EXPLORER scouts and volunteers from Wiveliscombe’s Gurt Wyrm troop have been praised by Chief Scout Dwayne Fields for completing 30 and 50 km hikes in this year’s ‘Southern 50 Challenge’.

This year’s event celebrated 45 years since the first ‘Southern 50’, with scouts taking on routes passing through the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Oxfordshire.

It is considered one of the most prestigious hiking challenges and is one of the longest running events of its type in the UK, testing orienteering skills as well as teamwork.

Some of the Gurt Wyrm Explorer Scouts from Wiveliscombe who completed the 'Southern 50 Challenge' hikes.
Some of the Gurt Wyrm Explorer Scouts from Wiveliscombe who completed the 'Southern 50 Challenge' hikes. ( )

The route is not disclosed until the day of the event so all teams entering have the same chance of winning a trophy.

Chief Scout Dwayne Fields praised the ‘unwavering determination and teamwork’ of the two Gurt Wyrm teams.

Mr Fields said: “The two teams from Gurt Wyrm Explorers showed real determination to finish the 30 km and 50 km courses.

“I was delighted to meet them at the finish to hear about the skills they had learnt and challenges they had overcome.

“All the young people and volunteers involved in the event are a great example of what is brilliant about scouts.

“They worked as a team, had fun, and learnt new skills along the way.”

Explorer scout Alistair Full, aged 16, who took part in the 50 km challenge said: “The Southern 50 hike was muddy wet and cold and hard work, but we got through it by working as a team, using the skills we learnt in the scouts, and by smiling.”

Explorer Astra Myram, who completed the 30 km hike, said: “The Southern 50 has been a real test of my map reading and navigation skills.

“It is great to test my skills at such a big event.

“It has been really fun, even if it was very, very wet.”