Leading your first expedition...

Leading your first expedition: My advise for those leading & organizing their 1st expedition.

Leading your first expedition can be an exciting, yet a daunting responsibility. This short article contains advice based on my own experiences, I hope it helps! The role of an expedition leader is a varied dynamic position that is concerned with the organisation of the venture, and the safety and development of those on it.

·         A good Idea

A good expedition objective will inspire others to join you, as well as potential sponsors, and importantly will motivate you to see it through. There’s probably a long list of places you want to go, things you want to see, and stuff you want to do when you get there. Mountaineering in Mexico? Cycle touring in Spain? Canoeing in Canada? Whatever your ideas, keep your initial research broad, and then look further into a few destinations and objectives in more detail. An original idea may be more appealing, and off the beaten track, however be prepared for it to take longer to research. Read previous expedition accounts, internet articles, guidebooks and maps. Talk to local experts, but screen advice carefully. Time put into research will make your life as expedition leader easier later on. Try to have this stage in place around 12-18months before the proposed departure date.

·         What Kind of trip?

If your planning on just taking a few mates (a peer trip), then you can be more flexible with plans, if you’re taking a big group then costs, dates, and itinerary should be set before you start to advertise it. What-ever you decide then there are several benefits to running your expedition through the DES; a cheap comprehensive insurance policy, the financial benefits of gift aid, a home-agent, and as expedition leader you be employed and therefore less liable should you get into legal trouble.

·         Getting the word out!

The internet is the most powerful tool at your disposal, and can be used to advertise for participants. Creating an expedition blog can help to show potential applicants more information about your trip such as, the expedition aim and objectives, dates, itinerary, background information, selection weekend information, and how to apply. Having a Facebook page and twitter account can create good publicity, as can posting on related forums and pages. Expect to have applicants drop-out, expeditions are a big financial and personal commitment and this is normal.

·         Build a Team

It is likely that your expedition is going to be a physical and psychological challenge, therefore forming a capable team is a delicate and essential process. A selection weekend can be a good way of achieving this and should act as a mini expedition. I would recommend a well-planned, tough weekend, using command and team building tasks including reviewing techniques. It is important that each member of the trip is fully involved in every aspect of the trip, therefore the delegation of roles (such as accommodation, transport, food, logistics, finance etc.) should start at a pre-selection weekend planning meeting. I believe your role as ‘leader’ should be to see that the right person is in the correct role, and are happy with what they have to do, and to over-see and help them through this process. Facilitate each group member to set achievable planning goals, with realistic completion dates; and manage your team well to check that they are completing these. This trip may be your ‘baby’ but you must allow others to take ownership, bring their own ideas and complete tasks their way.

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       Train Hard

Plan several training weekends to prepare the team, whilst these weekends should still be tough, the emphasis should be on learning and practicing the skills required for the trip. You should choose dates and location that will suit the majority of people on the trip. These weekends should allow individuals to get used to their role as well as test their equipment and fitness and should simulate the challenges faced on expedition.

·         Build-up

Meeting a day before departure allows time for kit inspections, up-dating medical forms, collecting passport photo copies, going through risk assessments and the itinerary, as well as a chance to say farewells to friends and family.

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     Embrace problems

You will have problems such as lost passports, delayed transport, overcharged for food. For example you may have to spend three days convincing the director of Moroccan customs not to charge ¾ of the remaining expedition budget for import tax. When things feel like they are going ‘wrong’ don’t feel it is your responsibility as ‘leader’ to deal with the issues.  Expeditions are a challenge, life presents many problems that need to be overcome, this is part of the challenge and provides excellent learning opportunities. 

·         Finally….Enjoy it.