Ten Tors

Something quite exciting is happening in Okehampton this weekend!

Who's heard of the Ten Tors Challenge??!!

Not me! But it turns out it's right on our doorstep. This event is believed to be the largest and most challenging event nationally for young people.

"The Ten Tors Challenge takes place in the weekend following the May public holiday. Many of its participants will remember the event with pride for the remainder of their lives, and for some it may even be a life-changing experience.

The Ten Tors Challenge is limited to 2,400 individuals (four hundred teams of six teenagers). The teams, depending on age, face hikes of 35, 45 or 55 miles (56, 72 or 88km) over the rough terrain of Dartmoor, visiting ten nominated tors / check points in under two days. The teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route and stay out over night safely. The weather can be very changeable and at times quite extreme, and success or failure can depend very much on the extent to which a team has been trained for all eventualities.

The Ten Tors Challenge is organised by the Army, specifically Headquarters South West, from its Moor Group Headquarters at Okehampton Camp. It is assisted by the Royal Navy (with manpower and helicopters), the Royal Air Force and the Dartmoor Rescue Group: between them they oversee the participants and ensure that none comes to lasting harm."

So to get to where we live there is only one road which comes out of Okehampton and leads up to the moor. That's also where the Army training camp can be found. Yesterday as I was out and about I noticed a vast amount of portaloos (amusingly these ones are called Andyloos!) heading up to Dartmoor. We then walked the dog later in the day, a circular walk from home which passes the Army camp. All sorts being set up (including the loos!) so I stopped and asked a friendly chap in uniform what was going on - it's quite a big event by all accounts.

I took this today, a view of the camp from the start of our lane, lots of tents going up!

Sitting here now in our cottage, in which is usually I can't hear a thing outside, there are military helicopters flying around overhead. The soldier we spoke to said that was one of his jobs over the weekend.

Good luck to all the brave young people taking part!