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Dartmoor Beast
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{{original research|date=July 2009}}
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The '''Dartmoor Beast''' is an annual [[Charitable organization|charitable]] [[fundraising]] challenge run in aid of the charity ''Cancer Climber Association (CCA) UK''.  The challenge takes the form of a daytime navigation exercise held in the [[Dartmoor National Park]] in the county of [[Devon]], England.  The challenge is usually held on a Saturday in late August or early September.  The Dartmoor Beast takes its name from the various [[British big cats|big cat]] sightings that have been a recurring feature of local [[folklore]] in the [[Dartmoor]], [[Exmoor]] and [[Bodmin Moor]] areas for many years and from the Royal Marine Commando speed march held during the final stages of qualification for the coveted Commando [[green beret]].
[[Image:Dartmoor Beast 2.jpg|frame|Team Members at a Checkpoint on Dartmoor|alt=|thumb|300x300px]]

== Teams ==
[[Team]]s of between 4 and 8 participants [[hiking|hike]] or '[[yomp]]' either a 20&nbsp;km or 30&nbsp;km route across Dartmoor carrying a pack of either 10&nbsp;kg or 15&nbsp;kg respectively.  No prescribed route is laid down for teams entering the challenge, but various checkpoints must be visited at places around the moor.  Teams are left to plot and navigate their own route between checkpoints, making use of [[map]], [[compass]], map reading skills and global po(contracted; show full)

== Navigation ==
The Dartmoor National Park is notorious for being a difficult environment in which to [[navigate]], especially if visibility is poor.  The moor often experiences extensive hill [[fog]], or 'clag' as it is locally known, which combined with the absence of many linear features (such as walls, paths, fences, forest edges) provides a challenging test for even the most confident navigator.
[[Image:Dartmoor View.jpg|
frame|A typical view across Dartmoor - a nightmare to navigate in poor visibility|alt=|thumb]]

== Staffing ==
In previous years the challenge has been staffed by volunteers from the [[Royal Marines Reserve]] (RMR) [[Bristol]] and representatives of the CCA.  The checkpoints provide an opportunity for RMR staff to assess the fitness, progress and morale of each team, ensuring their safety throughout the [[competition]].

== Rewards of participation ==
Each team member who completes the challenge receives a completion certificate and prizes are awarded for the fastest team on the 20&nbsp;km and 30&nbsp;km routes and various other notable achievements.  The event culminates in a barbecue hosted by the RMR and CCA at the Fox and Hounds [[Public House]], in [[Bridstowe]], Devon - which acts as the start/finish and command post for the event.

== See also ==
*[[Dartmoor Yomp]]

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061014132605/http://beehive.thisisplymouth.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=11396&PageID=67755 Dartmoor Beast Website] (archive 2006)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060511063244/http://beehive.thisisbristol.com/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=11396 Cancer Climber Association]

[[Category:Dartmoor]]
[[Category:Health-related fundraisers]]
[[Category:Charity events in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Annual events in England]]
[[Category:Events in Devon]]