The BASICS

• The Grimsdyke Hikes are competitive orienteering events

• Working together, teams must use a map and compass to plan a course and locate hidden controls

• A one-day event is a race against the clock to find the controls in the quickest time

• A two-day event is a genuine challenge and involves camping overnight, careful route planning and real stamina

• The Grimsdyke Hikes are open to all members of the Scouting or Guiding Associations

• Generally that mean Scouts, Guides and Explorers (but leaders and parents are also welcome to take part as non-competing teams)

• The one-day competition is generally aimed at Scouts and Guides

• The two-competition involves camping overnight and is generally aimed at Explorers (or older Scouts and Guides)

• Working in teams, the objective is to navigate a course, using a map and compass, to find Orienteering Controls

• For the Junior (one-day event), the competition is a race to find the Controls in the quickest time

• For the Senior (two-day event), the competition is to accumulate the most points (assigned to the Controls) within a set time

• These are these are small orange-and-white 'flags', each identified by a numbered tag

• Clippers are tied to each Control which teams use to punch a unique pattern onto a Control Card

• The number of the Control itself must match that which teams punch on their Control Cards

• And How Do You Find Them?

• Teams are given a map, marked with the approximate location of each Control

• But they are well hidden (under bushes, behind trees, under stiles...) and teams must use the clues provided when they are close to the Control to find its exact location

• For example: "10 metres and 245 degrees from the Bridleway Post"

• Hikers must therefore know how to take a bearing and estimate distance

Shadows

1. • • All Junior teams are accompanied by an adult Shadow

     • Each troop must provided a Shadow for each of their teams

Start / Finish and Route

1. • • All Junior teams start and finish at the Start HQ

     • Each team must find 15 Controls

     • Each team is given a different set of Controls to find

     • The most efficient route is to follow the order of the Controls given on the Control Card

     • All routes (regardless of the order of Controls) are the same length - about 16km

Timing and Winning

1. • • A winning team would normally find all the Controls

     • In which case, the winning team is normally the fastest team to have found all their controls

     • The time taken is usually between 6 and 10 hours

     • If any teams are still out on the course after 6pm, and a long way from home, then they would normally be collected by the Safety Vehicles

Shadows

• • • Senior and Open teams are unaccompanied by Shadows

Start / Finish and Route - Day 1

• • • All Senior and Open teams start at the Start HQ

    • But finish their first day at an overnight campsite

    • Teams must find 15 Controls on their first day

    • Each team is given a different set of Controls to find

    • The most efficient route is to follow the order of the Controls given on the Control Card

    • All routes on the first day (regardless of the order) are the same length - about 20km

Start / Finish and Route - Day 2

• • • On the second day, all Senior and Open teams start at the overnight camp

    • Teams must visit new Controls on their return to the Start HQ

    • Controls are given different points depending on how difficult they are to reach or find

    • There is no set order to the Controls on the second day - teams generally plan their route whilst at the overnight camp

Timing and Winning

• • • On the first day, there is no deadline to visit as many Controls as possible. But most teams should have made it to the overnight campsite before 6pm

    • On the second day, there is a deadline of 2pm to have visited the controls and returned to the Start HQ, scoring as many points as possible

    • A winning team would normally find all their controls on the first day and close to a full set (of 15) Controls on the second day

Camping and Equipment

• • • As they camp overnight, Senior and Open Teams must carry all their equipment and food on Day 1.

    • This cannot be transported to the site independently.

    • On Day 2, they may leave their equipment at the overnight campsite and hike without it.

    • Troops must make their own arrangements for transporting back any equipment.

• • • Anyone associated with the Scouting and Guiding movement is welcome to take part as a non-competing team

    • But we ask that they register and indicate which category they are (not competing) in, so we are aware who is out on the course.

Food

• • • • • Only simple refreshments are provided - teams must be prepared to carry their own lunches and snacks

Maps and Equipment

• • • • • Waterproof maps are provided for both the teams and their Shadows.

        • Troops should bring and know how to use their own compasses.

        • It is condition of qualification i.e. part of the rules of the event, that teams are properly equipped

        • This the responsibility of the teams and their leaders: their is no formal kit check but teams may be subject to spot checks

Safety and Behaviour

• • • • • It is condition of qualification i.e. part of the rules of the event, that teams and act safely and behave responsibly

        • See RULES