WRFI has a tradition of assigning roles to each student in a course, one of these roles being leader of the day. For Restoration Ecology 1, the first backpacking trip was in the Snowcrest Mountains. I had the lucky opportunity to be leader on our first hike that trip. The night before we left, I helped our instructors plan the logistics of the next day. We determined the order of events, what time they would occur at, and helped plan for the very possible chance of running late.
Since I was in charge of the map, I had to orient the group’s location which I have minimal experience of. I looked at the map and observed the landscape around me, taking note of the mountains beside our campsite and where the crevices formed. I looked back at the map and adjusted it, turning back to my instructor for approval. I explained how I oriented myself and it turns out, I was correct!
We continued preparing for our trip and eventually set off only about an hour and a half behind schedule (good thing we planned for this!).
During the hike, I was at the front of the line leading the group, directing us with the map, and making sure everyone was doing okay with water and pace. When I initially found out that I would have these duties, I was nervous to hold such large responsibilities. I had never done anything like that before. Especially it being the first backpacking trip of the course, I had no one to follow as an example. It felt like I was setting the standard.
After we finally began on the trail, I would stop occasionally to ensure we were going the right way, using the same techniques as before. I observed where water was present with telltale signs of it like willows and sedges. I examined the topography of the space and used the map scale to determine how far we had gone and had left.
Overall, the experience of leading a group through unfamiliar areas, directing them around obstacles, and using the landscape around me as a resource gave me confidence in myself that I don’t think I would have been able to get anywhere else. It helped me realize how much of a leader I can be if I am determined enough. I have always been told that I am a good leader, but I had never really been able to see the truth behind that statement. I tend to stay in the back of groups, hesitant to share my insights, so leading the group helped me finally understand what I am capable of. I am beyond grateful for the unique opportunities WRFI brought to me, and I feel so fortunate to be able to learn such valuable skills firsthand.
