-ups. Start point was released the day before the event and we got a vague location and some Lat/Long coordinates to be at. It was a parking lot on the side of the Kancamagus Highway where we met up and took attendance. After some bullshitting, we formed a convoy and headed over to the campsite.

Once we were underway, we went through several classes of land nav, fire building, improvised shelter, water purification, packing, waterproofing and even IV insertion. According to the Cadre, it was about 9 months of SpecOps training crammed into 3 days, but it didn’t feel rushed at all. Maps and protractors were provided, while we had to bring our own compasses, map cases and the like.

We worked off 1:25kft maps and the level of detail was useful, but you don’t always get the whole picture from contour lines on the map. On some of our hikes, we needed to re-evaluate and alter our course. No big deal, pull out the map, shoot an azimuth, take a distance reading and head out. Don’t forget your pace count! Ranger beads would’ve been handy here.

Day 2 had a practical application of the skills we learned with a relatively short trek, while day 3 had us moving out and navigating all day. At the end of day 2, one of the teams had found a snake en route so we roasted it over the fire and had a treat at dinner. It was small and had a ton of bones, but tasted pretty good.

Day 3’s travels included climbing a mountain and re-oriented from the summit, then headed over to a river and back, probably around 12-14km of hiking, climbing, and bush-whacking through the woods. One of our team also knew about the local mushrooms and plants, so we got a few bits of scavenging advice along the way and ate some tasty berries and mushrooms.

Each day when we returned to camp, we’d have to set up our tents and each morning we’d break them down again. Leave no trace. I packed a tube tent ($12 at REI) that weighed next to nothing and setup/breakdown took 3 minutes along with my 20degree sleeping bag. I found some nice trees off to the side of camp with brush and pine needles as a bed. Stayed dry, warm, and happy with no trouble at all. Sleeping bag was rolled up and stored in my brick bag that attached to the outside of my GR2.

For day hikes, I threw just the essentials into my GR1, waterproofed with contractor bags like we were taught and definitely appreciated the minimalism. Pack light, go fast. I would’ve been ok lugging the GR2 and everything along with me, but when you have the option, less is more. Bring the fire starting tools, a knife, water (purifying system too) and snacks. Anything else is extra.

I tried not to bring any extraneous gear, but there are definitely some recommendations… Buy a fixed declination compass (Suunto is awesome) and bring it. Not having to do math is a luxury and it’s helpful, but you learn to go with or without anyway. Bring a map case, pencils and mapmarkers. A ziploc would work, but a map case is better. You can never have enough contractor bags as they can be used for everything. Know your gear, don’t buy it and just show up. Try it out, learn to use it and get comfortable. Extra socks and quick drying clothes are the way to go. Priorities of work, fix your feet and keep them as dry as you can. It’ll pay off.

We ate like kings and drank our fill. There was much to learn and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. There’s a ton of cadre interaction and hanging with other GRTs from all over is awesome. It’s definitely been my favorite GORUCK event so far and I highly recommend it to anybody.