Izzy has just been put through her paces in Wales as she completed the first steps towards becoming an Expedition Leader.
The Mountain Leader (summer) Training takes a leader to-be through top-level navigation in all weather conditions and at night, group management and what to do if it all starts going a bit wrong on the hill, crossing rivers, belaying and abseiling with just a rope, and route planning among other things. Now a consolidation period starts before assessment where over 40 quality mountain days must be collected.
‘This was a tough but amazing course, I have so much knowledge and just need to get out on the hills as much as is humanly possible to practice and get ready for assessment – I’m now on my way to fulfilling my dream of becoming a full-blown Expedition Leader’ Izzy says.
The Team at S2Si, now knowing Izzy’s dream, have decided to share with you, our good readers, some of the issues or problems that she might have to face during an expedition as a leader.
The list is actually a very very long one but we will start with four very important ones.
- Logistics. When and expedition leaves civilization there are many things that have to be taken with the group, then there is the transport to be arranged to move the group and the supplies and then it is obviously important that all that gets to the right place at the right time. If the expedition finishes in a different area to where it started then that makes the logistics of being returned to civilization a little more difficult. So before the main expedition starts the leadership team already have their hands full.
- Health and Safety. An expedition leader must also oversee the well being of the group from the angles of health and safety. If they are in the jungle, are the volunteers playing Pirates of the Caribbean with their machetes, is fresh water available from a suitable source (or purification means available), is the food being stored and prepared in a hygienic manner? What happens if someone is sick or injured? The expedition leader has to make the final call on the casualty evacuation procedure after receiving the best medical advice available.
- A shoulder to cry on!!! The success of an expedition is the completion of its goals and the safe return of all involved… however, I like to make sure everyone also had a good time! An expedition leader might be well trained and used to the environment they are in but a volunteer might be having trouble dealing with blisters, bug bites or even being so far away from home. A sympathetic ear and a sense of humour helps in these instances, as does being aware of the moral of the group….. because the individual doesn’t always come to you!
- Expedition Training. As a leader of a team or group Izzy will have to ensure everyone has had adequate expedition training. If not, preferably at the beginning of the adventure/project, expedition training will have to be carried out to a level where individuals can remain safe and well even if split up from the main group for a while. Expedition training also means giving proper safety briefs at the beginning of new phases or at random moments during the trip where dangers occur.
There you have it Izzy….. but we are actually quite sure you’ll make a good expedition leader.
Tags: Expedition Leader, Expedition Leader Training, Expedition Leadership, Health and safety on expedition
