That was a good weekend, few fall outs, very good navigation through the mist on Sunday morning (You might not think so, but your times were still good and you achieved the Checkpoints), campcraft was an improvement, just overall good. For photos see the official Ten Tors site.
Well, here it is the big one. Just think, in less than two weeks all of it will be over.
Remember that you are Air Cadets, haircuts and shaves are compulsory, at least for the lads.
Ten Tors 2008
What happens Friday
Teams have to register, be briefed, get scruiteneered and plan the route. This makes for a busy and sometimes fraught day. Navigators bring pencils, erasers and rules with you. We will be keeping you stocked up with grub and we will have a couple of big tents to keep you out of the weather, whatever it is. But, it can also get boring, so bring so extra bits and pieces with you to do whilst waiting.
You will need to take time off school, unless you have exams that day. We cannot give you that permission, only your parents can.
What happens Saturday
Ten Tors start is at 0700, which means you will be up around 0530, breakfast will be waiting. Then you go off into the distance and the staff sit down and worry!
What happens Sunday
Sunday’s easy, you come in, hopefully earlyish early afternoon is good. Receive your medals and certificates, get a pasty and go home!..Until next year.
Cost
The event will cost you nothing. But there will be various food stalls and equipment manufacturers around the place, so bring some money with you.
Catering
We shall supply snacks and drinks during Friday, A main meal on Friday, probably a Curry and spaghetti bolognaise and Breakfast on Saturday morning. Might even get George to cook some pancakes! We will be supplying a Rat pack each, but, the scruits will want to see more than one pack as the expedition is over 24 hours, so take something extra with you to scruiting, i.e. a loaf of bread, jam etc. you don’t have to make the sandwiches, just
Anyone with any special dietary needs, please contact me and we’ll arrange something suitable.
You will need to bring cutlery and mugs with you. My suggestion is to bring extra and leave the one’s in your rucksacks alone, just in case you forget to put them back. We do those have disposables available.
Travel
Teams are required to be in the campsite on Friday. This is due to the safety checks and briefings that are given. From Plymouth we hope to have a minibus departing at 10.00 and again from 197 at 16.00. From Cornwall, see your local representative and /or team manager.
Parents
Parents are welcomed to come and see what is going on. The campsite for the weekend is free, if a bit basic and very crowded until Saturday morning! We shall have a couple of big tents up that we use as a base. We normally camp at the far end of the campsite, i.e. the first part when you arrive by car. There will be a car parking charge, but that’s all. On Sunday refreshments will be available. There is a way of keeping track of the teams either at Okehampton or by the internet using the official Ten Tors website at
Please dress warmly whatever the weather is where you live. I can assure you that it will be colder at Okehampton. Please come and look us up.
You should also have received a stock letter (FTT11) from the team manger giving more information. If you have not, can I suggest that you contact him and ask where it is. This is also available on the Ten Tors website and we have a link to it on ours.
Equipment
You need all of your kit with you, everything. Do not bother packing your rucksack too well as the scruits will have everything out of it anyway. Team kit should be spread amongst the team, not given to those with the biggest rucksack. This will also be checked by the scruits. Ensure that Trangias are complete and clean. Check that you have all your bits of tent.
Remember to bring sun block and sun hats, just in case. But do not leave anything behind if you think that the weather will be good.
We shall be giving out Wing T shirts for you to wear around the campsite and at the finish.
Do not forget your BERETS
Any spare clothes that you bring with you should be placed in a bag clearly marked with your name. It will be moved from the tents you sleep in on Friday night. You do not need ghetto blasters or expensive electrical items with you.
Reserves
Those of you who undertook all of the training but do not have a team place,
my condolences. But, come along on the Friday and you never know. We have
had team members sick on the day and cannot take part, so you might get lucky.
Note that this is not an invitation to spike anyone’s food!