Ten Tors

The legendary Ten Tors is an annual weekend challenge & trek for 2,400 young people which is organised and run in early May by the British Army on Dartmoor in Devon. The majority of Ten Tors entrants are schools, colleges, Scout groups and Cadet Squadrons from the South West of England although groups from across the UK regularly attend. Teams from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and Europe have competed Ten Tors in the past.

Teams of six are required to negotiate and navigate to Ten Tors on Dartmoor and on the top of each tor is a checkpoint. There are up to twenty-six different routes covering three different distances for the Ten Tors event using a total of nineteen different manned and unmanned tors. Twelve Bronze routes of 35 miles (56 km) for those aged 14 to 15 years, ten Silver routes of 45 miles (72 km) for those aged 16 to 17 years and four Gold routes of 55 miles (89 km) for those aged 18 to 19 years. Teams train months before Ten Tors to build fitness and teamwork and all teams receive instruction on a variety of subjects such as first aid, navigation, camp admin and personal admin. Make no mistake - this is not an easy walk in the park, to complete Ten Tors takes determination, grit, teamwork, fitness and training.

It is a test of endurance, navigation, teamwork, leadership and survival skills, not just because of the distances and the challenging terrain, but also because the ever changing weather conditions on Dartmoor that can vary considerably and change suddenly. The organisers stress that ten Tors is not a race (have you seen the mass start!!) – although teams often compete to see who can finish first and claim bragging rights.

Participants arrive at Okehampton Camp on the Thursday or Friday in preparation for Ten Tors (you know they have arrived as most of the toilet roll is stuck to the ceiling of the portaloos!!). All Ten Tors participants have their equipment checked. This lengthy, essential and thorough process known as scrutineering is vital and a pre requisite of the challenge. Teams must be self sufficient and must carry all of their own food, water, spare clothing, tents, cooking equipment, sleeping kit, fuel, navigation equipment, maps, emergency rations and first aid for the duration of the event. Once complete the participants have a real sense of satisfaction and are justifiably proud of their achievement.

Through experience, working with and supplying local schools, colleges and cadets and with vital input from Dartmoor Search and Rescue who make up the bulk of the scrutineers, RV Ops has selected the equipment previously used in recent Tens Tors events.