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A Guide to Writing Expedition Logs/Reports for Venturers - Michael Woodward 2001
Writing Expedition Reports
“The report should critically evaluate the planning and conduct of the
expedition and cover such subjects as food, equipment, route” and
“emphasise evaluation of the
original planning details
in the light of the expedition and report on possible improvements.”
Venturer Scout Passport p56
For the expedition emphasis is put on walking in rugged, challenging and
unfamiliar country.
Your expedition report will be a permanent record of your trip.
It will enable others to repeat the same trip and benefit from your
experience.
You will be able to compare your planned with your actual expedition,
critically analysing what you did, what you took, your own performance and
that of your companions.
You should include:-
An introduction
Information about the participants
Background information
Intended route
Maps
Permission/notification/contacts/approvals
Costs
Menu and ration lists
Personal equipment
Group equipment
Transport
Expedition story
Expedition report
Review i.e. planned v.s. actual expedition
Appendices:- Authority to Participate / Activity Notification forms
Unit, D.V.C., Examiner approvals
Weather forecast
Correspondence
Introduction
This could go on the front cover so that the reader immediately knows what
the report is about:-
Hike, Canoe, Bike Expedition
Where it was held:- Wilpena Pound, Glenelg River, Bogong High Plains,
Mawson Trail
The dates of the expedition.
Award section i.e. Expedition 1 or 2, Outdoors 1 or 2
Your name and Unit
These next items could go on the first page:-
How you decided on this particular expedition and how you recruited your
companions.
A brief summary of the expedition area i.e. distance & direction from
Adelaide and the main features.
e.g. The Major Mitchell Plateau lies in the heart of the Grampians in
Western Victoria about 500km from Adelaide. Rising to 1067m, the plateau is a very rugged and exposed
part of the Grampians with Mt.William the highest point 1167m.
Who was involved?
Introduce yourself, the expedition leader and the other members of your
group, ages, experience in bushwalking, 1st.aid certificate, which Unit to
which they belong
Who was your examiner? [note:-Expedition Examiners need to be approved by
your D.V.C.or Queen’s Scout Award Standards Committee]
Preparation and Training.
List information in the appendix about the area and where you got it.
List your practice hikes, bike rides, canoe training, selection and
checking of essential equipment for this particular trip, meetings with your examiner, menu preparation,
buying, packing food, practise cooking, use of stoves gaining permission:-
‘Activity Notification’ and ‘Authority to Participate’ forms, camping,
access permits with the people contacted.
The Intended Expedition.
Detail your planned trip. Include dates, times, start and finish points,
campsite with grid references, emergency procedures, escape routes,
transport, distances to be covered each day, features to be visited each day e.g. hilltops, waterfalls
Include a colour photocopy map with the above details shown.
Maps Used
Title, edition, date of issue, scale
Budget and Actual Costs
Transport, food, camping fees, gear hire, permits
Menu and Ration List.
List your meals and the quantities
How did you cater and cook i.e. in pairs
As Expedition Leader you should work with the least experienced team
member
Personal Equipment.
Mention everything that you took.
What were your pack weights compared to your own weights.
Include before and after weights.
Details of your personal first aid kit and what was used on the trip.
Group Equipment.
Tents type, brand
First aid kit [list the contents]
Stoves, billies, fuel-how much was carried and used.
Maps, compasses [type and brand]
Transport:
How did you get to and from the expedition area.
Distances, time taken and costs
Expedition Report:
This is the main part since by reading it other people should be able to retrace
your route and complete your expedition.
On the trip make notes of your progress. Start time, breaks, major changes
in direction, significant places, campsites
Include:
Times and grid references of:-start, finish, rest stops, campsites
Direction of travel [bearing or compass direction]
Details of important features.
Describe any difficulties encountered.
Describe campsites [suitability, water, protection from weather]
Distance travelled each day and height climbed.
Photographs really add to the report.
What was the weather on the trip as it progressed:-wind, cloud,
temperature, rain?
The Expedition Story:
This is the story of the trip as it happened with highlights, problems,
incidents
Review:
Comment on how the expedition went - successes, how you got along, what
you would change if you did the trip again.
What advice you would give to someone planning the same expedition,
compare the planned trip with what actually happened.
A thank you statement to the people who made your trip such a success.
Appendix:
Authority to Participate forms.
Activity Notification
District Venturer Council approval of your proposed trip.
Weather reports prior and during the trip of the area. [newspaper or 4 day
forecast charts from the Bureau of Meteorology website]
Copies of correspondence.
So that's it!! Get going - Have a great trip.
P.S. The Scout Bushwalking group is made up of many experienced
bushwalkers [V/Ls, Rovers]
who are great sources of information of where to go
They could be your expedition examiner.
Contact the Scout Project Commissioner for Bushwalking:-
Kent Wilson 83901423
