Feeling Wist-ful

The impending heatwave this week inspired whoisthechallenger to return to the moors.  We had a short route planned up to Longaford Tor via Wistmans Wood.  The ground was much firmer under-foot than the last time we were out on Dartmoor.

Deep within Wistmans Wood is a small fenced off area preserved since the mid 60s to allow us all to see how the wood may have looked in the past.  Our recollections of the Wistmans Wood just 15-20 years ago are of fire-beaters stacked at the corners, and very few tracks into the undergrowth.

Wistmans Wood is synonymous with an impenetrable woodland of stunted oak trees and damp moss covered caves and boulders.  But the copse is changing rapidly, with the trees no longer stunted, but growing.  Erosion caused by grazing animals and by the sheer numbers of human visitors are taking their toll on the undergrowth.  Its listing as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, and featuring in so many 'official' guides to Dartmoor have left Wistmans Wood slightly exposed.

Black-a-tor Copse in the West Okement Valley looks set to receive a full fence surround to protect it (at MOD expense).  Piles Copse, the third major area of ancient woodland on the Moor, has been blooming for several years, and certainly lacks the accessibility and attention of it's more Northerly counterparts.

Still its location is stunning, and provides subject material for tons of letterboxes in the region.  Our walk passed  the forest and up to Longaford, returning down the ridge passing Littaford, Little Bee and Crockern Tors, before returning for well earned drink at Two Bridges Hotel, and the car.

Ten Tors 2012

This weekend sees the 52nd annual Ten Tors event on Dartmoor. Here is the latest:

"Pasty stealing fox hampers Ten Tors training with camp attacks"

Cheeky so-and-sos... and a fox.  Story: Thisisplymouth

"From 2012 onwards only teams from the South West of England will be able to take part, due to the high numbers of entrants."

All change! Ten Tors Facebook page

"River conditions are currently acceptable, but higher than average. Moor walking conditions are wet and spongy."

Ten Tor's Secetary comments on Moor conditions: Training notices.  Mmmm... spongy...

"For five decades Ten Tors has remained a National Flagship whose reputation as the foremost endeavour for youth development is firmly established and the Army is committed to its future."

Brigadier Piers Hankinson, Ten Tors Director, says this isn't the last Ten Tors:  Ten Tors brochure

"Leave gates as you find them; if in doubt, close gates on Dartmoor.

Leave no litter; take all tins, bottles and paper home"

- Taken from the Ten Tors code, Aide Memoire for teams: the 'Green Card'.  Its in the rules!!

"The annual Ten Tors Challenge takes place on Saturday and Sunday and will see 2,400 youngsters attempting routes. In all, 1,000 military and civilian personnel will be on duty over the Ten Tors weekend. The armed forces also supply support equipment and vehicles to make the event possible, including two Sea King Mk 4 helicopters from 848 Naval Air Commando Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset."

A potentially crowded weekend in-store: grough.co.uk

"Not all those who wander are lost"

J.R.R. Tolkien

Good luck to all participants!

Saved for a rainy day

"Flood warnings as downpours hit UK".  "A month's rainfall due in one day".  "The wettest day of 2012".  We had been warned...  

WITC headed up the East Dart on a mission, yet only in search of a handful of boxes.  The forecast of blustery showers, and an optimistic nature meant that we were confident everything would be fine.  We weren't alone judging by a bustling Postbridge car park.  We set off up the true left bank, passing 

Hartland Tor, the sheepfold, the turn and the beehive hut.  We gained height quickly on the slopes of Lade Hill.  This ascent brought back memories of the O.A.T.S. walks we completed over a decade ago.  Some 15 miles into that marathon trail, it never failed to slow participants to a crawl.

On the summit, we turned East, and returned to the riverside at Sandy Hole Pass, before rounding Broad Marsh and crossing the slightly swollen East Dart river at Kit Steps.  

We climbed up to Flat Tor to survey the damage from recent works to Flat Tor Pan.  The Dartmoor Mires project has fenced off areas here in the name of conservation and research.  Their work is controversial because they have removed pieces of metal from a 1960's plane crash site.  Some argue that this metalwork is just another piece of Dartmoor's rich mix of archaeology, and should remain in situ, whilst those responsible for the work say it is necessary to remove it.

