Ten Tors Training: Conquering the Elements

The Ten Tors training season is well underway, with pupils from Years 10, 12, and 13 facing a series of demanding expeditions designed to test their endurance, navigation skills, and resilience. From the rolling Mendips to the windswept moors of Exmoor and the snow-covered peaks of the Brecon Beacons, each training session has brought new challenges and valuable learning experiences.

Mendips: A Strong Start

In late November a group of 21 enthusiastic Year 10 pupils embarked on their first training walk of the year in the Mendips. Despite a gloomy start, with rain and mist shrouding the hills, spirits remained high as the team set off from Burrington Combe. The route led them to the summit of Beacon Batch, where poor visibility put their navigation skills to the test. Using bearings and maps, the pupils successfully navigated across Black Down and towards Cheddar.

As the weather brightened, glimpses of blue sky lifted morale, just in time for the highlight of the day—the climb out of Cheddar Gorge. The team powered up the steep ascent, demonstrating determination and teamwork. Covering an impressive 10 miles in just 4.5 hours, the pupils made an excellent start to their Ten Tors journey.

Exmoor: Independent Challenges

The next step in training took 38 pupils from Years 10 and 12 to Exmoor, where the focus was on navigation, camp craft, and safety. This expedition introduced remote supervision, challenging students to navigate independently while still under the watchful eye of staff.

Saturday provided ideal training conditions—cold but clear—allowing pupils to hone their skills with maps and compasses, plan routes, and manage time effectively. They set up their own camps, prepared meals, and practised essential safety procedures, including first aid and communication with supervisors. Evening debriefs reinforced their learning, and despite the cold, morale remained high.

By Sunday morning, conditions had deteriorated, with strong winds and hail adding an extra layer of challenge. Poor visibility made navigation tricky, but pupils stayed on course and demonstrated their ability to make decisions under pressure. The experience proved invaluable, testing resilience and preparing them for the demands of the Ten Tors event.

Brecon Beacons: A True Winter Test

Last weekend, 56 pupils from Years 10, 12, and 13 faced one of their toughest training challenges yet—a winter expedition in the Brecon Beacons.

The adventure began with a Friday evening ascent onto the Black Mountain region, just below Picws Du. Blizzard conditions and a wind chill of -5°C made for a brutal start, but the pupils tackled the climb with determination. Overnight, snow covered the ground, and by morning, drifts had piled against their tents.

Undeterred, the teams set off on Saturday morning, navigating through thick fog and open terrain to cover nearly 30km. Their map-reading and decision-making skills were pushed to the limit in the tough conditions. A calmer night at a campsite on Saturday provided some respite before the final leg of the journey on Sunday. The groups hiked 16km along the Brecon Way, passing spectacular waterfalls before finishing in Pontneddfechan.

This expedition was a true test of endurance, teamwork, and resilience, providing an unforgettable experience for all involved. With Dartmoor on the horizon after half-term, distances will increase once again as pupils take another step towards their ultimate goal—the Ten Tors Challenge.