The Southern 50 Challenge

Each team must comprise of between 3 - 5 participants, all of whom must be members of The Scout Association or GirlGuiding UK . Each competitors must be at least fourteen years old on the day of the event for the 50mile and 50km events. Competitors for the 30km event must be thirteen and a half years or over but have not reached their eighteenth birthday on the day of the event.

There are THREE routes, 50 miles and 50km open to all, and a 30km route for Explorer Scouts only. The event is a test of good orienteering skills as well as physical ability and teamwork and unlike other well-known hikes, local knowledge will not be of help as the route will not be disclosed until the day of the event. All teams therefore start with exactly the same chance of winning a trophy.

It is this difference that has made the Southern 50 Challenge a successful and rewarding event in the past and will continue to for many years.

Like any other long distance Challenge, the effort required to last the full course and receive a finishing certificate is an achievement.

More importantly, many like to return to have another crack at the trophy or just to improve on their time. 

Whatever the reason, you will enjoy our challenge and, we are sure, find the event very rewarding.

Go to How to Enter for details of what's provided and the cost.

When . . .

The walk starts at 06:00hrs on the Saturday.

The first two teams depart from the Start at this time, subsequent teams will depart at timed intervals thereafter.

The presentation ceremony for all the events will be held on the Sunday at 09:30hrs. The walkers need to finish sometime between these two times!

In reality, walkers do not walk for more than 24 hours, so the majority should finish before 06:00hrs. We will retire teams who are not likely to finish by this time.

Booking in commences from 21:00hrs on the Friday until ONE HOUR prior to the individual team's allotted start time. Early arrivals can get a night's sleep at the start if they wish.

The Route

We don't disclose the actual route until a few minutes before the walkers leave the start on the Saturday morning - Sorry!

Most of the walk will take place in the Chiltern Hills through Buckinghamshire and surrounding counties. 

Although it may look tame on the map, in February the conditions can be very severe which is why we expect all walkers to be prepared for the worst (see the rules). 

At the start of the event each team will be handed a set of six figure grid references. At these points we will have manned checkpoints. You are to plan and walk your route to meet these checkpoints in the given order.

Each Team must carry two sets of maps - this is for safety and it is a good idea for two people to map read - means you are less likely to get lost.

The start and finish of the 2012 event will be posted nearer the time.

Maps for the 2012 event: 50 mile, 50km and 30km routes.

• OS Explorer 1:25,000 sheet 181 - Chiltern Hills North
• OS Explorer 1:25,000 sheet 172 - Chiltern Hills East
  

OS maps can be purchased in the following ways:

• OS Explorer Series Folded Maps RRP is £7.99
• On-line at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk or www.mapstore.co.uk both sites offer free postage.
  
• On-line or on-foot at outdoor specialists and book stores e.g. Waterstones & WHSmiths, NB. Smaller shops may only sell local maps.
• Order over the phone for delivery through one of the OS Map specialists, to find your nearest stockist go to HERE.

Rules

Each team must comprise of between 3 - 5 competitors, all of whom must be members of The Scout Association or GirlGuiding UK . Each competitors must be at least fourteen years old on the day of the event for the 50mile and 50km events. Competitors for the 30km event must be thirteen and a half years or over but have not reached their eighteenth birthday on the day of the event.

The kit list also comprises a part of these rules.

Teams must register at all checkpoints in the specified order. Competitors can retire at any checkpoint, but if this means that a team is left with just two members, these two must join up with another team to form a 'scratch team' for safety reasons, who may finish but will not qualify for a trophy. A team that finishes having less members that it started with shall not qualify for a trophy or receive an official placing.

Rescue teams will be operating throughout the event. If a competitor is unable to continue when in open country, the entire team should bivouac and advise Central Control by telephoning the emergency number. Any team finding another in distress must assist to erect their shelter and ensure that those in distress are comfortable before continuing to the next checkpoint where they MUST report their findings. Suitable time allowance for any such action will be made at the discretion of the organisers.

A team will be disqualified if:

• Any member is inadequately equipped
• Any member receives outside assistance (other than medical)
• Accompanied by unregistered walker(s)

A competitor will be withdrawn from the event and not allowed to continue if:

• In the opinion of a marshal they are unfit to continue
• They are deemed by the organisers to be making unsatisfactory progress

All decisions of the organisers are final. The organisers reserve the right to adjust the rules and route if they consider it necessary. The organisers cannot be held personally responsible for any mishap or injury, however caused, during the event.

Each person must wear or carry at all times on the walk:

• Long trousers or similar to cover the lower body (no denims)
• Boots or walking shoes to give protection from the elements (suitability of footwear will be entirely at the discretion of the Inspection teams)
• Three layers of clothing for the upper body
• Waterproof garments to cover the whole body – including the head
• Hat to cover the ears
• Gloves or mittens
• Whistle
• Torch with spare batteries
• A high visibility jacket or vest. This item must be worn or be clearly visible in times of darkness or low natural light or when instructed to do so by a walk official.
• Emergency rations (glucose, sweets, chocolate, nuts, raisins etc.)
• Survival bag – minimum 500 gauge
• Drinking water
• A mug
• Emergency personal first aid kit

Each team must carry:

• Two sets of OS maps of the area
• Two compasses (Silva or similar)
• A copy of the walk booklet and any other written instructions given on the day
• Team first aid kit containing, as a minimum, a good supply of plasters and 3 large triangular bandages in a waterproof bag/box
• At least one mobile phone which must be fully charged at the start of the event and must be switched on throughout the event. The mobile phone number must be given to the member of staff at registration.
  

