Beautiful weather for the Ten Tors practice expedition to Dartmoor...

King’s Bruton 35 mile Ten Tors Teams ventured onto Dartmoor last weekend for their fourth and final training expedition before the actual event over the weekend of 19-21 May. Everyone was hoping that for the final training session the weather would be more favourable to the two groups and how lucky they were. Two glorious days of weather meant that walking on Dartmoor was a real pleasure and so rewarding.

Camp skills on Saturday morning were good, although everyone woke up to a hard frost on their tents. Both teams set off from the top of Okehampton Camp, where the actual event will start in a couple of weeks. The girls' team headed East and went past Oke Tor, Hangingstone Hill and Sittaford Tor before arriving at Postbridge. They then made their way towards towards Longaford Tor, White Barrow and then headed towards their camp site for the night near an old Tin Workings. They got in at 8pm and had walked a good 12 hours day. The boys' team headed West towards Prewley Moor and Nodden Gate, taking in Hare Tor, Lynch Tor, White Barrow and also arriving at the Tin Minings Campsite with weary legs from a good days walk.

On the Sunday, the girls followed a shorter version of the boys’ route and the boys followed a shorter version of the girls’ route. There were some excellent impressions of bog monsters during the day as Dartmoor sucked in unsuspecting walkers despite the Moor having dried out over recent weeks. Teamwork was improved, but there are areas to work on before the event. Navigation was good and campcraft continues to improve.

There were some very tired limbs and sore feet and shoulders - blisters were very much in evidence this weekend, but that is part of the Ten Tors Challenge - there has to be some discomfort to appreciate the journey the young cadets are on. The two teams have worked very hard and are prepared physically and mentally for the Challenge. They are eagerly awaiting the release of the routes on Tuesday 7 May at 0900hrs and there is much preparation to do over the next two weeks to ensure that both teams complete the challenge on Sunday 12 May. It has been a pleasure seeing both groups work together in really tough conditions on Dartmoor and the Event now is the icing on top of the cake.

Major Craig Barrow - Contingent Commander, King’s Bruton CCF & Ten Tors Manager

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