Theme:

Strength test. Physically arduous trip in the backcountry, with emphasis on map and compass work. On skis if conditions permit.

Preparation Post:

“International friends! Meet outside of Spicheren at 0915 tomorrow.

Checklist:

• Food + something hot to drink
• Some rope
• Proper boots to keep your feet warm and dry
• 
Something to sit on
• 
An extra pair of dry socks
• 
Pencil and paper
• 
Map of Jegersberg (if you have it)
• Compass
• 
Something to keep your maps and paper dry

We’ll be on foot all day, so don’t put on too many layers, and bring something to keep you hydrated and your energy up.

The weather forecast says it’s going to be raining all day so your outfit should at least be water resistant/proof.!

Activities:

We walked to the „Øvre Jegersbergvann“ close to a dam and were divided into 4 groups. The groups were competing against each other in an orienteering race. The plan was for each group to reach four places in the area around Jegersberg (map: 4,6,11,14). Every station contained a task, which had to be done. Afterwards the group had walk back to the main meeting point. There they were told were to go next. Every group had to pass the stations in a different order. The winner got chocolates and we went straight home without a lunch break because most people were freezing.

Learning Outcome:

• Map and compass work (not necessarily)
• Carry an injured person downhill (risky)
• Norway’s highest mountain: Galdhøpiggen (2469 m)
• Different ways to build a fire: star, pyramid, parallel, tepee
• Name nocturnal animals: rabbit, deer, fox and hamster
• Endurance in rainy and cold weather

Evaluation:

The idea was quite good. Everyone was physical active and group members had to work together to finish the tasks. Because of the hard weather conditions, slippery ground, rain and cold temperature it was hard to walk fast thus the whole competition was much longer. One of the groups went home because the members were discouraged by the conditions. It would have been easier to stay motivated if there had been time for a small break. Furthermore the task of station 4 was too risky. We had to jump downhill on one leg. One can easily twist the ankles doing this a steep path down plus the slippery ice on the ground made it even harder. The leaders should have adapted their plan to the situational circumstances.

Additionally the theme of the trip could have been used to practice map reading and compass skills. However there was no time to practice because people already knowing it took over so that the group would be fastest. In my opinion for a higher learning outcome it is sometimes better to not make a competition about it.