Climbing is hard, but conquering a fear of heights is harder. This enormous wooden ladder will challenge you to climb over 12' into the air, one giant rung at a time.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Get a Grip
Maintaining three points of contact at all times is crucial for a safe climb.
Don’t Look Down
12 feet may not sound like a lot, but you’ll change your tune when you’re up there.
It’s (Not) Lonely at the Top
Whether it’s a hoist or a hand, help a fellow Mudder conquer their climb. They’ll do the same for you.
“I’m afraid of heights. I just didn’t realize it until a stranger had to coach me up and over.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Ladder to Hell.
How To Conquer
You’ll want to use both your arms and legs on this one. Keeping three points of contact at all time (for stability), reach up with one hand/foot at a time to progress up the ladder. On the descent, move slowly, carefully, and deliberately between rungs, keeping a steady grip as you go.
A HISTORY: LADDER TO HELL
An obstacle so classic, so simple, and so perfect that we can’t even remember when it first debuted. Sometimes you can’t beat simplicity.
That beard may make you look tough - but getting yourself up and over these logs will test whether you ARE tough. At nearly 6 foot tall, these giant hurdles require strength, coordination, and true commitment to past. Don't worry - if your still in the 5-o'clock shadow phase of training, a fellow Mudder will help you over.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Plant Your Hands
Stick your hands on those logs and give a little hop. You’ll want your chest to clear the hurdle.
Press Up
Push upwards to gain some height, then transition your body to the other side.
Get a Boost
There’s no shame in teamwork – get a leg up if the hurdles are too high.
“So simple. So devious. So much taller than I am.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Lumberjacked.
How To Conquer
Plant your hands firmly on the top of the hurdles, then give a good hop (or get a good boost) to get your chest over the top. Use your body’s momentum to pivot and swing your legs over to the other side.
A HISTORY: LUMBERJACKED
Clamboring over a fallen log is a Paleolithic-era concept. It didn’t become cool until Tough Mudder started putting it on course in 2012, though.
Piggyback rides are fun. Hauling your tired, muddy friend (or new acquintance) along a long stretch of trail is exquisite. Don't worry - you'll get to switch with them halfway.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Choose your Style
Piggyback or Fireman style – that is the question. See what feels right.
Eye on the Prize
See that sign in the distance? That’s where you switch. Make haste.
Meet & Greet
Don’t know anyone? No problem. Odd numbers are as common as even numbers. It’s time to meet a new friend.
“It was the greatest, muddiest piggyback ride of my life.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Hero Carry.
How To Conquer
Talk with your teammate (or random partner) about how you’d like to carry and/or be carried. Piggybacking is traditional, but the advanced fireman’s carry technique – in which you carry your partner across your back by hooking one of their arms and one of their legs with your elbows – is the key for fastmovers.
A HISTORY: HERO CARRY
The concept of carrying a companion for the sheer joy of it is surely as old as humanity itself. Our innovative team would never dream of taking credit for it.
We'd tell you to watch your step, but it'll do you no good: there's no telling where the next hole will be. Pitfall will take you across a muddy swamp, filled with hidden sinkholes. Even the most sure-footed Mudder can expect some mud on their face.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Step Lightly
Don’t stomp through the swamp on this one. Tread carefully and feel for the holes.
Look Around
See where that guy just fell? Don’t step there.
Embrace the Mud
Face it – you’re getting muddy. Might as well laugh about it.
“Don’t be hasty. Those holes are SNEAKY.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Pitfall.
How To Conquer
Move slowly here and step lightly here, because there’s not much more that you can do to prepare. The holes are deep and random, so don’t go stomping.
A HISTORY: PITFALL
Originally devised by a sneaky excavator in the early days of Tough Mudder, Pitfall introduced a simple element of surprise that’s hard to top.
Inspired by obstacles of old, Well Swung is a brand new addition in 2021. Jump out, grab hold and swing your way through the air. Imagine it's like a giant trapeze just without the grace or style. At the end of your swing, launch yourself through the air and aim for the Cow Bell - either way, you're ending up in the drink.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
AIM HIGH
Keep your eye on the prize and jump upwards.
