TDA Cyclist Reflects on Expedition Behavior
Preparing for his next bike tour, TDA cyclist Henry Gold reflects on the value of expedition behavior taught on NOLS courses. Inspired by NASA astronauts who’ve completed NOLS leadership training, TDA trip leaders encourage a culture of expedition behavior on their tours.
“The success of our cycling expeditions is as much dependent on Expeditionary Behaviour (EB) as is a successful mission in space. Mark Harvey from NOLS writes in his book NOLS Wilderness Guide about EB – ‘Human relations play an equally important role (in relation to all the important factors in safe expedition, such as equipment, skills, etc.). To be blunt, how well you get along with your travel mates can mean the difference between enjoying the wilds or detesting every second of it; between summiting a peak or getting hopelessly lost in the process. That you need to get along and communicate effectively with your travel companions probably seems obvious…’
I know that there will be days when I can easily ‘lose it’, as I have done in the past on more than one occasion. When I do, I will need to take a deep breath or two, remember the principles of EB and then simply try to do the right thing.”
Topics: expedition behavior, News
