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Ten Tors Training - Dartmoor (April 2011)

On Friday 8th April a team of 11 students and 2 staff departed College headed for one of the most remote parts of the country, Dartmoor. The aim of the expedition was to experience the tough terrain that some of us would soon be walking over in May for the Ten Tors competition. We arrived late that night and took no time in setting up camp and before long we were all asleep ready for the tiring days ahead.

Saturday morning was soon upon us and we got straight to work splitting the teams up into two groups. Every day each group was given a hard, physically challenging route where they would attempt to complete several different tors. Our main aim was to gain experience walking in the terrain that we would be in come May but another was to get the team working together so that we were able to identify both strengths and weaknesses. Contrary to what we expected for Dartmoor the weather was great, so we thought it would be a good idea to apply the pre-issued sun cream as we had more than enough sunshine on the day. After all of our pre-walk admin and the arrival of our group leaders, Major Reid and WO2 Pyburn, we set out on our chosen routes and began the fast walk to the first tor we had planned to reach, with each group aiming to walk over approximately 3 or 4 tors by the time we got to the camp site. Initially the routes were easy, however walking at a good pace all day exhausted most of the team and gave even the fittest of us a challenge. By that evening blisters had prevailed, not only slowing people down but also causing pain. Thanks must go to the staff that came to the rescue after severe blister and foot problems were stepping in the way of individuals continuing.

The second day of walking loomed, and as the sun rose over the camp site we ate and planned our route carefully so that we could test our fitness. Once planning was complete and teams were briefed we started walking on the long day that we had ahead of us. Once again the weather was in our favour with sunshine throughout the day causing some sun burn for a few of the team. The route we had planned on this day was the most difficult as we were all travelling South over the highest, toughest and most challenging tors that were predicted to be on the event. The routes we faced ahead of us were long and at times steep but after a few twisted ankles, some blisters and getting partially lost we made it to the camp site still with hours of sunlight allowing us the chance to replenish with fresh water from base camp and receive updates on any news that was happening in the ‘outside world’. Spirits were not as high in the evening as some people had become injured and ill through exhaustion and tiredness so we all tried to lighten the mood and keep everyone happy and fresh so that we could enter the next day of walking with smiles on our faces and a great team chemistry.

The third day of walking was upon us and we were raring to go, however the weather was against us and with thick fog and cold conditions we were ready for a test to see who was up to the challenge of navigating us through conditions where we could see no further than ten metres ahead of us. After setting off with low spirits we quickly arrived at the first tor which encouraged us, and throughout the rest of the day the navigational skills and high spirits kept us going after each checkpoint we reached. We reached the final campsite and everyone was feeling the wrath of the weather - blisters were severe and people were tired, however everyone was happy as we were to head to the pub to have dinner. That night was the hard decision on who each person wanted on the team, and after voting the team was announced. We waved off WO2 Pyburn and awaited the arrival of the Training Officer, Flt. Lt. Askew.

On the final day of walking the chosen team set out on one of the toughest days so far but attacked it with great team spirit and morale, and after travelling at a good pace we were able to complete roughly 6 tors in 4 hours. The weather was once again on our side and out came the sun cream again to prevent us from burning like several of the team had on previous days. After arriving at the point of meeting Flt. Lt. Askew and Major Reid left us to take the journey home the next day.

Thanks go to all the staff that either stayed with us the whole week or those who came down over the days to walk with the groups, as the whole team were well aware that they were giving up their own holidays to come and help us succeed. Special thanks go to Ma’am Pervin and CSgt Kelly who gave much needed advice and guidance as well as providing medical attention to those who needed it. Congratulations also go to all that came on the training as well as those who were picked for the team.

James Trippier and Adam Brown, Trenchard 10E

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