NOW in its 51st year, the annual Ten Tors challenge kicked off on Saturday with some 2,400 participants taking part in the event.

Around 400 teams of six, who trekked across 35, 45 or 55 miles of open moorland, started their expedition at Okehampton Camp on Saturday morning. The cloud cover broke just before the 7am start time, revealing clear blue skies and sunshine and providing participants with near perfect conditions to start their journey.

All those taking part in the challenge remained entirely self-sufficient during their arduous trek, relying solely on their navigational skills to guide them. Each team had to camp on the moor overnight and carry all the food, water, bedding, tents and other essentials necessary to sustain them on their challenge. They were also issued with a satellite tracker with a panic button in case their team got into difficulty.

Shortly after the teams set out, almost 300 less able-bodied youngsters, many in wheelchairs, started the Jubilee Challenge, completing routes up to 15 miles long.

Teams and individuals taking part in the Jubilee Challenge are all accompanied by an officer cadet from Exeter University Officer Training Corp.

Brigadier Steve Hodder, director of Ten Tors and Commander of 43 (Wessex) Brigade, which runs the event, said: 'For five decades the Ten Tors expedition has provided a very demanding challenge to teenagers hiking over Dartmoor, independent of adult support, solely responsible for their own well being, navigation and camp craft skills.

'To complete the challenge takes considerable commitment and determination, not just for the individuals and teams participating, but also from the adult team managers and group leaders whose selfless commitment and dedication bring the experience and love of the wild to new generations.

'The weekend has gone very well. It's been a massive team effort and I'd like to thank everyone involved for making both events such a fantastic experience for the young people taking part.

'All of our hard work is to give these young people something they'll never forget and an achievement they will all take with them into their future lives.'

With assistance from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and emergency services, including the Dartmoor Rescue Group and civilian police, almost 1,000 personnel were on duty during the weekend.

RAF personnel were stationed on the tors to supervise the passing of each marker.

Chief technican Steve Williams, stationed at Black Tor, said: 'Things have been good. It's been windy, but good.

'A lot of teams are coming through in good time, with few problems to report.

'The youth of today are often painted in a bad light in the press. Events like today prove that there are responsible and talented youngsters out there.

Sargent Laura Evans, also stationed on Black Tor, said: 'Everyone coming through here has been doing very well. I know that at the age of fifteen or sixteen, I wouldn't have been able to do this.

'It's really good to see them all working as a team and embracing the challenge.'

This year's event ran comparatively smoothly, with just 156 youngsters pulling out. The number is much lower than last year's, and is well below the usual ten per cent mark.

Mike Deacon, Ten Tors assistant manager with Okehampton College, was pleased with the college's three teams. He said: 'We had a good weekend. The thirty-five mile team got in very early, at around half past nine. They were the second team home overall, which shows they went really well.

'The forty-five mile team got in just after ten o'clock, and they also did fantastically. The fifty-five mile team got back at around one o'clock in the afternoon following a few difficulties and one of the team having to drop out, but they all did brilliantly as well.

'We're very pleased with how the weekend went, and really happy with all of our teams.'

l See pages 40 and 41 for more pictures