The Kinder Walk and Kinder Challenge - SCOUTS

The Kinder Walk is organised on behalf of the Derbyshire County Scout Council and is open to all members of the Scout and Guide Associations and in the email we received it says it is open to non-scouting teams too but please check directly with the organisers as the literature does not give that impression. For scouting teams there are a variety of categories and associated trophies. The Kinder Walk itself is approximately 29 km and the Kinder Challenge is around 16 km. The Walk is aimed at older Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Guides and members of Scout Network. It is a challenge of map reading and stamina in this exciting and rugged area of the Peak District. The walk is a team event – for teams of between 2 and 5, see Categories and eligibility for details on the Kinder Challenge Walk web site. Times vary between under 3 hours and 8 hours, maybe this will be the year to break one of the records and yours could be the team to do it!! Talking of records, the fastest time for the Kinder Walk was 3 hours 19 minutes by Aquila ESU 'D' team and for the Challenge 2 hours 34 minutes by 12th Halifax Sea Scouts 'A' Team – knocking 14 minutes off the previous record - achieved in 2010.

The walk has been running since 1967 when just 7 teams entered. The winning time was almost 8 hours! Who says the 'youth of today' are not fit! In defence of the first winning team, the weather was utterly dreadful and the walk was in fact 26 miles rather than the current 29 km.

The 2011 date is 25th September.

pdf file - Walkers Handbook

Marie Curie Mam Tor Challenge

Marie Curie Cancer Care are also running a 10 mile Peak District challenge walk in order to raise funds for the care of terminally ill cancer patients. The walk will be taking place on Sunday April 22nd 2012 and is based on Mam Tor, near Castleton and Edale, a short distance south of Kinder Scout on the ridge between the Edale Valley and the Hope Valley. We 'Hope' that you will support this by either taking part or sponsoring someone who does take part. You can find full details on the Marie Curie web site at http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/en-gb/events/uk-mountain-challenges/mam-tor-uk-mountain-challenge-2012-8881/. Please note that there is a minimum age restriction and that the under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Disclaimer - please make sure that your party has the necessary skills, equipment and fitness before setting off into the hills. It is often necessary to be able to navigate through peat bogs and over open moorland using a map and compass. The weather can change very quickly in the hills so be prepared.