This can make people introverted and make them over analyse the situation, as leader you need to keep morale up and food is a good way to do this. Whisky. I use whisky, having the occasional nip after a long day pulling and sharing it conspiratorially is a great way of giving people that lift they need and of quickly bonding a team again in an ancient activity, never mind the alcohol warmth which does lift the spirits. I’m not saying we get legless drunk but a wee nip shared with others can be a great bonder.
Chocolate as well, we eat it anyway as an essential high calorie food but it’s also a great mood lifter, the initial sugar rush really helping out.
Christmas, as we are there over New Year, I will mark the festival with a token, be it a wee present or a Christmas pudding or something to change the monotony.
BB:
So no pemmican…
RS:
(laughs) no, NO pemmican,
BB:
I suppose, at the end of the day, Scott relied on Pemmican and he starved to death
RS:
Exactly! One of the things we do when giving lectures to schools is we demonstrate the workings of the old brass Primus Number 5 Kerosene Stove (Ed- the collapsible brass kerosene pressure stove that was one of the most ubiquitous items of exploration gear for nigh on 100 years in its various forms. Anyone who has eaten or drunk food or drink prepared with a Primus will be familiar with the ‘paraffin flavour’ everything has – perhaps this is what made pemmican palatable to our ancestors?) I show them how the stove works and also how heavy it is when broken down and put in its box. In this day of lightweight equipment ( some plastic becomes brittle and breaks in the cold) its interesting seeing kids get their heads around the weight of expedition kit from the past.
The other thing I do is make fake pemmican for the kids to try. I crush Jacobs Cream Crackers and then mix them into a coarse meat pate. I think it tastes quite nice. The strong taste is too strong for the kids who universally don’t like it bit it gives them an idea of what pemmican is sort of like. You could never give them the real stuff, it wouldn’t be fair.
BB:
Rob, you have been more than generous with your time. It’s been a delight to speak and to hear your thoughts and about the expedition. The very best of luck over the next few months and let’s hook up for a beer when you get back. Lastly, can you let us know how we can support the expedition
RS:
It’s been my pleasure, thanks for the good wishes and we’ll definitely hook up, I might be very up for one of the raids you are planning in Scotland next year.
Team:
Rob Small, Leader
Andre Vercueil, Expedition Research Lead
Greg Williams, Expedition Doctor
Seb Coulthard
Expedition Photo/Videographer
Kein Augello, Producer, New Age Films
100.