For latest information use CONTACT US
Mike Taylor, Organiser Grimsdyke Hikes.
 
Entries and all payments to District.
 
Issued 28 July 2008

TROPHIES

Open Challenge Fox’s Trophy is a two day hike for teams with any mix of Explorer Scouts, Senior Guides, Senior Scouts or Guides with ages up to 18. First day with overnight kit, second day without.

Senior Scout Challenge Shield for Scout/Explorer Scout/Guide teams (ages up to 15) - a two-day camping hike as above.

Both two-day hikes about 25km each day, finish back at Start around 3.30pm Sunday.

Junior Scout Challenge Shield for Scout/Guide teams (ages up to 13.5) - a one-day non-camping hike. Distance about 22 km. Finish back at the Start.

Misbourne Valley Trophy for the first Scout team from Misbourne Valley to complete the Junior Scout Challenge other than as winners.

No team can win more than one trophy.

Training Hikes for young or inexperienced Scouts/Guides. There are many routes that cut the corners off the main competition routes, and are of much shorter distances. Intended for Scout Leaders/helpers to train Scouts in navigation.

Certificates to all who complete their hike satisfactorily and the full results and Shadow's report, will be sent to those teams who supply a stamped, addressed , size C5 envelope.

Grimsdyke Badges to all who take part in the hikes.

Junior/inexperienced teams will be “shadowed” by an adult.

Entry Fee is £30 per junior team and £40 per Senior/Open team.

Laminated maps will be provided together with light refreshments at the finish on both days, but meals for overnight hikes are to be brought by competitors.

RULES

Team Composition

Teams should have 3 to 5 members, and can be a mix of different Scout/Guiding sections. Other team sizes may be permitted after discussion with Organiser.

Dropping Out

If someone has become ill, injured or tired - the team's mobile phone must be used as soon as possible to alert the Base Controller on the emergency number. He will arrange transport and/or first aider to meet you at a mutually agreed point. No one is to be left unattended.

Teams MUST not depart the course without telling the Base Controller.

Junior teams may continue with two or more remaining members and still count. Singletons may join a following team by agreement, otherwise they must also drop out.

Open/Senior teams may continue with two or more remaining members, and still count.

On the Course

No rules can ever prevent deliberate cheating. Hopefully team members are not in that category! Please therefore observe the ethics of the Scout Law at all times. Also, please observe the Country Code - in particular, don’t drop litter!

Controls are red and white orienteering flags, which are well hidden; teams will be given directions that define their exact location. Hidden marshals will watch some flags and may ask for team identification. Interference with flags will result in disqualification.

On the first day the control flags are to be visited in the correct order and the team's card clipped at each one. The aim is to orienteer between controls quickly.

On the second day you can visit the control flags in any order. This is “score” orienteering where the further and/or more difficult controls score more points. There are penalty points for returning late. Kit does not need to be carried on the second day.

The controls to be visited on the first day differ for each team, although the different routes are roughly equal in walking time. The purpose is to ensure that each team has to navigate. Don't assume the team in front is going your way!

If a team can’t find the next control within two hours, or if night will fall in less than one hour and team is lost, they MUST phone the emergency number. If mobiles don’t work ask to use a phone in any house. Don’t waste time seeking a public phone.

Senior/Open teams must turn on their mobiles and phone the Base Controller between 3.30 and 4.30 pm on the Saturday, unless they have already arrived at their campsite.

All teams MUST report to the Organisers before leaving for home.

Footpaths are to be used at all times possible.

When crossing roads, take great care.

Organiser’s decision is final.

SCORING PROCEDURE - First Day

For all categories, each control correctly clipped scores ten points.

The Junior Grimsdyke Challenge Shield goes to the team, whose members' maximum age does not exceed 13.5 on the Saturday with the highest number of points. If scores are equal, then the fastest team wins. Any navigational assistance by Shadows will be taken into account by adjustment of the scores if necessary.

The Misbourne Valley Trophy goes to the first Junior team from the area defined by the Misbourne Valley Scout District; but if it is the winner of the Junior Grimsdyke Challenge Shield, the Misbourne Valley Trophy goes to the second team from Misbourne Valley.

SCORING PROCEDURE - Both Days

On the second day, the points scored are added to the first day's total. Time penalties, at 10 points per each full five minutes late, are subtracted.

The Open Grimsdyke Challenge Trophy goes to the team with the overall highest number of points for the two days and which has received no navigational assistance. Senior Scouts are also eligible for this Trophy.

The Senior Grimsdyke Challenge Shield goes to the team with the overall highest number of points for the two days whose members' maximum age does not exceed 15 on the Saturday and which has received no navigational assistance. If a Senior Scout team should win the Open Grimsdyke Challenge Trophy then the Senior Grimsdyke Challenge Shield goes to the second team in the Senior category.

ARRANGEMENTS

The start is at a site which is located somewhere with in the Chilterns, the exact location will be sent to you nearer the event.

Each team will be given a start time between 8.00 am and 10.00 am. If you have a preference, please note it on your entry form.

Teams collect maps at the start marked with approximate control flag locations and description of their exact position. Flags will be well hidden to reduce vandalism.

The overnight campsite will be revealed later. Overnight teams must also have a Leader camping nearby, contact the Organiser if this requirement can’t be met. There are light refreshments at the finish on both days, but not during the hikes.

If anyone needs to drop out, phone the emergency number given out at the Start and the Controller will arrange transport. Move about if necessary to get good voice contact but text messages usually succeed. Else ask at a farm or house to use their phone.

