28th Cheviots Challenge
The Cheviots Challenge is a long distance walk in the Cheviot Hills of Northumberland, open to walkers and fell runners. Its purpose is to raise much needed funds for the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team. The Team is responsible for search and rescue of people within the Northumbria Police Authority and, when requested, will respond to assist similar rescue teams in adjoining areas.
Last year 335 people participated in the long and short routes raising £3600 for the Team.
The 28th Cheviots Challenge will take place on Saturday 29th AUGUST 2009 and will start and finish at Alwinton. There are two events (a long and short route) both are designed as a personal challenge and NOT A COMPETITION. It is a physically demanding event requiring personal fitness, navigational skills and the ability to endure up to 12 hours in the field, hence the emphasis on recommended equipment.
There is a choice of route. The "Terry Lynn" long route will be about 25 miles and entails about 4000ft of climbing. The "Eileen Lynn" short route is about 15 miles..ish and over 2000 feet of climbing. Both routes include, Bloodybush Edge. On the day of the event, you will receive a route card and a photocopy map giving details of the route. In some ways, both routes may be familiar to past participants. Finding new routes still challenges organisers but they have devised a route that they believe to be as equally challenging as in previous years.
Nevertheless, the aim of the walk is still to provide a challenge, not only in terms of the distance travelled and height gained but also a navigational challenge in remote terrain. This combination of distance travelled and height climbed is calculated to take the average person 12 hours to complete.
All walks are designed to be interesting as well as challenging. High points are means of both providing a challenge and dramatic views. In addition to this certain valleys, waterfalls, historic sites etc. provide interest to the walk and where possible are included. All these criteria are used to produce a different walk each year.
To find out more information and to register for the Cheviots Challenge: www.cheviotschallenge.org.uk
