Good EB includes:
- Cooperation and teamwork
- Keeping yourself and others motivated
- Getting along in a group of diverse people
For example, offering to fill up other group members’ water bottles when you fill yours, sharing your snacks, carrying some extra weight for a group member who might be having a tough time, and not complaining.
Learn another perspective on Expedition Behavior from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) here!
“Bad EB” can describe how you, as an individual, affect the group without realizing it. For example, if you ignore the packing list and other recommendations from the trip leader, you may end up not having enough or not having the right kind of clothes. Your lack of preparation is now imposed on the rest of the group – they have to care for you and your needs – because you did not adequately prepare yourself for the trip. Another example is not telling the group to slow down or stop because you have a warm spot on your heel. If you ignore the blister forming on your foot, it could lead to a more severe injury later on, thus, affecting the entire group in a negative way. Self-awareness and self-leadership go a long way in contributing to “good EB”.
