Today at an early hour a small number of team members journeyed to Bibbys Farm, Limbrick, the campsite of the Bolton Scout Trust, to provide the kit checking team for the 06:00hrs start of this year’s Pike View Hike, celebrating twelve years of this successful and ever larger by the year Scout challenge event.

The Pike View Hike is an annual one day long hill walking and navigation challenge walk of varying lengths, depending on age and ability for Scout Association teams aged between 8-18 years old from all around the country, based upon the western part of the West Pennine Moors, principally the Rivington, Brinscall and Limbrick areas.

Routes vary tremendously with regards to terrain, with the weather this year being very warm, with clear blue skies and dry conditions underfoot.

The event organising group is drawn mainly from experienced Scout Leaders in the Bolton South Scout District, including Bolton MRT team members Steve Fletcher and Mike Marsh, who were also on hand throughout the day alongside a total of nine other team call out list members in their own vehicles and our Team Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances ‘BM1’ amd ‘BM2,’ who together provided immediate on hand Standby Rescue cover and first aid provision.

In total, 360 young people took part (In 90 teams) on the hill enjoying the challenges of our local moorlands.

During the course of this event, the team responded to one medical call upon its services, and a small number of minor requests to assist the keen participants. (These are mentioned here for information only and do not feature in our incident listings)

Nearing the conclusion of the event, our two vehicles present were involved in assisting Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service with a moorland fire, please see Incident 54 – 2013.

(A huge support operation takes place to cover this excellently organised event, including the services of RAYNET)