Autumn 2009 event

This was truly the most extreme of all Apex Extremes! Not only did teams have to battle a relentless series of tough challenges, but also some of the most horrendous weather we’ve ever encountered.

The wind which teams fought through on Saturday was gusting at more than 30 miles an hour. Then when the rain came, it took great determination and a real sense of adventure to continue. But through it all our competitors attacked the challenges with fantastic teamwork and positivity.

As teams arried at Event Centre on Friday night, the wind was already picking up. The Apex Intense provided a dramatic start to the weekend, with 90 minutes to gather and bank as many points as possible while avoiding the energetic Apex Chasers.

Through the night the winds had developed into an impressive gale. Some tents resembled little more than bizarre abstract canvas shapes by the morning, but still it was all smiles as teams tucked into the Apex breakfasts.

Then it was time to take on the worst weather in Apex history on the world-famous Ilkley Moor. The rain poured and the wind blew with incredible force as more than 280 Explorers and Network members travelled between activities as diverse as rock climbing, water slides and even land canoeing. 14 taxing challenges tested teams to breaking point.

Meanwhile the Apex team were facing their own challenges. When the wind brought down the power lines on Saturday morning, it plunged the entire site into darkness. But thanks to some fantastic ingenuity, our very own Apex Power Station was built so the show could go on!

Everyone was back at event centre by early evening to enjoy the Apex Superclub entertainment well into the night.

Sunday brought two amazing event venues. The Wet Activity Zone at Reva reservoir offered opportunities to sail, row, run, throw and bounce while gathering those crucial Apex points. Then it was time to take on the event’s biggest, highest and toughest ever assault course. A dramatic finale to a challenging and unforgettable Apex weekend!

Here’s a look at the main activity bases we had on offer in Saturday’s main event…

A – THE ASCENT

The only way to reach the punch was to take on the daunting cliff face at this demanding rock climbing challenge. It was a struggle to cope with the wind and rain for some teams.

B – DOWN AND OUT

When the punch was only just visible at the bottom of those tower cliffs, it took nerves of steel to tackle this lengthy, and slimy abseil down the sheer face.

C – DROWNING DUCKS

The poor little ducks were struggling to move, so your team needed to transport them across the course before the water ran out.

D – DRY SLOPE KAYAKING

It was rapid canoeing, without the water! Teams needed coordination to canoe around the course without capsizing for the chance of getting an extra 50 points?

E – TWELVE APOSTLES

The most atmospheric place on the moor was the perfect setting for this unusual challenge.

F – DAM-AGE

It was a case of getting down and dirty at this watery assault course that demanded a grand slide down the hill side.

G – G-FORCE

Another challenging fifteen minutes at this waterside location. No-one stays dry at the Apex Extreme!

H – FACEPAINT

A chance to show your artistic side at this bizarre challenge. But when your friend’s face is the blank canvas, teams didn’t always find it easy to make the design turn out as intended.

J – ACID MARSH OF DOOM

It took coordination and intense teamwork to move the objects out of the acid marsh.

K – WHEELY WET

A bouncy course made all the more tricky by some wobbly wheelbarrows and a lot of water!

L – CRAZY CAMP

So are Scouts really the best at pitching tents? Well it needed a lot of skill when faced with the added challenge of the gale force winds at this moorland base.

M – LOCK OUT

The punch is securely locked away and it needed a team who didn’t mind getting a bit dirty to find the crucial code to unlock it.

N – TILE PILE

One to test every part of your brain. Teams needed to work out the right sequence to construct the Apex tiles.

P – MEGASLIDE

Sadly the wind got the better of our biggest ever zip line, so instead it took great skill to fire those giant catapults through the quarry.