We will assume you will supply one Shadow per Junior team, but if not possible, advise us - we may be able to allocate spares. We need helpers, on the course, overnight and in the "office". If you or any friends can help please contact Mike Taylor.

KIT

Common to all Competitors
Group/Unit scarf.
Inner layer shirt which does not retain sweat.
Mid-layer fleece or woolly sweater.
Outer layer anorak or combined jacket/cagoule.
Waterproofs - jacket and trousers (should be able to put on trousers over boots).
Footwear - hiking boots preferable, anything else will get wet.
Hiking sock - consider thin cotton inner and wool outer.
Trousers - cotton or quick-dry synthetic but not jeans.
Headware. Gloves.
Lunch, Emergency rations - Mars, chocolate, etc.
Compasses, whistles, watches, plastic map cases - two each per team.
Personal first aid. Pencil/paper. One survival bag per team.
 
Two-Day Competitors only
Rucksac - containing plastic bag for clothes. Spare clothes - socks, warm top, track suit or pajama bottoms. Toothbrush. Small towel. Sleeping bag. Karrimat or similar. Small torch with fresh batteries. Mess tins, mug and cutlery. Lunch for second day. Tent/s. MUST be carried by competitors on first day. Cooker/s. Cooking pans/mess tins. Fuel. Matches. Lightweight food for 2 days. Toilet paper. Mobile phone - number to be posted at Start.
Note: for the second day's hike you may consider wearing orienteering style kit, but if so, you will have to carry it with you on the first day.

Lost property will only be held for two weeks, after which, it will go to a charity or the tip depending on it's condition.

SHADOW’S BRIEFING

Please bring your own 25000 scale map of the area and a compass. We will also issue you with a duplicate of the competitors’ map showing manned bases towards the end of your hike from where you can obtain a lift back.
You MUST carry a mobile phone, but we do not expect to hear from you UNLESS you have an emergency. Leave your name and its number with Registration at the start

You will need to carry a first aid kit and be competent in treating minor injuries.

There is only a very brief “briefing‘ at the start, as we do not wish to delay the start of the hike, so please read the rules, etc, and the following before you come.

The shadow's role is to be on hand when needed but not otherwise. The independence of the team is important and it neither helps their self-esteem nor their learning experience if you interfere when not required.

The type of problems that might require your help are as follows:

• The team has got sufficiently lost for it to be seriously delayed unless advised where they are. In which case show them where they are and guide them back on to their route - then let them continue again on their own, if you think they are competent enough.
• Someone has become ill, injured or tired - use mobile as soon as possible to alert the Base Controller on the emergency number that you will need transport for the ill/injured/tired member, and agree the pick-up point. Do not leave the patient unattended.
• Team's navigation is far too bad for them to manage - try to continue and use the opportunity to teach navigation, giving them bits to do; if all else fails, take over the navigation completely.

At the end of the hike you must complete the report form on how well you think your team performed - please hand in to the Finish Judge. Hopefully they will have done all the navigation themselves and you will have had a boring time just being a passenger, but I hope you will have enjoyed the hike anyway. It is important that we know the degree to which teams have been helped, as it would be unfair otherwise on teams that had not been helped; so please be honest with your comments.

Only the Junior teams are to be shadowed on the Saturday. No Senior or Open team should be shadowed on either day, unless they are not contesting the Trophies.

Finally, thank you for volunteering - it makes our organisation a lot easier.
Please contact me if you need further advice. Otherwise I'll look forward to meeting your team/s on the day.

Best of luck,

SAFETY & SECURITY

Mobile Phones

Don’t forget to leave your mobile phone number with Registration before you set off.

Mobile reception in the Chilterns is uncertain. Text messages get through more easily and are easier to deal with at Base Control. If you DO need to talk, then you may have to keep trying over some distance before you get a good signal.

We ONLY want to hear from you in the following situations:

1. If you need help! Use the emergency number, which is on your maps.
2. If you have a drop-out. The WHOLE team MUST remain with the drop-out until assistance arrives. If someone is about to give up, phone in and then encourage them to struggle on to the next suitable pick-up point agreed with the Base Controller.
3. If your team is not going to get back in time and want a lift - plan ahead as to where would be sensible for a pick-up.
4. SENIORS/OPEN teams: if you think you won't reach the overnight campsite by nightfall (16:30h), you must tell us your location and grid reference (if possible) and what time you expect to arrive at the campsite, or where you plan to drop out. Contact us at any time between 15:30h and 16:30h for permission to continue. You must not continue walking after 16:30h without obtaining permission first. The best contact method is to text Base Control on the approved number - don't forget to include your team number with your location and estimated time you think you will arrive at the campsite!

Shooting

There are several official shooting parties on the estates through which you will walk. The shooting organisers know this hike is taking place and are tolerat of it. BUT, this tollerance may NOT apply to individual shooters, so be polite! You are stirring up the game with about 250 pairs of feet, so are likely to incur some flak (hopefully not literally!).
Marshals at some key points may hold you for a few minutes until shooting ceases, but will allow you the delay on your overall time. Shooting is not allowed across rights of way – if you witness a breach, please inform the nearest marshal.

Overnight Campsite

Please ensure you leave the campsite spotless. Failure to do so will incur great wrath and deduction of points!

For latest information use CONTACT US
Mike Taylor, Organiser Grimsdyke Hikes
 
Issued 27 July 2008