In addition for the 50 mile and 50km routes, each team must carry:

• An emergency shelter, also known as a KISU or Blokka bag, or a 2 person tent without poles or pegs. Full description in walk booklet
• A sleeping bag
• A stove and fuel, emergency food and equipment to cook it

How to Enter

All you have to do to enter is make up a team of between 3 – 5 participants and complete the online entry form.

The entry fee for the 50 mile and the 50 km event is £42 per team plus £9 per person.

The entry fee for the Explorer Scout 30km event is £42 per team plus £5 per person. 

Cheques should be made payable to 'Southern 50 Challenge'. 

The entry fee includes the following:

• Indoor accommodation on Friday and Saturday night.
• Cooked meals for Saturday breakfast, evening meal and Sunday breakfast.
• Drinks and snacks at most checkpoints.
• Transport (where necessary).
• First aid and rescue facilities.
• Communications and Administration.

Entering the Southern 50 Challenge is done in two parts.

PART ONE

• Click here to log in to the Entry Database.
  
• Then follow the instructions below to create a team record entry and fill in the names and other information requested.
  
  • Select "Southern50".
  • Enter "Southern" as account name.
  • Enter "50" as password.
  • Follow instructions when database actually loads. You will have to create your own username and password
  • This system allows you to create your own entry record. You type in your name, and a password of your choice.
  • Whenever you want to look at or change your details, you will need that password - so don't forget it!
  • You can make any updates to walker's names using this system, until 48 hours before the event.
  • Any changes you need to make after this time should be done at the reception desk at the walk venue.
• THIS INFORMS US THAT YOU INTEND TO TAKE PART
• It also saves us typing out your details and it avoids mistakes in the entry. It also saves a lot of paper.

PART TWO

• Select the Entry Form page and print a copy.
  
• Sign this document, place it in an envelope with a cheque to cover the entry fee and post it to the walk secretary.
• THIS CONFIRMS YOUR ENTRY AND PROVIDES US WITH THE FUNDS TO SUPPLY CATERING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE EVENT

If for some reason you are unable to complete the process in this way, please make contact with the walk secretary who will then make paper copies available for you to complete.

Supporters

Accommodation and food can be provided for all your supporters at a reasonable cost. The cost of accommodation is free and the food is on a "pay as you go" per meal basis.

50 mile, 50k, 30k - What do you choose?

It's up to you but here are some thoughts . . .

• All of the challenges are difficult requiring endurance, navigation and above all team spirit, the shorter ones are not soft options.
• The ideal distance should be the amount that your team can expect to complete in difficult terrain (50m within 20 hours, 50k within 15 hours, 30k within 10 hours). Faster teams will do it in about half the time of the slower ones.
• The organisers may stop your team if weather conditions are bad or they think that it is unlikely that you will finish in a reasonable time for them.
• Whilst it has been done, it is unlikely that a young team of Explorers will be able to complete 50 miles, 50k or 30k is more realistic, especially if they are not very experienced.
• If your team has not entered before it is probably better to enter for a distance shorter than the one you originally thought about.
• To succeed as a team, all your registered participants must finish. Injury and illness can occur before the day. Think about reserve members that could fill in at the last minute. How far could the reserve walk? Perhaps that should be your distance.

When you have decided - some more thoughts

• Training for the 50 mile event should start about October and the other routes before the year end. If you do not train it does not mean that you will not finish but that parts of four bodies will hurt (they will anyway but less so if you prepare!)
• Do not try breaking in new boots on the event. It will also hurt - a lot. 
• Check all kit well before, when you enter would be a good idea.
• The amount of kit can also cause pain. Sensible teams weigh it before hand.
• It is a navigation exercise so it would help if all of the team could use a compass and understand a map.
• Try to send the entry form before the closing date.

Read walkers' views of the Southern 50 in the Team Reports.

Equipment Shop

‘the adventure starts here’ supplies quality and affordable camping and outdoor equipment to young people and adults alike from brands you can trust.

‘the adventure starts here’ has it retail shop at – Phasels Wood Scout Activity Centre,

Phasels Wood Scout Activity Centre
Rucklers Lane
Kings Langley
Herts, WD4 9NA

Website address – www.theadventurestartshere.org on the website you can find our complete range of outdoor products, you can also order if the website, all opening times are advertised on the website

Why buy equipment from ‘the adventure starts here’

• Expert and friendly advice
• Huge range of accessories
• Outdoor tent exhibition from May through until September
• We supply Duke of Edinburgh’s Award approved products
• On site free parking
• Late night openings on Friday until 8.00pm, 
• All staff are CRB cleared and first trained

'the adventure starts here' will be at the start of this year’s Southern 50, so that you can buy any last minute purchases you may need, to make your adventure easier, safer and more comfortable.