Overland 1980, 1990, 1993,
1994, 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998, 2001,
2002, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Click here for the 2008 Final Countdown Information
Click here for The 2008 Overland Training Booklet
Click here for the 2008 Initial Leaflet
Wow! Southon Teams came 2nd, 3rd and 15th!!!!! And just one point behind the first position.
All of you guys are fantastic, you should be so proud of yourselves.
ALL Crowborough teams Scouts and Explorers finished, in wet and windy conditions!!!
| I am led to believe that we did fantastically in the Overland this weekend, a second, third and fifteenth place. Well done to all that took part, a brilliant achievement in just completing it, especially in the conditions.
Well done all, you make 1st Crowborough very proud.
Well done to those involved in all the training too, without you they wouldn't have been able to complete it at all.
John Easton (GSL)
| All in all a stunning result for the Scouts - all of whom are to be congratulated for being amongst the very best in Sussex (this event being billed as the "Ultimate Challenge") . Quite apart from demonstrating excellent navigational skills and having the fitness to complete what the organisers said this was one of the hardest routes ever, they have all proved themselves in at least 15 separate tests of very different Scouting Skills. They also coped admirably with some of the worst ever weather - especially overnight. An indication of this is that 18 out of 55 teams who started the event had pulled out before the start of the second day, but not a single one of these was from Ashdown. I think it is therefore safe to say that the training definitely paid off, as did all of the hard work put in by leaders over the last few months. It has been a fantastic effort by everyone involved.
Alan Thompson (DSL Ashdown)
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Well done the Overland is a very real challenge and not to be taken lightly, fantastic result please congratulate all involved.
Terry Moon (Group Chairman)
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Henry thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, and all the other training weekends.
Thank you, and all the other leaders for all the time they put in to this to make it so good.
Simon Boddy (Treasurer)
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I was really pleased to hear that you were successful along with Uckfield in stealing the show at the overland. I appreciate all of the hard work that you all put in on the event. I was especially pleased to hear that the Wadhurst team finished too since they have not managed to do so in the past which again is a credit to the training team.
Best Regards
Tony Thompson (Ticehurst GSL)
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The 2008 event was a great success despite the atrocious weather conditions the teams had to endure on the campsite on Saturday evening.
60 Teams entered this year's competition, 34 Scout teams and 26 Explorer Scout teams from both East and West Sussex. There were 55 teams that started the
competition, with 43 of these completing the first day. On the Sunday, 37 teams started the 2nd day and 36 of these completed the hike. Out of the teams that
completed the competition there were 16 Scout teams and 20 Explorer Teams.
This year's event was, as usual very hard, with the teams walking an overall distance of 26 miles, slightly longer than in previous years. Our congratulations
go to all of the Scouts which completed this year's hike.
The hike took place on the weekend of the 29th and 30th March in East Sussex starting from the Village Hall in Palmer. The first days route took the teams up to
the Downs at Black Cap and then onto Lewes, Kingston, Iford, Woodingdean, Newmarket and then back to Palmer where the teams camped for the night, which was a
total of 16 miles. The second day the teams set off from Palmer to eventually reach the finish at Plumpton Green. Once the teams had left the campsite they
followed paths to Ditchling Beacon, Westmeston, Street Hill Farm, Plumpton Race Course, Hayleigh Farm, Captains Farm and then to the finish at Plumpton Green.
The distance for the Sunday was a total of 10 miles.
The check point incidents were as usual quite varied. They ranged from, preparing a balanced diet and costing it. recognising different plants and planting
seeds, safe movement of "Radioactive" bottles, preparing a pulley system for lifting a weight, reproduction of a map from memory, cycle safely and
maintenance and the final incident was to prepare an identikit, with half the team describing different faces and the other half of the team trying to produce these
face's from the description.
On the Sunday the teams again had to carry out different incidents on the route which varied from, tying a knot with a piece of rope that all team members where
attached to, carry out compass bearings to identify different letters that formed scouting words, dealing with a hypothermic member of your team and remembering
the rest of the team, pop quiz and lyrics, logic puzzles where the teams had to associate places in Sussex with what they were famous for and finally a cheese
and crisp tasting. There was a courtesy checkpoint, which we are sure most teams found.
The project was to produce a training programme for a two day hike, much like the Overland Hike. It was easy to see the teams that had helped to produce their
own programme for this hike.
For a more detailed description of the incidents, we have attached a separate sheet.
Overall the teams are improving the standard of their kit but we are still having the normal problems, insufficient first aid kits and waterproofs not being waterproof.
