Ten Tors teams finish amid tough conditions
The first teams began crossing the finishing line in this year's Ten Tors challenge on Sunday morning (12 May) with the last arriving some three quarters of an hour beyond the usual finish time of 5pm.
The first to finish was a team from Queen Elizabeth's Hospital School in Bristol at appoximately 9.40am.
Weather conditions with rain and restricted visibility prevailing, were challenging with some river crossing points becoming hazardous due to rising water levels. The on site Dartmoor Rescue Group assisted overnight on Saturday/Sunday by offering alternative routes, and some resulting delays were reported by the event organisers. A number of walkers dropped out but there were no serious incidents.
Organisers extended the finish time to allow for the deteriorating conditions on Sunday afternoon.
Approximately 400 teams from across the South West undertook the annual two day challenge on Dartmoor over the weekend.
The teams of young people who are drawn from schools, colleges, cadet squadrons, scout and guide groups and independent organisations across the region, have been training hard for the challenge. They arrived on Friday (10 May) ahead of the start of the hike which began early on Saturday morning and ended on Sunday.
The event which began in 1960, is organised by the Army and involves teams walking via different routes and climbing to a checkpoint on the summit of each of ten selected tors. Teams must make camp overnight and finish on the Sunday.
The setting on Dartmoor, one of England's last remaining wildernesses, often provides challenging conditions including notoriously changeable weather.
Three different distances are set -
35 miles (56 Km) for 14 and 15 year olds
45 miles (72 Km) for 16 and 17 year olds
55 miles (88 Km) for 18 and 19 year olds
There are strict requirements regarding preparation, kit and provisions, while safety and rules and procedures for 'fall out' and 'crash out' are carefully co-ordinated by organisers.
The Plymouth Daily congratulates everyone who took part.
