Four Key ‘VUCA’ Lessons From a Week of Manhauling in Spitsbergen
Captain Scott is one my childhood heroes. His ill-fated expedition left a big impression, especially the selfless act of crew member Captain Lawrence “Titus” Oates. Oates had a bad foot injury. In those times, the entire team would be at risk if they were slowed down by an injured man.
When Scott’s remaining crew of 4 were stuck in their tent because of a blizzard, running desperately low on food and fuel, Oates left the tent to die with the laconic words: “I am just going outside and may be some time”. Sadly, his sacrifice was in vain; all starved.
At VUCASTAR, we have a principle that we cannot consult or teach on a subject unless we have hands-on experience. So, if we want to talk about Scott and the equally amazing story of Shackleton’s South Pole survival journey, we had to get out on the ice.
We were lucky to be able to do so for a week in
Spitsbergen with Dixie Dansercour (polarexperience.com). Dixie is Flanders’ top polar explorer and a great leader. The Spitsbergen raid is designed to get the required learning and experience for the “serious” work of trekking to the North Pole.
I’ve asked Dixie: “what quality do you value most in a crew member?” I thought he’d say “motivation” or “fitness”.
His answer:
1. “Attention to detail”.
In a comfort zone one can afford mistakes. But in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environment, and in stretch situations, details are the difference between success and failure.
It can be as simple as “never sweat”. One must always feel slightly chilly. Moisture in Artic conditions = trouble.
You need to prepare flasks of hot water every morning for the day trek. Because all snacks (nuts, chocolate, cheese) will be frozen rock hard. Biting on it can crush your teeth. Hence, put food in your mouth, add some hot water to soften the food before munching. By the way, snacks are stored (unwrapped and pre-cut into small bits) in a plastic bottle with a big easy to open and close lid. Your hands might be in 4 layers of protection, which impacts dexterity. Food breaks must be short, 10 minutes max. Standing still cools down the body too much.
There’s another, very similar bottle for bio breaks at night when one does not feel like getting out of the tent into the cold. Yes, that bottle is in a totally different colour! (details matter)
Amundsen – who beat Scott in the race to the South Pole – had a dictum: “adventure is bad preparation”.
2. Humility: Respect the expert.
I also asked: “who are the most difficult crew members?” Answer: “Those who have never set foot on the ice but challenge each and every element, even calling it “stupid” to do things in the suggested way.”
Over the years, I have come to recognize humility as an essential element of learning.
Example: the extremities of the body are the most at risk of frostbite: hands and feet. The pictures show the layers one must put on. It takes an expert to teach you what to wear. Ignore the advice at your peril.
The nose is vulnerable too. But one cannot easily cover it. Hot breath creates moisture on cloth. That’s why the hood of the jacket has a rim of coyote fur. When wearing it, it creates a warmer micro climate around the face.
3. The strongest shoulders volunteer to carry more; as a matter of fact.
This is an unspoken code. When one crew member is exhausted, you volunteer to take over the graveyard shift (2 am to 4am) in the night-watch patrol against polar bears. No, it wasn’t your turn, but you do it. And you add half an hour extra to give somebody else that more rest. If you’re fit, your sledge has twice the weight. If the trek is uphill, you walk down again to pull somebody else’s sledge up.
4. Keep smiling and remember that this is nothing versus what the true explorers endured.
In VUCA, a sense of humour is essential. All great survivalists have it. It might be the wry kind at times, but humour is highly effective. It was glorious fun!
And of course, make snow angels!