Leaders, please check your team's kits and make sure that the liners in the rucksacks are also waterproof.
Teams need to follow all of the instructions they are given in this competition thoroughly. By not fully complying with the instructions your team will lose valuable points which will drop your team down the
finishing order.
Again, Congratulations to all of the teams that completed the hike and to the 6 winning teams in their respective categories.
Out of a possible 750 points the results were: -
Scouts:
1st 4thUckfield (Alpha) A 582 points
2nd 1st Crowborough (Southon) C 581 points
3rd 1st Crowborough (Southon) C 550 points
| Explorer Scouts:
1st Hove and Portslade Explorer Unit B 646 points
2nd Phoenix Explorer Unit (Hastings) 63 9 points
3rd Hydra Explorer Unit A (Hastings) 635 points
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We wish to thank all of the 250staff that have given their time for the scouts on this hike and to our sponsors. Peglers of Arun4el, Caffyns of Lewes, DW Electrical Ltd of Shoreham and
to Vodafone, without there financial support, the event could not happen.
Finally, we look forward to seeing you on the 28* and 29th March 2009, somewhere on the South Downs, for the 42nd Annual Overland Hike. Please make sure that you book this date now and start thinking about your training for this "Premier
Scouting Event" (County's words).
Derrick Payne, Andy Wavell, Albert Hinton and Mark Wavell Hike Organisers.
Overland Hike 2008 - Checkpoint Incidents
Check Point 1: Balanced Meal / Price Is Right. With different foods being shown the teams had to list what would be best used for a balanced meal. They were
also asked to cost the meal to see if they knew how much each item cost.
Check Point 2: Horticulture - All teams had to plant some seeds and then identify some common bedding plants.
CheckPoint 3: Radioactive Bottles - The teams had to move a number of "radioactive" bottles from within a marked area into a container without entering
the marked area. The bottles could only be moved with string and elastic bands.
Check Point 4: Block and Tackle - The idea was to rig a pulley system to enable the teams to lift a heavy object.
CheckPoint 5: Sketch Map - Teams were given an A3 map of the area they were walking in and asked to memorise it. They were then given a blank A3 sheet with a
small portion of the coast marked on it and asked to reproduce what they had just seen.
Check Point 6: Cycle Maintenance - Cycles with different faults were put in front of the teams for them to identify. They also had to show that they were
knowledgeable on cycle safety.
Check Point 7: Identikit - the team was split into 2 with half of the team describing four different faces and the other half of the team trying to put together
the faces with the features that were available to them.
Check Point 9: Knot Tying - The teams were tied onto a piece of rope from which they then had to tie a knot. The knot was different for the Scouts and
Explorers.
Checkpoint 10: Bearings - The teams were placed in the middle of field and given a list of bearings. Each bearing led to a different letter from which they had
to make a word associated with scouting.
Check Point 11: Emergency Equipment - One of the team members was to have the symptoms of hyperthermia and the remaining team members had to deal with the
situation, which involved providing a hot drink and shelter for the hypothermic team member.
Checkpoint 12: Pop Songs - The teams had to identify different songs from an introduction and the first few lines of the lyrics. They also had to write down the
second line of sets of lyrics, with the first line being given to them.
Checkpoint 13 Logic Puzzle - Teams were given a list of Sussex towns and a list of features that each town is famous for. They then had to match the town with
the features
Checkpoint 14: Senses - A variety of different crisps and cheese's where offered to the teams to taste and smell and then to identify.
The incidents were 1) Food Nutrition 2) Flower Identification and planting 3) Radioactive Bottles 4) Pulleys 5) Map copy 6) Bike faults 7) Identity Kit 8) Plan an Overland Training weekend 9) Reef Knot 10) Bearings 11) Hypothermia 12) Help person crossing road 13) Pop Quiz 14) Matching pairs of words 15) Tasting cheese and crisps and 16)
Finish courtesy.
Overland Hike training Chaley to Ditchling via Park Wood, Henfield 8-9 March 2008
27th January is the famous Jevington Triangle, click here for the full details
of the 2008 challenge.
19th January, a very successful hike today, with no less than 48 Scouts from 7 troops and 4 Explorers from Tullis taking part, while mild it was a windy day
with mist across the Downs. The standard of navigation was good but even the most experienced teams showed over confidence can lead to errors! Next week will be
challenging at the Jevington triangle. This mist meant there were not any photos taken on this hike.
| Around 70 of us walked the
Cobweb Removal Fun Hike, (30 from Crowborough) through Friston Forest and along the Severn Sisters.. Everyone had great fun, highlights were:-
Some leaders took the navigation challenge in Friston Forest (never follow the team in front!)
