Heads up
There are snakes. Also, when you enter the park in the morning, turn right towards the springs and keep driving through the parking lot until you see the volleyball area. The black jeep marks the checkpoint. Park right next to it. This is the last post of the night. Good luck tomorrow.
It's quiet for now.
Data connection out here is poor. Most updates will be in text unless the team is near the campground. That area has a connection for some reason.
The final points and perks
The team has finally cashed out their points for the following perks
As of now, everyone has one point going in to the T3, which begins at 8:05am tomorrow morning! Standby for some course previews as the cadre now leaves to go camping on site.
Challenge #5 COMPLETE
Ah yes, college. Memories of finishing a big assignment the day before it's due. The crazy eight (or nine?) have completed their final challenge and have scored some major points! They now have the option to cash in these points for some perks, or they can hold on to them to use for PT relief at the trials. No matter what, 24 hours from now will be riddled with updates, and we can't wait to share it all with you. Here is the final loadout.
Names in red are regiment elites.
There we go
After a long exhaustive amount of challenges, it seems the team has done enough exercises to unlock their password. Let's just hope that they don't waste their password attempts on the encrypted document that they now must open.
RjQ7Kei[0-9]
Good luck. It'd be a shame to have to go searching for another hidden thumb drive :)
Progress
They're getting there... Looks like only 8 will be showing up now. One teammate is completely silent and doesn't seem aware that there were challenges. Here is the current loadout:
Characters 1-2 (burpees) - 6/9
Characters 3-4 (ruck p-ups) - 5/8
Characters 5-6 (bodybuilder) - 4/7
Characters 7 (10mi run) 6/6
Since we're down to 8, they have been given two exercise submission opt-outs. Meaning that they have four to skip. Meaning they need to do five more submissions and they got this. Here is what they have decoded so far:
_ _ _ _ _ _ i _, with the last character being a number between 0 and 9.
So far, so slow
Like an assignment due weeks ahead, the team has taken their time in completing the last challenge. So far here are the stats:
Characters 1-2 (burpees) - 5/9
Characters 3-4 (ruck p-ups) - 3/8
Characters 5-6 (bodybuilder) - 2/7
Characters 7-8 (10mi run) 4/6
With only two character challenges that can be omitted, they have a lot of work to do, considering that this is due in two more days.
So far the nine who have registered long ago remain in the class, for now. Looks like a heavy storm will be making its way through the venue as well. At least the heat won't be an issue, perhaps.
Horray for volunteering!
Two T3 candidates volunteered at the Highlander Intimidator, so that means that the team can now opt out of up to two submissions for challenge 5. Still no updates on the challenge submissions, and the T3 is only 6 days away...
Lap four
It's no big surprise that there will be trivia and a geography test on the forth lap. The details of the trivia and the countries that need to be studied have yet to be unlocked, but the punishment for failing the geography test will now be revealed.
It's a good thing that the team has unlocked the easy cards (dice) perk. Because failure to complete the geography test will result in five dice rolls being done at the end of the forth lap. Get it right and all of the 'dice debt' that's accumulated from failing previous trivia questions will be completely erased.
No T3 in the past has ever gotten the geography test correct.
Update to the pre-week bonus
Since it's looking like one of the member may have to medically withdrawl from the class (very smart move, all things considered) the pre-week bonus has been juiced up a bit. If you volunteer or run in the Highlander Intimidator extreme you will be able to not only earn two points, but you can remove one of the PT requirements from the challenge. So let's say you really despise the burpee challenge, you can choose to only submit eight instead of nine submissions.
Also, on Saturday evening the registration for this event will be closed. In addition, the class should also keep their eyes peeled in their email inbox for their final challenge and important event info that they need to follow.
Edit: If you're volunteering and you want credit, you must have the regiment flag at your volunteer station.
It's been quiet
So the team has been mopey about some of the performance requirements of challenge #5. That's too bad. However, for every two extra people completing a character challenge, one person of another challenge may be exempt from doing theirs. For example:
- Nine people have to do the burpee challenge. That sucks.
