If someone had said to me on Friday that the team were going to finish the 2 days, thereby earning 2 hikes away, 1 night away and the Expedition Challenge, then I would have been pleasantly surprised and very impressed. The navigation has come on in leaps and bounds, as has the team work, how to operate on bases, distance and speed walking.
I also hoped that it might become clear that one person might be less ready than the others, hence making team selection easy. The good news (for them, if not me!) is that that hasn't happened. April and Siân have the better grasp on navigation so they're automatic choices but the other 3 have all done really well and should be very proud. Each one has a good claim to a place - rock, paper, scissors, maybe!
The above all bodes well for next week.
Now, the things that need some focus are:
1. Kit - in the kit list I emailed around, the only thing I think that has been missed is a mug each and some black sacks. However, there were several extraneous items (chocolate, loads of water, clothes, mascara (!) and more) which is all weight. I suspect, in total, the team was probably carrying at least 5kg more than is necessary, which is a huge handicap - probably at least 10% of the weight they carried was surplus. It is only 36 hours, and checkpoints with water every hour or so, so we need to keep it lighter! We were also missing 3 scarves and lots of watches, collectively.
2. Getting On With It - this morning it took more than 90 minutes to get moving, which is too long. There will be a start time both days, which must be met. If that means they miss breakfast, then that is how it will be, but not eating is a big handicap too - they need the energy. Similarly on arrival at camp the tent needs to go up quickly (less than 5 minutes), kit stowed and pans of water on for main meal, dessert, hot drink and washing up. The earlier to bed they are, the better they'll feel for day 2.
3. Checkpoints - mostly very good - just make sure they
always follow the procedure (sign in, rucksacks off, do checkpoint, get grid reference and check it back, fill water, sort any foot issues and re-tie boot laces, rucksacks on, sign out and go). Be cheery and do the courtesy (hello, goodbye, thank you for the base, listen to what you are told) and at least a quarter of the points will be earned for even the checkpoints they know nothing about. Don't loiter - move on asap (as they're likely to finish in the dark anyway).
4. Foot care - blisters will happen. When they do, sort them at the next checkpoint (they don't improve on their own). Boots also need to be tied tightly and re-tied regularly as otherwise they slop about, let in water and both those things lead back to blisters.
But let's get back to the good stuff. This was a huge achievement all round and now they must believe (I certainly do) that if they can nail the navigation, and with a little luck, they will be seeing Hurstpierpoint Village Hall again next Sunday when they cross the finish line. So slapped backs all around (as long as they aren't too sore!).
Dave
