Ten Tors 2013

Last weekend Ben took part in the Ten Tors 45 mile challenge (I wrote about the 35 mile challenge he completed last year here.) The Ten Tors is an event for teenagers who, after months of training, set off in teams of six (with no adult help) to navigate their way over Dartmoor using only their compass and map. They climb up and down ten selected tors along the route (where the army have checkpoints) and cover distances of either 35, 45 or 55 miles, depending on age. This challenge has to be completed within 34 hours and requires them to wild camp on the moors.

Ben's team this year was the same as last, they are a really well-matched group of boys and work so well together. The school took them up to base camp at Okehampton Army Barracks on the Friday where the teams set up camp, went through safety talks, checked their kit one last time and were assigned their route for the weekend. They went over their route and filled in their route cards. Here are the Teign Valley Ramblers early Saturday morning before they set off to the start point (Ben is fourth from the left):

We all got up early Saturday morning to drive out and see Ben's team off. The weather this year was unfortunately wet and misty, typical Dartmoor weather, and the exact opposite of last year! Here's a hooded Ben in the background walking up with his team to the start point:

There are over 2400 teenagers that take part in the event, it's quite a sight to see them all (well...kind of see them through the mist) getting ready to start the challenge:

The Brigadier started off the event with a quick speech and by saying the traditional Ten Tors prayer:

O God who has made the Earth of great beauty,
And who has given us the Spirit of Adventure,
We thank you for the beauty of the world,
For the courage and vigour of young people,
For the companionship and for the opportunity
To enjoy all these gifts.

We pray that you will keep them safe on this great venture
And grant that they may meet each challenge
And difficulty with unselfish courage and so find the
True spirit of comradeship as shown to us by
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Isn't that wonderful? There was a trumpet salute and the firing of the canon to set the teams off:

There they all go, off into the misty hills of Dartmoor:

All Saturday we kept checking the Ten Tors website; they updated the team's progress as they reached each tor so we could see what time they arrived and keep track of their progress and speed. The rain eased off by Saturday afternoon and the team made it to just below tor eight before they camped out. First thing Sunday morning the mist and rain were back, but undeterred they registered at tor eight and set off to complete the challenge. We left home earlier than planned (they made such great time) to meet them at the finish line. There were 17 different teams walking Ben's particular route, and apart from tor nine, Teign Valley Ramblers were the first team to reach each tor and the first to finish. Here is the team arriving at the finish on Sunday at 12:44pm (Ben is on the left in black):

A wet but happy team:

Collecting their medals:



Although Ben's team were doing a 45 mile route, they actually walked 51 miles (the route distances don't allow for the extra mileage of walking up and down the hills). I was so impressed at how quickly they completed the challenge, last year they finished the 35 mile walk in 28 hours 33 minutes, this year they walked 51 miles in 29 hours and 44 minutes! To say I'm proud would be an understatement.