March 2008 TTN 05 You may remember that Ten Tors is not race but it is a challenge. And this was far more of a challenging weekend than you experienced in sunny February. The wind in your hair, the rain on your back and the hail in your face – much more in keeping with March out on the moor. So if you did complete the 2 days – a very well done. Doing the event in the balmy month of May should be no problem. We always said that there would come a time when you simply had to dig deep into your reserves of willpower – and you did - so congratulate yourselves. If you were one of the 7 who dropped out – well firstly consider why? If you were not well or fell prone to injury, that could happen at any time so bad luck. If you simply got too cold, then really start to think about what you should be doing to keep warm. No hat? no gloves? coat not done up? waterproof coat put on after the last shower? – that’s down to your personal organisation. On the event we will not be there to prompt you. And lastly personal fitness. If you have an issue here you need to get out and practise your stamina and take whatever precautions are needed to strap up known weak points on your body. Overall we were well pleased with your attitude. It is so important that you remain positive and if you see your buddy flagging that you encourage them. Camp set up on Saturday evening was again an improvement although we need to reinforce with some of you how to put the inner into the tent. Holding the outer aloft is not the answer!!!! Working as a team is so important- don’t stand around looking at one another –get the water on to boil for your meal and then let the next person heat up their food whilst someone else puts up the tent. That’s teamwork and it will come with practise. Also tuck the pole bag, peg bag and tent bag in together so that they don’t blow away. Sunday morning was “interesting”. Again some teams immediately started to work as a team and got away early. Others are not quite there yet. If you are dropping out – don’t sit in the bus until you have completed all the team tasks of packing up the tent etc. unless you are really ill –that’s a cop out. So overall coming on- some working in unison more than others. Also don’t forget that if you drop out part way through the route (and we changed the Sunday route as part of our “on the spot” risk assessment in view of the inclement weather) you must hand over any team kit you are carrying. Otherwise no first aid kit –only one map etc etc. We are some kit missing- not much but team kit is a TEAM responsibility. Dig deep into you bags now TEAM B and look for that second compass. Phone Mike straight away once found. An incentive is that if it cant be found that’s £16 between you to find. So far no poles or pegs lost this weekend. You must secure the tent bag through the straps so it cant slip out. Lose that and the team are looking at nearly £100. Also a reminder to parents. We do need to know in advance if the medical circumstances of your son or daughter change. We became aware of unconfirmed issues over the weekend so now is your chance to let Martin know if medical details really do need to be updated. Not telling us puts us as adults in an invidious situation and has the potential to compromise the safety of everyone else in that team. And finally we now know our team allocation. There will be 4x 35 teams and 2x 45. For the 35s that means 29 of you are chasing 24 places. However looking at it another way that’s just one reserve per team. We must stress that no decisions as to who is in or who is out can be made now but it's up to you to demonstrate your worth over the last 2 hikes. However we also know from experience that there can be a drop out as late as the Friday morning so reserves will be expected (and welcome) to join us on the Friday of the event (and stay all weekend). Have a good Easter. Items of missing kit are listed below. Lost Kit:
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