On a very bracing morning 5 scouts and 2 adults headed out from Devil's Dyke (pic 1). This is our first practice hike for the year, and is building up towards the Overland Hike, which is a major achievement for any Scout who completes it.The Overland is about 40kms over 2 days, whilst carrying up to 10kgs and includes around 14 checkpoints with tasks to do. Points are scored on walking times, achievement at bases, kit checks and for courtesy. It is now in its 42nd year.
The objective today, unlike our Kandersteg practices, was not only to walk some kms but also to work on navigation. Later on in the training we will also start brushing up on Scouting skills to help the teams not only arrive at bases, but also to be able to do them when they get there.
Our route today was a figure of 8 from the Dyke out through Saddlescombe and round past Pyecombe, then back again.
From the Dyke we went down to Saddlescombe and suffered the usual continual lunch-related nagging from certain quarters! From there, we headed up East Hill to Cow Down, from where we had a great view across to Pyecombe Golf Course and Jack & Jill windmills (pic 2).
Next we walked down past a frozen dew pond (pic 3) and had to wait awhile as one of the Scouts got into a tree on the pond, but couldn't work out how to get back!
We cut across the A23 and did a triangular section north of Pyecombe then back via the other bridge over the A23. The pond at Saddlescombe was also frozen (pic 4).
It was starting to get dark and colder by then, so we headed up Summer Down and to our finish at the Dyke. We all then went home for refreshing cups of tea and warm baths.
Hopefully our next practice will have more Scouts on it. We certainly hope to be able to enter at least 2 full teams into the competition this year.
Dave
