April 29 2007, TTN 08

With weather a bit hotter than one would like, an element of tiredness was bound to creep in and some of those hills are quite demanding whatever the weather. Overall an excellent day all round with everyone including reserves finishing.

Some extra miles for those who didn't pay attention to the map, and some shortcuts which turned out not to be so effective as you would have hoped. Also an extended period to complete one leg for the 55s who somehow got "waylaid". Not all of you had sunscreen or sunhats/baseball caps. Given global warming these are now a MUST for the event as the scrutineers will expect you to be ready for all 4 seasons that Dartmoor can present in two short days.

Yet again a team lost their map, mapcase and compass, whilst a second team returned minus their compass. At this stage we are now very concerned that some team members still haven't learnt that the compass is to be worn around the neck and that it is not to be attached to a rucksack nor left in the mapcase where it might fall out. This also demonstrates that those "holding the map" are simply not acting responsibly as first/second navigator. Team leaders must actively check security of all team items when they arrive at a tor; immediately before they leave a tor; and at least 3 times (every half an hour) between tors. Its a long way to go back to look for lost kit and will be the difference between finishing or not. Also thats another £50 lost to funds.

So from now on in its all about resting and preparing for next week (and I don't mean the SATS).

• If you want to use one of our lighter weight sleeping bags for the event please book this through Mike so that he can bring it down on Monday 7th.
• You will be given a sweatshirt. This sweatshirt plus a second sweatshirt OR microfleece equals sufficient spare kit as "second 200gram fleece". We have a stock of microfleeces which Mike will bring down on the Monday. Again if you would like to borrow one- phone Mike.
• Lost kit - NONE. Well done.