Hundreds become Apex facebook fans

The Apex Challenge Facebook page has been busier than ever before in the month following the 2009 Apex Extreme on Ilkley Moor. More than 360 people have now become fans of the event on the social networking site and dozens more have posted comments about the event.

It's great to see so many people logging on and telling us what they enjoyed most about the event. Recent messages include some calling for a week-long Apex event to be organised in the future, others showing some friendly rivalry between teams who were clearly trying all weekend to beat one another in the final results, and others who are trying to keep in touch with new friends they made during the three days.

We'll carry on checking the Facebook page right through the winter and who knows, some of the suggestions on there might end up getting used in our future events! If you're not already a fan, visit the Apex Challenge page and sign up now!

Team Marine in media spotlight

The success of Team Marine in winning the recent 2009 Apex Extreme has been recognised with an article in one of South Yorkshire's biggest local newspapers. "The Star" in Sheffield has featured the four Explorers on page two of one of its latest editions.

Team member Sam Lindop explains in the article how "they had a brilliant time, with a nailbiting finish." It features a picture of the four team members and details some of the activities they took part in the during the action packed weekend at the start of October when winds of up to 60 miles an hour battered Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire.

The article is also featured on the newspaper website. Once again the Apex team would like to congratulate the  team on their success along with all the others who took part in what was a very memorable weekend.

New faces at Apex Extreme

Dozens of extra photos from the Autumn 2009 Apex Extreme have been uploaded to the event photo gallery - all of them taken at the face painting activity base.

Many people told us the activity was their favourite from the many which they tried during the Saturday main event with teams having just a few minutes to give their friends a colourful makeover.

Take a look at the extra pictures in the photo gallery - see if you can spot yourself and work out who else had their faces painted in all manner of different designs!

Let us know which faces you think were the best and who in your team was the most artistic at painting the others! Leave a comment below!

Apex DVDs hitting the post

This year's Apex Extreme DVD has now been completed with dozens of copies ready for dispatch.

The fourteen minute video captures all the highlights from the toughest ever Apex competition, where high winds and rains added to the tough challenges throughout the weekend.

From teams being chased in the darkness during the Apex Intense, to Explorers falling off the wobble bridge on the immense assault course, this video shows everything that went on during the weekend.

Those who have pre-ordered their copies should get them through the post in the next few days, but there are still a few copies available.

If you'd like this permanant memento of your weekend at the Apex Challenge, simply send a cheque for £5 payable to Apex Challenge, together with your name and address, to Apex Challenge, 14 Sanderson Close, Hull, HU5 3DE.

56mph wind confirmed at Apex site

It's been confirmed that wind speeds reached at least 56mph over the Apex Challenge weekend, close to where almost 300 Explorer Scouts and members of the Scout Network were competing in one of the UK's biggest Scout competitions.

The gust was measured during Saturday's storm force conditions at the Reva reservoir, only a short distance from the Sconce site where the event was based throughout the three days. The wind there had died down somewhat by Sunday when Reva itself was used for part of the competition.

Many teams had to wrestle with their tents to keep them upright and staked in the ground due to the storm force winds and the main marquee which was on site throughout the event also had to be secured on several occasions to make sure it remained fixed in the ground.

A massive thank you to everyone who helped us cope with the difficult conditions, and to all the teams who took it in their stride and accepted it as part of the unique challenge that is the Apex Extreme.

Extreme results and photos online

The 2009 Apex Extreme proved to be an amazing weekend. It was brilliant to see so many people throwing themselves into the event, despite the weather conditions which were, without doubt, the worst the competition has ever had to cope with.

Severe weather on Saturday made it hard work to walk in places, let alone tackle difficult activities in the middle of the bleak moorland over Ilkley. But it was clear the vast majority of people competing rose to the challenge and had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.

All the results are now available online and a huge selection of well over 300 of the best photos from the three days are also online too. Make sure you've got the date of our next event in your diary - the Apex Overnight Challenge will take place on the weekend of 10th-11th April 2010.

Let us know what you thought of the event by leaving a comment below!

Chilling at the Apex Extreme

After an exhausting day battling incredibly strong winds, rain, even hail at times, and a major power cut lasting several hours at Event Centre, it's turning into a relaxing evening in the Apex marquee. The tunes are playing, refreshments have been served and the camp fire is being lit.

It's clear many teams are exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep before more activities to test them to the limit tomorrow. Still ahead an array of water based challenges and a gruelling assault course.

It's these challenges that make the Apex Extreme one of the UK's most popular scout events!

Apex powers up as pylon powers down

The Apex Extreme is powering up through Saturday afternoon with dozens of teams competing in some of the most exciting activities at any scout competition.

Strong winds have this morning brought down the site's electricity supply, also taking out the water pump. While teams are out competing the Apex organisers are busy drafting in emergency power to make sure event centre is back up and running this afternoon.

With blustery conditions forecast for throughout the day it's going to be one of our most challenging events ever, but the teams look to be more than ready to take it on!

No more sleeps till the Apex Extreme

We know many of the teams taking part in this year's Apex Extreme have been counting down the sleeps till this weekend, and finally the day of the competition has arrived. In the next few hours teams will start arriving at the Event Centre on Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire ready for a weekend of adventure and excitement.

Taking into account team members and those helping behind the scenes there'll be more than 300 people on site throughout the three days. Preparations have been going on at the playing area for the past day or so, and with much of Friday still to go there's still plenty to do before teams start to arrive.

If you're one of the teams travelling to the event later, just a final reminder to check the kit list and the directions before you set off (paying particular attention to the parking arrangements) and don't forget that everybody taking part must bring a signed consent form, even those team members who are over 18.

We'll look forward to seeing you all later - Join the Adventure!

Apex team arrives on site

This is the first picture of the Apex Team as they arrive on site ready to start getting ready for this weekend's Apex Extreme.

There's plenty to organise at the Event Centre on Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire which is why they're already on site, around a day and half before most teams are expected to arrive.

There's metres of cabling to be installed, marquees to put up,generators to get powered up, not to mention all that food to start preparing with more than 300 hungry mouths to feed throughout the
weekend.

By the time the 70 teams that are competing arrive the site will be buzzing with activity. There'll be blog posts uploaded throughout the weekend to let you know what we're up to, so whether you're competing,
or some of the friends and family back home, keep checking the website
for the latest updates!