Communication is crucial in all aspects of life. Without proper communication it is difficult to coordinate and accomplish complex tasks. When it comes to a hiking adventure, proper interaction between the hikers is necessary for a comfortable experience. Trails are physically sapping and mentally taxing, which requires a group to stay strong when faced with adversities. If you have people around who can share your pain and provide solutions to the problems, there is nothing like it. Creating a close knit unit is only possible through regular interaction, which makes communication extremely important.

I have been on many hiking adventures with different groups of people. Before setting out on a journey, I always make sure that I break the ice with my new mates. It is unlikely that you will always find people you like unless you are going out with your close friends. Sometimes you just have to learn to get along and stick to only meaningful communication. I have a few tips of my own that I would like to share with you through this post.

1. Start With a Huddle

Whether you are going out with a single partner or a group, you need to make sure that you discuss the plan in the beginning. Get into a huddle like a sports team and discuss the plan for the hike. This will set the right tone for your journey as everyone will be aware of their tasks and duties. Discussion can be based on all aspects of the hike, including the frequency of breaks, the pace of the journey and the responsibilities of each individual. Make sure that everyone concurs with the plan laid out. Getting agreement from everyone is a great way to start a hike. Once a person has agreed to the plan they will find it hard to renounce their responsibilities at a later stage of the hike.

2. Learn about Other’s State Of Mind

The challenges of a hike can sometimes be too much to handle for some individuals. You do not want people to get nervous or agitated as that can really affect the group. It is better to check on everyone, informally I must add, in order to understand how they are feeling. There's no need to call people out individually; just start a conversation by casually saying something like "It was a tough day, I am tired, how are you guys feeling?" This way you will get an answer without direct pinpointing and you will know the state of mind of your mates. Once you are aware of their mental state, you can help them with their challenges, and keep them going on the hike.

3. Shuffle Leaders

Being the leader of the pack comes with many responsibilities. One has to be strict in laying down the law, which can create friction between the leader and the group. Changing leaders at different time intervals is a great way to stop this from happening. If a person has great knowledge of the terrain, they should lead the pack while walking. When it comes to camping, the responsibilities should be shifted to the person who is accomplished at creating a tent. And at the night time when supper needs to be cooked, leadership should be handed over to the best chef in the group.

 

4. Reflect on Your Experience

Communication should not end after the hike is complete. Debrief when you have finished the trail and discuss the higher and lower points of the hike. A discourse on your shared experience can go a long way in keeping the overall experience positive. With good thoughts in the mind while you are heading home, you are more likely to come back for the next hike with the same group of people.