Downsman 2023
Congratulations to a new 1st Crawley team on completing their first Downsman hike! The 11-mile Open Class hike took our team from Plumpton College to Itford under unseasonably warm, blue skies.
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Big-Smiles-before-the-Start-Medium.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Checkpoint-at-Black-Cap-Medium.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Beautiful-Weather-on-the-South-Downs-Way-Medium.jpg)
Taking turns at navigation, the team made great progress over the first sections to a well deserved lunch break at the Falmer checkpoint.
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arriving-at-Falmer-Medium-rotated.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Falmer-Checkpoint-Medium.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Lunch-Break-Medium.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tally-Card-Medium-rotated.jpg)
The afternoon saw our team head south along the South Downs way towards the River Ouse at Itford. Just over 5 hours after starting, the team arrived at their finish line – a little tired but still in great spirits.
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arriving-at-the-Finish-Medium.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Big-Smiles-after-Finishing-Medium.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Medals-Awarded-Medium-rotated.jpg)
![](https://1stcrawleyscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Downsman-2023-Medal-Medium.jpg)
With over 80 teams spread out over various classes it was a busy day out on the hills and a fantastic introduction to this latest 1st Crawley team. Next year we hope to attempt the competitive S-Class, as well as introduce some new members to the Downsman in the Open Class.
I should add a huge thank you to the organisers for an fabulous event.
We should also add congratulations to 1st Crawley Young Leader, and former group member Harry for completing the 38-mile E-Class hike with his Explorer unit.