HEAVY rain and strong winds could not stop the majority of 2,400 teenagers completing last weekend's Ten Tors and Jubilee challenges.

In the challenge's 53rd year, around 400 teams of six, who trekked across 35, 45 or 55 miles of open moorland, started their expedition at Okehampton Camp on Saturday morning in low mist and wet weather.

The youngsters taking part in the challenge have to remain entirely self-sufficient throughout their challenge, relying solely on a compass and their navigational skills to guide them.

Shortly after the start of the Ten Tors Challenge, 300 youngsters with special physical or educational needs started the Jubilee Challenge. The challenge takes teams and individuals on routes up to 15 miles long across the moors, each accompanied by an officer cadet from Exeter University Training Corps.

With the challenging weather conditions and high rivers, the safety of youngsters was very much at the forefront of this year's challenge, 900 soldiers were stationed on the moor and at Okehampton Camp to co-ordinate the challenge.

As well as providing an additional challenge for the teenagers taking part, the weather affected car parking at the camp, causing long delays for many parents picking up their children.

Brigadier Piers Hankinson, director of Ten Tors and commander of 43 Wessex Brigade, praised the determination of the teenagers taking part.

He said: 'It reaches out to a huge number of people, it allows them to develop teamwork, navigation of the moor, appreciation of the environment, appreciation of each other, and selfless commitment as well.

'It's tough mentally and physically, clearly, you can see that for the guys and girls at the finish, and hear the cheers from parents and supporters. These people are as mentally and physically robust as any other generation, and the great thing is that they have chosen to be out there, and are putting themselves through this test.

'There's no technology out there, they are not using sat-nav, it's straight forward map and compass stuff, teamwork, helping each other go, and it was very tough.

'It allows me to pay back into society, as part of the community covenance, and shows demonstrably so, that we the Army, supported by the Air Force and Royal Navy helicopters, actually we want to contribute to society where we can. The other thing, very importantly, it allows me to exercise my brigade to prepare itself, if we had to be called upon, to help local authorities in event of a natural disaster or other such disaster.'

Of the 2,400 youngsters that started the challenge, around 400 had to drop out, mostly due to exhaustion and the usual sprains and strains which are seen each year at the event. The number is higher than last year's rate of 251, but this year's trying weather conditions made the challenge much more difficult.

The Dartmoor Rescue Group had four teams stationed on the moor to assist youngsters who had to drop out. The North Dartmoor team alone was tasked to 26 incidents, slightly more than last year.

Paul Hudson, chairman of the group, said: 'It was busy in parts. We've been supervising river crossings, because there was a worry about the depth of rivers and rate of flow.

'There were very few incidents really considering the number of competitors, most of them exhaustion or lower limb injuries. I think it's down to the dedication of their trainers, and their perseverance and endurance. Some of the teams were hobbling with blisters or whatever, but they were determined they were going to get on. The training with navigation and self sufficiency proves enough for most of them.'

Paul Vachon, from the North Dartmoor team, said: 'We'd like to congratulate all those youngsters who competed in Ten Tors this year. It was an exceptional year and it's a testament to their training that so many finished safely and within the time despite the adverse conditions.'