Welcome to the 2009 Brow Hike!

The hike has been running for over 45 years now, and has been run by the 24th St Paul’s Scout Group for more than 20 years. The Sowerby District Service Team ran the hike before we took over. The hike roughly follows the old Sowerby Bridge Urban District Council Boundary, and is open to teams of 4 from all youth organisations whose members are aged between 11 and 15. The total age of the team when added together must not exceed 56.

The hike is a competitive incident hike with incidents forming a major part of the hike. In the past they have included current affairs, general knowledge, practical problem solving tasks, and knowledge about lightweight hiking such as first aid, weather systems, hill safety and map and compass skills.

The Brow Hike makes an ideal training hike for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and the Scouts and Explorer Scout Badge Schemes. The Hike is fully supervised with thorough safety systems in place.

For further information, please feel free to contact Steve Hickman on 01422 341255

We look forward to receiving your entry by Friday 20th March 2009.

2009 Checkpoints DAY ONE 1 059237 Base St Paul’s Church 2 084223 Copley Church Car Park 3 067225 Norland Town House 4 053216 Holiday Home Half Kirk 5 042215 Saw Hill The Oldfields House 6 020224 Shaws Lane Road Junction 7 019233 Near Nab End Junction of Paths 8 025244 Camp Old Crib DAY TWO 1 025244 Camp Old Crib 2 027264 Lay-by Junction of road 3 021277 Crow Hill Nook Boundary Stone 4 036279 Jerusalem Farm Wade Bridge 5 041256 Luddenden Footpath Entrance 6 053247 The Winterburn Pub 7 059237 Base St Paul’s Church To encourage the use of map and compass, there will also be two additional checkpoints. The grid references for these will be given at the preceding checkpoint. Any team missing these extra checkpoints will not be eligible for a placing. The preferred route will be on display on the day of the hike. Maps will be checked to ensure that the route is marked so the sweep team and the safety check officer can follow the progress of each team and ensure the safety of all competitors.	The Marking System Every year we use a points system that adds up to 1000. Points are divided into speed for Saturday and Sunday separately, performance at incidents, and quality of food. (NB. Any team missing a checkpoint cannot compete for a placing). We will also be awarding an additional score out of 25 points at four of the incidents to the team leader in recognition of their leadership skills. 7 incidents, each worth 60 points. 420 Team Leader 100 Food for Saturday 40 Food for Sunday 40 Speed for Saturday 210 Speed for Sunday 190 Total 1000 Food marking is broken with a score out of 10 points awarded for each of the following. Hot food, Amount of food, Suitability of food and having adequate number of stoves and billies. This system is designed to ensure that teams have enough hot food to eat as it can be very bleak, cold and wet at Old Crib as many hikers can confirm.
	Recent Winners 2008 17th Linthwaite 1998 12^th Halifax 2007 17thLinthwaite 1997 12th Halifax 2006 33rd Slaithwaite 1996 12th Halifax 2005 33rdSlaithwaite 1995 12th Halifax 2004 33rd Slaithwaite 1994 3rdRipponden 2003 17th Linthwaite 1993 7th Spen Valley 2002 17th Linthwaite 1992 12th Halifax 2001 No Event 1991 12th Halifax 2000 17th Linthwaite 1990 12th Halifax 1999 17th Linthwaite 1989 47th Halifax
Reception and Start Arrangements The starting point for the Brow Hike will be St Paul’s Methodist Church, Tower Hill, and Sowerby Bridge. There will be a staggered start. Start times will be advised once we receive your entry form. The first team out will leave St Paul’s at 9.15am. If you are entering more than one team, please state on the entry form which is the strongest team to assist us in allocating start times.

