This is the nineteenth of a weekly blog series that will focus on leadership in the outdoors and how to get the most from the least. Even though the title is called, “Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain Man”, it will hopefully cover topics that are useful to everyone.
Chapter 19: Don’t be a greenhorn your whole life.
“Übung macht den Meister” German phrase for “Practice makes the master.”
In the mountain man’s time of yesteryear being a greenhorn was the worst thing you could be. This generally meant that a person was a raw recruit to the trapping company and had much to learn. This man was probably looked at as a liability in many ways, with his fellow mountain man not knowing his skill level or how he would react in a life or death situation. I have found myself as the new guy in a company many times, with my new coworkers welcoming me with many different levels of hospitality until my worth could be proven. This sentiment is completely understandable and will be something most people will experience when they join a new company or set out to learn something new.
The one thing that we all have in common is that we all started life with zero experience, knowledge or skills in relation to the outdoor environment. This is what a true education aims to do, learn as much as possible to make yourself a better person each and every day. In other words, try to not be a greenhorn for long. We have to gain knowledge through experiences and from learning from others that already know the information we seek to gain, but we all start in the same place. Sometimes this new material we are learning will come easily, but sometimes it takes years to master a new skill. The ultimate goal for the modern-day mountain man is to acquire as much knowledge as possible to make him or herself as competent a leader as can be found. We all start as greenhorns. They way we build upon the knowledge that can before us can determine our path to success and help us become the best modern-day mountain man we can be.
I am outling a possible progression for the modern-day mountain man or the company where the programs may be taking place to help establish a knowledge base and move past the greenhorn stage. This is not to say this is the only program progression, however the one I am outlining has worked well at several programs where I have helped design or implement programs. This progression is time proven to work well and will prepare the modern-day mountain on his or her journey into the wilds. The name Adventure Learning Units is simply a name I came up with a few years ago as it made logical sense as a person progressed in knowledge and ability from one adventure to the next.
Progression in programs for the Modern-Day Mountain Man.
Progression in the outdoors is based upon the increased development of skill within an increased difficulty of activities.
The three basic levels of progression are:
SKILL PROGRESSION: Skill is the level of competency and the amount of responsibility assumed in performing any one activity. Progressive learning steps are: OBSERVE, ASSIST, PRACTICE and DEMONSTRATE.
ACTIVITY PROGRESSION: An activity is any one task or group of tasks ranging from simple to complex.
OUTING PROGRESSION: An outing is any trip taken outdoors, as simple as a walk around the forest to as complex as a trek around the world.
All levels of progression are intertwined. An individual's development within each level is not as dependent on age as it is on their physical and emotional readiness, self-realized potential, the opportunity for experience, and the ability to plan and work individually and as a group. Not all modern-day mountain men or programs will progress at the same rate in all areas at the same time. Knowing when to attempt more difficult activities depends on how well simple activities and skills have been learned.
For example: One should learn how to light a match before managing a fire, how to sharpen a razor before shaving or how to tie proper knots before climbing.
Taking the time to evaluate yourself or your group's progression is an important step in implementing a group progression program.
Understanding Progression
Skill Progression: Skill is the level of competency and the amount of responsibility assumed in performing any one activity. Skill development progresses through four steps of learning:
Observe: On this level, one will listen, discuss, watch, and wonder. The instructor or modern-day mountain man will assume the responsibility of completing the task(s).
Assist: On this level, one will receive hands-on experience by helping the instructor complete the task(s). The instructor will be responsible for completing the major portion of the tasks.
Practice: On this level, one will practice, refine the skill, gain competency, and assume equal responsibility of completion of the tasks.
Demonstrate (solo): On this level, one takes the complete responsibility to correctly and safely complete the task and will be able to share and teach others that task.
Activity Progression: An activity is any one task or group of tasks. Tasks are grouped into Activity Areas (what I like to refer to as Adventure Learning Units). In each area, tasks range from simple to complex. Every task in each activity area progresses through all steps of skill progression.
For example, when learning to use a knife:
Observe: Discuss why knives need to be sharp and well oiled before heading into the field.
Assist: Review and follow the instructor's instructions on knife maintenance.
Practice: Practice knife maintenance skills.
Demonstrate: Show that you can be responsible for a knife and possess the skill and care that goes into caring for the most valuable of all the modern-day mountain man’s tools.
Adventure Learning Units: (ALU)
Inspired by Adventure:
Skill: Be able to identify good places to hike, camp, cook and explore.
Activity: Find different habitats to compare. Discuss and study carrying capacity and what is needed for daily living and comfort.
Outing: Short duration trips into the field.
