The annual Thunderbird competition was once again a great success, with seven teams taking part from the five Scout Troops in Blaydon District. This year was the usual mix of walking and navigation on the Saturday and Sunday, with more than 30 incidents at various check points at an overnight light weight camp, with marks being awarded for camping standards, dinner and breakfast and for various challenges and entertainment in the Saturday evening.

Practicing safe descent techniques

Fording a ‘river’ in full spate!

Coming down off the hills

A short break

Thunderbird is over for another year!

Held in and around Blanchland, the competition is now in its 47th year and is a firm favourite with Scouts and Leaders alike. This years event was marked by some unusually warm weather on the Saturday, with temperatures in the low 20s (degC). Sunday was more to form with rain showers for most of the day and a blustery wind up on the fells, but all teams managed to compete the competition.

There was a significant spread of points across all seven teams, but places were close at the top, with the ‘Fair Field’ team from Crawcrook Troop winning by a narrow margin. This year was almost a clean sweep for Crawcrook, winning the main Thunderbird tropy, the Crazy Bird trophy for the most entertaining team and have a stake in the Joe Stobbart Trophy for the best Scout, which was again shared this year. Full results are given below.

Well done to all the teams who took part and a big thanks to the more than 30 Leaders, Explorer Scouts and other supporters who helped make this years event possible.

Results:

1st (Thunderbird Trophy Winners – 564 points) – Fairfield

2nd (557 points) – Scafell

3rd (554 points) – Blencathra

4th (490 points) – Helvellyn

5th (484 points) – Catbells

6th (480 points and winners of the Crazy Bird Trophy) – Great Gable

7th (418 points) – Pillar

Winners of the Joe Sobbart Trophy

Jack Harrison – Ryton Troop

Daniel Minto – Crawcrook Troop