Hi everyone.
Three weeks to go until the long-awaited KNP 2021 hike! Exciting times!
I want to discuss three important elements of being part of an adventure like this and ways we can each contribute to a successful group experience.
There has been much talk about packing minimally and not taking excess gear. However, there is one item I want to encourage everyone to bring … a map.
Inevitably, if only one or two people bring a map on the hike, others “switch off” and rely on them to do the guiding. This can put pressure on those who have (perhaps reluctantly) become the designated navigators. It also limits the potential input into this important task. Eight brains are better than one, right? As I have said repeatedly, navigation is a group responsibility. Don’t leave it to others. Keep your map close at hand when hiking and refer to it often.
Obviously, GPSs, phone apps and the like are valuable tools and we will no doubt make use of them. However, a map is still of fundamental importance. Call me old-school, but staring at a small screen does not provide the same “big-picture” perspective that you get from looking at a map and relating those visual cues to the terrain around you.
For this reason, I would also encourage you to get your map out of hibernation now, put it on the kitchen table (or some other appropriate place) and look at it whenever you sit down. Become thoroughly familiar with the route. Try to memorize camping spots, huts and other key landmarks. Be as knowledgeable as you can before you hit the trail and be ready to contribute relevant information to any navigation discussion that may arise.
Another important component of being part of this team is the willingness to be honest and realistic about how you are travelling. I know this from personal experience. There are likely to be times for all of us when we struggle. Yes, we will have to be resilient and show perseverance. But that doesn’t mean being evasive about injuries, fatigue or other issues. Trying to cover up a problem will only cause a bigger problem down the track. If you’re struggling, talk to someone. It might be that a break or an early lunch is required. Besides, getting encouragement from someone else is always helpful. There’s nothing heroic about making a situation worse by not communicating.
My final encouragement is to be a team player. Remember that everything we do on the hike affects everyone else. As much as we all get on well, being together non-stop for eight days can be testing. Things which would, in normal circumstances, be minor irritations can become major frustrations, especially when fueled by fatigue. Be mindful of this and considerate of others. Be aware of how you impact your team mates.
Whilst training is largely an individual pursuit, participating in the actual hike is very much a team endeavor. If one person stops, we all stop. If there is a problem, we are all involved in finding a solution.
Some things to think about.
This is going to be awesome! Let’s have a great hike!
Craig
26/3/21