Hello, it’s me again! So before we went on our long trek, we had a test run as a group to see how it felt because it was something completely new and different for almost all of us. During the trek, we were treated to breathtaking views of the Himalayas. I took it all in and hiked (the longest I have personally walked—23,461 steps which was around 10 miles, which is a personal best in my life). I am very proud of that. Although I was proud of myself it still was very tiring and it felt like the 10 days trek in a single day. As we kept hiking, we also tried berries with the assistance of Gaurav, which tasted amazing. As we reached camp, the dinner was pasta, which was something so common but something I had never had in my life. I was nervous, but as I cooked, it looked delicious, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint me. Also, seeing Starlink in the sky for the first time filled me with joy, as I’ve always been curious about it.. It’s the first thing you saw before u opened this blog.. THAT WAS STUNNING!!
What did you learn during the shakedown overnight trek? How will this impact your approach to the longer trek later in the program?
- During the shakedown hike, I discovered that it’s acceptable to feel uneasy, and anxious. The group was initially a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Although I was excited rather than anxious, I still carried a fear of failing to finish. I was disappointed by my lack of preparation, but I felt more confident and prepared for the next obstacle after finishing the trek. I had never slept outside before, so that had some problems as well, including overcoming a dry nose and the cold. This taught me how important it is to eat well and stay hydrated because although I drank water I feel as if I did not drink enough so that is something I will take with me in the 10-day trek. Another pleasure and learning experience was making and eating pasta outside. It was a lovely experience, as it was my first time cooking in a setting like this.
What leadership skills and abilities did you recognize being implemented by your peers during the shakedown trek?
- I saw important leadership traits in my peers on the shakedown trek, most notably the genuine concern and care they all had for one another. This friendship made sure that everyone felt supported and helped to keep spirits up. We regularly offered to help each other with their loads, encouraging a spirit of collaboration and mutual aid. This was another example of teamwork in action. Dividing into smaller groups improved relations and made it simpler to have deep talks and keep a close eye on how everyone was doing. Quicker changes to pace and breaks were made possible by this flexibility and sympathetic leadership in smaller groups, ensuring that everyone could keep up. In addition to making the hike easier to handle, these leadership qualities created a sense of cohesion and trust that will be essential for future group activities.
Upon reflection, how did you personally offer leadership on the shakedown trek?
- I took leadership of the sweeper position during the shakedown hike, making sure that everyone was taken care of and safe by following the back of the group. Being in this position allowed me to closely monitor everyone’s equipment, especially following breaks, to ensure that nothing was forgotten and that nobody was having trouble or becoming lost. When we got to camp, I also took the cook role and helped make pasta for the group, which resulted in an appealing dinner that lifted everyone’s mood. I kept an eye on the group’s spirits and physical condition from my position and provided support and encouragement as needed. My contributions ensured a cohesive and enjoyable group experience by facilitating a smoother journey and highlighting the significance of leadership responsibilities centered on support and alertness. On the way back to the center, I took the leader of the day role where I was in the front taking charge which allowed me to do what I talked about above as well as get the group to the destination safely.