We really enjoy taking part in official challenge events and we are very grateful to the organisers for providing us with ready-made routes that we know exist and that we can do again anytime. Fabulous!

The lifeblood and soul of the ldwa are the official challenge events - nothing can replace these, nor should it.

But I think that where some of the old challenges (or new ideas) are no longer viable; due to regulations, lack of available helpers, lack of walkers, logistics, cost etc. then why not use this forum as a place to chuck in an idea and see who wants to come along. On here an idea can reach likeminded members from all over the country.

I have wanted to put on our overnight 'Blue Moon' event again - but it will never happen officially as there is no way our group can meet basic safety requirements, or manage the organisation. But maybe autumn of 2007, when there is a good harvest moon one weekend, I might decide to go for a wander - if anyone wants to tag along, self supported of course. Matt.

matt,I think yours is a great idea and id be up for your "unofficial" jaunts. Like(i guess) the majority of members,it makes me so,so sad that rules and regulations are starting to increasingly impinge on something that I feel passionate about. With some ldwa events struggling for entries it concerns me that this trend will see more lost from the calander as people are put off by red tape(to a "virgin" entrant a kit check can seem imposing).Oh no,this is starting to sound like a moan!last thing I want,just feel very protective of ldwa(and concerned it could mirror the FRA and its recent troubles).No doubt this debate will come and go into the future,but at least we are debating it. Now off to find those high heels!

That's a great idea. Perhaps some of us could get together to walk some of the overnight events that have died out? The difficulty would be carrying food, although I suppose food parcels could be left at points along the way to serve as check points?

Reading the thread on 'Kit Checks', it is clear that walking, exactly the same as fell running, is going down the same over regulated route (for some participants taste). There is much dissent, currently in the fell running world concerning links with UKA etc - and over regulation. I am not knocking the organisers of events, there is no alternative choice for them/us.
But some runners are starting to kick against this trend.
Last year there was a little 2 day event which involved a group of us run/walking Snowdon, Cadair, Pumlumon and Pen y Fan and cycling between them. All interspersed with food stops and beer overnight, a fantastic social and sporting weekend !! This was a 'non event' put together by the participants and their families/ helpers.

Next year we shall be doing it again, also planning an attempt on the Dragons Back (5 day). Now nobody will ever put this on again as an organised event, logistics and expense would be horrendous. But there is nothing to stop a group of like minded persons getting together and attempting it.

I might add that these are organised as a direct result of the website chat forum - a powerfull tool. So if you have a mega-challenge, that no group will ever organise, why not suggest it here, organise it here and complete it as you want, with like minded walkers?. Matt.