Overland 2011

Overland Competition 2011 Ashdown Team Results
Scouts 4th Uckfield Alpha 2nd with 665 points 1st Groombridge Scouts 6th with 610 points 1st Crowborough Southon and 1st Buxted Team 20th with 571 points 38 Teams entered, 28 finished	Explorers 272 Explorers 1st with 707 points Tullis Team A 4th with 687 points Tullis Team B 6th with 662 points 28 Teams entered, 20 finished		Overland 1980, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Firstly a huge thank you to those who helped to train Ashdown teams for this year's Overland Hike event (including those teams which started the training, to gain some experience but withdrew because they were too young to take part in the event), and / or those who helped to run the Ashdown District checkpoints.

I'm pretty sure that all of those involved in the event this weekend will agree that this was, as always, an absolutely first class event and one that deserves to be promoted to all of our Scout Troops and Explorer Units for future years. This is not only because of the fun, excitement and drama for those taking part, but also because of the unparalleled opportunity that it provides for the teams to demonstrate and be tested on such a wide range of Scouting skills, and the opportunities that it gives for Scouts, Explorers and Leaders to meet up with and exchange ideas with others throughout Sussex. As I have been saying for many years, this event is not just about hiking, ... it is what Scouting is all about!

Anyway, enough of the promotional stuff ...

The Ashdown Explorer teams did exceptionally well, with the 272 Unit taking first place in the Explorer Scout section, for the first time in their short history, and with Tullis A and B teams taking 4th and 6th places, respectively (this was out of 28 Explorer teams which applied and 20 which completed the event).

Congratulations to all of them, and their leaders.

In the Scout Section, congratulations go to 4th Uckfield Alpha, who finished in a very impressive 2nd place, 1st Groombridge who finished in 6th place, and the 1st Crowborough Southon /1st Buxted joint team who completed the hike in 20th position. (This was out of 38 Scout teams who applied and 28 who completed the event). Once again, congratulations to all of them, and also to the two other Ashdown teams who completed the first day of the hike but not quite in time to enable them to continue on Day 2. These were the 1st Crowborough King Troop, and the 4th Uckfield Phoenix / 1st Crowborough mix teams - both of which I'm sure will be back with a vengeance next year!

This was a very tough competition, with many teams scoring high points, and raising the bar on what is undoubtedly the 'Ultimate Challenge' that Sussex has to offer.

So, once again, well done to everyone!

All that remains is for me to formally invite everyone that took part in the training for the Overland (including Scouts, Explorers and leaders) to join us in the Ashdown District hillwalking and geological adventure to Snowdonia from 6th to 8th May 2011. I will be issuing information on this to all of the leaders involved, tomorrow morning, for onward transmission to their Scouts and Explorers, so please watch out for this. The logistics and costs for this will depend heavily on numbers, particularly in view of the high fuel costs now involved, but we will do our best to cater for as many Scouts and Explorers as we can, subject to compliance with Mountain walking rules. Watch out for further details tomorrow.

Alan Thompson 27 March 2011

Below are photos of the competition on 26-27 March 2011.

19 and 20 February 2011, Scouts and Explorers tackled the famous bumps. The climbing was additionally challenging because all the paths had thick nd sticky mud. On Saturday the Scouts navigated through tick mist and drizzle but many teams completed 5 assents. On Sunday two Explorer teams did amazingly well, achieving a massive number of assents. The Tullis team completed all check points A through to X, climbing 1km high!
Click on this link for details of the Devil's Dyke aerial cable car, funicular railway and Devil's Dyke Railway

13 February 2011, Scouts and Explorers again had rain and wind around Saltdean – Southease – Firle – Glynde - Ringmer, East Sussex

5 February 2011, Scouts and Explorers battled through the rain and wind around Washington – Findon – Steyning area, West Sussex

30 January 2011. 10 teams walked around the Jevington Triangle, excellent views and weather, it is believed that all teams did successfully return!

23 January 2011. 8 teams walked around Kingston area testing their navigation skills, there were super views and sun shine!

21 Jan 2011. Night Hike around Firle Beacon. A fantastic turn out with over 60 Scouts and Explorers and 25 Leaders and helpers went for a great night walk.

21 Jan 2011. Night Hike around Firle Beacon. A fantastic turn out with over 60 Scouts and Explorers and 25 Leaders and helpers went for a great night walk.

15 Jan 2011. Hike in Devil's Dyke area.

9 Jan 2011. Navigation training, which must always include getting stuck in a bog!

2 Jan 2011. Seven Sisters Stroll Cobweb removal Hike, beautiful weather, and still great for ice creams.

Overland 2011 Rule Book Can be viewed here and the application form here Click here for a copy of Ashdown District Overland Training Booklet 2011 Details of the Expedition on 5th and 6th March The planned dates for 2011 Overland Training were:-

Overland 1980, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012