Ten Tors 2017

Last weekend, two teams from Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing took part in the annual Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor. 

The event sees young people from across the country ‘yomp’ across the moors, along routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles. 

It is a big physical challenge and cadets train for several months beforehand.  Those that complete it should be rightly proud of their personal achievement! 

Team Manager of our 35 mile teams, Flight Lieutenant Dawn Adam, had this to say:

“There are no words to explain the feeling you have when the teams set off after you have trained them for 6 months through sun, wind, rain and hailstones. As well as some blood, sweat and tears…and that’s just from the training staff! 

“The walk up to the start line has got to be one of the longest - filled with hope and holding back the tears.  Then the worry for the next two days of waiting and checking, waiting and checking. The dreaded phone call that you don’t recognise, hoping its a parent and not the ‘fall out cell’!  Not to mention the noise, early mornings, late nights, setting up and taking down the huge camp. 

“All of this is worth it when you know the teams are on the way back and with some luck, a fair wind and good navigation they will make it in before 1700hrs on Sunday. 

“The walk to the finish line is the happiest then - there is nowhere we would rather be than watching the teams coming in with smiles on their faces and the tears running down ours.”