The final week

It's hard to believe that there are only four days left until the beginning of the Challenge - time has flown! Yet donations have been flowing in too over the weekend, and we are confident after provisional totalling that the £5,000 mark has been surpassed.

The pre-event brief will take place this evening, but other than that, all preparations are in place. The showdown between the staff and students will be set once the winners of the fancy dress challenge are announced.

Don't forget that you can follow live updates during the Challenge this coming weekend here and on the Facebook group page.

A little update

It's been a while since the last post, which reflects the busy nature of the last few weeks of College.

Thankfully, all students successfully graduated and enjoyed a welcome banquet at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel.

However, as there are only nine days now until the start of the event, the lush and picturesque grounds of the Four Pillars Hotel will soon be replaced with the empty and bleak landscape of Dartmoor.

Excitment is riding high, but it remains to be seen what the weather will bring and how the teams will cope. Nevertheless, everything is in place now for what looks to be a great event.

Finally, don't forget to keep up with live updates here, Facebook and Twitter as the action unfolds over next weekend.

Brief

Unfortunately, there are no photos from the weekend - because of injury the walk was cancelled.

However, the Challenge briefs have now been sent out to the teams and are massive!

Lots of detail ripe for consumption.

Photos

Could do with brightening up the blog with some pictures.

Will work on that and get some posted for your viewing pleasure.

Fundraising

Fundraising shenanigans have certainly livened up lectures in College this week. A hearty sense of competition is now beginning to emerge as teams have realised the reality of pairing walking boots with a tutu.

Not only that, but the student team craftily used a Challenge announcement to their advantage by asking two of the staff team members to stand up under false pretensions and then using them as a target!

However, it is good fun, as all proceeds will go to the College, and the process is promoting some good bonding. The next training walk is this Saturday, and the hope is that we will proceed on to basic compass work.

The forecast is good and all are eager!

First training walk

A selection of staff and students have just successfully completed their first training walk for the Challenge.

Conditions were warm and sunny which gave us a good opportunity to practice map reading and navigation skills in the east Oxford countryside. On the return leg the students performed well, choosing their path back and leading the party.

The route took us through Cumnor, round Farmoor reservoir and back to Dean Court in just under four fours. A far cry from recent College environs, but it helped pave the way for the real event.

The staff team recently learned that a supporter pledged £10 per tor on the assumption that we (or at least an unnamed member of the team) would not be able to complete the Challenge. However, this will only prove to be a boost to our motivation!

The next hurdle will be to combine navigation with distance walking, or some night navigation in Wytham Wood to spice things up.

The countdown begins

After a few weeks away, preparations and fundraising have begun again with renewed vigour.

The students have had some vital physical and mental preparations recently - will the staff be able to match them?

An upcoming training day will give feet, shoulders and hips a chance to acclimatise to boots and packs. Time will tell which team will capitalise.

On the fundraising front, it seems that the staff team has drawn first blood, having received their first donation. The students have yet to make it off the mark!