"Winter Survival" Sleeping in a survival bag at -2oC
Winter Survival 2008
So what is Winter Survival? Winter Survival is an activity for Kent Explorers which is organised by Explorer leaders from the Maidstone Districts. Teams of three or four from all over Kent participate. The hike is of approximately 40 miles around Kent, the route is unknown to the teams when entering as is the start and finishing point. On the Friday night of the 1st weekend of February half term a call is made to your team leader house at 5 -6pm to advice of the drop – off point. When you reach the start point the team is registered and all kits checked and participants are briefed about what you are going to do during the hike and given reminders of the Highway Code and Countryside Code. You and the rest of your team of 4, or minimum 3, walk for a few hours on the Friday night between various check points which are only known as you reach the previous check point, you then stop at an unknown place which is the night stop where you stay and try and get some sleep by huddling together to keep warm inside your individual survival bag near to a fire with over 100 other people who too are trying to get warm! Yes, it may be cold but you just need to be prepared for the worst of conditions expected in February by keeping all your kit on plus woolly hat and gloves etc. At about 6am everyone is woken up, if you have managed to get to sleep, and soon the aroma of bacon cooking helps you come to your senses. Bacon rolls and hot drinks are given out and then teams are set off at 3 minute intervals on the Saturday. Throughout the day you are given grid references for the next checkpoint which vary in distance from between 1km and 5.5 km apart. You walk all day apart from stopping for lunch until you reach the last check point on Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. If unfortunately a team member drops out they are taken to the last checkpoint and if teams are only left with two walkers then for safety that team has to withdraw from the competition. It sounds nice and easy but there is a twist to it in that each year there is a different theme. This year it was Pony Express (about a mail service by horse back).You are given questions to ask at the next checkpoint - this can also tell if you at the correct checkpoint by asking the correct question!! You will be told of the next grid references and a question related to the theme by the person manning that checkpoint. Also you may have to beware of the opposition, who are part of the activity, and are trying to slow you down and make it harder for you by making you carry an object which may be heavy or an awkward shape or to do exercises such as running to a certain point and back with your rucsac plus with your aching legs, I guarantee, is the last thing you want to do!
This exercise is about endurance, teamwork and morale. It is a difficult weekend but teams return year after year to try to complete the course.
This event needs to be well planned and participants need to be prepared since it is a hard challenge not only for your body especially your feet but mentally as well. Having competed in the event for three years it was a great feeling to finally reach the last checkpoint with all team members and so be able to say I completed Winter Survival. As for next year – well maybe??
A big thanks goes to the organizers and all leaders manning checkpoints as I daresay some of them probably felt very cold.
For your interest this years route went from Hamlet Wood Coxheath, to West Farleigh, Barming and back to Tovil Scout HQ for the night stop, and, then on Saturday we walked to West Malling, Aylesford, Blue Bell Hill, Detling, Thurnham, Hucking, Frinsted and Harrietsham Primary School as the final stop. ( I would add not by the most direct route).
For more information look at www.winter-survival.co.uk, www.kentscouts.org.uk
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