After splashing past the gates, fences, and land rover tracks, we passed over Broad Down and Braddon Tor and descended to Drift Lane and the familiar walk back to Postbridge.

Yes, the weather was kinder than had been predicted.  The hail showers and rain halted us in our paths at times, but the visibility was good, and it blew some cobwebs away.  Which was nice.  Hopefully the work at Flat Tor Pan will be completed quickly, and restoration will be thorough and swift.  I suspect more conflict is likely though.

WITC Unveiled

Hello.

My name is Ian and I am whoisthechallenger.

Who are you?  

Ian Barber.  I am the youngest, and the most active of the Dartmoor letterboxers known as The Upland Trotters.

What was this WITC thing all about?

I wanted to do so much more than just post occasional thoughts on a forum, and rued the lack of a decent UK letterboxing blog.  I thought I would create my own blog, but since the ramblings and views would be my own, and not those of my parents, I decided to do the whole thing anonymously.  Although I initially intended the blog would be more edgy and provocative, I came to the conclusion that I would be found out and it would not help me or the 'Uptrots'.  

I also guessed it would have more intrigue and appeal if I wrote it under a pseudonym.  I remember a witty,  anonymous letterboxing newsletter (not created by us) being circulated within a small circle of letterboxers several years ago , and I simply hoped to recreate just a bit of the mystery.  I'm not the big headed prat that some have suggested :D

The Upland Trotters personal stamp features 2 hillwalking characters.  My father is depicted out in front striding away, whilst my Mother is left exasperated further down the hill.  I was removed from the stamp in 1997 after leaving home.  Whilst mum fell out of love with letterboxing some years ago, my father regularly joined me on the walks detailed in this blog.  The final box we found together was the relationship box sited for The Upland Trotters near Pigs House in May 2011 ("Down, but not out" - May 2011).  My father sadly passed away, very suddenly, in June 2011, but I wanted to continue my blog in his honour.  I came to the decision that WITC would be more than an online letterboxing diary, and become my letterboxing identity.

I took the name whoisthechallenger from the book 'Yes Man' by author and presenter Danny Wallace.  WITC is the nemesis of the book's hero, but you'll have to read the hilarious book to find out who Danny's challenger was!

Why are you telling us all this now?

It was 21 years ago today that The Upland Trotters started letterboxing.  April 21st is therefore an important date in our calendar.  Also, my cover was blown, my identity was no longer secret.  It was only a matter of time before everyone discovered the truth.

So what is the future for whoisthechallenger?

This blog will carry on.  I will now letterbox as whoisthechallenger.  Please keep an eye out for my new personal stamp!  For those who have passed their WOM boxes on to The Upland Trotters, please forgive me/us!  My clues will be released next week - keep reading my blog for more details!  The Upland Trotters will also live on - mainly in spirit and perhaps on special occasions.

Thank you for reading my blog.

WITC/Ian

Coming soon...

who IS the challenger?

The truth.

21 April 2012

Sunday, March 25th 2012 - Part 2

After the Meet, WITC headed off to Owley.  We had a short afternoon stroll around Beacon Rocks, Crebers Rock and Lud Brook.  Starting and finishing at Peek Moor Gate, we were last here back in May 2010 when the rain was falling and cloud hung low.  This time, the weather was hot, and several people were sunning themselves whilst sheltering from the wind on Ugborough Beacon's summit, whilst ponies stood quietly in the Lud Brook to drink and cool down.

 

It was only a 5 mile meander, and just 10 boxes found, but the sunburn is feeling better today, and we are proud of out weekend.  We remembered the camera too, so photos follow...

Sunday, March 25th 2012 - Part 1

Welcome back to EEMOO!

The Spring Meet was as busy as ever when WITC stopped by this morning.  Obviously the early visit before a day in the hills was everyone elses plan too.  Blank postcards were purchased, a free copy of Dartmoor Active magazine was gathered, and a few one day stamps were collected.

From a few brief conversations with the charity walk sellers, business was brisk, and WITC helped out where they could.  We now have walks in areas to interest us over the coming season:  Sourton Tors, Hartor Tors and Cosdon to name but a few.