Specific skills to be learned in this ALU: Snack/nutrition, stream and habitat exploration, basic first aid and risk assessment, using cooking supplies and tools safely, basic camp craft (Leave No Trace ethics, hiking and camping/kitchen etiquette) and basic swimming and water confidence.
Equipped by Adventure:
Skill: Be able to correctly identify, utilize and be responsible for personal and issued equipment.
Activity: Conduct equipment shake-downs and begin building personal gear inventories and preferences.
Outing: Local trips to various activity areas to test out equipment and build skill foundations for all future trips and programs.
Specific skills to be learned in this ALU: Canoes and small boat handling, Map and Compass, Cartography & GPS, Knot/hitch tying for basic rock climbing, basic indoor rock climbing (belay technique and knots/hitches), knife skills and safety (whittling, carving and basic tool production), winter snowshoeing day trips, archery, Fire building skills, Firearm safety and marksmanship.
Educated by Adventure:
Focused on Natural History and reading the story of God’s creation. Using tools and equipment to explore and educate in local, regional and national natural history subjects.
Skill: Be able to observe the environment and conditions to make logical decisions on equipment needed, trip progressions, group management and logistics.
Activity: Observe and record activities to build knowledge base. Utilize photo/videography and journaling to detail expedition planning and outcomes.
Outing: Regular trips into the mountains in all four seasons.
Specific skills to be learned in this ALU: ID plant and animal types, Fishing (fly, spin and spear), caving, knots/lashing for camp craft, outdoor living skills (shelter building), basic skiing (nordic, in-bounds downhill), tracking, outdoor rock climbing (top rope, -5.8 sport, and simul-climb trad), mountaineering basics.
Prepared by Adventure:
Focused on 7+1 Outdoor Priorities and expedition planning and logistics.
Skill: Be self-sufficient to become a resourceful outdoors person to be able to go solo on trips or to be a dependable member of an expedition team.
Activity: Conduct detailed planning of logistics for all trips with the ability to be flexible and able to proceed with a “less is more” mindset.
Outing: Longer trips into the wilds, which could include all biomes and environments with smaller groups sizes and greater personal and group challenges and risks.
Specific skills to be learned in this ALU: Improvised gear and equipment, advanced rock climbing (5.10 sport, -5.7 trad, multi-pitch), rock climbing anchor building, Advanced Boat skills (kayaking, class III white water, raft/boat building), Advanced mountaineering and avalanche safety, and backcountry ski tours.
Challenged by Adventure:
Focused on utilizing all of the skills learned in prior Adventure Learning Units to complete expedition length trips.
Skill: Show proof of skill in all activities learned in all other ALU’s.
Activity: All prior ALU’s included.
Outing: Be able to complete any trip, anywhere successfully.
Specific skills to be learned in this ALU: Anything goes.
READINESS
Before planning an outing, you have to feel comfortable with the idea and know how to determine if you are ready to venture beyond the beaten path in God’s great wilderness creation.
Are you Ready?
Use the questions below to evaluate your readiness in each of the Adventure Learning Units:
Cooperation
Are you ready to work with others, or is this a solo activity?
Are you flexible, not always wanting your own way?
Can you cope with new circumstances (i.e. darkness, meeting new people, sleeping outside, dealing with increasing physical challenges, etc.)?
Confidence
Do you want to learn new skills?
Did you plan your trip thoroughly?
Do you understand the risks?
Can you follow written and verbal directions?
Have you participated in a progression of activities?
Consideration
Who is the leader of the program or company?
Do you understand what the expected outcomes of the expedition are?
Do you need to include others in the planning or implementation process?
Skill Level
Can you properly complete all of the skills necessary in each progression?
Have you practiced?
Are you physically able to handle the activities?
If your answers are mostly yes, then the modern-day mountain man is ready to continue the progression to the next level/s.
Use the statements below to evaluate you and your programs readiness.
Skill and/or Experience Level
Have you taken the appropriate training?
Do you know what is needed before for the outing/program?
Do you bring any special skills/knowledge to the group?
Are the guides confident with:
Assessing the readiness of your group?
Supervising and managing the group.
Planning progressive activities.
Leading people in the planning process.
Safety management and logistics including first aid.
Being physically able to handle the activity.
Completing necessary forms and permission/liabilities.
Moving the group quickly/efficiently if an emergency evacuation becomes necessary.
In conclusion the modern-day mountain man should always work to be the best he can be and to gain as much knowledge as possible to be the biggest asset to his company and fellow mountaineer. The list included in this chapter is not in any way intended to be a comprehensive list or include every area of study or skill, it is simply included to illustrate the benefits of having a plan of progression when originally starting on your journey to becoming a modern-day mountain man.
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