The 10th annual Prospector Challenge JTF(North) Yellowknife

July 16, 2024 - Cpl Luke Spooner, C Company, Loyal Edmonton Regiment

The 10th annual Prospector Challenge took place in Yellowknife, NT, on June 13, and saw members of Joint Task Force North (JTFN) compete in a grueling multi-discipline race.

The Challenge is similar to 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group’s Exercise MOUNTAIN RAM, featuring a 19‑kilometre run (sometimes while wearing a 10‑kg backpack), a 1.5‑km portage, and a 4.2‑km canoe trek. There are also three team challenges.

The 2024 Prospector Challenge welcomed teams from JTFN’s “Team North,” which comprises JTFN Headquarters, 440 Transport Squadron, 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, Loyal Edmonton Regiment’s C (“Charlie”) Company, 1 Field Ambulance Detachment Yellowknife, Military Police Detachment Yellowknife, and 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Signals Squadron.

In total, 18 teams came out to test their members' mental and physical limits. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment’s Charlie Company had over 80 per cent participation in the Challenge with four teams competing. Those members who did not compete supported the Challenge administratively.

“The race every year is a challenge, especially with the high level of competition and the longer course,” explained Corporal Luke Spooner. “But the race is always a good time and it’s great to see everyone in Charlie Company pushing hard to win.”

Members of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment’s C Company compete in Joint Task Force North’s 10th annual Prospector Challenge on June 13 in Yellowknife, NT.

Photos by MCpl Alana Morin, Joint Task Force North Public Affairs

Photo supplied

In the Challenge, the majority of Charlie Company teams placed in the top three of their divisions, which demonstrates Charlie Company’s high level of fitness and soldiering skills.

Captain Gerald Fillatre and Master Corporal Ryan Collier won the “Old and Bold” Division. Sergeant Devon Allooloo and Cpl Spooner placed second overall in the “Whippersnappers” Division. Finally, Major Caroline Pollock and Sgt Alexandra Lequin placed third in the “Midlife Crisis” Division.



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