Being chased by the horses
Lazing in the sun shine at the Tiger Inn
The throwing sponges on the beach at Birling Gap (which actually are Whelk egg sacks)
The wonderful views from the 8 sisters
Exploring the rock pools on Cuckmere beach (beware the biting Rock Goby)
The tasty Ice Creams
Two beavers completed the full 12 miles route as did all the Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Leaders and Parents from Crowborough!
The below photos tell the story.
The morning was brilliant sun, there was a brief shower in the afternoon.
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| Su
| 6 Jan 08
| Cobweb Removal Fun Hike for all Scouts and Parents, Friston Forest and Severn Sisters area, meet at Scout HQ 9:00am, starting from Exceat Car Park at 10am, return approx 5pm
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| Su
| 13 Jan 08
| Scout Map & Compass Training Navigation skills on Ashdown Forest meet @ Friends Clump at 10am finish 3:00pm
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| Fr-Sa
| 18-19 Jan 08
| The Crowborough 1908-2008 Centenary Sleepover with over 100 sleeping at the Scout HQ, Scouts go hiking after breakfast
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| Sa
| 19 Jan 08
| Scout Overland Training circular route starting and finishing at Devil's Dyke on the South Downs 12km, 5kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ
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| Su
| 27 Jan 08
| Scout Overland Hike Training Willingdon to Wilmington, The Jevington Triangle, 14km, 6kgpack meet 8am Scout HQ
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| Sa
| 2 Feb 08
| Scout Overland Training on the South Downs, Alfriston to Ringmer, via Firle Beacon and Mount Caburn, 16km, 7kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ
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| Fr
| 8 Feb 08
| Scouts Night Hike, meet scout HQ at 6pm, to Firle Beacon Car Park, return approx. 9:30pm
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| Su
| 10 Feb 08
| Scout Overland Training, Wivelsfield to Rottingdean, a stroll to the coast, across the South Downs, 20km, 8kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ
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| Sa
| 16 Feb 08
| Scout Overland Training, Clayton to Offham (The Wealden Bumps), on the South Downs, Approx 1km (of ascent!) 7kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ, both Saturday and Sunday so everyone can take part
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| Su
| 17 Feb 08
| Scout Overland Training, Clayton to Offham (The Wealden Bumps), on the South Downs, Approx 1km (of ascent!) 7kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ, both Saturday and Sunday so everyone can take part
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| Su
| 24 Feb 08
| Scout Overland Training Slindon to Storrington, west Sussex forest navigation, Hike Training, 22km, 9kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ
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| Fr
| 29 Feb 08
| Southon Scouts night navigation - Paul and Roscoe planning
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| Sa
| 1 Mar 08
| Scout Overland Training Rodmell to Newmarket Hill along the South Downs, via Kingston and Balmer Down, 25km, 10kg pack, meet 8am your Scout HQ
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| Sa-Su
| 8-9 Mar 08
| Sussex Two day Expedition Training expedition, Chailey to Ditchling, including camping & cooking at Park Wood under Overland conditions. 35km over 2 days, 10kg pack (including tents)
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| Su
| 16 Mar 08
| Scout Overland Training incident training Uckfield Scout HQ, 9am to 2pm
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| Fr
| 28 Mar 08
| Southon Scouts Overland Incident
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| Sa-Su
| 29-30 Mar 08
| Scout and Explorer Overland Competition 2008 start and finish somewhere on the South Downs 40km over 2 days 10kg pack
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| Fr-Su
| 11-13 Apr 08
| Scout and Explorer Hillwalking and Geological Adventure, Snowdonia
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In 2007 both Crowborough Southon teams were in the top 10, fantastic! 34 Scout teams started the Overland Hike, we were competing against the best scouts in East and West Sussex! 1st Crowborough Scout Group is proud of you, a brilliant achievement and will be entering in 2008.
Full details will be published late November 2007.
Also see Alan Thompson's commentary here
| "Thanks very much for an excellent adventure on the Overland. All the Crowborough parents were very proud, especially as the boys were so young."
"just to say thank you so much for getting me to all the training sessions for the overland and sorting so much of it out. I had a great weekend doing the actual event and i would have never had got there without the help of you! Thanks!"
"Many congratulations to you all. It goes to show that Ashdown District are one of the best if not the best hikers in the two counties."
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