Venues for 2012 events revealed

As we celebrate ten years of the Apex Challenge, we've picked two amazing locations to host this year's competitions. From an exclusive stately home estate, to a rugged area of outstanding natural beauty these areas will provide us with everything we need to host some unforgettable events.

© Paul Brooker and reproduced with permission.

Spring event
April 14-15 2012
Bramham Estate, West Yorkshire

Our first event of the year will see us heading to the home of the Leeds Festival, as we get exclusive use of the massive private Bramham estate in West Yorkshire. Situated just off the A1, the grounds include dense woodland, open pastures, rivers, lakes and amazing historical landmarks, all of which will contribute to an immense overnight competition. After four years of hosting the spring event at Sherwood Pines, we thought it was time for a change and this new location gives us the opportunity to hold an amazing event in an area few would normally have access to.

After incredible demand for the 2011 events, we are looking to increase capacity still further for this night challenge competition, but places are still likely to be snapped up incredibly quickly. Further details will be announced in February and entries will open online in late February/early March.

Autumn event
October 5-7 2012
Burbage and Longshaw, Peak District

In October we're heading back to where it all began! The Burbage Valley near Hathersage was the location for our first ever Apex Challenge event in 2002. Now, a decade later, we're heading back with some brand new activities and a much bigger competition. The number of teams at our events has more than quadrupled in those ten years, so we've been given special access to some brand new areas for camping and activities in this most spectacular of Peak District locations. You can expect a weekend packed full of adventure and adrenaline at this ultimate competition. Further details about this event will be announced in the summer.

Got it covered: Apex photo fame for Explorer

An action photo from the Apex Challenge will be dropping through thousands of letter boxes this week on the cover of the national Scouting magazine.

James from Caludon District Explorers in Coventry was snapped taking part in one of our extreme rock climbing challenges at the Apex Extreme event last year.

It was one of a series of photographs which the event's offical photographer, Andy Pagett, submitted for the magazine's photo competition. The shot was then selected by this months' young editors from the 514 photos submitted to be featured on the cover.

Apex DVDs - in the post!

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

The fifteen minute film captures all the action from the toughest and biggest ever Apex Challenge event.

From the intense Apex Supersprint event on Friday night, to the action of Saturday's main event and the incredible assault course on the Sunday, this film features all of the teams, and all of the action from this unforgettable weekend.

Those who pre-ordered copies at the event should find them dropping through their letter boxes in the next few days - but there are still some extra copies available.

If you'd like this unique souvenir of your Apex Extreme weekend, simply send a cheque, payable to 'Apex Challenge' for £6, together with your name and address, to Apex Challenge, The Lodge, Eltofts, Carr Lane, Thorner, Leeds, LS14 3HF.