Large group explorations - ideas for discussion

[ratagonia]

Courtney and Mark invited Ram and I on an exploration in Death
Valley. It would be an exploration with a fairly large group (8)
and with the 6000 foot total drop, had the potential to get bogged
down (ie, bivy!!). There was expected to be a large drop in the
middle of the canyon that could prove technically challenging.

But, while Ram and I have done a good job of making people think we
are first descent guns, it was Courtney and Mark's canyon to lead
the first descent on.

So this is the pre-canyon coaching memo to clarify roles and offer
coaching on HOW to manage the descent. Offered as a discussion starter
on what works and does not work etc. when groups get together
for canyons........................................
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1. It's your project. Therefore you (or youse guys) get the fun job
of being out front and solving most of the problems, as you see fit,
mostly. Sharing some of the front duty is good for group cohesion.

2. Then again, the fun exploratory project with a small, sharp crew
has blown up into a considerable larger potential cluster.

3. It should work out well. You get to be the leader, while Ram and
I get to manage the descent. As leader, you are out front, figuring
things out, while Ram and I are in the middle and back (mostly)
keeping people moving and keeping things along. Ram tends to
gravitate towards the front, while I tend to get stuck in the rear.

4. Pushing Forward Aggressively - not the main goal. My biggest
beef in this kind of situation is that the lead pushes forward
aggressively, and group cohesiveness is lost. Overall speed is also
lost using this 'method'. The group is faster that stays together
more and works together more. (Otherwise, the front ends up running
out of resources and having to wait, while the back is doing all the
work and gets bogged down and pissed off).

5. Rolley Polley: for non-new canyons, I like using the rolley
polley method: the person in front sets the rappel or solves the
problem, then stays there and comes down last. The second becomes
the new front and pushes ahead. etc. the group ROLLs down the
canyon. Everyone gets a chance to be first, and does the
obligations of being last. and the group stays fairly close
together.

6. I don't suggest that here, I'm thinking more inchworm, though I
think later in the day we might revert to roly poly-ish.

7. Inchworm means that you guys are out in front, but you keep good
contact with the rest of the group. Which also means that if you
get to a difficult problem to solve, you have Tom and Ram to call
upon as a resource. This will be especially true if there are big
drops because these are likely to take more effort to manage
efficiently than anything else.

7A. Attention is focused on parallel processing: get as much going
on as possible at the same time. But avoid getting people too far
out in front.

8. As an example: FIRST DROP - I imagine the whole group charging
across the desert, down into the wash, then we come to the first
drop. We quickly assess that there are plenty of anchor
possibilities available. The NEXT step is to establish a meat
anchor and get Rick and Chaz down so they can move forward and start
working on the next drop. Then we start rapping other people down.
by the time there are only three people left at the top, the anchor
should be rigged and ready to go. Transfer off the meat anchor,
final rig, final raps, pull and bag the rope.

9. In the meantime, you two have worked down to the next drop, have
located an anchor and are starting to rig. People start arriving
from the previous rappel. If the rigging will take a while, you can
set up a meat anchor and start people rapping; or assign finishing
the rigging and get yourselves forward off a meat anchor; or??? The
WORST thing you can do is set the anchor, rappel and move forward
out of sight. If the rap is simple, do the rap, then wait for the
next person to appear. Staying in contact is important to the team
staying cohesive and everyone having a good time.

10. The big raps will likely take closer consultation.

11. Resources (ropes, webbing, rapid links) should be spread out
throughout the group.

12. It is best if everyone in the group is involved in all aspects
of the descent. It is best if the group is on purpose and moving
well, rather than feeling and being rushed.

I wanted to plant these ideas in your heads, because I have
expectations of what an ideal canyon descent with this very mixed
group looks like. It is IMPORTANT to not have attachment to one's
expectations, but let the descent flow organically as the day
progresses, managing it where needed to keep things flowing well.
Most important to remember what we are there for: A. get down the
canyon safely; B. have fun; and C. do A and B together.

Tom