2024 Event bookings are now closed

Preparation for Six Summits Challenge

The Six Summits Challenge is designed to challenge your Scouts and Explores. In addition, the event will help Young People gain knowledge that they can use for D of E and King Scout Expeditions in the future.

Complete the three days, walking this year’s set route and completing the Demo Bases all should always be the primary goal. However, the challenge is easier said than done and can only happen with your help. A number os safeguards are in place to help keep the young people on the event safe and help them get the most out of the event.

Registering Teams & Non-Walkers

If you haven’t done so, please register your teams and all those who are not walking, regardless of what capacity they are attending.

You can have a maximum of 8 people in one team and a minimum of 4. This includes any Leaders you wish to have walking with your teams.

All others not walking, including Leaders, Adults, and any Young People, must register themselves individually as non-walkers. Anyone not registered in a walking team or as a non-walker will NOT be allowed to attend and will have no access to event campsites. All the teams must be registered, and walker’s names must be populated by 17th March. After this date, you will be asked to pay ÂŁ16.50 per Scout/Explorer (there is no charge for Leaders).

Picking your Teams

The minimum age for walkers is 12 years. In addition, all Scout and Explorer team members must have a minimum of:

  • Stage 3 First Aid
  • Stage 5 Hikes

Scouts teams can be registered to do the Training or the Expedition Award, but Explorers can only apply for the Expedition Award.

Required training before the Event

The scouting motto is “Be Prepared”. This has never been more appropriate than with the Six Summits Challenge.
The following is a list of key skills that you should use to help prepare your walking teams before they attend the event.

  • A minimum of 3 practice walks (one should be on hills) between January & end of April
  • Teams should have good navigation skills and know how to read a map and use a compass.
    • 6-figure grid references.
    • Points of a compass.
    • Set the map to grid north.
    • Mapping scales.
    • Understanding contours and map symbols.
    • Taking bearings.
    • Transfer a route plan to a paper map (drawing the route on the map).
    • Knowledge of appropriate clothing for the weather conditions (snow & ice through to high temperatures).
    • Create, use and update route cards.
    • Pack their own rucksack.
    • Know how to put up the tents they will sleep in (before and at the event)
    • Know how to use a camping stove and produce their own meals safely (before and at the event)
  • Watch the 8 Ordnance Survey training clips from Steve Backshall with Ordnance Survey
  • Know how to put up their own tents and must do so on the event for both Training & Expedition.
  • Know how to safely use a camping stove and produce their own meals on it.
  • Aerosol gas stoves should not be used at the event.

Scouts and Explorers are expected to put up their own tents and cook for themselves. These skills are all part of the event and prepare them for future D of E and King Scout Expeditions challenges.

IMPORTANT: As a leadership team, if you cannot sign up for this, please get in touch with us, and we will remove your team.

Before the Event

5 to 6 weeks before the event, we will send you the route plan for this year’s event, information on the challenge and a kit list. You must make room in your programme to talk to the Scouts and Explorers about the route and their kit.

The route card needs to be completed, and Ordinance Survey maps marked with the route for this year.
Note our routes change every year, so please do not rely on any previous route plan or markings.

Make sure you BRING and KNOW how to use your chemical toilet.

The week before the event:

  • All footwear should be checked. We have seen boots fail on day one, and waterproof boots with ankle support are a minimum requirement.
  • You must complete a full kit check, as we will complete a full kit check before teams can begin walking. Not having the minimum kit list could affect if your team or an individual is allowed to start the walk.
  • All the items in RED on the kit list must be carried, and teams will not be allowed to start without all items present with the walkers.

NOTE: A full kit check is completed at the start, participants’ rucksacks are emptied, and all items will be checked. All items must be suitable for the terrain and varied weather conditions. The walker or team cannot start without passing the kit check by the event staff.

Payment

The OSM booking system will close on the 17th of March. After this date, the booking system will be locked. The only way changes can be made to your teams after this date is a request via the Bookings email. We will send out the invoices 7-10 days before the event.  

We would appreciate prompt payment, with details of the bank account & payment methods on the invoice with your unique reference.