Expedition leadership is often imagined as map reading, route planning, and ensuring your group has the right kit — and while all of that is true, it only scratches the surface. Real leadership shows itself when things go wrong.
Over the years, I’ve led many groups through lowland and mountainous terrain, and the Level 3 Lowland Expedition Leadership curriculum rightly emphasises the skills behind the skills — calm communication, dynamic risk management, and empathy. These are the foundations of safe and effective leadership, and no amount of laminated route cards can replace them when the pressure is on.
I remember one particularly cold and stormy trek in North Wales. The weather had closed in fast — freezing rain, biting wind, and low visibility. One group member, already beginning to “umble”, (those who have done some outdoor first aid will know what I mean!!), began to show early signs of exposure. His hands were clumsy, speech a little slow. We stopped immediately, got him into his dry kit, and I made the call to carry his rucksack for the next leg of the journey. It wasn’t heroic — it was necessary. Staying calm meant the group didn’t panic, and we kept moving as a team. Within the hour, he was improving and able to carry on.
This moment brought to life so much of what the LEL curriculum teaches: recognising hazards early, acting decisively, and understanding that leadership isn’t about shouting commands — it’s about showing you’re in control, even when things feel chaotic.
Another time, I was leading a group down off a hill late in the day when one of our team — a quieter, less confident participant — strained her knee. The sun had set, the headtorches were on, and she was visibly anxious. Navigating in the dark only made things worse. I walked beside her the whole way, talking calmly, explaining how I was using the sound of a river on our right and the lights of a distant house as navigational cues. I shared the plan openly — where we were heading next, what features we’d pass, and how we’d know we were nearly home. That reassurance was more important than the map at that point. We made it back to the pub, slowly, but safely. That’s leadership too.
The LEL qualification breaks leadership down into core skills like communication, problem solving, organisation, and self-belief — and I can honestly say those elements have played out in every trip I’ve led. Not just in crisis moments, but in the quiet decisions: choosing when to stop, checking in with individuals, adapting the plan because someone’s pace is slower than expected.
Good leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing your group, staying adaptable, and keeping a level head when others are looking to you for guidance. That’s what makes a walk into a successful expedition — and a group into a team.
