A healthcare company I used to work for had a manager training program where you'd train at different clinics for a few months and then be a full manager at one of their sites. Just a standard urgent care clinic.
For the most recent cohort of the manager training program, the very first thing they did was a team building exercise that involved flying across the country to climb a desert mountain. The trip was mandatory and there were no alternatives.
I knew someone who did the program and they told me that the guides said specifically this was to be attempted by experienced people only, they had no gear besides hiking boots, and on a few occasions had to shimmy past sheer cliff faces where one foot slipping would lead to a 50+ foot drop. One person injured themselves and had to be carried down the mountain by a guide and a volunteer. They also shared a tent with the CEO who made a joke while they were undressing that made me super uncomfortable to hear.
I cannot emphasize enough that this has absolutely NOTHING to do with the role. At all. The most physical aspect would be lifting a box of inventory weighing no more than 30 lbs and even then someone else could help if you had a physical disability.
Please tell me that this is not ok? When I tell this story to other people, the only reaction I get is that labor laws in the south suck and if they don't like it they can quit. And that if they refused to do the activity the company would just fire them and that would be that.
EDIT: grammar error, also I am in the US