It’s that time of the year again when I reflect over the last 5 months and assess just how well our Ten Tors team have done. I always wonder whether those students who put themselves forward for the Ten Tors expedition have the stamina, commitment and determination to make it through 5 months of gruelling training on Dartmoor, practising their navigational and camping skills and their teamwork in every kind of weather that the moor can throw at them and then tackle an even more gruelling 35 mile Ten Tors expedition.
Last weekend was the chance for 6 of them to prove to their friends, parents and, most importantly, to themselves that they could successfully take on the challenge of a 35 mile expedition across Dartmoor in less than 34 hours carrying everything they needed to survive in rucksacks weighing around 35 lbs.
The team, consisting of Lauren Hunt (team captain), Morgan Davy, Carys Lilley, Sam Clouter, Andrew Appleby and James Craig, arrived at Okehampton camp on Friday 11 May, The weather was only marginally better that the day before when 70 mph winds and torrential rain did its best to prevent myself, Mr Stone and Mr Tobin’s efforts to set up a base camp.
The team went through the routine kit inspection, briefing and route planning and all was looking good when Sam Clouter, an absolute stalwart of the team, unfortunately could no longer take part due to illness. Sam was taken ill on Thursday night and we had all hoped that it was a 24 hour bug that would pass. Sadly this was not to be and by late afternoon on Friday it was apparent that Sam was too ill to start the expedition. Luckily our ace up the sleeve, Cerys Little AKA ‘super sub’ arrived that night and the team was back on track.
At 7 am on Saturday along with 2,394 other young people the team crossed the start line. Weather conditions were still pretty poor, wind and rain reduced visibility and river levels were rising making some rivers extremely difficult to cross, but despite the weather the team managed to reach the fifth tor by the end of the first days walking.
A brief respite from the rain on Saturday meant the river levels dropped on Sunday and after an all too short spell of sunshine the high winds picked up again and continued to blow in bands of heavy rain reducing visibility even more. In these conditions the team had to battle their way to the finish line where a group of staff and parents were now anxiously waiting to see the team appear over the hill.
Visibility was appalling, it was cold and the driving rain made it pretty miserable for all. So I am sure that you can imagine the delight, and relief we all felt when the team appeared at 3.30pm an hour ahead of their predicted time.
As you may have probably guessed by now the weather this year played a major part. Brigadier Piers Hankinson sums it all up:
“As Director Ten Tors, I wish to congratulate every participant, Team Manager and the many Military and civilian personnel who contributed to Ten Tors 13 and Jubilee Challenge. They were undoubtedly very tough Challenges. This year Dartmoor showed that it can be a particularly inhospitable with some of the worst conditions that we have experienced for many years. In particular, I wish to congratulate all of this year’s participants for the moral fortitude that they displayed, not just during the Event but also during the training.
Although fall-out figures are higher than in recent years, they are not unprecedented; some 550 participants fell-out, primarily for reasons of time rather than endurance. And even when considering this number, the reality is that more than 3 of every 4 participants completed the Challenge, despite the severity of the conditions. This is full testament to their preparation, ability, endurance, team work and determination”.
So now, reflecting on the last 5 months I’ve realised that the resilience and the grim determination that these brilliant young people show never ceases to amaze me.
Well done team - it was a remarkable achievement that you will remember for the rest of your lives.
Of course none of this could have been possible without the help of the organisers who run the event in a way that only the best Armed Forces in the world could.
I would also like to thank all the college staff who assisted me throughout the training and the parents for the support they have given to the team.
A special mention should go to John Lilley and Warren Oak whose contribution this year has made a huge improvement in enabling me to deliver the training.
But most importantly, huge congratulations Lauren, Morgan, Carys, Cerys, Andrew and James who proved to all that they did have the skills, stamina, determination and commitment to get the job done.
Mick Robson, Ten Tors Team Manager
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