Backpacker – August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

116 BACKPACKER.COM

YOU’RE

DOING IT

WRONG! SOCIAL

You fail to define the trip and get

everyone’s buy-in.

In your exhilaration over the pending

assault on Peak X, you might have

left questions about key priorities

unanswered, such as:

• Is this trip only about bagging
  the peak?


• Is it also about having a great time
  outdoors?


• W hat’s the group’s ability and
  tolerance for risk?
  Successful leaders get the group to
  answer—and agree on—these key
  questions. Next job: Sticking with the
  answers.

You make group decisions by

yourself.

A good leader insists that, before any

big decisions are made, everyone’s

opinion is heard.

You let the group make “leader”

decisions.

Exception to the previous rule: When

somebody sprains an ankle and thunder

is rumbling overhead, democracy

means you’re doing it wrong. Time for

benevolent dictatorship. “Mary, you

help Dan walk. Tony, you make sure we

stay on the trail. I’ll carry Dan’s pack.

We’ll stop at timberline.”

You try to solve all your hiking

companion’s problems.

She’s hurting. He’s worried. Shelve

the solutions, and encourage her to

vent. Explore his fears. Sometimes

being heard is all they need. You can

strategize later.

You’re a cheerleader instead of a

hike leader.

Cut the mindless rah-rah and offer a

hot drink, a snack, and a mental break

to the hikers who need it.

You tell them what to do rather

than doing it.

A good example is always more

powerful than a lecture.

You try to carry the

whole group.

Shannon Rochelle, research manager and fi eld instructor

for the National Outdoor Leadership School, has a few theories

about why no one wants to follow you anymore.

YOUR TURN

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE

GROUP SIZE? One partner35%

26%

Solo

7%

The more the

merrier!

32%

Two or three

partners

You only learn the hard way.

Experience can be a cruel—and

slow—teacher. Study up before

you start.

QUICK
FIX