HUNDREDS of scouts from the Chiltern district braved treacherous weather conditions to complete the grueling Grimsdyke Hike.

Freezing fog and heavy rain made the hike all the more difficult for the 400 scouts, who set off from Pitstone Memorial Hall to find 15 check-points.

The low visibility meant that landmarks such as Ivinghoe Beacon, standing at over 230m tall, pylons and Pitstone windmill could not be seen.

Junior Scouts walked 15km on the Saturday November 29, while the Seniors aged between 14 and 18 camped overnight in freezing conditions and walked another 15km the following day.

A group from Seer Green Scouts won the Junior Scout Challenge Shield, completing the hike in five hours and 15 minutes, half an hour ahead of Prestwood Scouts and 24 other teams from Amersham and Chalfont.

Lynx Explorer Scout Unit won the Open Shield, ahead of Illustrious Unit from Chalfont, who took second and third places.

Trailblazer Explorer Unit, from Amersham-on-the-Hill took the Senior Scout Challenge Shield.

Brian Shelley, the Assistant District Commissioner, said he was "very proud" of the scouts' efforts.

He said: "The weather made a tremendous difference. It was very high in the Chilterns. At times, the mist was 20 metres in front of you.

"The single reliance on compass bearings made it difficult. Not only the lack of visibility but the cloudiness as well. At times, the scouts were ankle-deep in mud. They got very demoralised for having to go so slow.

"This was a tremendous challenge for teenagers to take part in in adverse conditions. It was a tremendous achievement for young people to do."