Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Ten Tors 2023

38 replies

rosyAndMoo · 02/04/2023 08:45

Hi
My son is taking part in Ten Tors this year with his school. I’m nervous excited for him and would love to be on Dartmoor when he starts and finishes. We have booked a hotel nearby for the Friday and Saturday nights, but have no idea where to park on the day (want to plan in case we need to pre-book parking). (If anyone lives local and has some great tips for evening meals for us that would be appreciated too)

Are there any parents of teens here who have done this? We don’t mind a bit of a walk from the car park to the camp but not miles and miles!

Also, anyone here who can put my mind at ease before my (still) 13 year old is let loose with 5 friends, a map and a compass overnight on Dartmoor? (I know it’s well organised… doesn’t stop me being nervous! He is just pumped to be chosen and I don’t think realises quite how far 35 miles is!)

OP posts:
DominoStart · 02/04/2023 08:48

The parking is at the camp. Organised by the army. Plenty of space to park. It's a wonderful event, no need to worry too much about ds. All groups have trackers and you can watch the live updates in the hanger

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 02/04/2023 12:25

Thank you. Just wanted to check parents who weren’t with the organised groups could still park there :)

OP posts:
antidisestablishmentarianism · 02/04/2023 19:23

If you like Indian I like Ma'Ida in Okehampton which is handy enough for Dartmoor.

If you want posher then there is always gidleigh park.

Also nice is the Dartmoor inn at lydford.

The highwayman in sourton is worth a trip for a pint, I have never eaten there but it's an experience to visit .

Hope that helps

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 03/04/2023 04:09

Ooh thank you so much! We love Indian food.

😍

OP posts:
Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 02/05/2023 17:51

We had a fab meal at ma’ida! Thank you

OP posts:
antidisestablishmentarianism · 04/05/2023 15:05

So pleased! Hope your son survived the ten tors without too many blisters!

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 04/05/2023 18:11

Thank you! He completed it (35miles) and played football the next day!!

OP posts:
DistrictCommissioner · 05/05/2023 09:26

Ah I missed this, I posted in chat looking for proud parents! My DD did the 35 miles too, & enjoyed/hated it so much she’s talking about 45 miles next year. Wasn’t it a great event?

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 05/05/2023 14:33

It really was! My son took part with his school (Blaise high school) and he’s talking about the 45 already! He loved it

OP posts:
DistrictCommissioner · 05/05/2023 21:03

My DD is at school in North Devon so it was quite local for us! Think if she does the 45 miler next year I will come watch the start too.

Madcats · 09/05/2024 21:10

I couldn't see another chat, but DD is off down to Dartmoor for 2024 Ten Tors early tomorrow (45 mile first timer).

Her route doesn't look too much fun in hot weather.

I hadn't registered that parents going down to see them off/welcome them back was even a thing: DH are off up to London for the weekend!

DistrictCommissioner · 09/05/2024 21:21

Ah hope she enjoys it!! My DD’s school wouldn’t let Y11 take part this year because of the way it falls with the exams.

Madcats · 09/05/2024 21:35

Similar at DD's school. Year 10s can do 35km and Year 12's the 45km.

Her cohort couldn't compete in '22; she's been wanting to do it for years!

We happened to be down in Devon last weekend and it looked quite miserable up on the moors on Sunday.

Do you know if there are loos etc. kids can use down at Okehampton camp? She's likely to be on her period over the weekend just to add to the fun.

DistrictCommissioner · 10/05/2024 07:50

I am sure there are toilets when they are at Okehampton camp. I definitely used the toilet while I was there! It was such fun being in camp if DD had been able to do it this year I was going to get down there for them setting off on Saturday as well as the finish - maybe next year!

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 10/05/2024 11:30

My son did the 35m in year 9 and is on his way to do the 45mil this year (year 10). There are portaloos at the Okehampton camp, but on the route there are no toilet facilities at all. It’s fine a bush and squat. If it’s no2 they have to dig a hole 15cm deep and bury waste and toilet paper.

OP posts:
DistrictCommissioner · 10/05/2024 13:18

Yes, definitely no toilets out on the walk! DD took that medication to delay her period last year, it worked but didn’t really delay the cramps so not perfect.

your DD will need to take a bag or something to put her used sanpro in, won’t she.

Madcats · 10/05/2024 13:26

Thank you for the toilet update.

DD has had 3 practice weekend camp/hikes this year so has presumably got the knack of toiletting. I've issued her with disposable gloves and dog poo bags for non-human waste. Period pants will certainly help matters.

DistrictCommissioner · 12/05/2024 09:37

First finishers are back!

Madcats · 12/05/2024 13:49

8 of the 15 teams on DD's route have retired!

I really hope her team drag each other to the finish line.

Good luck to anybody else still hiking.

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 12/05/2024 17:42

Our son finished the 45mile route. Completed because the heat was tough!

Ten Tors 2023
OP posts:
crumblingschools · 12/05/2024 17:52

Well done everyone involved. DS did it a few years ago. As a parent I would definitely try and be there for start and finish, it is such an amazing atmosphere. However, parking and traffic can cause chaos and obviously easier for families who live locally.

They got the added benefit of the Northern Lights on Friday night (still follow Ten Tors on Instagram) But has been a hot one this year. When DS did it they couldn’t have the helicopters at the beginning as there was thick fog!

Madcats · 12/05/2024 19:54

DD is home and sat in a bath of Epsom salts with a cold drink.

It sounded super-tough this year. Her team were held at a checkpoint for 30 minutes yeasterday evening so other groups could get 'coptered off/picked up and back to base.

Her team decided to "just camp somewhere" once it started getting dark.

Thank you to all staff, military and volunteers who made this event happen.

Commiserations to the teams who had to retire with heat stroke.

Madcats · 12/05/2024 20:30

Having survived the 45 miler this weekend, DD will need to try very hard not to be insufferable for her Gold DofE expedition this summer.

"No way are we faffing about cooking more than hot water" she has declared!

Lightweight camping and eating has come on a bit since my day!

Original poster
rosyAndMoo · 12/05/2024 21:11

My son had only dried food that required no rehydration - he lived on beef jerky, chorizo crisps (M&S - it’s just dried chorizo), pistachio nuts (already shelled), salted peanut, dried pineapple and dried apricots plus jelly babies and water. He did have two individually wrapped waffles for brekkie! He hates the rehydration meals, so we try to pack calories and electrolytes into what he does like.

he devoured the pasty at the end like he’d never seen real food!

the 30 minute enforced stops were because of the heat. They had one Saturday evening and one about about 1.30 on the Sunday. I was told by one army staff member that the indicated temperature on Friday was very close to calling the whole thing off

OP posts:
GEF1969 · 28/02/2025 13:51

Hi I'm I right in thinking from some of these comments that you can be their at the start to wave them off as well as at the end when they come in. Thank you

Swipe left for the next trending thread