OUTDOOR PURSUITS 147
Ten Tors 2011
This year was our biggest challenge yet and, feeling slightly apprehensive, we arrived at Okehampton camp on the Friday to go through the pre-event rituals of scrutineering and attending the briefing.
Saturday morning came and we were blessed with the sun rising up behind the moors. Lining up with thousands of others felt like we were about to enter battle. Once the canon fired, adrenalin kicked in and we were running, for which we appeared on BBC news, as we powered ahead. The rest of the day passed in a blur, with only a few stops to tend to blisters and to refill our water containers. Reaching ninth tor had been our aim for the end of the first day, yet as we reached Hartor as the eighth tor, we realised that it would not be possible, given the discomfort of some of us.
After slowing our pace, we began to realise that this event was enjoyable and that winning wasn’t everything. Walking with another team raised our spirits as we headed to Staple Tor to camp before sunset.
As a team of seven, it was always going to be difficult for us all to complete the three distances when only six could compete each year. However, it seems to have turned out in the fairest possible way: Luke Looney, Jack Woodruff, George Hurford and I have completed the three distances, while John Obree, Tom Collingridge and Sam Hughes have completed two out of three.
Sunday took us to Beardown and on to Chat. During this leg we took some Ibuprofen (apart from Looney) to ease our aches and pains and headed to the finish, maintaining a brisk pace throughout. A quick change of clothing before the finish ensured we arrived in style, welcomed by applause all round at 12:14.
Although some of the team vow they are never going to return to Dartmoor again, it brings a tinge of sadness, knowing that the weekends we have enjoyed over the past three years are now memories not to be relived.
James Bapty
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