If you’ve ever visited one of the massive dunes that line parts of Lake Michigan, you know it’s not an easy climb. That’s what makes this video of a cross country team at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore even more impressive. In the clip, they sprint uphill carrying a downed tree for an intense workout.
Michigan Tourism shared the video. In the post, you can see a group of young people walking side by side, carrying a massive tree. The line of cross country team members is trudging up the hill in unison.
Sleeping Bear sits just west of Traverse City in the northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula.
People visit to enjoy the beach, especially in the summertime. But in this case, it made sense for a cross country team at Sleeping Bear to find the ultimate workout. After all, Sleeping Bear’s claim to fame is hosting the largest freshwater dunes in the world. Some of them stand as high as 450 feet above the lake below.
Rescues at Sleeping Bear Dunes
What’s even more impressive about this video is knowing that getting back up the dunes can be a problem for tourists. It’s such a big issue that there are now hefty fees for people who get stuck. Visitors will see multiple signs warning that it can be hard to climb back up the dunes.
An article outlined the effort that goes into a rescue. First responders say it takes multiple crews and park service workers to get a visitor back up the dunes. Rescues can even put a strain on other local emergency services. Firefighters say oftentimes other rescue teams will have to cover a region that’s busy performing a rescue at the dunes.
“This is one reason for rescue charges, to reduce responses to this location so we can adequately provide services to those who pay for them,” wrote the article.
Fees for a rescue can cost as much as $3,000, depending on what is needed. So before attempting anything, be sure you’re in solid shape.