Teamwork makes the dream work!

We were so, so lucky that our group lived and worked well together during this expedition! As we made our way through the 120km route of our expedition, we found that the 5 of us got along well, and that didn’t change when we got tired, wet, or hungry. This was by no means guaranteed, and there are a few steps that we could have taken to prepare ourselves in advance.Because of the way the SSCP DTP challenge team project works, our group was self-selected. From the start, the challenge (designed by Sam and Martha) was framed as an arduous and adventurous undertaking. In the first brainstorming exercise we talked about hiking, mountaineering, climbing, kayaking, wild camping, swimming and options in countries from Kazakstan to Norway. This meant that volunteers to join the team had some expectation about the level of commitment and physical fitness that would likely be required.  

When the group was decided, we got together immediately to start planning. This was critical to the ultimate success of the challenge this year. We quickly realised that with a new team of people, limited funding, and a small window of opportunity among all of our fieldwork requirements, we would need to plan something relatively small scale (this time around, at least!). We settled on the Cape Wrath Trail – known as the UK’s most challenging multi-day hiking route. We then planned to organise at least one, but ideally more, team-building hikes to check equipment and get to know each other better. One of these was scheduled for February but fell through at the last minute, then fieldwork commitments overtook us and, in the end, we met up on the first day of the expedition having only spent a few hours together over the course of the DTP training programme!  

We were lucky, and the group worked well because: 

• - The group was formed of enthusiastic individuals who really wanted to participate in the planning and execution of the expedition. 
• - We organised something challenging but not too complicated for this first trip. 
• - We talked a lot about communication, so it was understood that it was okay to admit we were feeling tired, grumpy, etc. From the first day we were open about how we were feeling so that we could take care of each other. 
• - We agreed that safety and happiness were our priorities, rather than miles covered or speed.  
• - We didn’t get too precious about things.  
  
  I hope we will take those good points forward in future trips. However, I think the team would benefit from more shared experience before starting a new expedition, especially with new team members. We should build in practice / training relevant to whatever the next expedition is, as well as social and team-building time.