Rules 1 The decision of the hike organisers is final. 2 The event is open to all Youth Organisations whose members are between the ages of 11 and 15 for the duration of the hike. 3 The Youth Leader of each group must certify that each member of their team is capable of competing in a two day hike with full kit, and that no member has an illness which could be detrimental to the safety of the team. 4 A team shall consist of four members. If the membership of any team falls below four members, it shall be withdrawn. 5 A competitor must only retire at a checkpoint except in the case of an emergency. (See emergency rules).If any marshal deems a competitor unfit to compete in or to continue the hike, that marshal has the right to withdraw that competitor from the hike. 6 Any competitor giving or receiving assistance from any other team or outside quarters will be disqualified. Teams are not allowed to link up except in emergencies. 7 The organisers are not liable for any injury to, or loss of life of a competitor sustained during the event as a result, directly or indirectly, of any physical or mental incapacity, handicap or defectof that competitor. (See rule 3.) 8 All competitors must adhere to the country code and to public rights of way at all times.

Important Notes Kit check will be carried out by the safety staff 45 minutes before the team is due to start the hike, and will involve each competitor’s kit being checked to ensure they are carrying the correct equipment. Spot checks may also be made during the hike. It is important that your kit complies with the rules as failure to do so will result in loss of points or even disqualification in some circumstances. All teams will be required to provide their own camping and cooking equipment. A compulsory overnight camp is held at Old Crib on the Saturday night. No team is allowed to leave the camp site. Although drinks will be provided at some check points, teams are required to carry their own supply of drink. Teams will be required to provide and cook their own meals for the duration of the event. A hot snack will be provided on completion of the hike. The hike supports mixed-sex teams by offering to transport a second tent to the campsite to cater for separate accommodation. Teams taking advantage of this must however still carry with them a tent large enough to accommodate all four team members. All team members will be issued with a tally card which is clipped at all checkpoints. Team leaders are responsible for their team and their behaviour at all times during the hike. The organisers advise all competitors to take out an appropriate insurance cover before competing in the hike, or check that the cover they already have is sufficient.

		Kit List Each team shall carry the following equipment:- - Lightweight tent(s) with sewn-in groundsheet and flysheet capable of sleeping the whole team - 2 maps covering the whole of the route, Explorer OL 21, South Pennines or Landranger 104 Leeds and Bradford. The South Pennines map is more suitable for the hike because the scale 1:25000 shows more detail. Old maps covering the area may also be used - 2 compasses - 1 small first aid kit - 1 box of matches - 1 pencil and note paper - 2 watches - Cooking stove(s) suitable for team of four - Billies for whole team - Food suitable for a hike camp - Enough spare fuel suitable for duration of hike Each competitor shall carry the following equipment, which must be packed in a rucksack:- - 1 sleeping bag and insulated sleeping mat - 1 survival bag. 6' by 2'6" - 1 spare pair of trousers (NOT jeans or lightweight cotton trousers) - 1 cagoul or waterproof jacket - Gloves or mittens - Head gear suitable to protect head and ears - Spare pair of woollen socks - Wool sweater or fleece - Warm shirt - Eating utensils and mug - Torch with batteries; whistle; emergency rations - 3 X 50p coins for telephone. - 1 Full water bottle with a capacity of 1 litre. All competitors must wear clothes similar to those listed above and a sturdy pair of boots.
	Emergency Rules 1 Walk at the speed of the slowest member of your team. Take a rest if anyone feels tired. If the tiredness persists, treat the competitor as a casualty who cannot be moved. (See 3(b)) 2 Always keep warm, dry and well fed. 3 Do not exceed your capabilities. In the event of an accident, immobilise the casualty: (a) Administer First Aid (b) Try to get the casualty to a sheltered place (eg wall) or pitch a tent. Caution: Do not move if a back injury is suspected. Keep the casualty warm using sleeping bags and spare clothing. (c) Two team members should go for help to the last checkpoint, while the other stays with the casualty. The members going for help must carry details of the casualty’s name, age, position and condition. (d) If necessary, signal to attract attention by flashing a torch or blowing a whistle once every 10 seconds for a minute then rest a minute. 4 If you think you are lost, try to work out your position using map and compass and get off high ground as soon as possible.
Presentation There will be a presentation at the end of the hike where trophies will be presented for First, Second and Third places and all competitors finishing the hike will be awarded a certificate. This will take place on Sunday 29th March 2009 at 3.00pm at St. Paul's Church, Tower Hill. All parents, leaders and friends are welcomed. All Hikers must wear appropriate uniform.