Training started with day walks across both the North and South Moor, where students steadily built their navigation skills, confidence and teamwork. The teams have ventured into some wonderfully remote places, including the infamous Great Kneeset on North Dartmoor. They have tackled river crossings in ever-changing conditions and, on occasion, become geographically misplaced.

All of this training led to a big milestone: the teams’ first independent walk and overnight camp at Mount Kelly with the brilliant Simply Outdoors team in Tavistock. After a training day in college learning how to pitch tents, cook outdoors and, crucially, what to eat to stay fuelled, the students set off ready for adventure. The walk began in dry and sunny conditions, although the Dartmoor weather soon had other ideas. Thankfully, most were already snoring in their tents by the time the rain arrived!

Day two saw the 35-mile teams enjoy an action-packed adventure day with archery, high ropes and plenty of challenges that pushed some well outside their comfort zones — ending with a million smiles and possibly a small sugar high.

Meanwhile, the 45 and 55 mile teams faced a tough day on the moor in truly gruelling conditions. Between surprise bogs, bonus chocolate Hobnobs and some questionable sing-alongs, they showed incredible resilience and teamwork.

A huge thank you must go to our amazing volunteer team — an incredibly generous, supportive and all-round wonderful group of people who give up their time (often in wild Dartmoor weather!) to make this possible. Quite simply, none of this would happen without them. We are also hugely grateful to the Dartmoor Lodge for sponsoring the adventure day and cheering our teams on this year!

We couldn’t be more proud of the attitude and spirit shown so far. The boots are well and truly muddy, the skills are growing fast and the training continues. There are many more miles, maps and moorland adventures ahead before Ten Tors 2026 arrives.