This year's Ten Tors was a real triumph, writes Seamus Harkness, Ten Tors Coordinator.

The training as always presented us with a number of different challenges. Not only did we have to find the right personnel for the teams we had to cope with the difficult conditions of Dartmoor. Overall the pupils walked over a hundred miles of moorland in preparation for the event. Thankfully when we arrived at Okehampton Camp on Friday 11^th May, the sun was shining and it continued to remain that way for most of the weekend. Both teams managed to pass scrutineering which is a long, tedious yet necessary process that reassures the army that all teams are well prepared for the moor. With extra time on our hands the team leaders and navigators spent the remainder of the evening preparing their route. This year Team A had Route HI and Team B had Route IA. Most of the these tors we had covered in training so there was some degree of familiarity for them.

At 5am on Saturday morning the whole camp was up and preparing to walk up to the start for a 6:30am commencement. The army entertained us with a parachute display and a flyby from the helicopters before the guns sounded for the start at 7am. It is always an anxious time back at camp waiting to see where the teams are and how well they are doing. Thankfully, both teams got off to a great start and were making steady progress throughout the day. Team A made it to tor seven on the first day, camping at Postbridge and Team B incredibly made it to tor eight, Chat Tor.

There were a few worried parents and staff on Sunday morning as Team B arrived back at 9:39am! They were in so fast that we thought that we might miss them. All the teams' parents made the events and it was lovely to see them there to encourage and congratulate their children coming in. Team A made it in at 1:50pm smiling and full of the spirit that they are known for.

It’s been a long and emotional journey for everyone involved and thankfully all team members made it round their courses as a six. The wonderful opportunity that Ten Tors provides could be felt all over Dartmoor, this truly is a remarkable event and one that should continue for many years to come. There is nothing like it for bringing out qualities in young boys and girls they didn’t know they possessed. We are all very proud of them. An album of photos from the weekend can be seen below.

Seamus Harkness - Ten Tors Coordinator