Thousands set for Ten Tors Challenge
Thousands of young people will set off on the 2015 Ten Tors Challenge this weekend (9 and 10 May), spending two days in small self-sufficient teams walking through some of the most stunning scenery Dartmoor has to offer.
Dartmoor National Park Authority has been working closely with the Army and provided training to team managers to ensure that the event has minimum impact on the fabric of the moor and its wildlife.
In 2013 the National Park introduced the £ for the Park initiative whereby those taking part in organised events on the moor are invited to make a donation enabling them to put something back into Dartmoor. Ten Tors has donated around £1,400 and this has contributed to repair work on popular access routes such as the bridleway heading south from Princetown past South Hessary Tor and Manga rails on the River Teign.
Participants in the 2015 challenge will also be invited to donate and any money raised will be spent on vital path repairs and conservation work. Teams are also invited to return to Dartmoor to help out on volunteer days, carrying out practical work to benefit Dartmoor.
Dartmoor National Park Authority Rangers and Voluntary Wardens will be on hand throughout the weekend and the National Park outreach vehicle will be at the event start to provide information to participants and their families.
Peter Harper, Chairman Dartmoor National Park Authority said: "Dartmoor National Park Authority has for many years worked closely with the organisers, landowners and commoners to minimise the environmental impact of the Ten Tors challenge and to maximise the local economic benefits of event. We know that the event can help foster a passion in young people to help look after this very special place, now and in the future.
"Having led a Ten Tors team myself for the past 19 years, I know how challenging six months of training and the event itself can be. The reward is seeing how the young people develop from individuals into a team to master that challenge. We wish all those taking part in Ten Tors and Jubilee Challenge 2015 the very best."
