What Is Trail Leadership?
Trail leadership does not only happen while hiking, backpacking or at the campsite. It starts at home hours, days, weeks and even months before your trip.
Trail Leadership starts with planning your trip. Defining who, what, where, when and how each trip will happen. It is as much making sure that you are prepared for your trip as it is looking out for people as you travel.
Trail leadership does not have to come from one person all the time. Trail leadership is really caring for your trip and making sure that fun is around every bend.
Being prepared
How you plan a trip can make your fun or break your fun. Planning a camping trip is a little more than finding an area, packing the car, grabbing the family and friends and going for a drive.
Do you have the proper equipment, what condition is the equipment in, what kind of campsite(s) are you going to?
These are questions that each one of us has to answer before your trip starts. A checklist is a great way to make sure you have what you need.
The Campsite
Find out about the campsite you are going to. Does it have bathrooms and showers? How about running water?
There are many books out there that can answer those questions for you. If you are going to a more primitive site than there is a few survival tips that you should have under your belt to make your trip easier.
Weather
The weather is a big factor also. It might be summer but if you are camping in a monsoon area it is wise to know where the storms come from and if they are in season.
Also check the weather to know what kind of clothing to bring. If it gets cold at night you will want to bundle up. When you find this information tell everyone you are traveling with.
Food and Water
Food and Water are big concerns. Many places you camp at will not have a close store to stock up at. You will have to plan your food around that.
Stocking Ice will be tough so unless you are dehydrating your food you might not want to bring so much meat. If you are fishing that wouldn't be so bad, if you can catch any fish!
Water is your biggest issue. If there is no running water you will have to use some method of water treatment.
First Aid
Knowing first aid is a big concern. Not enough people take the time to learn simple things like what to do if someone in your party gets hurt. You don't have to take the time to learn CPR, Shock and other advanced topics but it would be good to have that knowledge.
The Red Cross is a great place to learn these things. There are courses that are as short as 3.5 hours and there are classes that are several weeks long and as in depth as a college course.
Taking the time to learn about these topics is another step to being a trail leader.
Survival Kits
Having a survival kit is also big. None of us want to think about the worst-case scenario but it is important to do just that. If you stop to prepare for potential issues you can also learn to avoid them or know what to do when you find yourself in one.
You never know when your leadership skills will save you, a friend or family member or a complete strangers life!
On the trail
When you are on the trail nobody wants to baby sit, and it is not your responsibility to do so (unless you are baby sitting).
A big part of the fun of a camping, hiking or backpacking trip is talking to your family and friends. That is all it takes to be a good trail leader.
If you are the most experienced hiker stay to the rear of the group to make sure you don't loose any one. You can also keep an eye on everyone without being overbearing.
Making sure everyone is hydrated, whach for sunstroke and make sure everyone is well fed. The higher the altitude the quicker you will dehydrate. Also you are burning more calories while you are having all of that fun, so be sure to eat well.
Make sure you or others don't run off to far ahead of your group, make sure that others are not wondering off and getting lost!
If you are backpacking or doing some other activity that is tiring make sure the pace is good for everyone. Suggest taking breaks when someone is getting tired. Never be afraid to stop and enjoy your surroundings!
Setting the proper goals for a trip will avoid most of your issues concerning pace but when do plans always work out? Be prepared to change and try to expect the unexpected before you leave home.
Knowing when to listen to others is also a trait of a leader. Sometimes letting others make the decision is the best thing you can do.
Really being a leader is planning to have fun and making sure everyone is satisfied while you are out there. Get the work done before you are on your trip so you can spend your time enjoying yourself and the others around you!