FAQ – Downsman Hike

We’ve been meaning to put together a list of questions we get asked every year since the website was first created! At last a start has been made. The list will hopefully grow in time and will be sorted into relevant sections when it becomes necessary. We hope you find it helpful. If you have any questions that remain, please feel free to ask us and your question may be added to the list.

QUESTION	ANSWER
Are we allowed to deviate off the South Downs way at any point?	Generally, as long as you are on rights of way and not crossing fences or ploughed fields you will be OK, though I don’t think there’s many places where coming off the SDW actually gains any time. Note that there are 2 unmanned via points at Balmer Down, Grid ref TQ 375 102 and at Littlington, TQ 532 032
One section is after the Checkpoint at Washington. There are alternative routes back onto the South Downs, via the road off 122126 or the path passing Tilley’s Farm – can these be used?	From Washington, most teams will use the footpath via Tilley’s Farm to rejoin the SDW.
At the Devil’s Dyke base, do we have to stay on the South Downs until we meet the road and move walk up the road or can we take the footpath which takes us almost directly to the base?	At the Dyke, you should deviate off the SDW and head straight for the stile opposite the pub and thus into the checkpoint. There is no need to walk up the road.
We have a scout team that doesn’t quite make the “minimum 48 years” – is there any flexibility?	No. We always advise teams in this position to enter the Open class one last time, as they will qualify the following year for class S. Or alternatively, form a joint team with another Guide or Scout Group that may have spare potential teammates that are of the required age.
Can we use the same service crew for both our teams	No. Every team must have its own unique service vehicle. No matter how well planned and trained the teams are, there is no guarantee that they will stay close enough for this to work.
Can we use mobile phones as emergency contact for teams.	We recognise that many house holds do not have land lines, as such you can provide a mobile phone as an emergency contact number. We would ask though that the emergency contact is aware of their role that they ensure the phone is kept charged at all times and that they remain close to the phone and the additional contact information such that if we call them they can assist us with any emergency information we require.
Can an emergency contact be shared between more than one team?	Yes, you an have a single emergency contact however as described in the scout factsheet governing home contact here : If relying on a third party it is also important to think about what will happen if there is an incident that requires their involvement, but one of the people affected by the incident is related to or well known by the third party. Would they be in a position to, or be expected to carry out their role? If not how will that communication take place? We would interpret this to mean that please ensure that the emergency contact would not be the individual responsible for dealing with an event with the team (parent, close relation of a team member).