Ten Tors cancelled

Virtual event to replace annual yomp

The annual Ten Tors expedition for thousands of teenagers on Dartmoor has been cancelled for the second year because of covid.

The 35, 45 and 55 mile walks form a hugely popular part of the spring calendar for many secondary schools. 

But the latest lockdown roadmap isn't in its favour for its scheduled weekend of 8 and 9 May. Instead teenagers will have an opportunity to participate in virtual events in what the organisers call "the true spirit of the challenge".

The event is led by the British Army’s Headquarters Southwest based in the heart of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire and involves 1,000 reserve and regular service people from all three services along with partner agencies such as the Duchy of Cornwall, British Red Cross, Dartmoor National Park, Devon and Cornwall Police, local authorities and a host of volunteer organisations. 

In a statement Colonel Neville Holmes MBE, Commander Headquarters South West and Director Ten Tors said: “It is with regret that I have to announce it is no longer possible to hold a physical Ten Tors event on Dartmoor this May.  As you know, we have been working closely with the local authorities and Ten Tors Policy Committee to plan a safe and enjoyable event but the restrictions that will still be in place over that period mean this is no longer possible.  I know this will be a huge disappointment to many however, given that safety is always our number one priority, I hope you understand.   
 
"We are planning to enable a virtual event which teams may wish to conduct closer to home during 2021 to keep the Ten Tors ‘flame alive’. 
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the enablers and volunteers who continue to support the event and hope that we will be able to deliver a full Ten Tors in May 2022.”