GRovers Rover Crew
presents

On Saturday, 21st August, Kuitpo Forest was overrun with Venturers and Rovers looking for squares of plastic tied to trees and fences, all so they could punch a card with pretty patterns.

Yes, it was the annual Rover/Venturer Competitive Hike, run once again by GRovers Rover Crew. After the success of 2003's "Resurrection", 2004's hike was named "Ascension" to continue the theme.

Forty four Rovers, Venturers and Leaders, in twelve teams had six hours to get to as many of the thirty checkpoints hidden around the forest as they could, with all navigation done with map and compass. The weather was beautiful, not even a hint of rain, which was a welcome reprieve from the wintry weather that Adelaide suffered in the early weeks of August.

Registration was from 9.00am, and all teams started at 10.00am. They were due back at 4.00pm, with severe penalties for being late - 10 points for every minute they were late. In the end, several teams were a little late, with the final team making it back at 4.26pm, losing 260 points.

All competitors were exhausted after their walks, and they settled down to a well-earned barbecue while the judges tallied the final scores.

The overall winners were Michael Woodward and James Rusk, Michael winning for the second year in a row. Also on their second win were Anstey Rover Crew, retaining the Rover "Boots" trophy and the brand new Venturer "Boot & Sock" trophy was won by Hallett Cove Venturers.

One other trophy awarded was the "Handbag" trophy for the Rover team who gave it their best effort but didn't get close to winning. Despite having a few teams actively trying to win this trophy (by purposely doing badly), the eventual winners, or rather, losers, were Ridgehaven Rovers, who managed to lose half their score (170 from 340 points) in late penalties.

As well as the trophy winners, all participants were entered into a random prize draw, and some people got their hands on some assorted goodies. After all the formalities were finished, everyone headed off home for a well deserved rest.

Thanks must go to the Kuitpo Forest Rangers, the Scout Bushwalking Team, the South Australian Rogaine Association, Scouts Australia, AMF, Hoyts, and Bremerton Winery, Langhorne Creek. Thanks also to the Blackhawk and Colonel Light Gardens Venturers who helped with the packing up, and to all members of GRovers who helped to organise and run the hike.

Photos of the hike can be found in the Photo Gallery at GRovers website.