- Only six need to do the 10 mile run, but if an additional two (that's 8 total) do the run, they can bump the requirement of another character challenge down by 1.
- If all else fails, do your best and perhaps a good hint about the character will suffice?
Pre-week bonus
Typically, the T3 candidates are given a specific optional event that occurs a week prior to their trials. This one is no different. Those who successfully complete the Highlander Intimidator taking place on the 18th of July in central Florida will be given two points. You do not have to bring the team flag if you don't want to, but it'll sure look cool on you!
Unlocks and updates
The nine candidates are still in. None have gotten cold feet and quit yet, which is nice. According to the infiltrator in their midst, confidence is fraying with a few being concerned about their ability to meet the standard in some pregame challenges, however. Nevertheless, they have it in them to conquer this thing. On to some updates.
First of all, they have unlocked some perks:
Unlocking easy cards/dice was an incredibly wise decision. It's as if they had an infiltrator in their group taking a look at the course agenda! With two unlocks, character 8 will now be unlocked for the team:
Character 8 - This character is a number. Better hope you correctly guess the number before the password attempts have been reached!
Challenge 5 - breaking the code
This challenge is going to be a doozy. The team has uncovered the data drop from the previous challenge and has earned themselves their respective points. As promised, as soon as a challenge is complete, the next challenge shall appear. Inside the data drop USB stick contained an encrypted word document. In it lies the instructions to completing this challenge. However, this encrypted word document has a limited number of attempts put in to it, so let's hope that the team hasn't decided to brute force guess the password so far. If the document has reached the max attempts, it will be rendered useless and another data drop will need to be found. As for the password, the candidates will now have to decrypt it by some good ol' PT. For starters, the password is right characters in length. It is case sensitive, contains numbers and perhaps some special characters too. Candidates will have to submit their challenges via video through our Facebook group or by emailing us. One candidate can work on multiple characters, but cannot double-submit for a single physical challenge. Here is the breakdown:
Characters 1 and 2 - Nine people must complete 30 burpees in under 1:45
Characters 3 and 4 - Eight people must complete 30 ruck-push-ups. Ruck must contain 20% body weight and the push-ups must be done in a single session without breaking their form. You may use the two army approved resting positions for your push-ups. You cannot receive help from anyone or anything. Women may use their knees for up to 20 of the push-ups if they must.
Characters 5 and 6 - Seven people must complete 30 eight count bodybuilders in under 3 minutes. This must be done with a ruck containing 15% body weight. To avoid knee injury, you don't have to jump on the eighth count if you don't want to. Just raise your hands while maintaining a fully-standing posture before beginning your next eight count.
Character 7 - Six people must complete a ten mile run at a 10:00/mi pace or better.
Character 8 - The team must unlock at least two perks. This character will not fully be given. Instead, a hint about the type of character to be entered will be given to narrow down the possibilities. Hopefully the password attempts haven't been expended yet... no, you will not be told the amount of password attempts that are placed on to the encrypted document.
That's it. That's what the team must do to obtain the password. They cannot crack the password in any other way or else their challenge will be null and void. There is no deadline for this challenge either. Finishing this challenge will result in every member of the team getting FIVE (5!!!) points. Currently there are nine people in the class, and any new registrants can partake in this challenge and earn points. Currently, these challenges may be near impossible to effectively complete given the current class size.
The biggest excuse people give for not registering for the T3 is that they didn't want to join the pre-game challenges too late into the game and appear lazy or whatever hyper-inflated excuse befalls them. Well, let this challenge prove that the ship hasn't sailed. If you're still on the fence about doing this event, let this be your motivation. Your team needs you. Badly.
Challenge 3 and 4 complete
The team successfully spelled out "REGIMENT". Funny how it was submitted, though. One of the members mistakenly posted their "M" route after completing the run (probably an auto feature toggled on). Now sure, that could just be his typical running route. After some subtle dialogue, it was discovered that it was in fact part of the challenge, so the 1 hour time limit started. It's amazing how motivated a team can get when there is a time hack...
