It’s been a camp full of surprises for the GC SUNS players with the Clubs new strength and conditioning team constantly testing and pushing the squad to new levels.

But as the weather turned, snow fell and winter set in at Flagstaff, there was to be a final, punishing twist to the 2XU High Performance Camp with the group challenged to scale the icy slopes of Mount Humphreys, the regions highest peak.

Senior coach Guy McKenna saying the hike provided the perfect finale to an outstanding two week altitude camp.

“It’s the final piece of the puzzle if you like for camp, a chance to test the boys mental capabilities.”

“If the wind is picking up it gets very chilly, gloves, balaclavas, just wearing a normal beanie and having your face exposed can get quiet nasty. But most of these boys being how fit they are, they will get through it ok, the challenging part will be the wind and the snow.” McKenna said.

An enthusiastic Sam Day echoed the sentiments of the eager group as they rugged up and set off through thick snow.

“So here we are at Mount Humphrey’s, it’s a pretty nice day down here at the moment, a bit chilly but judging by the look of the top, the wind is whipping all the snow off so it’s going to be pretty cold, but it’s our last day here at the camp so hopefully we can push through and finish off strong.”

However despite the picture perfect environment, howling winds and plummeting temperatures quickly tested the resolve of even the hardiest of the GC SUNS players.

Questioned at the half way point of the climb, Dan Gorringe was travelling relatively well.

“Pretty cold, about minus eight, I had a few dramas with my calves early, but on track now and setting a good pace, get up and get out.”

However almost an hour later as he rested against a rock, looking for some shelter on the wind blown summit, Dan cut a dejected figure and was clearly a man who had been pushed to his limits.

“Honestly coming up here was physically the hardest thing I have had to do here in this camp in the last two years coming here.” Gorringe said.

While Charlie Dixon was forced to share water with a team mate after his water tube froze as he inched his way up the mountain.

“My water has frozen through the tube, I’ve taken the nozzle off and tried to breath into it but it’s just not doing anything, I’m not loving this at all.”

“Certainly towards the saddle and from the saddle out to the summit is quiet testing because you are up 12,500 feet, there is not much air up there.”

After 14 days in Flagstaff, the team fly back to Australia tomorrow where they will be given a few days to recover before continuing their pre Christmas preparations.