Last week saw the first of our two Ten Tors training camps.
The students left school early on the Friday and when arriving at Postbridge they embarked on what was scheduled to be their longest walk yet. Dartmoor threw everything it had at them with sun, rain, wind, hail and snow all experienced in just a few short hours. The extreme weather and relentless pace took its toll and a couple of the group had to be picked up at Fernworthy Reservoir. Once the relevant pick up’s had been made the remaining students continued on but the delays and the continuing extreme weather meant that a pragmatic route change had to be made to ensure we weren’t still on the moors after dark.
A massive thank you needs to go to Miss Ousley who delayed leaving to attend a prior engagement to ensure the safety of the walking group by picking them up in the minibus from a rearranged point. Once safely back at the campsite the students focused on striking camp and getting some well deserved hot food before an early night to prepare for the next day. The conditions continued to test the students and overnight the students camped in below freezing conditions which meant that getting up was clearly a struggle to be ready for the second day.
On the Saturday, they were set off on their own in two groups with the 35 and 45 teams split for the first time and remotely supervised. They navigated their way up towards Branscombe Loaf before heading back south via Great Links Tor and then along the ridge passing Chat, Hare and Ger Tors before arriving at the end point of Lanehead Car Park. Over the two days the students still managed to cover well over 35 km despite the route changes and practiced valuable navigation and camp craft skills in difficult conditions. This was certainly the most challenge they have faced so far and reiterated what a true lasting achievement completing the Ten Tors really is.
The next walk is on Saturday 16th March with the second camp coming up in early April.