SWING TRUE
Use your forward momentum to keep a nice even swing.
FALL WITH STYLE
As ol’ Buzz Lightyear used to say.
THE DEEP END
A substantially deep body of water is waiting for you to drop into.
“There is nothing quite like the freedom of a good swing.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Well Swung.
How To Conquer
Keep your eyes focused on where you need your hands to be. Jump out and up with purpose. Maintain your momentum, this is key, you don’t want to be flailing around in the breeze. Release and feel the freedom.
Obstacle Training Tips
Apart from putting in some mental reps to help in conquering your fear of heights the key to success at Well Swung is grip strength. You want to be able to hold yourself suspended with your arms above your head and allow for the transfer of momentum when you catch the bar mid-jump.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How do you complete this obstacle?
A: The glorious ring of a Cow Bell.
A HISTORY: WELL SWUNG
Well Swung is a brand new obstacle in 2021. While it has close ties to the fan favourite King Of The Swingers it certainly is its own beast. A new take on the trapeze-like swing it was first dreamt up in 2019 as a more approachable way to get that swinging feeling. After testing in the desert and a few tweaks it is ready to hit the course this year. You ready?
This obstacle ups the ante as Mudders have to drag their muddy bodies up a pipe, and find themselves perched at the end of a 5’ drop into the cold water below. Falling gracefully isn’t really an option, so just hold your nose and take the plunge.
Drop it like it’s hot. Seriously though, you're gonna want to drop down on all fours if you plan on crossing all 30’ of non-stop quivering, and quaking slackline without ending up in the drink.
Hydrophobia is as unique as it is fear-inducing. Test your courage (and hold your breath) as you submerge yourself and slither beneath a series of submerged pipes.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
HOLD YOUR BREATH
Take the biggest breath you can and plunge beneath the tube. The gap is small but you can make it.
GUIDE YOUR TEAM
Although it might not look like it, Hydrophobia is a teamwork obstacle. Having a helping hand to guide you under the pipe is invaluable.
“I was so scared but I took a deep breath and grabbed my teammates hand – she pulled me through.”
The Inside Word
Deep dive into the details of Hydrophobia.
How to Conquer
Take the biggest breath you can and dunk under the water. The gap beneath the pipe is smaller and lower than you think so get down as far as you can, find the gap and slip your body through it. The water will be murky so you’re going to have to trust your hands and your teammates.
Obstacle Training Tips
As the name suggests Hydrophobia is all about overcoming fear. You can’t train for that in the gym. However, a good overall fitness is going to improve your lung capacity and ensure you can take a big old gulp of air before diving under the pipe.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: Why do you love combining water and small spaces?
A: Because we know Mudders can overcome their fears.
Sometimes you just gotta have faith to conquer an obstacle, and leaping over a 6’ water-filled gap to a hanging rope net is gonna require some serious belief (in yourself).
Pucker up because you're about to get up close and real personal with the mud. Navigate through less than 18" of barbed wire clearance in an army crawl motion through uneven muddy surfaces. The only way out is a low & slow motion to avoid a prick before you are on your way to the next obstacle filled with surprises.
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Grit
Teamwork
Strength
Fun
Army Crawl
Use your knees and elbows to get you across to the other side
Low Ceiling
With only so much clearance, make sure to keep you head low to avoid the gnarly barbed wire
Wet & Wild
Uneven surfaces lurk below the muddy madness
Low & Slow
Take your time to avoid getting pricked
“There is no getting out from this obstacle clean!”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Arctic Enema.
How To Conquer
Pause to reflect on your first move and channel your inner commando crawl. Get on your hands and knees and aim to get as low into the mud as possible. Perform a forward motion army style crawl keeping your head low, to avoid the barbed wire. Surfaced will be uneven below the wet, muddy surface – so expect the unexpected.
A HISTORY: KISS OF MUD
Anywhere we can get away with throwing barbed wire into the mix, that obstacle becomes an instant classic. Kiss of Mud is known for not holding back and leaving Mudders crawling out from the obstacle covered head to toe in the muck.
