Ten Tors 2025: The final stages...
Our three teams set off to North Dartmoor last weekend, having checked their equipment, packed their rations, stuffed their rucksacks to bursting, and carefully marked their routes on maps (which we sincerely hoped they would actually follow).
When we arrived, the weather was surprisingly calm, making tent setup a breeze - unlike our last blustery visit which looked more like an Olympic sheet waving contest. All three groups started their journey on Saturday morning at 7 a.m., after dragging themselves out of their sleeping bags at 5 a.m. to cook breakfast on their stoves, fill their water bottles, and squeeze their tents and sleeping bags back into their enormous 65L rucksacks (a feat of engineering in itself). They then set off into a clear but windy day, with fantastic visibility showing off the dramatic tors, golden tussocks, and wild ponies who clearly had no idea why a group of humans were struggling across the moors.
But, as expected, the weather had other plans. By the afternoon, drizzle, rain, and fog rolled in, turning the last stretch into a test of endurance. The two groups still walking had to finish their routes in the dark, relying on their navigation skills (and some invaluable help from Imogen) and sheer willpower to find the minibus. The wind, much stronger than forecast, added an extra challenge to cooking dinner - imagine trying to light a stove while Mother Nature aggressively disagrees. Setting up tents in the dark? Even more fun.
Sunday, however, was a total turnaround—sunscreen, sun hats, and gallons of water were needed as students tackled a long but beautiful walk. Everyone covered over 30 miles over the weekend, and, as always, valuable lessons were learned.
I thoroughly enjoyed walking 33 miles with my small group of 35-milers (though my knee and toe might not agree), and the staff and volunteers were beyond impressed with the students’ determination, resilience, and ability to stay positive - even when a little damp, tired, or slightly lost.
As always, a massive thank you to my support team: Iain Richards, Smoky Bill Smith, Imogen Wood, and Mrs. Brooks - you are all heroes.