They got it submitted with 10 minutes to spare. Good on 'em.
Even more remarkable is that they managed to find the data drop:
Unfortunately, the document in the USB drive is encrypted. To access the drive they will have to proceed to challenge #5, which will be divulged to them tomorrow morning. For now they rest, knowing how close of a bullet they have dodged. Although a quick workaround could have been enacted by the team to determine the exact whereabouts of the device. Every photo taken (especially on a phone) contains EXIF data. Simply downloading the photo and viewing the properties of it will reveal the author, GPS lat/long coordinates and even the drive in which the photo was stored. All challenge photos pertaining to any future data drops will have this information scrubbed from them from here on out.
Also, the use of password crackers will not be an acceptable pass for the next challenge. More on this tomorrow morning.
Challenge #4 - The Drop
The package has been dropped. In it lies a USB stick containing the instructions for challenge #5.
The team has no due date on this challenge, but challenges 5, 6, 7 and so on will not commence until this one is completed. If they are happy with the points that they have now, they can stop right here and take it easy for the next three weeks.
On to the forth challenge - the drop. A secret cache of data has been deposited near the Orlando/UCF area, and it is up to the team to determine its whereabouts and to retrieve the device. Upon proof of the device's retrieval, the entire team will earn one point and be given instructions on challenge #5. The following leaked intelligence has been uncovered to determine the whereabouts of the device.
The USB drive containing the intelligence looks like this.
The device was then placed inside a plastic vial
The path leading up to the dropoff point isn't well paved, that's for sure.
After going down the poorly paved trail/road, the agent stashed the data cache in that dirt mound to the left.
The top of the cap was taped and then marked with a black dot. That is the only thing showing. Hopefully the rain or falling leaves doesn't cover it.
GPS Coordinates would be nice, but this is the last recorded location of the data drop. The agent apparently had a miracle seeing that he/she had more than 1 bar of a connection on Sprint.
There is no further information about the data drop given at this time. However with the redemption of 2 points from every teammate, further investigation can commence to determine the exact latitude and longitude of the device. Better act quick, who knows who will accidentally find the device...
The next series of challenges
If you've done the last couple of T3s, the challenges should seem rather routine to you. You spell out a word, you do some pushups, or even travel through time. The next series of challenges however will be very immersive and multi-tiered. Challenges 4 through [unknown] will all be issued at once, and to proceed to the next challenge the previous one must be completed. Expect these challenges to last for the remainder of the pregame, and to awaken your inner secret agent! For now, work hard on challenge 3.
Tip for lap 2.
Some questions have arisen about the route for lap 2. It will be six miles long, covering open field and dense woods. You should keep your eyes constantly peeled for trees marked with ORANGE (not red) painting. If another color is marked alongside orange, you're still on the orange trail. If you're crossing a road or dirt path with tire treads on it, don't go on that road - go across. There will be two major intersections with different trail colors offered to you. You want to go on the (you guessed it) orange trails. In fact these two major intersections will require you to turn right if that helps.
Having a hydration source on you at all times during this run is mandatory. You must carry at least two bottles of water with you, or you could use the highly recommended camelbak to keep you hydrated. There will be one (maybe two) water stations along the course. Your feet will probably be wet at the beginning of the course, so don't wear shoes that will give you bad blisters. You must also run in eyesight of another person. This is the only time when you will be far separated from the cadre, so if you collapse from the heat (this has happened once before) you will not be noticed right away. Runners in the front of the pack need not worry about being in eyesight of each other as much as those in the back. After all, if you're in the lead and you black out somebody will eventually catch up to you and be able to call for help.
Here is a picture of the color orange, marked on a post. Trees will also bear this particular hue as well.
Observe: Orange. The color of your route. The water station(s) will be along the paved road, which you cross over twice.