Pushing through extreme snowstorms, the Gold Coast SUNS scaled Mt. Humphreys, singing the theme song atop of the highest natural point in Arizona for the first time.

“We’ve been here for three years, and never made it to the summit, so we changed up the program so that we could sing the team song top the tallest part of Phoenix,” senior coach Guy McKenna told SUNS TV.

“It was an exciting part of the camp for the playing group.”

Led by hike coordinator – Holly Mikulas, the GC SUNS separated into six teams at the foot of the picturesque mountain, and completed a team challenge designed to test their analytical thinking, logistical skills and ability to work as a team.  

“It was a mind challenge, given the elements of the cold and their burning lungs; they really had to work together as a team.”

Completing the challenge in half the designated time allocation, “Team Relentless” was awarded a head start on other players, much to the delight of Gold Coast SUNS skipper and team member Gary Ablett.

“We have 20 minutes to do the activity and we completed it in 10 minutes, so I think we’ve got a pretty good head start on the other teams.”

“We don’t want to slow down because the rest of the teams will be right behind us,” Ablett said during the trek.

The climb to the summit of Mt. Humphreys came just days after the players completed a series of physical and mental challenges through the Grand Canyon.

McKenna, who completed the hike alongside his playing group, said Mt Humphreys provided his team with more of a psychological challenge given the overwhelming difference at altitude.

“The difference between this and the Canyon is the hike is more of a physical challenge, where this is more of an aerobic test because we are starting at 7,000 ft. and finishing at 12,000 ft.”

Over the Christmas break we will be revisiting some of the highlights from the 2XU High Performance Training Camp in Arizona.