The year was 1944.

About 12,000 10th Mountain Division soldiers have been in the snowy mountains of Colorado for a full month.

Each soldier has 90 pound packs, skis, and snowshoes, marching to an altitude of over 13,000 feet. Temperatures reached 30 degrees below zero and snowfall measured eight feet. Known as the D-series, it was basically survival training for World War II.

"It was a very strenuous and some people consider probably it the most strenuous and arduous, difficult training event in U.S. military history," 10th Mountain Division G5 Planner Major Clayton Richardson said.

It was an event the current 10th Mountain Division on Fort Drum is honoring this week through a special competition. While in a much safer environment, the division is still putting about 1,000 soldiers to the test. It is hosting a winter challenge with events, such as speed pullups and a near mile-and-a-half sled carry to best replicate the mountain climbing of 1944.

"They'll only get the faintest taste of that here today and tomorrow, but it does give them a sense of what came before and it helps them to build confidence in themselves, their abilities and their equipment, and helps them to appreciate everything that's been done in the past," Major Richardson added.

"It's really cool to get out in the snow, get out and snowshoe around. We're about to do a stress shoot as well, so it's really cool that it is incorporated into the event today," said Captain Mark Van Kopp of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.

That stress shoot was held inside on this occasion, but soldiers were still asked to give it all. For this exercise, they had to perform 10 burpees, and then when tired, take part in live fire to work on both speed and accuracy, as well as safety.

"In a lot of ways, it's a very special event. It's special, not only because we get to come out here with our soldiers and all the leaders with their soldiers going through this, but it's a celebration of a continuation of the unit's history," Captain Van Kopp added.

In the end, the goal is to push and dig deep to find not only the physical strength, but the mental fortitude, be the very best they can be, which is the best way they can honor those who came before.